Half Way

In some ways the past 6 months have flown by, yet in others it feels like it’s been such a long period of time. We’ve done so much, seen so much, met so many fantastic people, had lots of laughs, taken on many new ‘sayings‘, travelled so many miles, visited so many different places, so many camp sites, walked on so many beaches, swam and fished in different oceans, rivers, lakes, swimming holes and pools, ………..  

Geoff's Cobia ... was very nice!

Every single bit of our time so far in Australia has been amazing - even the few difficult things have been lessons for us to learn.  And we’ve learned some lessons and things about ourselves while we’ve been here. 

 

Our 'ouse!

One of our biggest lessons has been how much we don’t need.  Being used to living in a 3 bed-roomed semi back home, with all the usual furniture, gadgets, junk - to now living in an 18ft caravan - well most people would consider it a nightmare.  I must admit to being a bit concerned at first - but we really don’t need all the ‘stuff’ we collect  and we’ve managed perfectly well with a tiny kitchen come sitting room come bedroom with very minimal storage etc.  (That’s not to say we’re moving into a tiny bedsit when we come back home mind!)  But it has made us realise that we often spend money for the sake of it and buy gadgets because others have them or they look good on the tv advertisements! Maybe “keeping up with the Jones’s” is something we all do without really realising it.  And being on a tight budget and not needing things has certainly taken the thrill out of shopping for me - window shopping’s just not the same!

TV - that’s another thing … when we bought the van it came with a tv - which we carted around with us for approx 12,000 kms and didn’t watch it once.  When we were in Atherton we decided to leave the tv behind.  It was taking up valuable space!!  We’ve not missed it (well maybe Coronation Street and Emmerdale) and have spent more time talking with one another and others instead of sitting in front of a box.

 

I must confess that we had many many talks and discussions before we came to Australia about the need for a van with a bathroom - however - a van with a bathroom would have cost us approx $25,000 (£17,000) more - so I’ve had to get used to site ‘ammenities’ … and you know what - they’re actually generally really really good - and the plus side is that I don’t have to clean a bathroom!

We have really missed our families and friends, Church and especially Phil’s preaching!  We’re visiting so many different churches, different denominations with some very different styles and have received varying degrees of welcomes - but nothing beats East Cleveland Baptist Church, the worship times or Phil’s sermons!  ECBC Rocks!!!!

 

 

We’ve been so grateful to have the computer and internet so we can keep in touch with people via facebook, skype, and of course this blog.  Thank you for your comments and for chatting - please never feel that we’re busy talking to someone else - if you see us on chat on facebook - chat - we want to talk to you!

When we started off on our journey, Geoff said if, or when, anything goes wrong the first thing to do is put the kettle on and have a cuppa. Things always seem better when you’ve sat down and thought about the situation after the initial panic.  

the beard didn't last long ... it was far too hot!

Something I’m coming to realise more about myself is that I can’t please everyone all of the time and if some people don’t like or agree with me, my beliefs or thoughts, then that’s ok - they don’t have to. 

So … half way through, and our plans for the next six months…
 

Nelson Bay

We’re currently at a beautiful place called Shoal Beach, Nelson Bay which is not far north of Newcastle and Sydney.  We’re booked on this site until Thursday of this week then we’ll move on down the coast a little further, probably to Stockton or Newcastle.  We’re hoping to meet up with Margaret and Eric (friends from Redcar who are visiting family in Sydney) and will spend a few days in and around the Sydney area.  

Anna Bay

We’re also planning to meet up with Geoff and Janelle again at Easter and visit cousin Bill and his wife Hilde in Bright, Victoria.  We’ll visit Melbourne and Adelaide and eventually get to Victor Harbour in South Australia before we find our way heading back to Brisbane via Broken Hill (which we couldn’t do earlier because of the floods).  We’re hoping to meet up with Phil and Margaret in Sydney in June on our way back and aim to be back in Brisbane for mid-July … in time for Neil and Emma‘s wedding.  We will of course keep you posted as our plans have a habit of changing quite significantly!