Chez N Andy's Travels

A long overdue blog, time has just flown by since we arrived back home for Xmas/New year. We stayed in Adelaide for a couple of nights as we had tickets to Cold Chisel at the Entertainment centre, what a great show Jimmy and the boys put on, our favourite band of all time. I also had the chance to visit with Aunty Marj and Uncle Frank (dad's Aunt and Uncle), so great to see them, both in their late 80's now. We had a slow journey home via the Mallee highway, staying overnight in the dusty sleepy town of Manangatang, thought we had picked a great spot to sleep the night, a roadside stop in the main street, free toilets and shower, till all the truckies pulled up alongside us haha!! Our car and van were surrounded by them. Next night we stayed at Narrandera Showground, $10 a night with electricity, a dry spot with dust and dirt but good for a night. There were another couple of vans there, a knock on the door and an invitation for happy hour, one couple are travelling carnival people, the other fellow had just lost his wife and was now travelling with his beautiful dog. Our last stop was on the side of the highway at the entrance to the Belangalo state forest, bit scary knowing what had happened there all those years ago, luckily it was a busy stop for the toilets 24/7 and another van had pulled up for the night. We stayed a couple of nights at the Big 4 at Parklea so we could visit with family and our daughter Jade and her husband Frank. Had a lovely dinner out with them at the Rooty Hill Novotel and spent the next day at my sisters, where Jade and Frank turned up as well as my Aunty Ruby and Uncle Frank. Uncle Frank surprised us while having lunch, he had done a blog of his own to read to us, a day in the life of them........we all had tears in our eyes from laughter, as any one who knows my Uncle Frank, he has kept us in laughter for many years with his stories and practical jokes. Made our way back to Port Macquarie and parked the van back out at the farm. We are so fortunate to have somewhere to park the van when we come home, thanks to Andy's generous parents. We have our storage container here as well, full of our lifes possessions. We had a lovely Xmas eve with Andy's family, his sister came up from the South Coast, so his Mum had all her kids here which was really special for her. Xmas dinner at Haydn and Laurens was made extra special as it was our Grandson Hudson's first Xmas. I know I am a little bias, but he is the most gorgeous happy baby ever!! Son Torren came from Brisbane along with Jade and Frank and Mum and Dad,, and Laurens family a lovely day. We have been busy babysitting, catching up with friends and doing some maintenance to the car and van. Geri came up for New Year, which was spent at a Thai restaurant, drinks at Andy's mates, then home to gaze at the stars, and watch the fireworks, which we can see across the river.
We are off on a cruise to New Zealand. next week, heading first to spend a night with Geri on the Central coast, then to Jade and Franks, will be funny not havng the van following along behind us!!!I vow never to pack for a cruise in a caravan again, I am used to having a spare room where I lay out the cases, we had a wardrobe for cruise stuff, so easy!(my cruising friends will understand!!) We have been running back and forth to the storage container, "where are the lanyards, where are the dress shoes, where is all my bling jewellry" No where to put the suitcases in the caravan so they have been outside under the awning!!! Will be a big change to dress up for dinner AND have our own shower and toilet, yippee!! So excited! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is enjoying some peace and relaxation. Will do a blog on the cruise on our return, love to all xx

Daughter Jade and husband Frank

Uncle Frank and Aunty Ruby with the rest of us!!!

Andy, his parents and two sisters on Xmas eve

Little Hudson on Xmas day

Our gorgeous children, Torren, Jade and Haydn