I've been meaning to post about this for a while but somehow life got full
This trip has been brewing for a while. I think I've resisted writing about it here because it makes it real! I am excited about travelling up the east coast of Australia with my family but I'm also a bit dare I say, anxious. I'm a Virgo, we do anxious and calm well.
It will be a work trip. I will continue to write both here and the plan is to foray into some travel writing. And Pete who some of you know is a photographer and author will be working in remote Indigenous communities www.bepartofthehealing.org and also doing some photography workshops and book presentations along the way.
I will be homeschooling River and Sol. I'll just write that again so it sinks in, I will be homeschooling River and Sol. Yes ok, I'm a bit nervous about that. Feels like a big thing for them to be missing almost two terms of school and kinder. I trust I am completely capable of making sure that they read, write, count and be creative every day, but then my irrational brain chimes in and reminds me how happy they are at school and kinder, how they (& I) really like the rhythm of our days and that life on the road is going to be, a bit well, unpredictable.
Despite working as a freelancer for the last 13 years I actually really like routine or rhythm whatever you prefer to call it. I know I will find our new rhythm on the road, but I also know it will take some adjusting to.
Before I start sounding like a completely neurotic woman and you click over to another blog because you wish you were going on a road trip and you can't bear to read another word of my fretting, this post is also to let you know that the frequency of posting may change a bit too. I am hoping to regale you with wholefood travel tales but if I disappear for a few days its because there's no WiFi!
What I am looking forward to is time with friends in Bermagui, time with beautiful Jay and her family in Bellingen, time exploring Sydney with the boys while Pete works, and time in Byron our home away from home. After that, no dates and places are set yet. Oh catching up with the girls from Confetti Mag when we reach Townsville. My mind hasn't made it past Byron yet. Past my comfort zone. Perhaps I will get to meet a few more of you at farmer's markets and health food stores along the coast...
While we are away River will turn 8 and I will turn 40. And we will have our eyes peeled for our potential new home in the warmer northern climate...watch this space xxx
Have you ever been on an extended road trip with children? Tell me the highlights and lowlights. Or do you dream of doing it but haven't worked out how to make it happen. I'd love to hear.
How exciting! You will be great at homeschooling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence Liz ;) the Virgo organisational loving side of me is looking forward to the homeschooling. Hopefully my son will be as good a student for me as he is for his teacher at school!
DeleteI second the how exciting! I strongly believe the travel will be of so much benefit to the kiddies that 2 terms will fly by. When my husband & I spent time in Europe pre-kids we stayed in a dorm with a family of 4 who had taken the kids out of school for a year to travel the world. The kids were still loving it and they had been gone months at that stage. I think the younger one was 8 and the older one 11 or so. I would love to give our kids a similar experience at some stage, although it'll be a few years off yet! Much love & good luck - you will love South East QLD ;) xox
ReplyDeleteThanks Audrey x I love hearing about other families who take their kids travelling, I am hoping to meet some along the way and record their stories xo
DeleteNoosa's Sunday Farmers Markets is a must :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip Cassie I am looking forward to Nossa Farmer's market! x
DeleteOoooooh, so exciting Nikki! Looking forward to seeing how your adventure unfolds. I am sure that it will bring your family closer together and that it is going to take you on brand new internal journey too :). I always say that if we are to grow we have to move. xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks for your enthusiasm Olga, so true what you say it will be a great bonding time for our family (also with some testing moments I am anticipating! all four of us in the car for long periods) and yes the new internal journey. Looking forward to see what unfolds xx
DeleteSounds like an amazing adventure Nikki and a great time of the kids lives to do it. My brother travelled around Australia for 6 months with 2 primary and 1 preschool aged children and they are all the more knowledge for the experience. Looking forward to reading about your travels.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, always nice to hear it has been a positive experience for other families which is the overwhelming response we've had. My IOU is almost complete! I will send from the road. xx
DeleteAh, wow!!!! What an exciting adventure! I think it's going to be such a great experience for the boys. I'll be reading closely. Nick and I plan to do a full trip around the country at some stage (not for a few years) but have already decided to homeschool whilst we travel.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and bon voyage!!!!
Thanks Luna. We are only 3 days in to our trip and already loving it and all the possibilities and inspiration that it is stirring in us. I highly recommend keeping this on your wishlist and making it happen when the time is right! xx
DeleteI am so very jealous! Pop in for tea if you're near Bondi! Safe travels to you. Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteI would love to pop in for tea! Tea that I make for you of course, mama with new babe! We will be in Sydney next week I'll be in touch shortly xx
Delete