2nd February 2014

Almost 8 weeks and counting.

It’s starting to feel serious now, the reality of our next big trip. I went to the travel agent on thursday and picked up the tickets and vouchers, then headed into the city to change our Aussie dollars to Euros. Holding them in my hands gave me a funny feeling, the reality of what we have decided to do, makes me kind of nervous. 6 months away from our family is a big commitment, not only the distance, but the emotional impact of leaving my elderly parents, the grown children and the little grandchildren, thank goodness for skype.

Our flight leaves on the evening of the 1st of April, and we will not be travelling alone. This year we fly with my sister Lori, who will travel with us for the first 6 weeks and so she gets to see some of the french countryside by train, then Holland, Germany, Austria and northern Italy. It is her first trip to Europe and we hope we are able to show her why we love the motorhome journey and give her an experience to remember (in a good way).

Ewout has been very busy, working 6 days a week to make sure our finances are going to be adequate for our time away while I have finished the theory part of my Aged care course, and now are waiting for the practical part so that I am qualified. I have been spending time looking after various grandchildren keeping cool and being creative with some embroidery that my late father in law was working on.

Our Christmas went well, the family gathered together at our son Luke’s home, and although it was warm we had an enjoyable time, tinged with a bit of sadness for the absence of Ewout’s father. It is times like this that we really miss him.

I am starting to think of all the things we need to pack, working out what clothes we will need, enough for six months, the different climates as well as all the extras that go with us to make communication, entertainment and navigation easier. I should be an expert by now, but I still don’t get it right and pack too much. At least we fly with Qantas/Emirates and have a 30kg baggage allowance. So now we get down to the serious business of our trip preparation.