...and so the adventure begins

                                     "one's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things" ~ Henry Miller  

I have been lucky enough to have been on a big family adventure. I have seen some things I have thought about for a long time and some things I couldn't have imagined and I have learnt, questioned, wondered, laughed, despaired, followed, led, tasted...
Here are some random thoughts and some new ways of seeing things!

travelling with children is an adventure, exhausting, eye opening, challenging...

                                                              Australia has REALLY good coffee

    for every moment that is uncomfortable, there will be a thing of immeasurable beauty

                               
                               go to see the things you've heard much of, but be prepared to share it!

                                        breath...

never underestimate the value of pictures and arrows on signs

                            
                         explore what is under the city as well as above

                                                          look up

do it your way
                              

                                                                                                     wear good shoes

                    everyone knows where Sydney, NSW is...

                                                        in Europe, Australia really is the other side of the world!

hunger is a traveller's enemy

                                airport security is a necessary evil

                                                                                       catch up with old friends

             make new friends

                                 keep a journal

there is nothing quite like your own pillow

                                                                                     pack your sense of humour

...and of fun!

                                                                                                   free wifi is your friend

There are so many stories, too many to share and so much was gained by all of us, big and small.
The most important thing I will take away, other than memories, is to enjoy the little things for one day I will look back and realise they were the big things!

Kate xx
                              

Making dreams come true

Back in September, last year, I was asked by Lisa from Random Acts of Zen to share my dream. On reflection I decided that one of my dreams was to travel. This is what I wrote for Lisa's blog post:

"One of my most incredible dreams is to travel. There are so many things on my bucket list that I would love to see, particularly in Europe, the Netherlands and the UK. I want to hear the guards marching to Buckingham Palace, munch on flaky, French croissants, pedal through the Amsterdam countryside, see the Lipizzaner Stallions perform, sit under the sky lit up by the Northern lights, eat gelato in Italy…and more, the list is extensive!"

When I answered Lisa's questions I knew I would make these dreams come true but I didn't know when. If you are prone to holiday envy then look away now... 

I am about to fling some clothes in a case and go on an adventure to tick off some of these things on my wish list.  Does this sound casual and carefree? I hope so but in reality there are things ALL over the house, bags half packed, Easter hat parades happening in the middle of it and one very excited family!

I might hear marching guards, there is a very good chance there will be flaky pastry consumed and I have informed my work friends that if I don't return, then the coffee houses in Vienna could be a good starting point to look for me!

Happy Easter to you all and stay tuned for some holiday sharing on my return.

Kate xxx