We left Brisbane on Sunday morning on October 31st. A few dodgy truckstop meals, a trip to one of the gorgeous beaches at Nambucca Heads and most of "The Philosopher's Stone" audiobook read by Stephen Fry later, and we decided to stop for the night in Taree. We had planned on sleeping in the car, since I'd borrowed Scott's station wagon, so we pulled over, laid the back seat down flat and snuggled up together, me and 3 wiggly kiddies.
We were pretty comfortable, and apart from 9 year old exclaiming that she had lost a tooth at around midnight, 7 year old entering the farting world championships and a FUCKING STREET CLEANING TRUCK circling us at 4.30 am with orange lights flashing and brakes screeching URRGGHHH we survived the night reasonably well..
Next day we headed to The Entrance; I thought a few relaxing hours at the beach was in order before we braved Sydney, but BLEEUURGHH it began pouring with rain as soon as we got there so we had to make do with eating lunch in the car and a quick wander around the undercover parts of town. Thought we were way ahead of schedule but of course the rain made for slow progress towards and through Sydney. When we were nearly at my sister and brother-in-law's house, I missed the Mosman turn off and had to keep driving over the Harbour bridge.
While trying in vain to find somewhere to turn around on George st (remember it's still POURING WITH RAIN!!!!) 11 year old wakes and yells "I need to go to the toilet!!!!!). As I took yet another wrong turn and found myself heading to Darling Harbour 9 year old moans "I'm gonna chuck!!!!" and promptly throws up in the toy container ewwww....
Anyway, we finally made it to Mosman, then drove down a random fancy street and gratefully pulled over to empty container of vomit and the contents of my 11 and 7 year olds bladders into a manicured hedge (the rain would have washed it away instantly DON'T JUDGE OK?!??!??!).
Ha! What a disaster! We were SOOOO relieved to finally arrive at the sis in law's house *sighs* but our worries were ALAS not over... *whimper*
Two days of dodgy truckstop food had not agreed with 9 year olds stomach - she proceeded to traumatise my childless and house proud in laws with spectacular vomiting until the following morning. Spent a sleepless night either emptying the bucket or waiting, paranoid, that the next load would land on me.
The next morning I rang all the Canberra rellies to change our sleeping arrangements for that night. Thought it best to head to my Mum and Dad's place to avoid infecting my brother's 1 year old with anything nasty. At around 10 am 9 year old leapt out of bed and joined her brothers in performing the "Happy Fly Ditty" (if you haven't seen the Umbilical Brothers perform this - youtube it IMMEDIATELY it is amazing tehe..) so we pronounced her well and packed up the car. That was when I noticed the $200 PARKING FINE URRGHHHHH...... *sob*
Apparently parking there is NOT ALLOWED for an hour each morning....
Anyway, we finally made it to Canberra and enjoyed catch ups with my parents, my brother's family and more in-laws. The kids were thrilled to spend time with their only 2 cousins and I was reminded of all the reasons I left Canberra.... (urghh why is it FREEZING BLOODY COLD in spring???!!?)
Yay week 2 was much less eventful: Drove to Berry to hang at the holiday house for a while. Unbelievably beautiful...
Mum and Dad came as well, apparently my Uncle and partner had been there all week but we missed them by a few hours as they had work commitments in Sydney. Phooey.
Anyway, we basically spent the entire week bumming around reading, hanging at the beach, or taking leisurely walks. TRUEFAX: alpacas are ADORABLE in a Dr Seuss kind of way :)
Oh shit, this is getting long... the point is.....
WE'RE BACK!!!!!
