Honestly, if you’re reading this blog, you know Hamish has travelled. He’s seen stuff loads of Aussies will NEVER see both in Australia and overseas. For the past 18 months or so we’ve been hearing the following: “How come I’ve never been to Uluru. It’s not fair! Everyone else has been there!”

It’s been quite a year, has 2022…Rod and I separated at the end of Feb with a determination to be the best parents we can be. This included the lofty goals of shared occasions, no push-pull and a very modern approach to housing. We have definitely managed this so far and to be honest, we’re all getting along better. So we’re walking the talk with a week’s trip to Alice, including Uluru and Kings Canyon.

I first moved here 20 years as a fresh secondary teacher, Rod was an experienced chalkie. We both loved and hated our years here due to many things, but that’s basically another couple of blogs worth of content. Suffice to say once you get some red dirt in your skin, you’re hooked.

I finished work yesterday afternoon. We woke up at 0500 this morning to enable us to get to Melbourne for our 1030 flight. The only thing that kept me from completely losing it over my coffee this morning was a super happy, excited, flappy Hamish. He turned around my tired state: “Can you believe we’re going to Alice today!”

Rod drove and I slept. It was a quick trip to Tulla and we made plenty of time. Having travelled extensively with Hamish since he was 4, it’s sooooo much better now. He can carry his own bag, he can help with other luggage, he can clip in his own seatbelt, he can basically just about do everything an adult can do whilst travelling except pay his own way. He’s like a little broke best friend…

I am the first person to tell anyone how exceptional I am at packing. I am literally the most efficient person when it comes to packing for holidays. I have prided myself in going to Europe with 2 pr of shoes and 1 medium sized suitcase…This has NOT been the case for a week in Alice (and another week in Melbourne and Phillip Island). My case weighed in the heaviest at 15.8kg and did not survive the flight intact. Fortunately my bras and undies were not spilled across the tarmac, but I have replaced my case with a sturdy $20 duffel bag on wheels, from Kmart.

We’re heading to Uluru and Kata Tjuta Sunday, camping the night (which everyone thinks is hilarious (“I can’t believe you’re going to sleep in a sleeping bag!”), then riding bikes around Uluru before we drive to King’s Canyon. We’ll head back to Alice Tuesday arvo and hopefully get to catch up with our besties (who’ve been slidelined due to COVID).

I’ll try and update when I have good wifi.