Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Off we go...


On Monday, after years and weeks and months and days and hours of organising and cleaning, we all piled in the car, we hooked up the van and we drove down the driveway. Honestly at the time it didn't feel like such a big deal. Like we could have been driving to town for milk or something.

I was trying to make myself feel something as the chorus from the backseat farewelled everything we drove past: goodbye house, goodbye sheds, goodbye chooks, goodbye farmer boys, goodbye dogs, goodbye apple trees...but I didn't. Even though Indi was crying, I didn't really feel it.

We drove into town for a final coffee and some more farewells and then we drove out of town. My sister cried, the girls were excitedly screaming, I could tell Bren was nervous about the van but I was still a bit numb. Like this wasn't really happening yet.

We had lunch about an hour later on the side of a freeway, the van did have issues and needed fixing and we drove to a caravan park in Bendigo.

Then late last night, after the pasta bake made before we left had been eaten, the girls were in bed and the lights were off, it hit me hard.

It came in the form of words and lists and blog posts. Things I had left behind, jobs I had forgotten to do, calls I hadn't remembered to return, a little bit of anxiety and a little bit of excitement.

Those words kept me up all night chatting away in my head. Bla bla bla. They were even louder than the guys chatting a few vans up from ours. Bla, bla, bla...all night long.

But this morning as the sun came up I noticed the words were quietening down. They had done their job and I felt clear and ready for the caravan adventure to begin.

And off we drove...

Rohan Anderson took the pic above. He took loads of great photos of the van and would you believe I forgot to offer him a cuppah! Rude!

I'll show you more of Ro's ace pics tomorrow.

See ya!

47 comments:

  1. I'm so looking forward to follow you on your great adventure!

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  2. Congratulations! Let the adventure begin... x

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  3. Your feelings are only natural I am glad you are starting to enjoy this adventure I do envy you its something I have been wanting to do again for years,Looking forward to traveling with you via your posts xx

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  4. oh, I am so excited for you and your family off on your big adventure. And I can't wait to follow your journey. Happy and safe travels x

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  5. Oh what fun adventures you are going to have. I can't wait to read all about it.

    If it means anything: I forget to offer people cuppas too. Right after they leave I realise and feel like a terrible, terrible host.

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  6. have a great time ! Looking forward to reading all about your trip.Great photo .

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  7. Wooohooo let the fun begin!
    Enjoy and drive carefully

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  8. i could relate to each and every word of yours, we went through this kind of adventure 2 yrs ago - only we left to Australia, China and Thailand (from the very far Israel) - But after day 1 was over, so does my fears and over thinking, and the fun started. This is going to be soooo good, enjoy it =)
    xo

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  9. You have been in my thoughts Kate as you embark on this new adventure. Exciting times ahead :)

    I felt the same way when we packed up and moved to Brisbane...I think I was being strong for our children, it hit me on the other side but not as bad as I expected it too.

    Happy travelling...look forward to the next installment.

    xxx

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  10. OMG I was so thinking about you today now after reading your posts for the last few days you've got me having a blub for you too Darling. It's like me going on my recent big holiday ... fear of the unknown, stepping outside the confort zone and all that stuff.
    Go with it Darling, enjoy every second ... I so envy you. The girls looks so gorgeous in theeir bunks. You're wonderful Kate ...
    Oh yes was thinking of you in Lincraft discovering 'Elicia' Ruffle Yarn - will do a post about it tomorrow.
    HUGE HUGS & LOVE to You ALL ♥♥♥♥♥

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  11. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeal!!
    xxxCate

    PS: if you end up down the mornington peninsula at any point drop by (I'll offer you a cuppa - promise)

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  12. Finally the adventure begins... YAY!

    I'm really looking forward to following your journey. Thankyou so much for sharing it with us.

    Have an amazing time with your beautiful family.
    X

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  13. Well done! The stress for any trip is the worst the day you leave. Now relax and enjoy! And you even managed to blog :)

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  14. So glad you have invited us all along.
    xo jana

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  15. I'm so glad to hear you're on your way. Stuff can wait. Have the most amazing time! Nic x

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  16. you will feel better and better as the next few days pass, it will be soooo wonderful. I am soooo envious so I will be living the life of a traveller once again through you and your gorgeous family's journey, can't wait to come along with you.......hugs to you, enjoy xx

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  17. All those things you forgot to do really didn't need doing anyway. Enjoy each moment of this experience with your precious family. God bless you and your family (and your vehicles) and may She watch over you and keep you safe.

    You are going to write a book about this, right? I would read it!

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  18. Oh my goodness! Safe travels gorgeous family!

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  19. good luck! i've loved following your progress preparing for the trip, and am looking forward to following the trip too.x

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  20. Happy travels, love that photo of the 3 excited kids and those beautiful bed coverings.

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  21. What a happy photo!
    Safe travels and adventures.

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  22. How exciting! Hope you have loads of fun. Corey and I would love to do this with or (future) kids one day so I will be reading along with eager anticipation of your adventures.

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  23. Oh Kate, so excited for you all! You ate going to make the most amazing memories. If you are in Canberra and need a break from th van, a cuppa , a shower, to do a load of washing etc just let me know.

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  24. WooHoo and we're off.......I will be enjoying the caravaning along with you, safe travels.
    x Sandi

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  25. Have Fun!
    So pleased for you all

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  26. Yay!
    Have a fabulous time - do not worry about what you haven't done, but instead think of that you are going to do (and see, and experience). This is such a great opportunity for you all and it is something you will never forget. And I, for one, am extremely envious!!
    l
    x

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  27. Your caravan looks awesome! Have a great adventure.

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  28. That is one fabulous photo :) Glad the voices have quietened down. What a wonderful ease in to your journey - have a great time! Kx

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  29. woohoo! I can't wait to see where you go!

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  30. You know I'm usually such a polite girl, but fan-bloody-tastic. Cannot WAIT to follow along. Drive safely. xxx

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  31. Hugs to you Kate - can't wait to see more photos - the girls look amazing!

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  32. Hi Kate..so good that it's all happening! Glad the van issues were fixable and love your quilts.

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  33. Woop Woop! You're off and flying! Well done all of you. This adventure will be the memory of a lifetime. I am very happy for you Kate. So looking forward to sharing in the journey. Have a ball :o) xo

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  34. Wooo hooo! I'm so excited for you I have tears in my eyes. I hope those words continue to quieten.

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  35. A three level bunk bed? I've never seen such a thing! What a sweet little layer-cake of girls in jammies!

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  36. HOORRAAYY!!! Horray for you all, I have butterflies in my tummy as I read this post. Enjoy your adventure Kate, I really hope it is me & all my guys heading off to do this one day...xxx

    PS my word veri is "ending" I'd say it's just beginning...

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  37. Woo hoo! Who said "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all?"
    LOVE the colour of the van and those super sweet doona covers!
    Happy travelling!

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  38. Well, it's all done but the fun. Take a deep breath.

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  39. i try hard to imagine that defining moment pulling away from life as we know it, heading off on the adventure of a lifetime. sounds to me like you got off to a great start. the photos are divine

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  40. Yeah!!!! Have a BALL. The van looks FANTASTIC and ro's pics are delicious!! Safe travels. xxxx

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  41. Go well... may the wind be always at your back :)

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  42. Best of luck, this is a dream of my husbands and mine and with any luck we will be able to fulfill in the next few years.

    Happy, safe road travells and look out for road trains.

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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