About us

A family of five in Aotearoa New Zealand, on an international homeschool journey...so what do we do all day?

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Rain, sun and kangaroos in Eden

Thar she blows! (In Kimra)

Things have some what improved since my last post. The sun is shining and the MOTH and I seem to have finally got the knack of plugging in and out of camp sites. Yes, the toilet in the new campervan sprung a leak. Yes, it only just stopped raining yesterday and yes , yours truly suffered chronic Ozzie-belly for three days (less blogging and more bogging) - BUT - today the sun is shining, swimming togs have been on most days despite the rain and tonight we've had the best fish and chips EVER!
Our journey thus far has looked like this:
Monday: Sydney to Wollongong; Thunderstorms
Tuesday: Wollongong to Trainworks to Moss Vale; Rain
Wednesday: Moss Vale to Jervis Bay; Downpours
Thursday: Jervis Bay to Bateman's Bay: Drizzle
Friday: Bateman's Bay to Eden; Overcast, glimmers of sunshine in the afternoon; suspected earthquake in the middle of the night!
Saturday (today):Eden to Lake's Entrance; sunshine! 


If we ever plan to do a Sydney to Melbourne drive again (which I'm dubious is particularly high on this whanau's bucket list), we'd probably take two weeks to do it and most likely stay in cabins or hostels. We would have liked to have seen a great many more sights and enjoyed a few more days in each spot, sometimes to rest, sometimes to take advantage of the camp ground facilities, sometimes to just 'be'. With little people we're averaging around 2 hours maximum driving a day, add to that numerous toilet stops three children require and the time it takes to do the everyday stuff (eating, showering, finding food etc), progress is, well, slow.
 

Inspired to dance. Who cares about the rain clouds?
However, even with the slow drive and the rain we've found some travel magic. I'm grateful for the MOTH's 'why not' attitude that has ensured watching a spectacular blow hole in Kimra (my shutter finger was always a tad too slow to capture the 'big one') and swimming fully clothed on a white sand beach in Jervis Bay. Miss K was inspired to sing and dance while the boys made a 'sand train'.  
We're making a train on the beach.
Miss K's keen eye for nature has ensured we've seen trees dripping with coloured parakeets, cockatoos and bellbirds. She even spotted a toy koala tied to tree as we've driven through the gum tree-lined Princess Highway. This morning, jumping on the 'bouncy pillow' in Eden's camping grounds she spotted something brown and moving. "Mummy, come quickly, I think I've seen a kangaroo or wombat!" (she may have meant wallaby). We were treated to a family of wild kangaroos. In Eden. Go figure.

Kangroos spotted by Miss K in Eden
 As a foodie, our travel accounts have been absent of things that tantalize our taste-buds. Partly because my stomach hasn't been up to it and partly because we've yet to encounter much to comment on. The few cafes we've sampled have been over-priced and under-taste. The exceptions have been the Heritage Bakery on the outskirts of  Milton, my butter-fried scotch fillet (the things one does and discovers when camping) and tonight's fish and chips. Fish-a-Fare in Lake's Entry does the best, fresh fish'n'chips EVER (I know, I said it already but it was SO GOOD). Their sign says they don't do 'fast food but fresh food'. Miss K suggested going back for breakfast!

Master T and the MOTH -having gobbled the fish, only chips remain.
Master T's mouthful suggests total approval.
 
I'll be the first to admit this week hasn't been plain sailing or always fun. Sometimes it's been unpleasant, frustrating, smelly (campervan, not just my fault) and downright horrible. But like Noah and his flood, after the rain, there came sunshine. Better still, there was a rainbow. This week has been kinda like that :-)

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Misadventures of the Campervan Kind...

Week two, day two.
Disclaimer
Although we are trying to adopt a 'no blame policy' on our travels, I will point out that campervan-ing it from Sydney to Melbourne was the MOTH's brilliant idea. I am not a camping type girl.

But here we are...five of us in a six berth campervan...

In the beginning
Things didn't start out quite so well... While I was congratulating myself on driving the six minute drive from campervan pick up to rental car drop off through Sydney (and the MOTH had mastered central Sydney traffic and motorways), MOTH, with children in rear seat, had, within twenty seconds of starting the engine, succeeded in crashing the campervan into another campervan. He was still in the Brtiz parking lot. Thankfully damage was minor. No persons hurt (maybe a bit of pride).

Things could only get better... hmmmmmm.....

Wet in Woolongong
With an ominous looking sky, we headed out along the Pacific Coastal Highway, paid our $11 to go into the first National Park and sought out somewhere to eat. The friendly folk in the park recommended Bundeda. Quirky place. Pricey food, nonchalant cafĂ© staff and gossipy locals, with a stunning beach. Well it would have been stunning if it wasn't raining. We carried on our expedition towards Melbourne.

Admist torrential rain, we pulled into Woolongong. Basics from the supermarket were needed (everything from loo rolls and scrubbing brushes to milk and bread) and the MOTH expertly parked nearby. It suddenly dawned on me then, the impracticalities of parking the Britz beast. No just 'popping out to the shops' on this journey (duh Miko).

Corrimal Beach Tourist Park, in Woolongong is where we parked up for the night, plugged into the mains (electricity and water) and got completely drenched doing so. Nothing like starting a camping journey in the middle of thunderstorms, during which the power shorted out and the campervan started to leak from about three different points!

This morning -  the sun is shining and I'm optimistic about what the day will bring. We've planned a trip to Trainworks in Thirlmere, with hopes to be further along the coast. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....



It turns out that the electricity issue is not the power cord shorting out, but some greater fault with the campervan. The toilet is leaking and there are also puddles of water in the living compartment and the sink is slow draining (mostly into the drawers beneath it). When we finally figure out how to drain the grey water, we discover that the previous hirers hadn't drained it (as required) hence the water issues... the MOTH has been on the phone for what seems like hours, before finally, we're offered a replacement vehicle. They will meet us at Trainworks. Could our luck be turning...?

Almost.

Missing and Moss Vale
New Campervan. We switch luggage over. New Campervan looks good. We go into the amazing Trainworks Museum. It suddenly dawns on us that the MOTH's money belt (with money) hasn't been seen in the move. Frantic phone calls to Britz and searches all over the new (and the old - by Britz) campervan turns up nothing. Mysteriously it has disappeared... I find out later that night that the children forgot to move their pjs from under the pillow and the orange juice in the fridge. I'm praying things will come back.

And thinking I'll buy the MOTH a St Christopher - patron saint of travellers and lost things.

Trainworks which deserves its own post (tomorrow) is a much needed respite after the events of the day.

 We left Thirlmere, and were advised in Mittagong (I really rate the lady in the information centre there) to carry on to Moss Vale Village Park Camping grounds - which is where (again in the rain) we've settled. Thank goodness for the locals in the park who helped sort out our water issues (Britz did not include the right hose attachments...*sigh*). We were going to get Pizza, but the one within walking distance is closed on Tuesdays - this was evident once we walked there from the park...

So we dined on leftovers of cheese, crackers, salad, pistachio nuts and ginger biscuits with milk (for the kids) and coffee for us.

And will start tomorrow with another smile :-) It can only get better...

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Woeful Markets, The Wiggles and Wobbly Tummies

Photos are funny things. As an anthropologist I'll tell you that holiday snaps are culturally constructed to capture happiness and 'good times'... most 'personal shots' are... don't we look like we're having a fantastic time.

Yes we are - but with highlights, there are sometimes things that don't quite meet expectations, and you have to peer through the disappointment to find the fun stuff.

Paddington
Yesterday Miss K, her 16 year old cousin Miss Geordie and I headed off on a bus adventure to Paddington Market. I love markets. I love the hustle, the smells, the quirky items and the bargains. I love originality and the thrill of finding 'something a little bit different'.

Paddington Market was disappointing. Lots of women's clothing and jewellery, a few artists and very high prices.  But on the upside, I spent some time getting to know my niece, hanging with Miss K and seeing the landscape from a bus. Miss K chatted merrily about things that were different to home, particularly the speed of the bus, the heat, the buildings and being a big city. We found a copy of Anne of Green Gables in an op-shop, a fart-making gadget (which Miss K thought hysterical - of all things to find in up-market Paddington) and wandered through the Victoria Building before another long bus ride back home. We discovered that there are no toilets in the public library in Paddington and talked about homeless people and beggars.

Power to the boys
The MOTH took the boys on an excursion to the Powerhouse Museum which was a huge hit. I've head about the space exhibition, a real steam engine that you could stand in, a train that made ginger beer and the Wiggles exhibit from Mr A.

A: There was a Wiggles exhibition in the museum, Mummy
Me: What was in the exhibition?
Cousin Gatsby (14): The Wiggles. (duh Miko - not verbalised of course)
Me to Akria: Were there Wiggles?
A: No.
Me: What was there?
A: Wiggles.(duh Mum).

The MOTH absolutely rated the Powerhouse and was super proud of the two wee men who visited it with him. Admission is reasonable and parking also validated. Mr A said that playing spacies was the best thing!

After such a big outing yesterday, Mr A is very tired and in need of some Mum-time. We had planned a trip to Manly today, to visit friends and see the sights, but the dreaded travel-belly has paid me a visit, so Mr A and I are just hanging at home on our own, while the others headed off. Sometimes the body enforces rest especially since we begin a campervan adventure tomorrow morning. Heading to Melbourne via the Coastal Highway!

If you've ever done that stretch and have suggestions where to stop/camp please leave a comment! I'd also love to know what you'd like to hear about on our travels :-)

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Close encounters of the Koala kind

Play time!
Wildlife is encountered and it is revealed this is not all plain sailing

Day five, Sydney

Thus far the kids are enjoying a daily swim in the housing complex's pool and getting to know their extended family better. Miss K has in-grained herself in the morning ritual of walking Duchess with her aunt and much pleasure to be had kicking soccer balls and chasing their teenage cousins when they're home from school.

Meeting Mikey the Koala
We've visited Featherdale Wildlife Park where we petted koalas, spotted joeys, admired wombats, Tasmanian Devils and many other Australian indigenous wildlife species. Featherdale is wonderfully quaint, absent of the cash-making intrusions (cashing in on opportunities to pose with animals) other tourist attractions seem to bombard you with. There are no gimmicks, little flashy advertising (aside from sponsorship), just a relaxed, casual chance to encounter animals (including nosey emus), many whom are bouncing about the walk ways. It's a good place to take a young family.
 
Sydney Aquarium was on the agenda yesterday. Since we've hired a car the MOTH thought it would be a good idea to maximise the hireage and drive into Sydney (rather than catching a train or a ferry), particularly as the Aquarium validates parking in some buildings (to less than half price in some cases), which was less than the cost of public transport for all of us. Going in, no problem - coming out (at around 3pm) we hit traffic, which made for somewhat of a slow trip back to Bella Vista where we're staying.

I am grateful for technology that allows for pod casts and exciting stories to entertain siblings who might otherwise have gotten rather titchy on that journey. Storynory, the BBC and Radio NZ have fantastic podcasts for kids! You don't have to be travelling to enjoy these either :-)

The Aquarium presented an astounding array of wet water life. Kids' highlights were the dugongs, rays and sharks. If you do go, by pass the staged photos in the centre of the building (fun, but costly) and just purchase the family photo book at the end ($35) - a good souvenir with information about the wildlife.

Costs...
There are great discount tickets/coupons which can be found online, and passes for multiple attractions also offer good value for money in Sydney. The Aquarium website offers discounts (often at specific times). We booked online via Adrenalin for heavily reduced tickets and no time specification for the Aquarium.

Behind the smiles
There is much to be grateful for on this trip. Good weather, kind family, amazing opportunities...but it is also challenging. Small people feel somewhat displaced and not at all sure as to why we're travelling. Mr A wants to go home and ride his bike and Miss K misses her bed. It can be stressful sharing a room with your entire family (although a great portion of the world live this way, this means little to a seven year old when they're tired and grumpy). The rationale about how amazing this chance is, can be quite often lost on children who are tired and irritable.

The MOTH and I are also tired; we're juggling work and small people (which at the best of times is hard enough), add travel to the mix and tempers can get frayed.

I'm struggling with the balance between 'tourism' and 'travel' and 'parenting'...

So I'm working on how I conceptualise this journey and what is realistic.  I'm working on my own expectations and desires. I'm focusing on being with the children and being a family. Where we are kind of becomes secondary. What we do isn't that important. It's the how we do it that is. We're going to focus on fun and togetherness.

It's a journey that I want to make worth taking :-)

Monday, March 17, 2014

Week one, day two...

After a 3am start, three backpacks, a stroller, a car seat, a booster seat, two laptops, two carry on bags and five very tired Grays arrived safely in Sydney. I'm astounded I managed to fit pretty much everything into such a small about of luggage (essentially the three backpacks, as carry on luggage contained food, inflight entertainment and Girl Guide biscuits for Tama's godmother)... have discovered I successfully managed to forget to pack:
1. sun hats (packed warm hats for London, but no sun hats)
2. deodorant (sitting next to bathroom sink) - essential!
3. case for my normal glasses

Thankfully nothing you can't buy in Sydney - so we're off shopping.

Recommending
First day recommendations for anyone else planning to travel with a seven, five and one year old...

1. Taking your own food is good on a plane - we boarded armed with blue berries, crackers, peanut m'n'm mixed in with some Hubbard's cereals (Rumbles)... anything small that takes time for little fingers to gobble.
2. In flight TV is great for 5 and 7 year old (especially when they see none at home). Take lots of 'new' toys for baby - we had stacker barrels, small planes, car, finger puppets, stickers and crayons.
3. Get more than 3 hours sleep the night before and make sure the MOTH is not completing his GST at this time!
4. Antihistamine is a good thing - wee Tama had a rash last night, liquid antihistamine is a god-send
5. Rescue remedy (we have the drops to suck) - fantastic for relaxed and happy flight to Oz, and for frazzled children at the end of the day.

Highlights so far
Tane's brother and whanau... their lovely house and their fantastic hospitality. SO BLESSED.
Swimming - Akira's belly flopping may migrate to diving before we leave.
Duchess - the pet dog and Keilani have bonded.

The saying goes:
"This is the longest day ever, Mum!" Keilani

Having a quiet day today - go buy missing essentials, swim and hang out.. tomorrow adventures (aka sight seeing)!