Leaving Home

After TEN YEARS of talking, the big day finally arrived. The estimated time for departure changed about twenty times, with Tracey determined not to forget anything (she did!) and friends dropping past to wish us bon voyage!

But by 5pm everything was packed (including the dog, who had to be wrestled out of the car) and they were on their way!

From Leaving Home

Street party

Time to empty the house

My gawd this is uncomfortable

Now the clowns have put me on the back of the van. Haven't even left the street and I've got severe chafing. I reckon I'll be lucky to make it to Geelong.

The green t-shirt

Dear Fairies. It's Anna here. I've got 2 wobbly teeth now. I hope you collect my teeth because I think one is going to fall out at Christmas time. Love from Anna.

Final cricket match for the mighty Coburg Under 10's

Hi its Darcy. Last night was my final game for Coburg under 10s. I got 4 wickets, 3 run outs and made 22 not out with one 6 and 3 4s. We won by three runs.

I've had fun playing this season. It has been a great experience and wish Coburg good luck for the rest of the season.

Last Gynkhana for Ruby

Hi it's Ruby.....again. These are some pictures of me at my Gymkana. The picture of me on the horse is when we did smartest on parade and I came first!

In the other picture I'm sitting next to my friend Nicole.

I'll miss my horses and horse riding friends.

We should do this more often

Much fun has been had over the last few weeks catching up with people we should see more often. We should go away every year!

All set to go!

Hi Ruby here!! Thease are twelve volt plugs that we can use to: charge ipods, phones cameras

and lots of other cool stuff. This is the fridge that keeps all of food cool - especialy ice-cream!!!

This is the roof rack where we can carry camping gear, boogie boards and lots of other stuff. On the side of the roof rack are tubes where we store tent pollsand other camping gear.

They've given me a haircut!

Hi Pablo here. The mongrels have shaved all my hair off now. I look like a total idiot! I'm going to stow-away in the back here & hope they don't notice so I don't have to be neglected by Ellie.

Finishing school

Hi, Ruby here. this us a picture of me and my best friend Serenay at our school christmas party. We have finished school now and are getting ready for our big trip. I am going to miss everyone.

Hi, this is Darcy this is a picture of Gus,Oliver and myself. Gus and his family are going to meet us in the Kimberly.

Hi its Anna. This a picture of me and my friends Max and Thomas

Cup weekend camping trip

As part of our going away carry-on we had a massive 4-day weekend down on the family farm near Wonthaggi. About 60 people came and a great time was had by all (except Martin who still has his leg in plaster - and Leo who has had the stitches out of his head now).

The talent quest was a major success, mc'd by Dan. Ellie did wondefully well with the trivia night, and the cup eve extravaganza was spectacular thanks to Uff's dab hand at cooking lamb on the spit.

Other highlights were yabbying, the paddock golf tournament (won by Ben & Martin (pre broken leg)), Dean's movie night in the tractor shed, sending the women folk off for a leisurely lunch at the kernot store and making damper.

The nights ended up being a bit late, but it was a great weekend that we'll all remember for a long time.

Final Tour DeFart before departure

The 7th Tour DeFart was held in November, going from Wangaratta to Mrytleford, Beechworth and back to Wangaratta.

The conditions were very trying to say the least. It was either over 40 degrees or raining heavily, and there were numerous flat tyres. VLine also did their bit to make things difficult by refusing to let bicycles on the train this year. In the end we hired a bus and trailer and made our own way.

Despite all these setbacks the 12 participants soldiered on manfully. Pyke had a close relationship with the local taxi drivers by the end of the weekend, and availed himself of their services when the ominous "Beechworth Hill" loomed on the horizon. On the day however, Fraser "The flying Scotsman" Milne was too good and beat the field home to the top of the hill. Other highlights were the Gapstead winery, the Beechworth Brewery and the Beechworth Chinese. No-one was arrested, hit by a car or got lost, so all in all it was a great success.

Pablo

Woof!, I'm Pablo, the King Charles Cavalier. I'm going to be very sad when they all go away. I bet Ellie doesn't look after me very well. I may as well be in a kennel.

Dane the alien mascot

Hi, My name is Dane. I'm made of paper mache and am saving up for a full length sleeve tattoo. My favourite colour is green. I hope to make it around Australia on the back of a caravan. My main fear is those freaks from South Australia interfering with me, rain and rats. Wish me luck!

The Rig

This is the van and car ("Big Al") that we are going to attempt the trip with. It has three rows of seats which will hopefully avoid full scale brawling. The van isn't big, and it will either bring us closer together, or bring us home after a fortnight.

Ellie (holding the fort)

Hi, I'm Ellie! I'm 20 years old and have just finished my second year of my Law degree. I'll be staying at home next year and holding down the home front. I'm hoping to join the family at different points of the 'lap', especially those places in the warmer climate! I promise to look after the dog, if he is fat pig by the time they get back, I will be held fully responsible (and may be a fat pig myself due to lack of walking!) My best friend Sarah is moving into our house and we're only going to hold parties on weekends and when the neighbours are out of town. She'll be responsible for the house (and dog) when I'm partaking in the 'lap'. I'll miss the family (but not their mess!).

Darcy

Hi, My name is Darcy (AKA Big D). I am 9 years old and I live in Coburg. I go to Coburg Primary School, I like reading books, playing cricket and football, I dislike Carlton (including Brendan Fevola), pollution, whaling and brussell sprouts. I have a fear of sharp things, I have met Joffa before because his grandchild goes to my school. I have been on TV 5 times!!! On the heatwave I was at the beach and channel 10 filmed me and Gus, at the footy wearing Joffa's gold jacket, at the Salvador Dali, last years footy parade, at a Collingwood football clinic doing warm ups.

Anna

Hi, My name is Anna AKA "The Woodge". I am 5 years old and live in Coburg and go to Coburg Primary. I like dolphins and my favourite colours are orange and green. I don't like pumpkin and I have a fear of spiders. When I go around Australia I'm going to miss; my dog Pablo, my sister, my friends and my teacher Kerry. When I leave I am looking forward to; going to the theme parks, going to Tassie, going to Queensland and lots more!!!

Ruby

Hi, my name is Ruby. I am 9 years old, I live in Coburg and go to Coburg Primary. My nickname is Rubes. I love horses and horse riding. I dislike brussel sprouts and animal cruelty. Some things I'm going to miss when we go around Australia are; my horse riding school, my teacher, my friends, my sister Ellie and my dog Pablo. Next year I am looking forward to; going to Seaworld and Movieworld, going to the Northern Territory to see brumbies, going to the Great Barrier Reef and heaps more!!

Duncan (Dad)

Hi, my name is Duncan (thats me on the left). I'm 41 years old and live in Coburg. I'm looking forward to doing "the big lap" and not going to work so much. I'd like to catch a big fish (preferably a barramundi) and stand up on a surfboard while it's on a wave. I'll miss my family & friends and being able to hide from my children while we're away.