The world is grand, awfully big and astonishingly beautiful,frequently thrilling - Dorothy Kilgallen-

Dusk on our first evening and we were greeted by the chorus of hundreds of Corellas flocking in the trees around us. This scene, which was loud- very loud would continue until about 9pm and start again at 6am the next day.

With the excitement of our life ahead we set off to explore Warrnambool. . Flagstaff Hill was a great way to start. We visited during the day, completing a fun treasure hunt around the villiage and imagining life back in the 1800's. Then at night we went on a lantern lit walk and a spectacular laser light show. The screen was a 9m wall of water. This was a real hit with everyone, and very well priced.

While in Koroit we visited Port Fairy and had a beautiful day at the beach. The kids all tried out their new snorkel sets and they even saw a sting ray swim past them.

Zach was super excited when we discovered a tiger snake on the road slithering slowly to the other side. It had been run over near it's head but still alive. Zach thought he would "just pick it up by the tail and take it off the road" Steve Irwin style.

I had been telling the kids about Tower Hill being an extinct volcano. Every time we drove past it Matt kept saying "but where is the volcano bit?" "Down there" we would ALL respond. He was expecting to see a crater with lava at the bottom, not a swamp and small hills. It is interesting how preconceived ideas about something can be so different to the real thing.

Driving down into Tower Hill we saw 7 emus, then a bit further down a mother and her chick, with eyes almost popping out of our heads we searched for koalas which are said to be "everywhere". It wasn't until the last couple of kilometres we saw 2 up in the trees which was still pretty exciting.

Pack up was 3 hours, it was pretty miserable, a bit drizzly, very windy, cold and the screeching Corellas thought they would give us a send off. Time to re-sort, maybe cull and find places for all the itty bitty stuff left at the end.

The world is grand, awfully big and astonishingly beautiful,frequently thrilling - Dorothy Kilgallen-

Dusk on our first evening and we were greeted by the chorus of hundreds of Corellas flocking in the trees around us. This scene, which was loud- very loud would continue until about 9pm and start again at 6am the next day.

With the excitement of our life ahead we set off to explore Warrnambool. . Flagstaff Hill was a great way to start. We visited during the day, completing a fun treasure hunt around the villiage and imagining life back in the 1800's. Then at night we went on a lantern lit walk and a spectacular laser light show. The screen was a 9m wall of water. This was a real hit with everyone, and very well priced.

While in Koroit we visited Port Fairy and had a beautiful day at the beach. The kids all tried out their new snorkel sets and they even saw a sting ray swim past them.

Zach was super excited when we discovered a tiger snake on the road slithering slowly to the other side. It had been run over near it's head but still alive. Zach thought he would "just pick it up by the tail and take it off the road" Steve Irwin style.

I had been telling the kids about Tower Hill being an extinct volcano. Every time we drove past it Matt kept saying "but where is the volcano bit?" "Down there" we would ALL respond. He was expecting to see a crater with lava at the bottom, not a swamp and small hills. It is interesting how preconceived ideas about something can be so different to the real thing.

Driving down into Tower Hill we saw 7 emus, then a bit further down a mother and her chick, with eyes almost popping out of our heads we searched for koalas which are said to be "everywhere". It wasn't until the last couple of kilometres we saw 2 up in the trees which was still pretty exciting.

Pack up was 3 hours, it was pretty miserable, a bit drizzly, very windy, cold and the screeching Corellas thought they would give us a send off. Time to re-sort, maybe cull and find places for all the itty bitty stuff left at the end.

And So It Begins

Coffee, eggs on toast at Dana and Adams house for breakfast, dressed and packed and .....almost ready to go..... Nick and Adam decide to do a minor alteration to the van...all good...and we are farewelled away from Diamond Creek..... Well almost, after stopping at the servo to get air Nick notices one of the valves on the campervan tyre a bit faulty so we are off to tyre power to have the wheel removed and valve replaced. Now we are on our way.

Historically we have had our fair share of mishaps on trips such as running out of petrol, losing the electrical connection on trailers etc etc, so it should be no surprise this trip would be any different. Along the way we ran over a already dead but in the middle of the road kangaroo leaving blood and gore splattered all over the chains, gas bottle and van, and upon arrival at Koroit discovered that the bike rack at the back of the camper had come off with Zach and Abbeys bikes on it.

After unhitching the vans I set off on a hunt to find them, and managed to spot the bikes in some long grass about 4km back relatively unharmed.

After the few teething problems we are now happily set up ready to explore the Warrnambool and surrounding districts.

And So It Begins

Coffee, eggs on toast at Dana and Adams house for breakfast, dressed and packed and .....almost ready to go..... Nick and Adam decide to do a minor alteration to the van...all good...and we are farewelled away from Diamond Creek..... Well almost, after stopping at the servo to get air Nick notices one of the valves on the campervan tyre a bit faulty so we are off to tyre power to have the wheel removed and valve replaced. Now we are on our way.

Historically we have had our fair share of mishaps on trips such as running out of petrol, losing the electrical connection on trailers etc etc, so it should be no surprise this trip would be any different. Along the way we ran over a already dead but in the middle of the road kangaroo leaving blood and gore splattered all over the chains, gas bottle and van, and upon arrival at Koroit discovered that the bike rack at the back of the camper had come off with Zach and Abbeys bikes on it.

After unhitching the vans I set off on a hunt to find them, and managed to spot the bikes in some long grass about 4km back relatively unharmed.

After the few teething problems we are now happily set up ready to explore the Warrnambool and surrounding districts.

A Truly Aussie Farewell

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi. What an amazing way to celebrate Australia Day thanks to my dear friend Dana who organised a farewell party down at the local netball courts.

Throughout the day we shared and made so many memories with a variety of friends and family. Some of the highlights were watching the kids ride bikes around, play on the swings, having a cricket game til 9pm, sitting together on the netball court eating good old fish and chips, chatting with everyone, being given some great gifts and being presented with an awesome Australia cake made by Victoria Sommerville. Words can not express our gratitude for having such a wonderful network of friends and family who all mean so very much to us.

Thankyou to all who came, it was a sensational way to say our goodbyes and celebrate before we set off.

A Truly Aussie Farewell

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi. What an amazing way to celebrate Australia Day thanks to my dear friend Dana who organised a farewell party down at the local netball courts.

Throughout the day we shared and made so many memories with a variety of friends and family. Some of the highlights were watching the kids ride bikes around, play on the swings, having a cricket game til 9pm, sitting together on the netball court eating good old fish and chips, chatting with everyone, being given some great gifts and being presented with an awesome Australia cake made by Victoria Sommerville. Words can not express our gratitude for having such a wonderful network of friends and family who all mean so very much to us.

Thankyou to all who came, it was a sensational way to say our goodbyes and celebrate before we set off.

What This Bloke Wants Cannot Be Bought, Probably Can't Even Be Found.

What this bloke wants cannot be bought, probably can't even be found. And a man who looks for something whose existence he doubts is in real bloody strife.

So here starts our Australian Adventure.... As the quote in the title suggests, the mission or purpose for this Family Adventure for me is so much more important than just a family holiday. For me to reestablish a connection with the kids and Rosie is much of what this trip is about.

Should I wonder for a minute that a more simple way of living, building a strong family unit, coming to terms with what I want into the years ahead and preparing for the next step in my career was not a possibility, then time to turn back now!

I have learned through the weeks leading up to us finally getting on the road, how blessed we are to have such strong family roots and equally as important such a diverse and supportive group of friends... Rosie's Australia Day Blog will say it all!

So.......as, day one comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the months ahead and prepare to find inner peace with this world we share with so many other travelers....

To all our family and friends who have helped get us away, again thanks... I only hope that my intermittent thoughts on our trip also encourages you in that search towards what really matters.N.

What This Bloke Wants Cannot Be Bought, Probably Can't Even Be Found.

What this bloke wants cannot be bought, probably can't even be found. And a man who looks for something whose existence he doubts is in real bloody strife.

So here starts our Australian Adventure.... As the quote in the title suggests, the mission or purpose for this Family Adventure for me is so much more important than just a family holiday. For me to reestablish a connection with the kids and Rosie is much of what this trip is about.

Should I wonder for a minute that a more simple way of living, building a strong family unit, coming to terms with what I want into the years ahead and preparing for the next step in my career was not a possibility, then time to turn back now!

I have learned through the weeks leading up to us finally getting on the road, how blessed we are to have such strong family roots and equally as important such a diverse and supportive group of friends... Rosie's Australia Day Blog will say it all!

So.......as, day one comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the months ahead and prepare to find inner peace with this world we share with so many other travelers....

To all our family and friends who have helped get us away, again thanks... I only hope that my intermittent thoughts on our trip also encourages you in that search towards what really matters.N.

On The Farm

On Friday 20th Jan we finally finished packing up our house and loaded well actually overloaded the car and the campervan and headed up to Nick's brother and sister-in-laws farm. The kids were full of excitement at the prospect of having 6 whole days with Uncle Jerry, Aunty Lisa, Emma & Lucy. I'm not sure they shared the same enthusiasm tho.

Throughout the week we did more sorting and culling of clothes and stuff that wasn't completely necessary (including my hair straightener and hair dryer).

The kids loved swimming in the dam each day, yabbying, collecting the chicken eggs, playing "make up parlors", loads of singstar, rides on "Murphy" the old land rover, picking fresh fruit and vegies and on the favourite had to have been the rides on the back of the tractor.

Poor Uncle Jerry must have been looking forward to Thursday coming just so he could have a bit of peace and quiet.

We shared many laughs, memories, a few tears (mine) and loved having the opportunity to really sort out our needs
for the trip.

On The Farm

On Friday 20th Jan we finally finished packing up our house and loaded well actually overloaded the car and the campervan and headed up to Nick's brother and sister-in-laws farm. The kids were full of excitement at the prospect of having 6 whole days with Uncle Jerry, Aunty Lisa, Emma & Lucy. I'm not sure they shared the same enthusiasm tho.

Throughout the week we did more sorting and culling of clothes and stuff that wasn't completely necessary (including my hair straightener and hair dryer).

The kids loved swimming in the dam each day, yabbying, collecting the chicken eggs, playing "make up parlors", loads of singstar, rides on "Murphy" the old land rover, picking fresh fruit and vegies and on the favourite had to have been the rides on the back of the tractor.

Poor Uncle Jerry must have been looking forward to Thursday coming just so he could have a bit of peace and quiet.

We shared many laughs, memories, a few tears (mine) and loved having the opportunity to really sort out our needs
for the trip.

A Trial Run

Before heading off on our big Australian Adventure we thought a trial run to test out the camper, equipment and our patience.

We had a sensational 10 days away in Mallacoota, fishing, exploring the beaches, discovering a 13m beached whale, putting around the lakes system in a boat, making new friends in the caravan park (I think Abbey knew everyone in the park), Abbey learning to ride her bike with no training wheels and most importantly working out what we need to take away, where it can be stored and how we can make such a big trip work.

There were moments of frustration, especially when we arrived at 9pm, and had to set up camp and then cook tea establishing our first and foremost priority for the trip NEVER to arrive after 6pm.

Now with 26 days til we leave, our focus is on packing the house up and sorting what we need, catching up with friends and family and watching Josh play cricket for a representative team.

A Trial Run

Before heading off on our big Australian Adventure we thought a trial run to test out the camper, equipment and our patience.

We had a sensational 10 days away in Mallacoota, fishing, exploring the beaches, discovering a 13m beached whale, putting around the lakes system in a boat, making new friends in the caravan park (I think Abbey knew everyone in the park), Abbey learning to ride her bike with no training wheels and most importantly working out what we need to take away, where it can be stored and how we can make such a big trip work.

There were moments of frustration, especially when we arrived at 9pm, and had to set up camp and then cook tea establishing our first and foremost priority for the trip NEVER to arrive after 6pm.

Now with 26 days til we leave, our focus is on packing the house up and sorting what we need, catching up with friends and family and watching Josh play cricket for a representative team.