We arrived back at our little home in Hampton Park three weeks ago today, just a few days before Ben’s birthday. There was a small sense of excitement when we were on our way back. In three days, we drove over 2,500km from Townsville to get home. Only a couple of our friends knew we were coming home, to everybody else it was a surprise.
In 11 months we…
- travelled through 3 states
- stayed at 35 different camp sites
- went to more than 34 different pubs
- changed 2 tyres
- had 1 bullbar fall off
- hit 1 kangaroo (on the morning of our last day on the road)
- caught more than 42 fish (mostly Ben)
- saw over 50 different waterways and beaches, we swam or fished in over half of them
It is fair to say, we had the time of our lives.
So, what is it like being back? If we had a dollar for every time somebody asked us this question since we got home, we would be able to afford the repairs and alternations we are having done on the camper trailer and then some. What is it like? Well, three weeks in it almost feels like our trip was a really nice dream that we had. Perhaps we would believe it was just a dream if there wasn’t still red dust stuck to parts of the Prado. As annoying as the red dust is, there is part of me that is reluctant to wash it away. It is a good reminder that there is a whole world out there still waiting for us to discover more of it.
Yes, we missed our friends and family and yes, it was an awesome feeling being able to catch up with everybody. Since being back we have appreciated small things, like having a drink and a face to face chat with friends, being there for our family, sitting down at a dinner table, watching our nephews and neice and our friends kids smile and play but we keep feeling this strange itch. The itch is caused by a part of us that is anxious about falling too hard back into old routines, that part of us will never allow us to forget how great life on the road really is. It is like finishing the most delicious meal you have ever eaten and then being told straight after that you can not have that meal again for a long time.
Home is a little like prison for us, even though our friends and family can come and visit, we are trapped inside. We have to stay here until our sentence is finished and we are just waiting for the day we will be free again. After 11 months and acclimatising to 30+ degrees every day up north, Melbourne is a very cold prison indeed. Sorry, about the graphic metaphore we have been watching a lot of Wentworth lately. It’s definitely not all doom and gloom though, we have some fun events and things to look forward to while we are here and we plan to make the most of the time we spend with friends and family now that we have a new appreciation for their closeness. It really is great to see everyone again.
The camper trailer is at Blue Water getting repaired and upgraded at the moment and this is probably a good thing, because having it sitting in the garage, within easy reach, would be a little bit like torture for us. The Prado is a enjoying a little rest. Ben has been working hard and I am waiting to start work, which will happen next week. The dogs are loving having comfy bed each inside but being in a backyard again after their exciting beach and bush life has taken a little getting used to for them.
Summer isn’t too far away and this year we are definitely looking forward to it. We will welcome the sun and the heat, then again, it might make us miss the road even more. For now, we plan to work hard, make some money, sort out our house and work towards a bigger trip next time around.
I also just wanted to write a special note to all of those people we met on the road… you guys are awesome and we won’t forget you. There are some who are particularly special and we hope to see you all again in a different spot in this incredible country of ours.
A recap on some of the greatest times…
Food & Fiction 