Weeks 53 & 54 - 7.4.13

Our last week in Adelaide was spent the same as the last few, going to the playground, riding bikes, enjoying the beach and last minute shopping. We did get another chance to go bowling. Anthony, aka Uncle Ago and I took the kids minus Sophie, to have a game. We had a great time even if Ago thrashed us all, and Laura did really well beating Tom in last place.

Monday night was my 6th Wedding Anniversary to Phil. I went to the beach and watched the sunset to celebrate. He was in flight somewhere and so we were not able to talk. It was a beautiful sunset and I have included a couple of the many shots I took. Six years has gone quick, but my gosh we have done a lot in that time!!!

It was a shame to leave Adelaide. I have enjoyed spending time with my family. Especially since I had not seen most of them since my wedding and that was 7 years ago! My sister is lucky to have such a wonderful network of family around, now that she is in Adelaide itself. Thanks Jo for allowing us to stay with you all that time and completely messing up your house. A big thanks to my nephew and nieces for entertaining the kids. They really enjoyed themselves. Thanks to Uncle Neil and Linda for their delicious dinners and help when I needed it.

We flew to Melbourne on the 20^th and it was sad saying good bye to my sister at the airport as I have no idea when we will see each other again. The joys of living over sea’s, I guess.

The flight to Melbourne went quickly and the kids were surprised to see Daddy waiting for them. I had not told them he would be there and they screamed and ran to him, giving him big hugs. It had been about 6 weeks since we saw him in person and not on Skype. Grandad, Auntie Heather and kids were also there to greet us. We collected our luggage and then headed to the Departure gates as Grandad was leaving that day also. It was lovely to see Bill again, even if only for 15 minutes!

By the time I got to Heather’s I was emotionally and mentally exhausted. It was great to see Phil again and we had so much to talk about. Mainly, what the hell were we going to do?

The next day after hardly any sleep all round, everyone went out and left me at the house. I went back to bed and slept for 3 hours! I felt like a new person the next day, after another full night’s sleep as well. It is amazing how sleep deprivation can make you feel so bad.

The next day, Sunday was Easter. Tom and Laura were extremely spoilt as EB (easter bunny) again brought more eggs for them to find. He even left some foot prints on the verandah! It was lovely to sit around and catch up with Heather, Danny and Virginia.

Monday was spent relaxing and enjoying chocolate and then on Tuesday we caught the train into Melbourne. We then walked to the Botanic Gardens and had some lunch before the kids played in the kid’s garden. Thankfully Heather had told us to pack a change of clothes as the kids got thoroughly wet. It was then back onto the train. We all believed the kids would fall asleep on the train as they were so exhausted, but they managed to stay awake for the entire ride home. We were all into bed early that night.

Wednesday was another day at home and Grandma headed off back home to Tassie. It was a shame to see her go. I was enjoying spending time with her again as were the kids.

Then on Thursday we headed to Badger Creek. This is a wonderful place to take kids. The kids had a great time playing in the water, even though it was cool and the birds were amazing. There were Red Parrots, Kookaburra and Bronzed Tip Doves / Pigeons. The parrots were eating out of our hands and the kids loved it when the birds landed on them. Except Laura, she screamed when one landed on her head. We tried coating Oliver in seed to see how many would land on him, but I think they were well and truly full by that point. We had a lovely picnic lunch and a walk and then headed home.

Friday was spent packing. Thankfully Phil did not bring too much with him as we had accumulated a lot of stuff and needed his suitcase space. 

On Saturday it was up early and into the car. We had a hire car so said good bye to everyone back at the house. It was sad saying good bye, the girls had become best buddies and all 4 of them had gotten along tremendously. It was lovely watching our kids play together.

We flew from Melbourne to Sydney, then we caught a bus to the International Departure gates, then it was onto Johannesburg. Once we were on the plane, I realised how lucky we had been going to Australia. We were booked into Premium Economy, but it was Business Class seats. So going back to Africa was not as comfortable as that, but Premium Economy is definitely better than cattle class for long haul flights (13 hours). Just being able to spread out was worth the extra cost. Unfortunately, by the time we got to Johannesburg I could tell I was coming down with something. On the plane I felt a cold draft down my neck and new this would not be good. My throat was sore and dry. Just what I needed!

We checked into the hotel and headed down for a quick dinner. I had to go back to the room and realised I could not shut the door. It looked as though someone had pushed down the door previously and it was barely lockable if it would only close. I had to wait for maintenance to come and fix it before I could head back down. Even then they arrived with no tools and so had to go and get some before coming back to fix it!

The next day we had more joy checking in, as the airport was so busy and chaotic we were called to the front as they were closing the flight. Phil’s flight had not been paid for (we did not book our flights) and so he had to run off and pay for this before he was able to get a seat. They checked our luggage through so at least we knew that our suitcases would be on board, we just needed a seat for Phil. It was then a run to clear customs and a run to the gate. Thankfully, we got there in time and made it to the plane. We were then able to relax for 2 hours before landing in Lusaka. We actually had a big plane from Lusaka to Solwezi, 29 seats! This was the biggest one we have had to date. It was fairly full and we had to ask some people to share seats so that the kids and one of us could be together. By this time I was feeling well and truly unwell. The kids and Phil were also tired and we still were not home.

When we got to Solwezi, the kids and I went to the bus. They had overbooked the amount of people and it was a crush of people and luggage, by this point, nothing surprises me. Luckily we all fitted in around the luggage and made the 1 hour trip home, with the kids sleeping most of the way. It was then a bath, dinner and bed.

We are now back in Lumwana for the start of our next year.

Am I excited or happy to be back? NO, but at least Phil has a job and we have a house. The only thing I am happy about, is seeing my friends. What about the kids? It is hard to tell. They are happy to be back with their friends, but then again, they would be happy wherever Phil and I are. I just wonder how much longer it will take to get our belongings. It has been 12 months now, will we ever see our things? We packed so many items for donation to the local villages and I would love to be able to give them out, to the people I now know.

Let the year begin……..