I had my first “go” at caravan grocery shopping today.  I found it quite hard to do.  I’m used to having a well-stocked pantry and freezer and shopping to top them up rather than shopping for everything I need at once.  It’s hard not to “over shop” too as I usually do stock up shops when I’m in a bigger supermarket.  Not to mention the fact that it’s a supermarket I’m not familiar with.

So, after the stress of trying to buy food to feed the family, I really felt like I wanted to go “home”.  Not, “home to the farm” but “home to the caravan”.  It’s nice to have a place while we’re away that really feels “homely”.  A place to escape to when the world gets “too much”.

As for grocery shopping, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do a “weekly” shop.  I just don’t have the room.  I spent about $85 today.  That bought 3 meals of meat plus some meat for lunches.  I guess about half a week’s worth of food.  I’m pretty happy with that.  While the meats I bought weren’t as expensive as we might sometimes have, and I have brought a few tinned things from home, it was a good start and an indication that $250 should be sufficient for a week’s worth of food.  At least, in most places.

We were going to buy pizza on Friday night but the place that was advertised as delivering had decided they wouldn’t deliver to the caravan park after all.  Our car was still hooked on as we were in a drive through site and only staying overnight.  So, we cooked a tuna mornay from ingredients I had in the cupboard and thought we’d buy take away tonight (Saturday night) instead.  By the time I’d done the supermarket shopping, all I wanted to do was come “home” and couldn’t be bothered working out what take away we might have.  I’d bought the ingredients for hamburgers so we made those instead.

It’s funny really.  One of the things I was looking forward to on this trip was having access to take away.  Yet, the 2 times we’ve thought about having it, it’s felt easier to cook something in the caravan rather than find a place, make a decision and get the take away.  Perhaps take away isn’t so convenient after all?  Or perhaps the novelty of caravan cooking will wear off and we’ll end up being more susceptible to the “take away bug” as time goes on. 

I can actually see us tending towards take away type foods for lunch more as we’re out and about during the day.  When it’s dark, all you want to do is get “home” and stay there.

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Coming Home

The GeoCentre was all about mining in Broken Hill and had lots of minerals on display.  The kids found it quite interesting.  They had a microscope set up with a screen that they could investigate the minerals in various rock samples (which, of course, the kids fought over).  There was also a cabinet displaying fluorescent minerals, a 42kg silver nugget and a silver tree.  The kids had fun taking lots of photographs on their cameras.  At only $8 for our family, it seemed like good value.  Out the back they had some large rocks, a miners cottage and an outdoor toilet on display.  I think it was all very eye opening for the kids.

We then met up with an internet friend.  Princess Singstar was quite funny.  She couldn’t understand how i could have a friend that I didn’t know what she looked like.  When I explained it to her she was like “that’s just weird”.  Thanks hon.  :)  The kids had a great play on the playground, something they desperately needed after 2 days of travelling without much playtime.

Toward the end of the afternoon, we drove out to the Desert Sculptures.  They’re supposed to be the most spectacular as the sun is setting.  Lleyton took a photograph with the sun shining on them and one without it and there’s quite a difference (if I get a chance, I’ll show you his photographs – we’ve been rather busy and I haven’t uploaded any images to the computer yet).

We had quite a funny moment when we arrived out there.  We pulled up at the station to pay (and to be honest, I thought $10 a car seemed expensive but never mind) and it said that the gates closed at 6pm.  By our clocks it was only 4.30pm which was fine.  Then Lleyton pointed out that we were in NSW and hadn’t the time now changed?  I had completely forgotten about that and had a moment of panic that I’d totally messed up the times with meeting my friend.  It had all worked out fine with meeting up so I wasn’t sure what I’d done.  i gave her a ring to ask what the time was and found out that Broken Hill works on Central Time.  Phew!!!!  We didn’t have to change our clocks until the next day.

There is an option to drive up to the Sculptures but we opted to walk, figuring after 2 days of mostly travelling, we could all do with a little exercise.  It’s an uphill walk so was a great workout although the younger 2 whined most of the way up.  The view and the sculptures was well worth it though.

Day 3 is another day of travelling.  We’re hoping to do around 600km which is quite a long day towing the van (we can’t go as fast while towing the van).  It’s likely to be our biggest day of travel for the entire trip (at least until we head homewards at the end).  Fortunately, we got away in good time.  The kids were awake by 6.45am and we were packed up and pulling out of the park around 7.30am.  Early starts usually bode well for a good day of travelling.  As I type this, we’ve been on the road an hour.  There’s still a long way to go so hopefully the kids continue to travel well.  The scenery around these parts are pretty boring.  All I can say is thank goodness for car DVD players.  They’re a life saver on days like this!!!!

Update: We survived the long day of travelling.  There was supposed to be wi-fi here at the caravan park but apparently it isn’t working. :(  Hopefully I can publish this when we get to Dubbo.

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Broken Hill

So, today is day 2 of our trip and also my birthday.  When I told the kids I was getting a “big trip” for my birthday, Trailer Boy got all sooky and said he wanted a big trip for his birthday.  LOL and oops all at the same time.  I told him I’m sharing my big trip with everyone!

So, day one of our trip turned out to be a bit of a struggle.  Everyone was tired and testy which made it harder.

In the first 200km, we stopped 4 times.  3 of those were at lunch time.  We stopped for lunch in a parking bay (oh, how I love the convenience of the caravan and being able to stop anywhere).  Everyone piled in the car (which involves moving a seat so that one can get into the very back of the car) and then suddenly, Lleyton decides he needs to go to the toilet.  He’s the one in the back back at the moment so we had to pack up the seat and let him out.  Fortunately, Trailer Boy went then too.

We drove about 5 minutes down the road only to discover one of the kids had left their car gear in the caravan.  So we had to stop again.

It was at that point that I wondered if we were EVER going to make it to our destination.  It was also at that point that Farmboy introduced a new “rule”.  Anyone who needed to stop within half an hour of a stop would be fined 50c.

Funnily enough, when we headed off this morning and stopped for fuel, I ended up making 3 trips into the caravan for stuff the kids wanted.  They were lucky we’d already had to make a stop or it might have been “bad luck”.  Perhaps that is the key.  Plan to stop for fuel just after we’ve headed off so we can get what’s been forgotten from out of the van.  I think both boys (Lleyton and Trailer Boy) are brewing something.  They both woke up this morning with sore throats and Lleyton was coughing during the night.  Trailer Boy seems particularly tired.  He slept in this morning even with all the moving around that was happening.  Amazing for him!

So, back to my birthday.

Farmboy gave me a “caravan survival kit”.  I took photo’s but I’m typing this as we drive along and I’m not sure if we’ll have time to upload them so I’ll just tell you about them.

COLLAPSIBLE BUCKET

We don’t have a bucket so this will come in handy and doesn’t take up much room.  Most likely he’ll use it more than me (washing the car, fishing) but that’s okay.

KIT KAT

For when I need a break!

LIFESAVERS

For when I need saving (that would have been last night when I was tempted to head home again!!!)

PANADOL

Pretty self explanatory really.

EAR PLUGS

Could REALLY come in handy in the car!!!!

CARAMEL BUDS

To sweeten me up???? (yeah, I have been a little grumpy so far )

$20 NOTE

My “run away from home/caravan” fund.  LOL.

Lleyton also gave me $5 of his own money.  He’s done that before and is rather generous like that.  I never want to take it but at the same time, don’t want to discourage his generosity.  I think I’ll buy something with it that we can all share.

Farmboy cooked bacon and eggs on the bbq this morning for breakfast which was lovely.

We’re hoping to make it to Broken Hill today and will go out for dinner tonight as a family which will be lovely.  Hopefully we make better time today so we can have a bit of a look around Broken Hill this afternoon.  I guess we’ll see how we go.  So far so good.  We left about an hour earlier than yesterday and have made it further without needing to stop.  The kids seem more settled in the car which is about what we expected.  They seem to travel better once they’ve gotten used to sitting in the car.

Update: Made it to Broken Hill and have had a lovely afternoon.  Went out for a lovely meal for dinner and now we’re spending a few minutes at the golden arches so I can post this.

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35 Today

We’ve already had kids in tears and kids fighting.  *sigh*

Is this going to be a loooonnngggg trip????  LOL

I think they’ll settle down now that we’re actually away.

It still doesn’t feel real!  I’m beginning to wonder if it’s ever going to really feel real.  Maybe when we get back and look back on what we’ve done. 

No idea what I’ve forgotten yet, if anything.  Hopefully nothing too important or irreplaceable.

I have 3 kids and my netbook so all the important things are with me.  Oh, and Farmboy and the caravan.  So we should be right. 

The plan today is to travel around 340km.  Not a huge day and there are a couple of potential stops along the way that we could stay if we don’t want to go the full distance.  It’s nice to be able to take the day as it comes. 

I think the most boring part of the entire trip will be the first 200km.  After that we’ll be into country we haven’t seen before which should make it more interesting.

I seem to have more food with me than I expected.  I *think* that’s a good thing in that I won’t have to buy so much to begin with.  On the other hand, it’s a little bit frustrating as I’m short on room.  There are things like 2 jars of vegemite (one from inside and one that was already in the caravan).  Hopefully we’ll use up some of the duplicates quickly so I can buy other things for variety.

So, that’s about it for now.  Will publish this when I get a chance.

Quick Update: We’ve finally made it to Port Augusta!  It’s been a sloowwww trip so far.  Farmboy has now told the kids if they have to stop within 30 minutes after we’ve had a stop, he’s going to fine them 50c.  LOL.  They’re travelling better as the day goes on so here’s hoping the trip gets easier from here on in.  Trailer Boy can’t quite “get” the concept that there isn’t really a “there yet” to answer his “Are We There Yet?”  LOL.  We’re like “are we where?” because this whole trip is about travelling around.

Hoping McDonald’s here has free wifi so I can publish this post.  If you’re reading this, the answer is yes.

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And We’re Off

So far we’ve had a couple of minor repairs to do on the caravan, a laptop that the disc drive has decided not to work in (fortunately we decided to put a DVD on in the caravan last night and discovered it so we can take the other laptop - not ideal but better than nothing) and a wet bed.

We’re figured a few hiccups now should ensure a trouble free trip.  Sounds reasonable doesn’t it? 

It’s all been fixable and deciding to sleep in the van last night was certainly a good move.

The kids went to sleep pretty late but I’m hoping the “first night in the caravan” excitement is over now.

I slept well although woke up at 5.30am this morning so I’m still weary.  Not to worry, I think tonight will be an early night for all.

Running between the house and the caravan has been a little wearying at times but at least it’s made this morning a little smoother.

It’s now 9.45 and I’m spending a few minutes on the net while Farmboy does a couple of last minute things.  I think we should be away sometime in the next half an hour which gets us on the road in good time.

I like sitting in the caravan with internet access - maybe we should just spend our 100 nights in the backyard.  LOL.  Just kidding!!!

Both Lleyton and Singstar Princess have come up to me and given me a hug and said thank you for making this big trip happen.  Totally unprompted.  It’s enough to make a mother cry.  I’m so glad they appreciate it and no doubt it’ll be a highlight in their childhood.  At least, that’s the plan.

Well, I’d better sign off so I can pack up my netbook.  Catch you again when I can. 

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Last Minute Hiccups

Tonight, the plan is to eat and sleep in the caravan.

There are a couple of reasons for this.

The first is that I need to wash up all the bedding so it makes sense to do all the washing today and as of late this afternoon, everyone needs to start wearing what we’re taking.  That way, everything left behind is clean (it’s not something I usually have to worry about when we’re going away for a few weeks).

The second is that by doing this, hopefully it’ll be glaringly obvious if we’ve forgotten something.  And we’re still at home to grab it.  At least we can’t forget the pillows this way!!!!

The third is that it gives us the 101 nights Trailer Boy is asking for.  LOL.  He has very nicely thwarted Farmboy’s idea that we could come home a day early and still have been in the caravan for 100 nights though.  LOL.  Clever kid!!! 

So today is all about cleaning and washing.  My poor washing machine has been working rather hard.  There are a few bits and pieces to pack but other than that, we’re pretty much ready to go.

Hopefully by dinner time tonight, it’ll feel like our holiday has started.

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Day Zero

Back then, we were fairly newly married and didn’t really have any close friends.  We weren’t fully entrenched in a church family.  And winter sport?  Well, Farmboy pretty much gave up playing footy the first year we were married when he only managed to make it to a few games.  My dreams of playing netball had been shattered long ago.

Saturday was our last game of sport for this season (for us, not the rest of the team).  It was a lovely day.  The weather was good to us (we didn’t get wet) and I wasn’t rostered on to do any “duties” so I actually got to watch both my kids play (admittedly I had to watch Lleyton filling in for Senior Colts as his regular game is at the same time as Singstar Princess’s netball game).  I even got to watch half of Farmboy’s footy game because we were on the late game.

When it came my turn to play, I was pretty nervous because my parents were there to watch (they’d come over to collect our cats).  So nervous in fact that I thought I was going to throw up.  Our team captain made me honorary captain for the day which was a lovely gesture.

I won the toss!!!!  We were off to a good start!

The team we were playing anhialated us last time we played.  So a win wasn’t even really on my radar.  Even though we were all “right, we have to win for Jodi’s last game”.  I just wanted to play well and enjoy the game, no matter what the score.

In the end, we won by 1 goal!  It was a nail-biting game.  And plenty of pressure on me to keep running in that quarter.  I ended up in Centre because our regular Centre wasn’t feeling well.  Because it was so close, there was a lot of “quick, quick”, when it came to Centre passes.  Neither team wanted to run out of time before their score was up on the other team.

Fortunately for me, the other Centre had similar troubles to me.   We were both breathing pretty hard when we stopped at each goal end.

After the game, a few of us went for a “goodbye drink”.  That’s pretty unusual for our team.  We tend to be pretty fragmented and don’t necessarily “gel” off the court. Which is sad really.  Admittedly, you have a wide age gap between the “oldies” and the “young ones”.  It was lovely.  I just thought it was sad that we don’t do that sort of thing more often.

The same thing occured to me on Sunday.  Pretty much everyone in the church gave us a hug goodbye.  Which was wonderful.  And it left me wondering why we don’t hug each other more often????

All in all, I’d have to say I’m leaving feeling very blessed.  There is much in our lives that we will miss while we’re gone.  Yes, we’ll have a wonderful time and I don’t regret going for a minute.  But it’s nice to think that there are people and things that we WANT to come back for.  And it’s nice to think that we might actually be MISSED.  It wasn’t something I expected at all.

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Saying Goodbye

I have decided to take a break from Smiley Saturday while we are away.  I don’t want the pressure of having to post on any set day so it makes the most sense.  It won’t hurt to have a break and I’ll reassess when we get back whether or not I’ll restart it.

My BIGGEST smile at the moment is coming from the excitement that the trip is SO close.  Everything else seems to be paling in comparison right now.  In fact, it’s been difficult these past few days to get my head into other stuff that’s happening before we go.  All focus is on the trip and getting ready (head-space wise anyway).

Today is my last netball game which doesn’t really make me smile (oh, playing it does, leaving it doesn’t).  Not that I’d give up the big trip in order to play the rest of the season but I will still miss it.  Let’s hope my playing today makes me smile (and not frustrated).

Friday I had my first professional massage which was nice (although did hurt in many places).  I’d always thought of them as purely for pleasure but it would seem there are a lot of health benefits too.  I think I probably need a few more before all the kinks and knots are worked out enough to fully enjoy them.

And this weekend my parents are visiting.  The kids are very excited as they’ll have Nan & Pa watching them play sport.  :)  They’re here to pick up our cats to “cat-sit” while we’re gone.

I hope you’re having a Smiley Saturday!!!! 

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Smiley Saturday: Taking A Break

Last Update I was up to: $4126.92

To Be Added:

Grocery Surplus $248.35

Interest (May) $72.01

Coles Gift Card $20.00

Caltex Gift Card $25.00

Cash Tin ($5 notes, $1 & $2 coins we’ve been saving) $275.00

New Total:

$4767.28!!!!!

I am STOKED with that!!!

When I first began this challenge, I deliberately chose a high figure to encourage myself to reach as high as I could.  NEVER did I expect to even come close (although I hoped I would).

This amount doesn’t include:

$300 insurance money I SHOULD be getting for the food that got spoilt in the heatwave (our agent is still chasing that up with the company who are notoriously slow payers in cases like this).

$100 Rewards Central money I could claim when we get back if I need to.

$36.00 Pureprofile Rewards Money I could also claim when we get back.

That would take my total to:

$5067.28

Ooh, guess that sorta means I actually MADE my goal if you count those amounts!!!!  AWESOME!!!!

And Now For the Fun Part

How am I going to use this “extra”  money?

This is over and above our planned budget - for the little things (or big things?) that don’t really fit into what we can “afford”.

$275 change jar is to get us started with the right coins for the washing machines, pocket money and so on.  That will just be an extra amount to get me started (those things are to come out of my $350 a week budget).

$20/week toward internet access = $280 (may also need another $150 if I decide to purchase a Telstra prepaid wireless dongle - still haven’t decided)

$50/week toward kids activities (like bike/go kart hire etc) = $700

$50/week toward take away/ ice creams etc = $700

$100 each spending money for souvenirs = $500

That leaves me a little over $2000 to add to our “Sight-Seeing” budget which could be a good thing because I keep finding other interesting things to do (such as this Cairns Night Zoo which sounds awesome but isn’t cheap for our whole family to do).

I am SO excited now!!!! 

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BHAG : Final Wrap Up

So, here’s what I’m thinking of doing and I hope you’ll bear with me in this.  If you live somewhere along our planned route (see below) and are interested in a catch-up if it works out, could you please email me your location (ie town) and a phone number (preferably mobile if you have one as that way I can text you).

What I want to do is take all that information with me and the arrange meet-ups where I can.

My hesitation in doing this is that it’s not going to always work out.  There are so many factors I’ll need to consider such as time, what we’re doing, the family’s needs and the fact that we’re travelling with friends some of the time.  I don’t want anyone to feel that it’s personal if we can’t see them.

I feel torn between not wanting to upset anyone if they get missed and not wanting to miss the opportunity to meet at least some of you.

Plus, or course, there’s the fact that we don’t really have a set schedule so some meets would have to be arranged last minute and I don’t want to put anyone under pressure if they’re not available when we’re there.

In the end, I figured perhaps I’d put all this out there and do what I can with the hope that you’ll understand my position in all of this.

Here’s a copy of our route:

In case it’s not clear enough for you to tell, we’re basically going Broken Hill across to Dubbo.  From Dubbo we’ll head North up the Newell Hwy  then the Leichardt Hwy until we get to Rockhampton.  The rest of the trip will basically be the coast from Port Douglas all the way to Sydney (with a brief interlude inland to the Atherton Tablelands).  Not sure which route we’ll take from Sydney to Port Augusta yet on our way home.

It would be good to organise an actual Sydney meet-up as I’m guessing by population that there are a few people in Sydney.  Is anyone interested in co-ordinating this?  I’m thinking possibly Friday 2nd October as a potential date, although it’s hard to be exactly sure at this time.

The best ways to get in contact with me are to email me at lightening at this domain name, use the contact form (tab in the header) or leave a comment and I’ll use the hidden email you leave your comment with to get in touch with you.

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Catching Up On The Road