September 8 - Home

The following photos are of our last week away - should follow next entry 'Home Bound' - enjoy!

September 8 - Hampton

 Em enjoys a cuddle with Nanna Bev

Nanna Bev and Aunty Kate meet us in the Hunter Valley

Jack all geared up for the rodeo!

Twins!

Just another wine tasting in the Hunter - so much fun!

 Bridge on Lake Hume

Our gorgeous Baby Tom

September 8 - Home Bound!! Oh no, back to the routine!!!!

We arrived home today around midday. Driving from Macedon Ranges where we spent our last night with our 'holiday' friends, 'The Rushes'. When we hit the Tullarmarine Fwy and I thought, "gee, I feel like we've just been away for Easter or something, not 10 weeks!" It was a strange feeling and probably not until a few of our besties dropped around tonight that we realised how long we'd been gone and how much we'd seen. Jack's comment driving home today was, "I never want it to end - I want this holiday to last forever!"

We spent the afternoon unpacking and cleaning the van as we are going to upgrade so it'll be on ebay in the morning!! We've had no TV for 10 weeks and suddenly we are home alone in the family room and kids are out the back watching a movie - "what is going on?" So off went the movie and the kids are now in with us where we are use to having them, on our laps etc. which is the way we like it. Our holiday was truly amazing - I feel so lucky that I got to live my dream! We saw and experienced so many amazing things, developed some wonderful friendships, but the biggest hightlight for me was being able to spent 10 weeks with my gorgeous family - a very special opportunity that not everyone gets to experience - our life and all we needed was contained to a tiny caravan and we had such an awesome time - it really made my realise that you don't need all the bells and whistles - no TV, limited phones and computer, no extra curricular activities, just the basics - we had each other and we talked and played and read and were just comfortable in all situations - I highly recommend it if you ever get the opportunity - the kids grow up so quickly (as do we) and you just have to cherish every moment.

Heres some photos from our last week away - we hope you enjoy them and thanks for following our journey - we hope you enjoyed the ride as much as we did - Love Phil, Jane, Bridget, Jack and Em xxxxx

1 September - Cessnock, NSW

Arrived Cessnock today around lunchtime - set up camp and headed straight of to a winery for lunch. Cessnock is in the Hunter Valley and just 5 mins up the road are all the wineries, cheese and chocolate factories, all the gourmet goodies you can imagine - we had a great afternoon. We are in Cessnock as there is a rodeo here on Saturday which we are going to. Nanna Bev and Aunty Kate are coming from Tamworth to stay with us tomorrow - pitching their swags on the annexe floor! We are all looking forward to seeing them and enjoying a boot scootin time at the rodeo together on Saturday - I'm sure we'll hit a few wineries as well!

We only have one week left of our big adventure - remainder of the schedule is as follows:
Leave Cessnock Sunday morning and drive to Canberra for two nights - check out the sailing venue for Christmas and go to War Memorial and maybe a few other sites - we may catch up with the Gawlers if they are free.

Tuesday morning we are driving to Wodonga to spend the night with Mick, Belinda and Tom - hopefully Mick will take the kids fishing as that's the new favourite past time for Jack and Em.

On Wednesday night we are catching up with the Rushes in Kyneton.

Thursday morning short drive Kyneton to Hampton - should be home by 11am all going well. Look forward to catching up with all our friends and family very soon - The Chads x
P.S. Will post some pics in the next day or so - until then....ciao Jx

August 29 - Yamba, NSW

Well hello there - it's seems like ages since I have had coverage to be able to update our blog - and boy have we done heaps since we left the Whitsundays. Probably the best way to explain is by photos - see below:

Go carting in Yeppoon

Em's new passion - fishing - she absolutely loves it - even has a new fishing rod - she caught two fish today in Yamba

Dinner with the Woody's in Noosa (Mia's 8th birthday) - thanks for an amazing night guys - best pizza's ever - and remember Louie - I want the ice-cream cake recipe please - thanks Chick!

Our day at Dreamworld (why would you??) not my scene but anyway Jack and Em loved it - the rest of us thought it was average - my big brave baby girl went on every ride except for the Giant Drop which I talked her out of as I couldn't bear to watch! We stayed at Paddy's on his front lawn for two nights - it was great catching up with them - lovely family.

The three daredevils - Em, William and Jack - thrill seekers!

Byron Bay turned on the weather for us - out of three days - gorgeous sunshine, even went sea kayaking and saw dolphins - it was a hoot. One day pouring so I spent 1/2 the day at the hairdressers for a well earned make-over - it had been June since I last visited the hairdressers and boy was I looking a bit wild and woolly!

Jack catching a wave in Byron

Phil catching a baby wave in Byron

August 20 - Yeppoon

We reluctantly handed got off the yacht yesterday and headed south to Clairview and today we drove to Yeppoon. We haven't had internet range for the past week or so so here's a run down.

The nine days and nights on Moon Shadow were awesome! We saw so many whales (four at once on one occasion), we hand fed bat fish the size of dinner plates off the back of our boat, snorkelled with a turtle, and swam at some beautiful beaches - one located in the middle of the sea.

Most nights on the boat were spent playing charades, dancing, card games and head bandz - lots of fun - good family bonding!

Tomorrow we head to Seventeen Seventy and then Noosa region for a bit of a breather! Until next time.....

The beach in the middle of the water

Whales

The kids at Hill Inlet

Coming back from Whitehaven on our last day - I couldn't believe how calm the water was - like a mill pond!

Hill Inlet

Feeding bat fish off the back of the boat

Below - hand feeding fish at Hook Island

Hook Island with Moon Shadow in background

Charades!

Jack catches another one!

Whitehaven Beach lookout to Chance Bay

Jane and Emmy just had a snorkel at Chalkies Beach (see Whitehaven in background)

August 12 - Whitsunday cruising - oh well someone's got to do it - go pies!!

We left Nara Inlet this morning after a lovely night with a bit of a concert from Emmy and Bridge (see pics below). Today we headed to Butterfly Bay for snorkelling, swimming and a bit of beach - just after snorkelling Phil spotted a reef shark right where the kids had been snorkelling - lucky - I believe they are harmless!

Tonight we are at Stonehaven - just opposite Hayman Island Resort and watched the most amazing sunset - we are once again having a bit of a dance fest - lots of fun - had spaggy bog and marinara for dinner (Bridge doesn't do seafood).

See latest pics below:

A bit of a dance off

Go Em, show us your stuff Chicky Babe!

A bit of Miley Cyrus - Hodown Throwdown!!



The gorgeous Kiddy Chaddies

Doing it hard on the beach at Butterfly Bay

Jack can't sit still - always active!

Girls getting dinner ready while grooving along to a favourite tune!

Bridge on Butterfly Bay beach with ship in distance

August 10 - Aboard Moon Shadow

Last night was our last in Airlie for awhile and the last with Granny and Poppy and probably the last time we'll see Laurent and Adrian - see pics of our last night at Airlie Beach Sailing Club below.

Today we boarded Moon Shadow - Bridge, Gran and I did the big shop while Phil did boat hand over. We boarded about 10.30am - Gran and Pop got to come out with us for a km or so and then headed back in the dinghy with the trainer. We are at Macona Inlet - Phil and the kids went for a snorkle (too cold for me) - then we all went onto a beach for a chat with some people from a neighbouring yacht. We are all finally settled in - Em played musical beds for awhile but I've threatened her that next bed is the dinghy! The weather is perfect and water beautiful and calm. Got the music going now - just waiting for the concert to begin! Until next time - Jx

The girls

Adri and Jack - good buddies!

The fellas

Bridgie is growing up!

The happiest Chaddies

Snorkelling at Macona Inlet

Moon Shadow

August 9 - Airlie Beach

Granny and Poppy arrived on Sunday - everyone was very excited - hence I haven't updated blog in a few days! Since their arrival we have been doing a lot of sitting, eating and drinking, swimming and shopping (Bridge loves a shop)!

Today we are getting ready to board 'Moonshadow' tomorrow morning - can't wait! Danielle and Steve left yesterday aboard 'Discovery' so we may bump into them out on the water during the next few days (Danielle wants a battle if we see them, ie: nurf guns, water pistols, but I am thinking flour bombs - look out Rowlers)!

We are heading off shortly to check out 'Moonshadow' and load it up with the necessary beverages for the next nine days. Then Poppy and Granny are shouting us out for dinner to Yacht Club. Will endeavour to keep blog updated whilst aboard Moonshadow assuming we have internet coverage.
Ciao for now!

My gorgeous boy!

Well hello there Granny and Poppy!

Camping is such a hard life!

Dinner out in Airlie

Poppy giving PJ a butt massage (apparently)!

The lovely girls!