It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.–Howard Duff
Well no sooner had I finished my last post “eight weeks to go” our world was turned upside down.
Who could have predicted a Pandemic on top of everything we had been through in the second half of 2019 and the devasting bushfires of New Years Eve 2020. Well I suppose the only answer to that is CHINA!
The week before everything grinding to a halt, we were lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful weekend at Wallaga Lake with many of our friends by way of farewell to us on our big lap. The weekend saw the weather starting a bit ify but it turned out to be glorious, enjoyable and full of fun, friends and our last trip with our faithful “Tilly” dog until we return.
With the rapid spread of the virus predicated to bring us to our knees all our plans were put on hold. 1 May came and went and whilst we should have been on the road instead we were house bound not knowing when our trip could begin. After cancelling removalists and tenants, accommodation, flights to Melbourne, learning to work from home at reduced hours but still five days a week, we spent many hours discussing “what next”. We decided on two options. Option A was once the Victorian State border opened was to head south to Melbourne and see the boys (as we had not seen them for 6 months, 18 months without seeing them was not an option) and from there head towards the South Australia hoping borders would open. Option B was to wait until the Queensland border opened and head north after the winter.
Well Option A was the first to become possible so we are heading south for winter. Brrrrrrr!
So removalist has been booked, packing recommenced, house has been put up for rent, and we have set our departure date for 29 June 2020 with our arrival in Melbourne on 1 July 2020. We will spend two nights staying somewhere along the road to Melbourne (place yet to be decided).
Gardens have been re-planted, tidied, trees trimmed and George is busy carrying out the last minute alterations to the house (at last).
Van has been re-packed, clothes changed from Summer ones to Winter ones, bedding up graded to winter doonas and electric blanket. George has installed the diesel heater which will be godsend when we are free camping.
My only two concerns at this stage are a) weight b) is the van big enough for all Georges gadgets!! Time will tell.
