In Albany...still.

December 4, 2011 Kate

We are still in Albany. Still caravanless.

Frankie Blue has graduated onto her second mechanic who is working through another list of possible problems. Apparently it's looking like she has a bent axle issue. Poor girl. We miss her so.

So we've been making the most of our time in this little sea side town. Pretending that we meant to spent two weeks here. Trying to make peace with the fact that all our road tripping friends are now living in South Australian time. Trying not to think about the fact that we have to be home in three weeks. And trying to ignore the teensy little thoughts and suggestions that are creeping into our minds and conversations, that we pop the caravan on a truck and drive home. Please no.

We are staying in a little cabin in a caravan park. It's about the same length as Frankie Blue and double the width. We have doors that close, our own bathroom and a kitchenette. And there's a tiny TV. We haven't watched any TV for five months and this little one only shows programs about murders and operations and infomercials so we're not watching it either. We did watch a dvd called Ramona and Beezus the other night and I cried.

Of course I've been crocheting up a storm. Everywhere we go I trail little woolly tails behind me. Round and around and around and then into a square. Over and over and over and over. Darning in the ends a bit as I go. Its such great therapy.

I think I only have two more squares to go before I start sewing them together. What fun!

I borrowed an iron from reception here the other day to steam the all the squares flat. The receptionists looked at me funny. I guess I don't really look like the kind of girl who irons her clothes. I didn't correct them though. And now I wonder if they watch my girlies running past the office to the playground and wonder about their creased sundresses and their unruly hair.

We've been to normal markets and farmers' markets and cafes and delis and shops. We've bought delicious local asparagus, cheese, feta, honey, bread, lettuce, avocado, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, rocket, lemons and coriander from the producers and eaten like queens and a king.

And for the very first time in their lives, we had a pizza delivered one night. Our girls were so excited they made up a song.

Oh and I've been op shopping and further developed my little obsession with Johnson ceramics.

And so I guess this is just another part of our story.

At home our farmer boys have started pulling up our garlic and the school kids are preparing to finish the year. There's most certainly a festive feeling in the air.

In Albany we are reading and making masks and blogging and finger knitting and obsessing over instagram and doing the chores and drawing and colouring in and playing and hoping and crossing our fingers and toes that we will be back on the road with our Frankie Blue before too long. That we will leave this chapter behind us and get on with the adventures...

So how are you?
Are you having a wonderful weekend?
I hope you are.
Is anything exciting happening in your world?
I wonder.
Thanks so much for listening to my ramble.

Happy travels my friends. xx