Week 37 Recap

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We had a quiet start to our week (if you missed Week 36 recap). We have spent a fair amount of time organising and sorting out our caravan. We have a whole bunch of things that we don't need and definitely won't fit. We spent the morning packing into Poppy paTROLL all the things we don't need or won't use.  After doing all that boring stuff little miss had drawn a map to get ice cream. I couldn't argue with that logic, so we went on the hunt for ice cream, ICE CREAM AROUND AUSTRALIA.


Little miss spent a long time playing with her chalk, using them as dominos at one point and making stories up with them. Before we knew it, it was time for our road trip. If you're interested in the statistics from our ROAD TRIP you can check them out here. Before we left I did all the important things, like emptying the toilet and packing up Little miss's end. I was actually really impressed with myself, I used all my willpower and strength to get that end up, even standing on a milk crate to reach (safety first) the strap.



Knowing our trip to Sydney was going to be the longest part, I wanted to head off early. It was expected to rain, and I had been toying with the idea of heading off later and waiting for it to pass but decided to just go. We started off alright, with some traffic but not too much. Driving along the highway singing along to the Greatest Showman at the top of our voices (your welcome for not recording it to share with you), and all of a sudden it started to rain. It came down so hard and fast that I had to slow down, I could barely see what was in front of me. Within a few minutes (felt like much longer) it had passed and we could continue on at normal speed. Again I was thinking maybe we should stop in Port Macquarie, but little miss knows the more we stop the longer it takes to get to Nanna's house. So we kept on going. The next band of cloud that packed a punch was right near Herron's Creek, and luckily there was an off ramp from the highway so we waited out the heavy rain and followed a truck back onto the highway when it slowed down. 



After that we actually saw blue sky and fluffy white clouds (and dark storm clouds in the rear view mirror), which was such a huge contrast compared to the rain clouds. Coming into Hexham and ready to stop for lunch. It took us half an hour to drive 10 km, because of holiday traffic. It was the longest 10km of the journey. We finally stopped for a quick bite to eat before hitting the road again. The road between Newcastle and Sydney was really busy with all the traffic, and everyone heading home from their Easter holidays. It took us 7 and a half hours to drive what we normally take us 5 and a half hours. 

I will whole heartedly admit that I did have to bribe little miss with lollies to keep her awake, knowing she would be a nightmare if she feel asleep an hour out from Nanna's house. We made it safely to Nanna's, and little miss spent the afternoon playing with all the toys at Nanna's house and having a little Easter egg hunt. One of her Aunty's came over and Little miss had so much fun playing. 


The next leg of our is a road I've driven many time. The reason why we have stayed in NSW for the last 7 months of travelling was to make sure we could make it back to Canberra for this wedding. With the snap lockdowns and border closures we were worried that Little miss and I wouldn't be able to make it back to Jamie. So to play it safe and make sure we could get back for the wedding we stayed in NSW.  We stopped as usual in Goulburn and every time we stop there Little miss asks if we can take a photo with her and the sheep's bum, THE BIG MERINO.


Our first stop was my sister's house, thinking we would see a really stressed out soon to be bride. Nope found her calmly finishing the favours before showing me what needed to get taken out to the farm. Little miss was so excited to play with her cousins that I didn't see her until it was time to go to our hotel. I did laugh when the robot vacuum got stuck on the stool. 

We headed out to our hotel and checked in. I was a little worried heading down into the basement parking, because it was very long and Poppy paTROLL is so very big, but we managed. It took 3 trips to get everything up. The hotel was super fancy with a coffee machine and everything. It was completely wasted on me and my non coffee drinking.  It didn't take long for me to find the washing machine and dryer, and anyone who has travelled a long time and doesn't have a washing machine will completely understand the excitement of a free (well not technically) washing machine. 


I had a quiet night before heading to bed. I did have trouble trying to fall asleep, and again if you're in a caravan for long periods of time you will get used to your caravan. Sleeping in different beds in rooms bigger than our entire caravan takes a bit of adjusting for me. Not long after I fell asleep and I wake to the weirdest noise. That's when I realised Little miss has completely rolled out of bed, sleeping bag and all. I did what all good parents do. I took photos while stifling my laughter and then put her back into bed. I did put a pillow on that side to stop her from rolling out again and unzipped the sleeping bag. 

Going for a sunrise photoshoot and not being able to leave little miss behind with Jamie is a bit tricky when I left him behind in Coffs Harbour. If I wanted to go, then she had to come with me. She wasn't particularly happy about it to start with but it didn't take long for her to be running around and watching the birds and bunnies. I decided that LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN would be a good vantage point for sunrise. 


We made it back for breakfast and got alerted to the craft emergency. My sister needed some different coloured cord for her ceremony, so we waited for Lincraft to open before heading out to find what she was needing. It was a little tricky to keep little miss away from all the things we didn't need, and she absolutely loved the rainbow of fabric. The trailer was packed, and everything was in there. The kids all jumped in my car with my sister and myself and after a brief stop at Canberra Outlet Centre (COC, Canberreans are terrible with abbreviations so you'd think this would be picked up) we headed out to Bushfield Farm.  

We turn onto the road that leads to the farm and I stop. There was a big sign saying gravel road, drive to conditions. Normally Jamie drives on the dirt roads. That is definitely not something I do at all, but I had a car full of kids and we had to get to the farm. I had no choice but to drive on the dirt road. And I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself. When my sister first told me she wanted to get married on a farm I thought she'd lost the plot. This is so far away from what I imagined for her. But then we got to the farm. And I completely understood why she chose such a beautiful farm. They have miniature donkeys, peacocks, goats, horses and Guinea fowl. The barn they have set up for functions is incredible, with a bar, kitchen and heaps of decorations. 


The ceremony was under an arch that had been set up under a big tree with lights and everything. We unpacked everything and got to work setting up the reception hall. The kids all helped. I did laugh when one of my nephews was being a teenager with attitude, and then was hilariously funny at the same time. They really did a great job helping. It was a long drive back, and by the time we got to Fyshwick little miss was starving so we stopped for dinner, with the hope she'd fall asleep on the way back. Spoiler alert, she didn't. Telstra Tower looked amazing with the smoke haze and the sun setting as we ate our dinner. 

Again we were up early for sunrise to the NATIONAL ARBORETUM, Little miss helped hold my photo for a video for about 2 seconds before she lost interest and gave it back. We got to see some really nice birds, had the place to ourselves and see a hot air balloon. We headed back to pack up and head out to the farm again for more decorating and setting up. We headed to The Nest and checked in. I set little miss up for a nap, in the hope she would catch up on a little bit of sleep with a late night ahead of us. But of course she doesn't. Mainly because everyone else turned up.


We headed back out to the farm in the afternoon for the rehearsal and to do the last little things. We get out to the farm and realise that the celebrant needs something that my sister clearly said was needed tomorrow. So I rush back to the hotel grab what we need and come back for the rehearsal. The sunset was pretty incredible down by the dam, and the donkeys super cute. We headed back and showered and dressed ready for the dinner at the pub. It wasn't a super late night but glad to tuck little miss in for bed. 

I was up early for sunrise, but Grandma was staying with us so I left little miss to sleep in and enjoy the sunrise by myself. It was pretty amazing walking the streets of Gundaroo. It ended up a long day. Little miss bounced between a few rooms at The Nest. We all got ready for the wedding and had some of the most amazing people helping. We got our hair and makeup done by the cruisiest lady every. She had all of us to do, all by herself, and she did such an amazing job. In the end we rushed out the door (20 minutes late). We headed straight for the horse drawn carriage, and sent the photographers ahead. I think it worked out better that way, otherwise we would've been late. But without the photographers there we were able to get in and head off straight away.

The Wedding went off beautifully, the wind was icy cold and little miss was mostly well behaved. Little miss stayed with Grandma while I went with the newly weds and photographers with strict instructions to bring back all the warm clothes that everyone stashed in my car. After dropping the bride and groom back, the kids all jumped in and had a ride back to my car. We had a car dance party on the quick drive back. Then it was reception time, party time. The caterers did a fantastic job with the food, and the cake was delicious. They even had some locally made cider, which I have to say was absolutely delicious.


By the end of the night we had a full car load to take back (lucky we have 8 seats), and my step dad drove us back, I wasn't feeling that confident in the dark. We did have the slight issue of driving with the foot brake on for a bit, but we figured that out pretty quick not having heard the alarm and me straining from the back seat to see. We all crashed, it was a really long day. 

And then it was time to head back. We packed up and set off for Nanna's house. I was absolutely exhausted by the time we got there, lucky it wasn't a really long drive. I had a headache and was feeling a bit rubbish so laid down for a rest while little miss played. Then the hot bread truck came past and the bread was still hot. We had an early dinner and I ended up falling asleep putting little miss to bed.


Lessons we learned:
  • Culling is so freeing 
  • Packing isn't fun
  • You can have ice cream even on a cold day
  • Ice cream is the best
  • The map led us to ice cream
  • Chalk doesn't just have to be for drawing
  • Little miss is super creative
  • Road trips can be fun
  • Holiday traffic not so much fun
  • Heavy rain is scary to drive in
  • I hate holiday traffic
  • It was a long trip with the Greatest showman
  • Sometimes you have to do, what you have to do
  • Nanna's house is so exciting
  • The drive to Canberra is much less stressful
  • We always stop for a photo with the big sheep's bum
  • My sister is a really chilled out bride
  • Coffee machines are wasted on me
  • Yay!! washing machine and dryer
  • Little miss can roll out of bed and stay sound asleep
  • Kids at sunrise is not peaceful
  • There is such thing as a craft emergency
  • I don't drive on dirt roads
  • I'm petrified to drive on dirt roads
  • I've made Jamie turn around and go back because I don't like driving on dirt roads
  • I drove on a dirt road
  • Sometimes you just have to face your fears
  • I'm really proud of myself for facing my fears
  • The kids did a great job helping
  • We got so much done
  • The farm is so beautiful
  • We had some really long days
  • Little miss was having a ball
  • There was no way she was having a day nap
  • The wedding day was full on
  • We left later than expected or planned
  • The wedding was amazing
  • There were so many great suppliers
  • Everyone looked amazing
  • What an amazing wedding
  • The next day I was exhausted
  • Putting little miss to bed when I'm tired will mean I'll fall asleep too


Places we visited:


If you enjoyed reading about our adventures you can read more Week 38 Recap

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