Day 90 - Our last day

We are flying home today.  We are all so excited.  I cannot believe how much fun we have had, how much we have learned about each other, how much we have laughed, experienced and just hung out.  It has been the most life changing, unforgettable, unrepeatable trip of our lifetime that will be treasured by us all forever.

Day 88 - Farewell to the Nelsons and our Van

The day has finally come to wave goodbye to the van and farewell our dear friends.  The "handover" occurs back in the caravan park near the airport.  It's freezing!  We say our goodbyes and help Rob out onto the road.  Lots of apprehensive looks from Rob and more anxious looks from Priscilla.  I think they are both questioning what they are doing!!!!!  The kids in the back are having a ball! 

Felt wierd and liberating to see our van head off down the freeway.  We checked into a lovely hotel and caught up with Scooter, Paul and Kai for dinner. 

The Nelson's head off

Dinner with Scooter, Paul and Kai

Day 87 - Fremantle Gaol

Kate: A day crammed with sightseeing with the Nelsons.  First stop, Fremantle Gaol which was fascinating and great fun for the kids.  A quick stop for lunch at the Fremantle Markets, a whizz past the Nelson's old house in Subiaco and then a rollic for the kids in Kings Park.  The day ended with a curry night at friends of the Nelson's.  Fun all day!  Now we are feeling sad that it all ends tomorrow and we say goodbye to our friends and the Van.



Lucinda and Jasper were caught being "naughty" and punished by the Warden with a Cat o Nine tails!



The Gang

Crowded cell

Jasper was horrified (as were all of us) that this is what was used as a toilet up until the Gaol was closed in the 90's

Lunch stop

Kings Park fun

Rob - king of the kids games

Day 86 - meeting the Nelsons

Kate:  Yippee.  We are all looking forward to the arrival of the Nelson Clan, especially Emily who has missed Sophia so much.  Lunch and a frollic on the beach for the kids, who ended up in the water fully clothed.  The best way to "desand" them was a quick dip in the pool as well.  Ecstatic kids to be allowed a dip with clothes on!!!!  Dinner and catch up at the pub.  Lovely, lovely  lovely!!!

Day 86 - Real bedrooms and solid walls

Kate: We moved into the apartment the Nelsons had organised for us in Cottesloe.  They arrive tomorrow.  By the time we moved everything out and cleaned the van, the day was gone.  I don't think anyone minded leaving the van in the caravan park!

Day 85 - Moving out of van!

Kate: The day has finally come, to pack up and move out of the van.  After zero degrees again overnight, this day can not come soon enough for Steve and myself!!! Although, it is with mixed feelings that we empty cupboards and all those reminders we have collected along the way. We pack into bags what we are taking home on the plane and pack into boxes everything else which is being shipped home. 

For those unable to imagine the caravan and the set up/pack up process, here is a summary of what we have done just about every day for the past three months........








Fold up, pack up our bed

Pack away power lead, water hose, sullage hoses

Push in and fold away our bed, wind up stabilizer bars

Pack away outdoor chairs and table

Pack away outdoor matting

Hitch up car

Attach jockey wheel

Connect leads and chains

Empty toilet cassette (poos were banned!!!)

Day 84 - Kings Park, Perth

Kate:  I think Jasper has had enough of the blog!  Sorry Simon! Spent a sunny day hanging out in Kings Park.  Did you know it is the biggest metro park close to a city in the world! A movie for the kids in the afternoon made the day a perfect "kids day"!

The road into Kings Park

View from Kings Park

The new treetops walk

At one of the awesome kids playgrounds