traveling0z

Tuesday 21st April 2009

Finally at lunchtime....... we pull out of Shepparton its been a loooong 3mths!! We arrive in Ballarat around 4pm, we check into an the BIG 4 Windmill as we want to go to Sovereign Hill tomorrow.

We are all exhausted its been a long day - packing up the van after 3mths in one spot was a challange - we had to re-pack all the cupboards for travel again.  We also had to say all the "good-byes" we have made many friends and the girls will be missed, they often did jobs around the park gardens ect and where paid in Ice Creams!!!!

We have an early night in prep for our big day tomorrow. 

Friday 17th April

Today we visit the historic town of Echuca - lots of wonderful buildings, handyworks by blacksmiths and wood turners.  We spent time watching the Paddle steamers go up and down the Murray river and had a wonderful lunch in the main street.  Racheal insisted we visit the local chocolate shop!!! glad we did it is VERY yummy chocolate (almost as good as cadbury)  Matt bought a big block of Pistachio nut and a small block of white chocolate with macadamia nuts...............................A Great day!!!

Saturday 18th March

Sadly Jacob's week holiday with us comes to an end and he has to endure the 2hr trip back to the airport between the two girls!!! (he will be glad to get back to Brisbane and some peace and quiet!!!)  We wave him off at 3pm.  Then 2hrs back to Shepparton, we have a bit to do the next couple of days - packing up ect as we head to Ballarat on Tues 21st April.

Wednesday 15th April

We show Jacob the sights of Shepparton - including all the local orchards!!! no shortage of apples and pears here in the Goulburn Valley.

Thursday 16th April

Today we went to a local organic strawberry farm where you can Pick Your Own organic strawberries Mmmmmmm  lots of fun and we picked $26 worth of yummy strawberries - needless to say Racheal had a tummy ache  :-(.

In the afternoon the kids had a go on the Go-Karts at the Caravan Park!!!!

Saturday 11th April,

The big day has finally arrived, Jacobs flight comes in at 3pm at Tullamarine Airport, we decide to make a day of it and leave Shepparton very early to spend some time in Melbourne city.  We arrived around 11.30am and drove around the city in amazement and being careful of the trams!!!!!!! we spent an hour or so walking the streets and seeing the sights including "Flinders Street" station,  we ate hot dogs by the famous "Yarra" river.

We then visit Sunbury a little country town just past the airport - we have a coffee at a local winery, very nice.

We picked Jacob up and set off on the long drive back to Shepparton - 2hrs Jacob sat in the middle and listened to the girls alllllllll the way home............................

Sunday 12th April,

The girls "show" their brother off to everyone in the park and show him the sights including the jumping pillow which got a serious workout!!! The park is packed with Easter tourists - so plenty of kids to play with!!!

Tuesday 7th April

Well the easter baskets are complete and ready for all that chocolate the Easter Bunny will bring!!! :D.  Last night Racheal lost a second front tooth in as many weeks - she now has NO front teeth and is now known as "Gummy Bear" and the tooth fairy is broke!!!

Monday 6th April,

Matt finishes up work on Thursday and on Saturday we pick Jacob up from the airport, then that night the Easter Bunny comes.......... the girls are so excited about Saturday.  They have been busy making Easter baskets for all that chocolate.  We have marked on the map were we have been so far.

Sunday 15th March 2009

Well the count down is on for our trip to Tassie!!!!  We decide to get out of Shepparton for a while and visit a local town Bendigo,  we catch up with Bev, Greg & Dan a lovely family we met at Dubbo NSW.  Bendigo is a lovely old town, the girls where thrilled to see trams (Matt wasn't!! at least we didn't have the van on the back!!!).

We went to the showgrounds and had a look around at the local markets - they where quite big.  We had a lovely lunch at an "eat in" Pizza hut (didn't think they still existed) Bev, Greg and Dan have just spent six glorious weeks in Tassie so they gave us a few tips.  We then had a cuppa with Bev and Greg whilst the girls chased Dan around playing "Tiggy".

Dan and the girls

Friday 6th March 2009

Happy Birthday Racheal  we had a wonderful day at "Kidstown" - massive playground here in Shepparton lots of fun.  A bus load of kids turned up to play, have a BBQ and forget for a while  - these kids are all victims of the bush fires, they have lost homes, friends and some have lost family members - they were having a great time and it was nice to see the smiles on their faces.  For her birthday Racheal received jewelery - necklace and earrings, a new DS Game (Baby pals), she bought a Baby born (or a baby that poo's and wee's as she calls it) with money sent - she did well!!!

Tonight its dinner at the "Overlander" another great spot to eat with a massive kids playground (inside!!!).

2nd March 2009

Well another week or so has passed, we are still in Shepparton VIC, Matt is still working hard and we are saving our pennies.  We went to the SPC factory and got a few bargains (we learn't that SPC stands for Shepparton Preservating Company) its just like the Cannery at Northgate - get bargains just because labels are incorrect.

The girls are fine and enjoying their time here, the tooth fairy is broke this week, Laura has lost a molar and Racheal has lost one of her front teeth (the other is also wobbly so it wont be long....... and she will be wanting two front teeth for Easter!!!).  Caroline has finished 4 of the scarf's she is crocheting (the girls are modelling theirs in the picture below) only one more to go then she is attempting a vest................the girls are also keen to learn how to crochet - blankets for teddy's all round.

We have booked our spot on the Spirit of Tasmania and will be in Tassie in May, we opted for a 4 bed cabin with ensuite, much nicer than chairs, we are travelling at night (they only do night sails in May).  We will stay for at least 3mths and if we like it we will staying longer, we hope to experience the snow!!!!

Monday 16 February 2009

Today is a day we have all been looking forward to - we are finally going to meet the family we have been emailing with since Oct/Nov last year.

Josh, Maree and two girls Julia and Jasmine have been travelling Australia for the last two years with their 80 series and camper trailer - we had the best day.  It was so good to swap stories and photo's, we had a lovely lunch and all four of the girls had a blast.  These guy's drove all the way from Warragul to meet us - Thanks guys.