18th December 2008

Paul is now officially retired and I must say he is looking very relaxed, only three more weeks of work for me so all very exciting and quite surreal. Paul had send offs at each store and we all know how much he loves attention, he got some great gifts including a fabulous book "Australia" Lonely Planet, flicking through it is hard to believe that we will be seeing and experiencing these things next year. Dad text me to ask if Paul's farewell speech was going to be on the news Tuesday night, said no, but to watch "Meet the Press'' on Wednesday. House not rented yet, not available until the 17th January so fingers crossed for after Christmas. Have attached some photo's of Sam and Gina, they are just so cute. Have a safe and happy Christmas!

25 November 2008

It is hard to believe that in three weeks time Paul will have finished at Woolworths after 19 years and myself in six weeks at The Investment Focus. The weeks are just flying by. I like to think that we are under control but there are always doubts. As you can see the house now has a "To Let" sign out the front, it will be good once it is let as then I can rip into the packing etc. We still haven't booked our first nights accommodation, maybe we are in denial. Sure it will fall into place.

Friday 14th November 2008

We are home safe and sound after our four nights away at Hastings Point, this was only a 45 minute drive from home, so nice and easy. No dramas setting up the annexe walls, the Big4 North Star actually park your van on the site - a free service called 'marriage saver', apparently I still need to master the backing commands, sure it will happen with time. One day wen went to Murwullimbah - needed to get a new TV lead so whilst out that way drove to the Clarrie Hall dam, another day we went to Brunswick Heads and came back through Ocean Shores - surprised at how big the area is. We went to the Kingscliff Bowls club one night for dinner, we were going to catch up with our friends Marilyn and Clive but unfortunately Marilyn was sick. Came home today and unpacked, gave the van a good clean and then we parked it back in it's spot at the side of the house where it will now stay until we depart on the 17th January which is coming around very fast.

Well Paul has had this week off pottering. Dad came back from Asia late on Sunday night and we picked him up at Brisbane airport, then I had Monday off, which was great as Dad came over for lunch and we heard all about his trip to Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Plain of Jars and then back to Bangkok. Apart from the Plain of Jars it was places we had visited last year.

Today the annexe walls were delivered, it was great coming home from work and they were up. We will keep the caravan on the front yard as will pack up on Monday and head off for four nights to Hastings Point which is only about 40 minutes away. It is our second trip away so should be fun.

Mrs Cara Van

Well here we go, really up and running now getting ready for our great adventure around Australia in 2009. In 10 weeks time I will be finishing work and Paul is going to finish on the 18th December after 19 years at Woolworths. He handed in his notice a couple of weeks ago and so far nothing in writing back from the company, must be too busy lining the directors pockets.

It has been great having "the van" in the front yard and being able to potter. We go away on the 10th November for four nights to Hastings Point, just over the border in NSW, we will have our annexe walls then so that first set up should be good for a laugh - watch this space.

Will keep you updated, love...Mrs Cara Van and Paul