Gold and Tall trees!

We had the best day today, waking up to our first sunny day since we arrived in Tasmania and feeling slightly guilty that our fellow Queenslanders were suffering a category 5 cyclone!
We decided to go for a drive up to Evercreech Reserve near Fingal...the second of the 60 great short walks we are attempting to do while here.
Evercreech is a small reserve with bbq's undercover and toilets beside a crystal clear creek and a walking track that takes you through some of Australia's tallest white gum trees and really pretty forest.
If you decide to take the walk, remember to wear good footwear as there are leeches and snakes along the track.
You have a ten minute walk to the biggest tree where there is a platform you can walk around and then you can walk further on in a loop back to the car park, however this part of the track is quite steep and narrow if you have small children.
To be honest, I think we all enjoyed sitting by the creek more than the walk and I showed the kids how to search for fools gold ( a childhood love of mine living on the Yarra Valley in Victoria)
We found some really large pieces which created lots of excitement....
The creek was so cold that we placed our bottles of water in it so they were icy cold to drink.
We met a couple from Nashville, America which River thought was great, they have been holidaying in Australia for the last three weeks and are about to board the Queen Victoria to sail back to America.
We also met a younger couple with a little boy who are from Byron Bay, originally from Wales and they were nice to talk to also.
We are all looking forward to Troy arriving tomorrow, I am going to drive to Launceston to pick him up from the airport and we will do some last minute shopping for the Overland Track next week.I
It will be good for him to spend a week with River and Ruby exploring while Ant and I take the trek...once again we will be apart from each other but at least we are all in the same state now lol!
I bought myself some pastels and a sketchbook yesterday as I haven't worked on anything artistic since I graduated so I am planning to spend the weekend with my family down the beach sketching.
Until next time X

Unexpected bumps along the way!

It's been a really trying couple of weeks for all of us....but I have found who is really important to me in the process..
The bus has a full coat of paint and just needs the Southern Cross painted on the sides to be complete then we can focus on the interior.
I have been very brave and filled a large washing basket full of clothes that we simply do not need....I haven't quite made it to the Vinnies bin yet... I am working on that part, its really difficult to let go!...but realistically we don't have the room in the bus so I must travel lighter.
My girlfriend took me to the movies at Chirnside Park...I was so excited as I cannot remember the last time I had been!
We watched 'Wild' starring Reece Witherspoon and I loved it so much I decided it would be a great idea for us to do our own trek.....My girlfriend, our 16yr old son and myself are now booked for the 28th February to trek the Overland Track in Tasmanias wilderness for 6 days!!...now that will be an experience lol!
This will be the first trek of its kind for all of us and the pre-hike training has been hysterical to say the least but that would take another blog all on its own....one week out and we still haven't decided what food to take so please feel free to offer suggestions!
Troy has been hospitalized for ongoing back pain that was so bad my dad had to fill his ticket on the Spirit of Tasmania that we had booked.
We took our car over on a day sail and we are house sitting in the North Eastern town of Binalong Bay.
Dad settled us in and spent time with each of the kids before flying home to Melbourne today....Troy has finally been given the all clear to meet us over here on Saturday and we can't wait to all be together again!
Tasmania is just absolutely stunning and everyone is so happy here!
Its not expensive either.
Our house has the most amazing views and we have a track down to the beach where there are big boulders covered in orange Lichen with the whitest sands...its just beautiful....I pinch myself every morning.....the kids just shreik with delight everytime we walk down there....I am so glad we are giving them these experiences...
Its been challenging but once again a few wonderful friends have rallied around us and if those particular friends (and some family members) are reading this, Troy and I are truly grateful....you keep us going and have taken care of us while we have been separated as a family....thankyou 💜

I admit I am hopeless at blogging!

It was one of my great ideas that I begin but never finish....a blog....a travelling blog about our trip around Australia in a bus.
There have been so many drafts started since I posted last about how I have travelled solo with our three children in a tent to Canberra, down the Monaro Hwy into Morwell Victoria then continuing on to Warburton ( my hometown) where we met up with Troy in the bus and are currently parked up.
The drafts talked about all the wonderful places we have visited, the pro's and con's of each place and the wonderful people we have met along the way but when I re-read them, I thought my blog was so boring I deleted them...after all if you want to find out about a place, you just google it right?
I had the most horrendous hay fever today and popped a couple of cold and flu tablets so here I am writing because I cannot sleep so the upside is, my blog survives another day!
First of all, travelling solo with three children in a tent is not easy and I am so thankful for our teenager who helped with the younger two when I was just too exhausted to function any longer and the kindness of friends and family who welcomed us for a night or two in Canberra and in Melbourne and one family even allowing us to house sit for a week before we eventually arrived at our destination.
We are camped on my dads back lawn still half living out of our tent but slowly moving back into our bus while Troy finishes painting it.
My dad has been ill so it has been nice spending time with him as I usually walk around thinking my parents are going to be around forever....a bit of a reality check when he is checked into hospital with heart problems.
Its nice to have Troy back with us after spending a month in Newcastle as he continues to struggle with his back problem and trying to get work finished on the bus, absence truly does make the heart grow fonder....after 18 yrs together, some time apart has helped us both continue on our family adventure together stronger than ever.
I feel this week, I have finally let go of the need for material possessions to the point that clutter in our bus is starting to annoy me and its quite liberating throwing things out that I have still clung onto from our home in Queensland.
I am also losing weight which I am happy about as living free is actually hard work, there are so many more physical chores to do and we also walk a lot more which is nice.
The kids are just buzzing with all they are experiencing and I am surprised at how many people ask why the kids aren't at school but when Ruby gets to swim in the ocean rock pools with local girls who teach her about whats under the sea and Troy jumps up at 10pm to take Anthony out for a drive with his camera to capture the full moon and River goes to the movie theatre for the first time ever with his pop, I don't regret homeschooling them for a second.
They are learning more than enough for now.
Troy and I are learning more patience, tolerance and respect for each others space and although some days are not easy, right now I think travelling with our kids is the best decision we have ever made.
I might even write another blog!

Sue X

A special moment

I will write a blog soon about our 24hr visit to Canberra when we reach our next destination but for now I wanted to share something very special.
Since River could talk he has been fascinated by the military but I didn't realise just how much until yesterday.
We had 45 minutes left in the day to visit the War Memorial and now I regret that we didn't arrive earlier to give ourselves more time to walk this amazing shrine to our Australian heroes.
The art gods are definitely looking after me at the moment because the memorial gallery was exhibiting Ben Quiltys Afghanistan exhibition so Ruby and I spent our 45minutes admiring his brilliant portraits.
Anthony and River walked around the museum and when we met back up Ant told me how much River was enjoying himself.
I decided we should stay for the last post after the museum closed and we joined the other few hundred people gathering at the pool of reflection.
I was talking to a man while waiting for the ceremony to begin about his grandfather whose name was on the memorial wall and I mentioned that my great grandfather fought in world war 1 and he gave my Grandfather the name of William Gabe Tepe (Gabe Tepe being one of the outlooks at Gallipolli).
River then pipes up saying 'and don't forget my Uncle Len who is a soldier'....I didn't realise he was listening to our conversation.
Ruby was being her typical 4yr old self whining and saying 'wheres poppy?' at the top of her voice as most can imagine When I mentioned how beautiful the poppies on the memorial wall were ...it would've been easier to forget the ceremony and take them home but I could see Ant was really embracing the moment and I decided to leave Ant and hush the two little ones to some steps so they could sit which gave us full view of the ceremony anyway.
Each ceremony held, a story is told about one of our brave who fought for our country and is remembered.
I must apologize but I didn't hear the soldiers name because I was settling the kids down with River eventually choosing my lap to sit but we did hear his story....he fought during world war 1 at the age of 18 and died from a gunshot wound to the back....at only 19.
The story went for a while....everyone silent (except Ruby who was fidgeting the entire service) but during one of her quieter moments I witnessed the most beautiful action.....as the soldiers story was being read out...our little boy River, all of 5yrs old very slowly but deliberately raised his hand to his brow and began to quietly salute this hero of our country whose short life our generation wouldn't even know existed if it wasnt for this service.....he didn't just do this action once but at least 4 times very slowly and quietly without anyone even noticing...I lost count through the quiet tears of pure joy and pride I had for this special little man we named River.
At that moment I reached out and touched Rubys shoulder and glanced at Ant up on the balcony above us and couldn't have been more proud of these little people we have created.
I am also proud to be an Australian and proud of these men and women like my Uncle Len and my grandparents and great grandparents who chose and still do to sacrifice thier time and many with thier lives to protect us daily without us even giving them a second thought.

We will remember them 💜

NSW South Coast

I didn't realise travelling was so tiring! or maybe travelling with kids is the reason I am in bed by 8pm most nights this week!
The last few days have seen really high temperatures so everywhere we went at least one of us was hot and bothered, we have also battled large crowds because we are on the coast at the moment in peak season and its even slow driving on the roads.
We stayed at Berry Showgrounds which is a little in from the coast and at just $12 per night including power with the kids staying for free, this has been our cheapest stay to date.
The amenities are a little smaller than other places we have stayed at but we were lucky enough to be camped right next to them so its an easier walk with the kids.
The management are really friendly and there is a laundry and a share kitchen with the local swimming pool right next door.
The town of Berry is really pretty with lots of little cottage shops on both sides of the street, shopping is a little more expensive here so we travelled to Nowra if we needed anything major.
Berry does lack a good playground but there are plenty in towns nearby.
The woodfired pizza shop however is absolutely amazing! Best pizza I have ever had hands down and the famous donut van is Ants favourite.
We had a storm hit yesterday which cooled the temperature right down, there is something special about camping in the rain inside a tent all snuggled up warm...it sure is nicer than being inside a tent on a sweltering day!
We took advantage of the cooler day today and visited the Fitzroy Falls and I am so glad we did.
The scenery is absolutely stunning, it felt like we were up in the clouds and Ruby thought the forest looked like a storybook.
We also visited Tallowa dam and Kangaroo Valley where we had lunch at the local bakery.
There were so many cliffs and caves to look at as we drove up the mountains and then down into the valleys below.....such a beautiful part of Australia X

Travelling with the kids solo

Its been a hot, hectic day.
I need to get myself more organized if we are going to travel succesfully or at the very least try to be less impulsive....a trait of my personality that is so far out of control its not funny anymore.
We had already planned that Troy was staying back a while and that I would continue South with the kids on a camping trip then I get this great idea that I would have a stall at the markets that were being held at the showgrounds we are currently camped at before we leave, afterall its only going to be a 38 degree day and after the markets we will have time to pack the car and head off right?
It was so hot, I think there were two kids at the markets and I got to proudly facepaint them....at least I made half my rent back for my efforts!
I proudly pack up my things and with the help of Troy and the kids I carry all my paints, chairs and table back to the bus, sweating and quietly thinking to myself that was a bloody waste of time...but with my pride refusing to admit defeat, I smile and start packing the car.
I think it was about 2 or 3pm that we finally drive out waving goodbye to daddy, tooting to him up the road until he was no longer in sight.
I feel sad leaving Troy behind and the realization that I am now on a camping trip with the kids alone sinks in pretty quickly.
Anthony drove for the first time through Sydney as a learner and I must say he did really well so I thought we might stop and have a look at the sea cliff bridge as a treat...
The sea cliff bridge is along Lawrence Hargreaves drive at Stanwell, heading towards Wollongong.
It really was a beautiful scenic drive and we all agreed one of the prettiest stretches we have seen so far.
We park the car and I am walking ahead of the kids in total awe of the views and I could see people looking past me at the kids..some giggling and others just staring in disbelief, so I turn around to look at them and I didn't know what to do.....when we left the showgrounds, I had given the kids a packet of textas and a scrapbook as a treat and here were my two children walking along this bridge covered head to toe in texta pen and to top it off, neither Troy or I had noticed that River was still in his pjamas!....it was at least 4pm in the afternoon.
There was no going back now....we were on the bridge!
I held my head up and we kept walking along that bridge...all four of us, afterall what were they going to say to me?....the state of my children was pretty self explanatory!
We headed back to the car and kept driving until we reached our destination with enough light left to put the tent up.
We had dinner and all fell asleep really early until Ruby woke me up for some water at 1am.
So thats the time I am writing this blog...its now 2.08am and the lesson learned is be more organised and my day probably would've been a lot less tiring....tomorrow is a new day  💚

Morisset Showgrounds

Whenever we return to Newcastle Troy is like an excited kid, he will always deny this but its so funny to watch him as he returns to his hometown and although I grew up in Victoria, Newcastle is a bit special to me too after all, its where we first met, Anthony was born in the John Hunter Hospital and its where we owned and operated two award winning lolly shops.

We decided to camp up at the Morisset Showgrounds which has a huge open space and at only $25 per night for all of us with power, its a lot more economical than camping in a caravan park.

The amenities are clean and the showers are new which makes life more comfortable when you have young children.

The only thing I would suggest to any future camper is to not park near the track because the horses trotting in the mornings create a lot of dust but having said this, the people that are parked along the track don't seem to be bothered.

This camp was my first experience with lazy people who empty their toilet cassette in the loo.

I won't go into detail but just think of the word spray and you should get the idea, not nice to walk into first thing in the morning!

I find this so grotesque, especially when there is a signed dump point metres away with a hose supplied for cleaning.

Do these people consider the poor caretaker who has to clean up the mess afterwards?

We have had a great time at Morisset waking up with Nana and Pop and the kids Christmas morning and catching up with family.

Troy set a tarp up over the bus which allowed for some shelter outside, this created a lot of calm in the camp, we all had somewhere to escape to now.

We have been so busy here that we haven't done as much as we would've liked but the kids and I went on a lovely walk through Glenrock reserve at Kahibah which opens out onto the beach, it was such a beautiful walk with some great views and wildlife along the track.

We visited the Newcastle museum with family, went to the Morisset Psychiatric hospital grounds to see the kangaroos but it was such a hot day I think they were all hiding as we only saw one, we visited the Norah Heads lighthouse which was fantastic and I got to see the Archibald exhibition on tour at the Gosford Regional Art Gallery with Anthony.
The Gosford Regional Art Gallery also has a Japanese Garden you can wander through.

We have met some lovely families while staying here, and the caretakers are really friendly and approachable.

Its the first time we have stayed home for New Years Eve for a long time but it feels like we don't need to go anywhere, we are so relaxed here.

Tomorrow I will be packing the car and taking the kids on a camping trip down the South Coast, eventually arriving in Melbourne.

Troy is having trouble with his back so is staying behind for a while and resting up before eventually meeting up with us again down the track.

Goodbye 2014, I hope you all have a happy and safe night crossing into 2015.