001 - BM to Lascelles

And so it begins…. But hey… what’s the rush?

At approximately 2.05pm and 35 seconds, we were waved off from the house, by the random lady who had come to clean the carpets, her elderly mother and a young 2yr old who had a fondness for Evie…

The last family portrait on the steps of 187 Halletts Way. I've never lived any house in my life longer, so quite the affinity to it. And to this point, the only home the kids remember. It will be missed.

About to head off... the fact they were so excited made me feel better that we'd made the right decision. Now how long do the smiles last for.

About to roll.....

Where are we here? About 250m from home...

  

So we were a little later than expected, say… 25hrs or so, but really in the scheme of things what does that matter?

But we managed to get out the door and on the road in what can only be described as picture perfect conditions. Unlike the crappy weather that would have greeted us on the road had we left yesterday, it was smooth sailing, very little wind and bright sunshine the whole afternoon.

A quick lesson in tyre pressures for Evie at 7-11, followed by a top of fuel at Ballan and we were on our way.

One of many many fuel stops I'm sure... Hope they are all as easy as this to park...

It was quite surreal… just heading off. Where were we going this afternoon? We hadn’t actually decided. It really depended on time of day, setting of the sun and above all, the mood and behaviour of the trio in the back seat, around which the entire universe will revolve for the next 9 months I feel…

In the end, after a nice lazy trundle down the highway, around Ballarat and up through Avoca and St. Arnaud, we hit the expansive plains of the Mallee. Towns like Woomelang and Birchip brought back memories of travelling from Swan ‘ill and Mildura down to see the relo’s in Bendigo and Ballarat. And I tell you… the landscape hasn’t changed much… and is still pretty freakin’ boring.

Still we were on our way and got a great chuckle passing every single rest point and picnic spot going “you know… we could just pull up there and stay the night.”

 Believe it or not, this is a pretty common site in our car on travels... Nose in books and generally letting the world go by. Bob's new seat strategically being used as a "Peace Wall"

In the end, Wikicamps (our soon to become “Bible”) brought us to Lascelles, a small blip on the map, around 80km south of Ouyen (prounouced Oh-yen for the Northern Hemisphere friends). A small little patch of grass next to the pub with power and water has cost us $11 for the night and allowed us a little bit of comfort on our first night. No point in roughing it too much I say….

A reasonable meal in the pub served by a Canute who couldn’t tell me if there was anywhere to get fuel in town was had. Jukebox which ate $2 and gave up no music at all (I blame Napster) was smoothed over by the owner who lent the kids some books to read in bed before returning tomorrow. I love a small town ethos.

Just paying for the site... in the pub.

It was crowded, and tough securing a site on our first night...

Not a bad little playground...

And that brings me to now.

The kids are snoring (or is that the local wildlife fornicating next to the van?) B’s enjoying a peaceful jigsaw on the table and I’m here regaling tales of, well… day one I suppose.

A couple of times today it hit me, we’re actually doing this. And I think it will sink in more as time goes on as it kind of feels like a “holiday” rather than an “adventure” which is what it is. I’m sure it will take some time to find a groove and get used to being on top of each other and tripping over each others shoes and jumpers… and clothes… and books… and hair ties… and drink bottles… and soft toys… sigh…. Patience Matt.

Tomorrow we’re heading for another childhood memory hotspot up near Renmark before the long haul over to Whyalla hopefully. Will see how we get on, but if we don’t get there…

…hey… what’s the rush?