I’m packed and I still have thirty minutes before we have to leave for the airport. This fact deserves a blog post of it’s own.
It’s about 40 degrees outside, the air-conditioning is getting a work out after days, possibly weeks of 40 plus temperatures – and I’m sitting here on my bed dressed in wooly tights, knee high boots and two layers of clothing. I look and feel ridiculous.
I’m in the transition stage. This is the part where the two universes collide. One minute you’re standing at an immigration desk in one country saying “shukrun” to a man in a thobe, the next you’re grinning from ear to ear with a “thanks mate” to an aussie with an accent so strong, you could lean over the customs desk and give him a big kiss.
We’re doing things a little differently this year, tonight it’s just the boys and I. G will be following with the girls in a few days when they’ve got through their last week at school. The idea behind me leaving early is that I can go ahead and get the house set up and the boring stuff out of the way before we begin our holiday together. There are beds to be made, groceries to be bought and hire cars to be collected and doctors appointments to be had.
The girls have given me very important instructions. “Make sure you get nutrigrain” and “Can you go to the Farmers Market and get a venison pie?” They’ve also had instructions for the boys “don’t even THINK about sleeping in the top bunk or you’re dead. DEAD”.
Packing for an Australian winter has meant that I’ve pulled out clothes I haven’t seen for months. Fleeces and jackets, tracksuit pants and thick socks. I carefully went through an inventory of children’s clothes at the beach house when we left last September, I was sure I was making the packing process faster. I remember proudly telling G that we wouldn’t have to bring very much home as I’d kept “things” behind.
I now have no idea what those “things” are.
One day I’ll get the hang of this. I will be an expert in leading two lives.
In a world of parallel universes, I’m about to cross over.
See you on the other side.
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Awesome..Happy and Safe travels to all of you..can’t wait to hear more about how “the other side” is doing.
Stay cool and warm..all within the next 24 hrs.
Once again you say it so well. There sre so many little things you miss and just hearing about the helpful man behind the desk or the strong Aussie accent – ah home! I wish it were me! Have a lovely time! Enjoy every moment!
It will all sort out. And, the tumbled up start is just another exciting part of the journey. Enjoy.
The fleeces and warm socks are an essential, there was frost in the Adelaide hills this morning with a beautiful clear blue sky. Time for a beach walk I think… Safe journey
The things you left behind should be on an inventory list on your computer, you might want to set that up ready for next time.
And welcome home!!
I know it’s just a holiday, but there’s nothing wrong with saying welcome home.
It’s beautiful here in Adelaide today, wide blue sunny skies, cold air, lovely for getting out and about, which you’ll notice I’m not doing……
Hope you have a fab winter/summer!
I hope you bought lots of winter woolies because it’s extremely cold in little ol’ Adelaide at the moment. Welcome home by the way
I must be homesick – I just shed a tear when you mentioned the strong Aussie accent in the customs guys – So many times I have wanted to give him and the Qantas hostesses a big kiss (never did though) It is so much fun going home. Stay safe and ENJOY the family time together. Cheers SM
Strange. I’m in France at the moment, and despite the fact that it’s raining pretty solidly at the moment, I don’t yet want to return to a Melbourne winter. I’m having one here! But home is def where the heart is. I hear you. Cheers.
Safe travels 🙂
I have two weeks to go but have just decided it is time to get out a suitcase and start throwing the winter stuff in. The chances that I will get beyond thinking and actually do this are pretty slim. I love that you spent your 1/2 hour before departure blogging. I wish you had included a photo of that spectacular outfit!
Have a great time at “home”!
Michelle
Spending some time in Port Willy? And yes, the temperatures will be a welcoming cool after the heat you’ve been having.
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