Gold and Tall trees!

We had the best day today, waking up to our first sunny day since we arrived in Tasmania and feeling slightly guilty that our fellow Queenslanders were suffering a category 5 cyclone!
We decided to go for a drive up to Evercreech Reserve near Fingal...the second of the 60 great short walks we are attempting to do while here.
Evercreech is a small reserve with bbq's undercover and toilets beside a crystal clear creek and a walking track that takes you through some of Australia's tallest white gum trees and really pretty forest.
If you decide to take the walk, remember to wear good footwear as there are leeches and snakes along the track.
You have a ten minute walk to the biggest tree where there is a platform you can walk around and then you can walk further on in a loop back to the car park, however this part of the track is quite steep and narrow if you have small children.
To be honest, I think we all enjoyed sitting by the creek more than the walk and I showed the kids how to search for fools gold ( a childhood love of mine living on the Yarra Valley in Victoria)
We found some really large pieces which created lots of excitement....
The creek was so cold that we placed our bottles of water in it so they were icy cold to drink.
We met a couple from Nashville, America which River thought was great, they have been holidaying in Australia for the last three weeks and are about to board the Queen Victoria to sail back to America.
We also met a younger couple with a little boy who are from Byron Bay, originally from Wales and they were nice to talk to also.
We are all looking forward to Troy arriving tomorrow, I am going to drive to Launceston to pick him up from the airport and we will do some last minute shopping for the Overland Track next week.I
It will be good for him to spend a week with River and Ruby exploring while Ant and I take the trek...once again we will be apart from each other but at least we are all in the same state now lol!
I bought myself some pastels and a sketchbook yesterday as I haven't worked on anything artistic since I graduated so I am planning to spend the weekend with my family down the beach sketching.
Until next time X

Unexpected bumps along the way!

It's been a really trying couple of weeks for all of us....but I have found who is really important to me in the process..
The bus has a full coat of paint and just needs the Southern Cross painted on the sides to be complete then we can focus on the interior.
I have been very brave and filled a large washing basket full of clothes that we simply do not need....I haven't quite made it to the Vinnies bin yet... I am working on that part, its really difficult to let go!...but realistically we don't have the room in the bus so I must travel lighter.
My girlfriend took me to the movies at Chirnside Park...I was so excited as I cannot remember the last time I had been!
We watched 'Wild' starring Reece Witherspoon and I loved it so much I decided it would be a great idea for us to do our own trek.....My girlfriend, our 16yr old son and myself are now booked for the 28th February to trek the Overland Track in Tasmanias wilderness for 6 days!!...now that will be an experience lol!
This will be the first trek of its kind for all of us and the pre-hike training has been hysterical to say the least but that would take another blog all on its own....one week out and we still haven't decided what food to take so please feel free to offer suggestions!
Troy has been hospitalized for ongoing back pain that was so bad my dad had to fill his ticket on the Spirit of Tasmania that we had booked.
We took our car over on a day sail and we are house sitting in the North Eastern town of Binalong Bay.
Dad settled us in and spent time with each of the kids before flying home to Melbourne today....Troy has finally been given the all clear to meet us over here on Saturday and we can't wait to all be together again!
Tasmania is just absolutely stunning and everyone is so happy here!
Its not expensive either.
Our house has the most amazing views and we have a track down to the beach where there are big boulders covered in orange Lichen with the whitest sands...its just beautiful....I pinch myself every morning.....the kids just shreik with delight everytime we walk down there....I am so glad we are giving them these experiences...
Its been challenging but once again a few wonderful friends have rallied around us and if those particular friends (and some family members) are reading this, Troy and I are truly grateful....you keep us going and have taken care of us while we have been separated as a family....thankyou 💜

I admit I am hopeless at blogging!

It was one of my great ideas that I begin but never finish....a blog....a travelling blog about our trip around Australia in a bus.
There have been so many drafts started since I posted last about how I have travelled solo with our three children in a tent to Canberra, down the Monaro Hwy into Morwell Victoria then continuing on to Warburton ( my hometown) where we met up with Troy in the bus and are currently parked up.
The drafts talked about all the wonderful places we have visited, the pro's and con's of each place and the wonderful people we have met along the way but when I re-read them, I thought my blog was so boring I deleted them...after all if you want to find out about a place, you just google it right?
I had the most horrendous hay fever today and popped a couple of cold and flu tablets so here I am writing because I cannot sleep so the upside is, my blog survives another day!
First of all, travelling solo with three children in a tent is not easy and I am so thankful for our teenager who helped with the younger two when I was just too exhausted to function any longer and the kindness of friends and family who welcomed us for a night or two in Canberra and in Melbourne and one family even allowing us to house sit for a week before we eventually arrived at our destination.
We are camped on my dads back lawn still half living out of our tent but slowly moving back into our bus while Troy finishes painting it.
My dad has been ill so it has been nice spending time with him as I usually walk around thinking my parents are going to be around forever....a bit of a reality check when he is checked into hospital with heart problems.
Its nice to have Troy back with us after spending a month in Newcastle as he continues to struggle with his back problem and trying to get work finished on the bus, absence truly does make the heart grow fonder....after 18 yrs together, some time apart has helped us both continue on our family adventure together stronger than ever.
I feel this week, I have finally let go of the need for material possessions to the point that clutter in our bus is starting to annoy me and its quite liberating throwing things out that I have still clung onto from our home in Queensland.
I am also losing weight which I am happy about as living free is actually hard work, there are so many more physical chores to do and we also walk a lot more which is nice.
The kids are just buzzing with all they are experiencing and I am surprised at how many people ask why the kids aren't at school but when Ruby gets to swim in the ocean rock pools with local girls who teach her about whats under the sea and Troy jumps up at 10pm to take Anthony out for a drive with his camera to capture the full moon and River goes to the movie theatre for the first time ever with his pop, I don't regret homeschooling them for a second.
They are learning more than enough for now.
Troy and I are learning more patience, tolerance and respect for each others space and although some days are not easy, right now I think travelling with our kids is the best decision we have ever made.
I might even write another blog!

Sue X