Day 104-105: Home again, home again, jig-ge-ty jig!

Ah, the joy of being at home again. And how large it all seems! We figure we could probably fit the entire interior of the van into our lounge room. It is a marvel that we lived - quite happily - in that small space for so long.

Yesterday was spent in preparation for The Great Departure. Knowing that the van would go straight into storage until at least the September holidays, it needed to be cleaned properly. In many ways it was an unhurried sort of day, but filled with the anticipation of heading home, and a bit of trepidation at having to conquer the traffic and get our big van onto the Spirit.

All things considered, everything went well en route (apart from a little unscheduled detour, courtesy of a stupidly designed turn, that didn't make any sense whatsoever and consequently sent us off in the wrong direction, but was fairly easily remedied without too much raising of voices.).

Getting onto the ship itself was really quite straightforward and before we knew it we were sipping chilled chardy on deck. The crossing wasn't too bumpy and we did get a little bit of sleep.

Arriving home this morning was just magic and we have a new appreciation of our home and it's comforts. Duncan's folks very kindly stocked up the fridge for us and had the hot coffee ready. After lots of chatting and 'Happy Mother's Day'-ing, we had to get the van unpacked. There was quite a lot of stuff in all the cupboards and tucked away, it was quite amazing. Anyway, it didn't take overly long to get it all out and into the ute and then into the house. The real challenge has been putting all the stuff away in the house! It has taken most of the day.

In addition, the boys are going to school tomorrow, so there was much fishing out of uniforms and books, covering books (darn, should have done it before we left on our trip), etc, etc. Phew! I am pooped!

Duncan has had a packed day as well, in particular trying to get my car to go. The battery was so dead that even the central locking didn't work. He has sorted that little lot out, so I am mobile. He also got some shopping, sorted out three months' worth of post, packed all the gear away in the shed and got lunch. We are both pleased the day is nearly over.

At least now we can lie back happily in our recliners and relax...

And so our Amazing Australian Adventure has come to an end. 12000+kms later, we have seen much, learnt much, overcome challenges, and enjoyed many wonderful facets of the Australian mainland. We all have many wonderful memories from this Grant Family Adventure.

Day 103: Back into the caravan and Clashing Titans

Well, the sky is well and truly grey today, with showers here and there.

Our first task today was to move our stuff from the cabin back to the van and 'check out' of the cabin. This was easily done, with the boys ferrying stuff from cabin to van, Duncan decamping on that side and me packing it all into it's place on this side.

Shortly after that little job was done, we headed down the road to the Bayside Shopping Centre to get the boys some haircuts and to see a movie. The haircuts are to neaten them up a bit for school on Monday. They were both looking a bit straggly around the ends and I don't want them turning up looking like they have been ferral caravan kids for three months, which they did.

They chose Clash of the Titans (3D) to see (Iron Man 2 was the other option), so we saw a 12.30 show. It being a Friday and everyone else being at school, we were virtually the only ones in the cinema. The movie was OK, with lots of special effects and slaying of monsters. (The gold old ones like Medusa and Hades and the Krakken.) The boys thought it was great.

We did a bit of shopping after this, splitting up and meeting up again later. (The boys went with Duncan...Mother's Day is on Sunday you know!). It was good to be able to wander around the clothes shops without being whined at.

Tomorrow will be spent preparing for departure. There are a few bits and pieces to be done, but plenty of time in which to get sorted.

One more sleep...

Day 102: The van is back

Finally! After leaving the van at the caravan place on Monday, we finally got it back today. Not that we have been suffering for it at all...the cabin is very comfortable...but it is nice to have our home back.

We haven't really done much otherwise. It is quite chilly outside, and we have been more than happy to 'chill' (so-to-speak) inside. We have had the opportunity to catch up on some school work and enjoy being together. (Yes, we still enjoy being together after all of this time.) A good DVD on the flatscreen has made for a very relaxing afternoon.

Day 101: Flowers, Fairies, and Gnomes at Ashcombe Maze and Gardens

Rain was on the agenda again today, but was supposed to clear, then come back again this afternoon. We took advantage of the potential break in weather by heading off to the Ashcombe Maze and Gardens, which is further down the peninsula.

A well-established hedge maze. No cheating in this one!

On arrival it was positively pouring down, so we had a coffee/hot chocolate in the tea rooms first. By the time we were done the rain had stopped and we were off into the mazes. There are two hedge mazes, a rose garden maze and a lavender labyrinth. In addition, there are woodlands, a rock garden, and a lake to wander around. The boys were given a challenge at the start: to find the names of all the fairies and gnomes hidden in the gardens and write them down on the slip of paper. A prize was to be had if they got them all. Apart from the enjoying the mazes, the fairies and gnomes were really fun to find (I found the most gnomes!) and we were in there for three hours. We found all fairies and all but one gnome, but were getting so hungry that we eventually gave up on the last one. The boys got their prize anyway: two lollies from the tub. Pretty pathetic. Andrew was horrified.

The Lavender Labyrinth

Anyway, it was lots of fun and we got to do lots of walking. As soon as Duncan unlocked the car, the rain started up again and it has been raining on and off for most of the afternoon.

We stopped in at a glassblower's studio on the way back and watched one of the artists completing a beautiful glass bowl. We also had a good peruse of the shop, which was full of interesting, but scarily priced, pieces. Andrew was under strict instructions NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING! We managed to leave the shop with everything still intact.

...but he was allowed to touch the ones outside!

It was another really enjoyable day.

Day 100! Beat that!

A new record! Go the Grants! 100 Days 'out there', caravaning!

Aren't we amazing? We think we are!

A clever Duncan photo

Anyway, while we were reveling in our amazing-ness, we hopped in the car and went off to Heronswood to take in the spectacular gardens. This is something that was on Duncan's list of things he really wanted to see. The morning was fine and sunny, so the picnic was packed and off we went.

Happy campers. Still smiling!

I really thought that the boys might start the "how much longer?" type questions quite soon into the experience, but much to my surprise they really got into it. They were excited by the different scents of the different plants and the variety of edible plants and fruits, some of which they had not come across. Duncan and the boys were completely engaged in the possibilities of our vegie patch at home and the sorts of things we might grow and how to go about setting it all up properly. Everything at Heronswood is organically grown and all the plants are heirloom plants (meaning that they are not modern hybrids).

Heronswood House in the background.

Emulation...

Popping into the garden shop afterwards was a treat and Duncan pointed out that there are none of those pesticide smells in there (because they don't use any). There was much perusal of seeds and equipment, some of which was purchased for when we get home. We shall soon be enjoying gorgeous produce from our very own garden, I should think.
It was a most enjoyable outing for everyone.

Only four more sleeps till we get on the ferry...

Day 99: Luxury

I sit, surrounded in luxury. Comparatively, anyway.

This morning we took our Windsor in for it's service and a few other bits and pieces, like having solar panels put on. So, we have moved into a cabin in the holiday park for the time that it is there. We booked a 2 bedroom unit, but they upgraded us to a three bedroom unit as the heater wasn't working in the other one (essential at this time of year). So, the boys each have their own room and it is all very spacious. We even have a big flatscreen and DVD player.

The day has been spent on school work and relaxing. I had a lovely afternoon nap, which felt like an indulgence and was very refreshing. Tomorrow we might go out and do something, but it is supposed to be rainy and windy, so we might have to limit our adventures to indoors.

Day 98: Gardens and Sculptures

Today was filled with some of Duncan's favourite things...beautiful gardens to stroll through and lots of fascinating plants to take photographs of.

Our first stop was the Australian Garden, which is well set out into different areas such as arid regions, home gardens, red sand garden, stringybark section, peppermint bush area, etc. It made for a fascinating stroll and provided lots of variety to look at and scents to sniff. We also had lunch here and enjoyed a potter in the visitor centre.

The Red Sand Garden

Moving on from here, we went to the McClelland Sculpture Garden, which has some of the most incredibly interesting sculptures scattered all through the gardens. This was an entertaining experience and some of the sculptures were really good, while others made you wonder what the artist was thinking at the time.

Peekaboo!

Yes, this is the sculpture...with models!

Keep it up boys!

Popped into the Bayside Shopping Centre afterwards for a bit of a browse and some grocery shopping, then home to get the laundry done.

While yesterday was perfectly sunny and clear, today has been drizzly and grey and cold. The rest of the week has rain and/showers forecast. :-(