From Dream to Reality...

It is so hard to believe that after planning this trip for two years, we are finally so close to it actually becoming reality. 

In recent weeks, we have been able to bring together ideas and plans that have been just food for discussion before now.  Tony has been hard at work refining our caravan and our tow vehicle; the storage space in the back of the car, radio, iPod etc. have all been tweaked.   'Lady Pearl' (our Pajero) has been in for her service and found to be needing some parts replaced...I think the dealership were just being cautious as she has a big job ahead of her...so we spent a nervous couple of days until we got the word that the parts were easy ones to get and weren't going to take 2 or 3 weeks as warned.  All was good, though, and she drives like a dream.

We hit another minor hurdle when we realised that I would have to complete some training for my work before we went away.  This has meant many, many hours spent in front of the computer.  Basically in the last 2 or 3 weeks, I have just about finished a course that is allocated three months to complete!  Needless to say there have been some late nights.  Again, all is well that ends well and I am finally beginning to feel ready to relax.

I have also been becoming a tiny bit obsessed with my iPhone and the wonderful photography apps available.  These are by no means a match for the photos Tony will be able to take on his Nikon, but I have a lot of fun with it and I hope, combined with me learning some little tricks on Lightroom 3, they will be useful for this blog.

From top left:   'Are We There Yet' by Alison Lester almost brings us to tears as we read it to the boys: so beautifully written and thoroughly capturing our hopes and dreams for this trip.  Map, maps, maps - we are pretty well covered for maps!  And don't forget the books!  Supplies have been hoarded, much to the amusement of friends who point out that we WILL be able to see shops on the way..to which we reply, "But they were on special!"   We put everything out on the spare bed before it was stowed in the caravan - to get a visualisation of just what was being stashed away in cupboards.  And the big map of Australia?  It's been on the wall through the whole planning phase.  Well, I think it will have to come with us so we can mark out our journey.

Here we all are, two years on from the photos in the first blog; celebrating Easter again with our cousins.  Where will we be next Easter, I wonder?

The boys tell everyone that "We are going around Australia", which is especially cute coming from Matthew, our 2 and a half year old; and yesterday I overheard them playing 'going around Australia' on their playground equipment out in the backyard.  I do wonder if they will be as excited after the first few big days of driving.  I can just hear it now, "Have we gone around Australia yet?"

This week I will put the finishing touches on completing the course, we will make the final arrangements for any advance bookings we have made, ready the house for our beautiful housesitter, and catch up with friends and family. Phew! Oh, and have a big Bon Voyage party!

I think there will be a few excited tears shed as we drive off early next Tuesday morning, with Miles as our first destination on the way to Broken Hill.  The enormity of what we are about to do will sink in at last and we will look forward with anticipation for what this odyssey will bring.