It’s been along time since I’ve written one of these. So as you can imagine a lot has changed.
I have become a work widower. A term given to me by a fellow traveller. For just over 3 weeks at a time I am what feels like a single parent. Then my darling husband returns home for 10 days, exhausted, out of touch with civilisation and tries hard to fit back into our, now, “normal” routine. Which is of course full on as when I’m there on my own it’s easier to stay busy then have my somewhat feral boys running around crazy like in our home on wheels. 

The challenge for him is real. And for us too I guess. As we are so excited to see him as his been gone for so long that we smoother him. Which of course is something he isn’t use to after being on his own for 10 hours a day, 23 days in a row. 

Then we finally find our rhythm and then he leaves again. Short and sweet. As much as we try and make the most of our time together there has to be some rest time, after all that’s what RnR stands for Rest and Recovery. Then the vicious circle starts again.

After 4 swings, 5 months of living this lifestyle it is getting somewhat easier, the routine on my own but the saying goodbye seems to be getting harder. 

We live a simple life, it really is the small things that get you through. For my husband it’s days Wednesday’s, payday, making all of this worth it, Friday’s, fish and chips day, Sunday’s, double pay rates. 

For me, and I know the people that know me well will struggle with this, it’s exercise. My mental health and keeping my shit together comes from exercising. I’ve never got this from exercising before but for some reason I now do. If I miss out on my walks along the beach I lose my shit. And I can’t afford to lose my shit anymore, I have no one here to wrap me in their arms and kiss my forehead and tell me it’s going to be ok. It’s just not the same over the phone. So I now have become obsessed with getting in my activewear and going for walk along the beach.  

 I’m by all means not complaining just purely stating that life is not always as peachy as made out. 

There is something that comes from this lifestyle that you don’t get from working anywhere else. And my friends is the reason we are doing this. Short term sacrifice for long term gain.

Another thing that has changed since I last wrote is my thought processes.
I’ve always understood that your mind is a powerful thing but until recently I have never really got it. And it has made me asking is it an age thing? Or what life throws at you? Or the friends that I’ve made on this trip that has made me understand it more?

I just seem to see how a slight change in perspective can really change how you think about things. Whether it’s actually taking the time to really contemplate what the “issue” is and looking at it from a different angle or whether someone else points out a different point of view. How easy your mind can change the way you think/feel about something. Making things better or worse. 

I do believe that the people I have meet doing this trip, have helped, and some other special influences in my life, and for that I thank you as I honestly am now content with my life and feel the best I have ever felt. The mind what a wonderful tool. I can now conquer the world. 
Til next time, take care

xo

We have made 6 weeks on the road. Apparently it is 1 of 2 major breaking points. And after the last 2 days I see why. Thank god I’m really looking forward to getting to Perth otherwise I think I’d be trying to talk Matt into going home. 

Wow what a difference a week can do.
Think we are getting use to life on the road.
We stop at 2 great free camps where fellow nomads of all ages and all different walks of life. That were so helpful and made me release that what I’m feeling is only normal and you do get use to it. Or you come up with solutions to make it better.

We bought a washing machine. So excited to have probably cleaned clothes. I definitely wouldn’t have cut it as a housewife back in the old days.

Showers are great when you are staying in a grassed area. And you don’t get dirty feet straight away.
Toilets – we are learning that playgrounds have nice toilets and are normally cleaned daily. So we take in turns watching the boys play (they use portaloo as there is no time limit at camp).
Breakfast – for some of you this wouldn’t be a big thing but to a little boy who has lived of Vegemite & toast nearly every morning for breakfast. Have cereal just isn’t the same. But who can be bothered starting the generator just for toast.

Today we are most grateful for our 10 nights in a caravan park thanks to Chris & Rod (fellow nomads) who put us on to Travel Auctions. We got 10 nights for the price of 4.
We have endless power, water, hot showers that we can leave running while we wash. And play equipment right opposite our camp. So a bit of timeout for mum & dad (but still in our view). And toast for breakky in the morning. Thank you so much for the heads up Chris & Rod, this is heaven.

Upon finishing our Murray River adventures we both turned to each other and felt a bit sad. We are now leaving home. As it still (even though so different) felt like we were kind of at home, or not too far away as we were still on the Murray. We are now a whole other place away, we are on the coast.
Goodbye ” The mighty Murray River” we will miss you, until we meet again.
We feel as though we are really on the road now. Not just a holiday.

Take care
xo

I’m not going to lie, it has been a hard week getting use to this basic lifestyle. We have been camping for a week before, so we thought we knew it all. It would be fairly easy with a few hiccups but this has been harder than I expected.
The dirt – OMG the dirt. You have a wash and you are dirty again, instantly. That clean feeling has gone. After 9 days of it, I think I’m finally getting use to the dirty feeling and smell. Don’t get me wrong, we are washing everyday and doing a wipe wash in between our washes. But you still feel dirty.
Power – unlimited supply of power has gone. We have to watch what we are using or else there is no watching a movie of a night time. So devices only get charged when sun is out or we are driving. Our battery runs our waeco which is our freezer, so we have to watch our consumption so at night there is enough power saved so it can run all night.
Running water – Oh to turn a tap on and have an endless supply of water. Not having to pump it out of the tank or pour it from a jerrycar. Not having to count the litres we have or how many we have used. To turn on tap to have hot water not have to set up the gas and water, and move the portaloo out of the ensuite tent just to have a wet, lather, rinse type of shower. And again watching the amount of water used so there is enough for all of us to showers.
TV – what is tv? Tonight is our first night with tv reception. I think we will all huddle round and watch “The News & The block” tonight. We are ever so grateful to our friends that downloaded movies on to our hard drive.
Hospital – who would have thought that you would take that for granted. 40 min drive in only to be to told there is a fee $270. Wasn’t going to take the risk though.
Bridges – to drive over a bridge whenever you want (so long as it’s not summertime in Echuca). Instead we wait for ferries to drop off then come to pick us up to take as across the river. Although the novelty hasn’t worn off yet.
Cooking outside – the wind has been blowing every night so then everything is taking longer.
Washing – hand washing just isn’t cutting it. Can’t get of the red dirt out of our clothes.

Oh but the positives still out way all of these things. And they are fun to laugh at and remember what it was like living in a house.
Look at my view for the next 2 nights doesn’t get better than this.

Then we’ll move on to another great view.
The time with our boys has been a bonus, they learning things we have taught them but we are all having fun together every day. And that’s the reason why we are doing this. To create lots of memories with our beautiful boys and that we are doing.

Love Courts xo

Wow what a couple of months we have had. And the emotional rollercoaster that I have been on and been putting Matt through.

We have been busy packing, getting the van “Right” and spending time with our loved one’s.

Everytime we do something there has been a different emotion to feel. The realisation of missing our loved one’s and any milestone’s that may happen while we are gone.

Packing the house is not like packing to move from one house to another. But packing and not knowing when you will be back to these things. We have kept them for so long now but why? Do I really need to keep it? Will I miss it? Is it something that may have meaning to the boys when they get older? Or am I just being stupid?

Then our eldest son, who has just completed kindergarden/prep, says he doesn’t want to leave his friends and hates that I have already packed away all his things. And our youngest son we have just found out that he might have to have minor surgery. My emotion’s have been all over the place are we doing the right thing for our boys? Will they continue to learn all they need to, to slip back in to the normal schooling later? Will they be ok socially later?

Getting the van ready and our final purchases arriving is helping build up the excitment and I can’t wait to go.

We also have had a few weekends away in the van and I can’t wait to live that cruisey lifestyle being able to explore our country with the boys.

So many emotions and thoughts going through my head. No wonder why I have lost track of time and christmas is only around the corner and I’m not ready.

Hope everyone has a safe and merry christmas.

Can’t wait to share our adventure’s with you all. xo