With gratitude

Now that the journey has begun we wanted to thank all our wonderful family and friends. For the many ways you all helped and supported us but mostly for just telling us that what we were doing was cool and amazing and that we should.
Special mention to Monique for coffee, washing machine usage and house accessories and just always being there for us we love you so much. To Carolyn and Paul for agreeing to take Marley and loving him and feeding him and walkies we are so grateful , Lorenza for lasagna, supportive texts

Boxes and boxes and bike storage, love and support and hugs and kisses and so much more. Cathy for endless supportive phone counselling sessions, van packing and hand holding and always being there for me, around and present I love you so. My awesome step mum Prue for having us to stay at the critical moment, food and beds and baking and presents and love and warmth and encouragement every step of the way. To Carolyn for organising a fantastic posse fair well and despite bad health making me feel special with my queen chair. To all the posse for sharing in the excitement and planning and passion.
to Jason for advice and hand holding in the purchase of the 'big crusher' most awesome car. To Barbarra believing in us, encouraging us, loving us and many phone calls through the myriad of emotions that has been the journey. Couldn't have done this without you, my rock.
Our van mentors Tim, Hayley, Alex and Ted thank you for showing us the way and giving us so much time and support you should start a business van trip .com!
Cynthia for all the advice and support for the kids schooling and telling us we could and we should. Rosa from kumon for meticulous arrangement of maths sheets.
All of the Saford street neighbours for breakfast and bins and hand holding and nothing ever being too much trouble.
John and Lisa for storing our car and being so nice about it.
Greta for once again being our real estate consultant with the perfect advice at the perfect time.
To mum for support and as always financial backing and love.
To Margot for being our admin support.
Having such wonderful friends and family makes everything in life better and special. With gratitude and thanks we are blessed to have you all in our lives.
To all my beautiful Pilates clients for letting me go it's a pleasure to teach you all and taking a break had worried me but I know so many of you will be back -thank you xx
To year six at frenchs forest public school and 4 S for support and encouragement, cards and kindness. To Glen kindy thank you for making Angus feel loved and for a lovely but low key goodbye.

First day in the road

A very successful first journey except we left at school finish time so the pacific highway was a bit hideous. Made it to wollombi to be met by my crazy Italian brother in law at the top of his long narrow drive way. Steve looked very nervous and worried Bruno "come on let's go is fine dont be so scared it's good it's fine it's easy come on, come on". We did make it down the drive then Steve didn't sleep worrying about how the heck we would get out!
fabulous dinner at their restaurant and crashed into fitful sleep! Such a long day and still both so hyped up.
The inside temperature of the van reminded me of the ice hotel in northern Sweden during winter. The geece who are in mating season made a cacophony of noises in the night that put your average horror film knifing murder scene to shame.
Was amazing to be with my step sister Vicki hostess extrodinare, nothing too much trouble and the most delicious full breakfast and proper coffee this morning.
Love you so much and so special to spend our first night with you xx

Finally on the Road

In true Saford street style the Greens get the Royal send off.
thanks everyone
missing you all already xx

First lunch in Bessie

Bon appetite, a beautiful view down Saford Street enjoying lovely lasagna from Lorenza. Ah the good life!

Van Pickup

Well the big day finally arrived Friday we picked up our beautiful caravan - now named 'Big Bessie'.
It's not a quick 'handover the cheque and drive away'. Steve and I were at the Jayco dealership for 3 hours, devoid of food but thankfully pumped with the caffeine from our cafe stop.
We went from one end of the caravan to the other, both inside and out. The words "and don't forget to..." being spoken after almost every instruction.
Inside she is gorgeous - the most perfect home for the next 6 months. Some might say maybe even nicer than our house.
So we now know how to: lock the fridge, stow the microwave dish, raise the blinds, secure the hatch, ... before we take off each time.
Oh and let me just mention that Steve is a complete legend and managed to guide the car over the tow ball like a pro! It's not like the box trailer where you simply lift it on. Big Bessie is just slightly heavier than that!
It was a nerve racking exit from the dealership, with 20 foot of caravan behind. Of course we were running late and Miles had an emergency dental appointment at 3:15 so we were rushing back across Sydney, and managed both the pre school and school picks up with Bessie in tow.
She is now parked at the top of our road and we've had a stream of exciting friends and neighbours doing the Bessie tour: lying on the bed, opening cupboards. She really is divine.
Claud

Packing

We're busy packing the house at the moment. Here's a pic of the kids helping.

House for lease

Our house is now up for lease in preparation for our big trip. Only a couple of weeks until we set off.