Day 368 - Hello New South Wales

• Ouyen – Narranderra
• 450kms
• 15°c

Oh my goodness, it's still cold! I was hoping to  cross the border and be greeted with sunshine and warm weather? But noooo! The sign welcoming us to NSW was so well posted that we missed half of it. Our tea & toilet stop was on the banks of the Murray River which had a nice little playground for Ella & Oscar to stretch their legs.

After setting up in Narranderra, it was so cold that it was declared no one was to go outside, so, much to our delight Ella & Oscar decided to spend the evening playing Lego.

Narranderra Showground, $15 a night, power, water, amenities

Day 367 – Just Passing through

• Glenelg – Ouyen
• 383kms
• 20°c

Goodbye Adelaide, we're hitting the road. Well not before we attend to a few housekeeping matters! Whilst Steve was waiting in queue I noticed a big fifth wheeler type van across from us and being curious I had to hop out and take a look. It was The Queensland School for travelling show children aka Carny folk, how awesome is that, just goes to show that school is not limited to a place or a time! I had a bit of a sticky and was busted by a student peering out the window and a teacher who was more than happy to answer my questions.

We crossed into Victoria, but we all knew it was only a transient visit as we cut across the corner into NSW.

Ouyen Caravan Park, $39 a night, power, water, amenities

Day 267 - Back to Cairns

• Melbourne - Cairns
• 26°c

The alarm blasted us from sleep at 5.00am, which is way too early for anyone! But we were up and out the door in good time and on our way to the airport. We met Mama & Bapa for coffee as they had very kindly driven out to meet us and take their car back home, they waited to make sure we got on the plane as our tickets were standby seats, thankfully we got on!

It was a pretty smooth flight and went really quickly, boy it was a lot hotter in Cairns than what we had left in Melbourne. We returned to the caravan park to find our van tucked into a camp spot, so we set about unpacking before a trip to restock the groceries.

Cool Waters Holiday Park, $52 a night – Now in High Season!

Day 266 - Last day in Melbourne

• Melbourne
• 16°c

It was a sleep in kinda morning today, we didn't get home until about 1.30 this morning and we were all super tired! We had coffee with Gran & Grandad and then headed off to Nik & Steves for lunch and to work on some baby shower things for Wisey.

Steve had organised for us to look at a house around the corner from them so we left Ella & Occy playing with Grayden and popped over to look at the house, it ticked the boxes but is going to auction so we'll have to wait and see. Mama and Bapa came over in the afternoon so it was great to see them for a while.

Jessie had invited us for dinner so after a lovely afternoon with the gang we said our goodbyes and headed off. We had a great evening catching up with Jess and Lynne & Steve, it was an early one as we had an early flight tomorrow and everyone was pretty tired.

Day 265 - The Wedding of Mr & Mrs Spencer

• Melbourne
• 19°c

Happy Birthday Dad & Grandpa, hope you had a fantastic day!

Today was an early start, it's Bec & Brad's Wedding Day!

Bec seemed quite relaxed as she sipped Mimosas with Gran & Ella. The flowers arrived and they were absolutely amazing, the detail the florist went to was awesome. 

Steve assumed the role of delivery man and drove the Groom & Best Mans buttonholes over to them. Meanwhile us girls were being made up by the lovely make up artists and then it was time to get a move on! 

Once Ella, Oscar & I were dressed we bid them farewell and headed off to St Kilda Pier to drop off the wedding decor to Little Blue before the ceremony. Steve stayed behind as he was riding in the bridal car with Bec & Emma.

On arriving at the pier, Rhys sent someone down to drop the bollards and we proceeded to drive down the pier, that was a very strange experience! People just turned and looked at us and didn't seem particularly concerned about moving out of the way, Ella & Occy said I should toot the horn, but I didn't want to be rude, so instead they wound down their windows and shouted out "Beep Beep"!! It was a bit scary when we reached Little Blue at the end of the pier and had to turn the car around on the old wooden part! But we dropped off our goodies and made our way back down the pier and into the city. We found a parking garage near the Old Treasury Building where the ceremony was taking place, but on exiting the garage I had lost all bearings and had about 5 minutes to get to the building! After dodgy directions, we finally found the right way and ran all the way there, we arrived just in time with the wedding music in hand and managed to find our seats before the ceremony began!

It was an absolutely beautiful and emotional ceremony, both Bec & Brad looked amazing and were truly supported by everyone in the room. The Old Treasury Building itself has a great ambience to it and provided a great backdrop for photos.

Whilst the Bridal Party headed off to Graffiti Alley & Spencer St Station for photos, we headed back to St Kilda and with a couple of hours to spare met up with the other guests for drinks & snacks at Republica.  There was a older gentleman having a bite to eat, he was a Salvation Army volunteer, Ella & Oscar went over to him to put some money in his tin and he struck up a conversation with them. His name was Hal and he had been a volunteer for many years, he thanked them and told us what lovely children they were. Hal said he would just finish his meal and then would see if our other friends would care to donate, I volunteered Ella & Occy to do it for him whilst he finished his meal. They were more than happy to help and they got lots of donations, Hal was so very grateful and it made his day as it did ours.

The wedding reception was awesome, Steve was MC for the night and did a fantastic job, the microphone only had to be taken from him once, much later into the night! 

Everyone had a fabulous night, it was a great atmosphere and a lovely group of people to celebrate with. To Mr & Mrs Spencer - Cheers!

Day 264 - Mama Peggys House

• Melbourne
• 19°c

Before leaving the beach house, I took a quick trip to the shops to see if I could find a dress. By chance I stumbled on a store "Vintage Revival" and found a beautiful dress. I returned to find everyone in a game of Uno. 

Some choccy balls managed to avoid some young tummies and made it to Mama Peggys for morning tea. Ella took photos of some of her favourite house details, including the wall in the pantry that has all our measurements since I was little!

We had a lovely visit with Mama Peggy as always, she truly is one of the most amazing ladies I know!

Back at Gran & Grandads, Ella & Occy chilled out watching adventure time, Ella was very interested in all the wedding details.  Bec and I spent the evening doing some last minute wedding details and Sam & Sally kept a close eye on us!

Day 263 - Beach House

• Melbourne
• 19°c

Ella, Oscar & I headed down to the Beach House to hang out with Mama & Bapa.

Mama loves to cook which is excellent for Ella & Occy cause they love to bake with Mama.

It was lovely as always to spend time with Mama & Bapa. I even enjoyed the rain as I sat snuggled up to the heater - comfort! I was very spoilt to have my own special scones baked just for me! and boy they were delish

Day 262 - A night on the FrankyTown

• Melbourne
• 19°c

We had a couple of appointments today in "town", so it was the perfect chance to stop off at DFO for a bit to eat and a quick look around for a dress for me to wear to the wedding, but alas it wasn't to be!

Afternoon tea was on at K2's and it was awesome to the catch up with the girls and for Ella & Oscar to see their friends, we do miss you guys whilst we're away!

Ella & Oscar were staying with Gran & Grandad whilst we took Bec & Brad out for pre wedding celebrations!

Frankytown was our destination, where we all had a delicious dinner and Steve managed to talk the waiter into giving us discount cocktails, so of course more than one round was ordered!

Strike Bowling here we come! Brad agreed to join a bowling league with me but I'm not sure if that was the cocktails or not?

It's amazing how a pair of shoes can change an outfit!

It was a fantastic night out with these two beautiful Mr & Mrs to be!

 

Day 261 - Meeting Miss Lucy!

• Melbourne
• 18°c

Mama & Bapa came to visit and kindly lend us the car, that certainly makes getting around easier! After a quick catch up, it was shopping time! Both Oscar & Ella were in need of some special wedding clothes, so we headed into Frankytown with Mavis & Bec. Ella loved trying on all the dresses and chose a beautiful one and a gorgeous jacket to match.  Oscar found a very stylish pin striped suit and liked it so much he wanted to leave it on, he was advised otherwise!

After a most successful shopping trip we headed down to see Skipper & Charms and of course Chantell & Miss Lucy herself! She is a beautiful babe, seems so tiny, I was an absolute cuddle hog but I don't think anyone minded!

There were also lots of cuddles to be had with Indie and her furry foster sisters! Is always awesome to hang out with this gang!

On returning home, Ella & Oscar modelled their new outfits for Grandad & Brad and were given the big thumbs up!

Grandad always has Occy smiling! Brad introduced Ella & Oscar to PB&J sandwiches, which after trying a bite, happily ate Brads "strange" American sandwiches.

Day 260 - Hello Melbourne!

• Cairns - Melbourne
• 16°c 

We were up relatively early, by our standards to pack up the caravan as it was going into storage whilst we’re in Melbourne. Ella & Oscar were very helpful and went adventuring to find us some coconuts to replace the wheel chocks as the park managers tow the van to storage then return it to our camp spot the day of our return.

After checking in we found a spot to get some schooling done as we had a couple of hours to wait for our flight. The kiddos were excited to get on the plane, however that waned once they were advised that there weren’t any tvs to be hired on this flight. This was a big blow as they were on a no-tech week due to the iTunes episode! So we flew old school, we read, played yahtzee and uno and we survived!

Piero picked us up at the airport after driving past us in the pick up bay! It was nice to see the family again. 

Day 223 – Time flies

• Edithvale 
• 17°c

We were up some what early (by our standards!), this worked out well as there was an open house just up the street that we were interested in, lots of potential (work) but we know it won’t be on the market very long.

Grandad kindly picked us up from Niks and drove us to the airport as our return airport shuttle had skipped town bahaha! We had checked in online so it was straight through to the gate, or so we thought… As our bags & ourelves are going through the x ray scanner, the airport guy keeps sending one of our bags back and forth, Steve and I looked at each other “Drill”! Steve had a drill posted to Rye and as it was only the shell with no bits or battery we thought it would be ok to take on as carry on, apparently not, in hindsight that makes sense! So now we had the choice of either purchasing a checked bag for $70, post it somewhere or call Grandad, whom was halfway through the city and very, very kindly turned around and met us out the front. With the drill sorted it was back through and onto the gate. The flight was fine and only a few bumps. Taraa picked us up at Brisbane airport and we had a quick chat with her and Paul before loading ourselves in the car and making our way back to our “Van Sweet Van” in Yaroomba!

Day 222 – Friday night funnies

• Edithvale 
• 16°c

We headed up to Nik & Steves and stopped in at the house for one last look and to say our goodbyes! Steve, Ella & Occy went to visit with The Freshys whilst I hung out with Grayden & Gav and got dinner started. Mama & Bapa popped in for a bite on their way to the airport. Niks and I thought about sewing but didn’t get a lot done on account of not being able to see through the tears of laughter! The boys watched some Rugby and Berge had us in stitches explaining the rugby term Mal Maninger!