It’s been four weeks since we left home and began this caravan adventure and I never really believed we would make it this far. But here we are; we have and I am thrilled and proud of us all.
In the lead up of nervous but excited planning I had anticipated two to three weeks of initial hell before we got into any kind of rhythm and now that we have punched through the other side it feels like that is a fair assessment. Week four has been the hardest for me, mentally and emotionally, not to mention the getting used to constant movement as a unit of six.
But now we seem to be in a bit of a flow, sort of. Every day is so different but we are realising what is best for us in terms of driving limits and journey lengths, food (planning, making, clearing up good god that list never ends no matter where you are) and tourist attractions. We have learnt so much already and I’m sure that won’t stop.
Here are some of my initial thoughts after four weeks on the road:
Going on an outback adventure is like having a new bebe in the family, truly! I cannot get over the encouragement, love and support from our family of course but from friends close and afar and acquaintances and strangers of all ages in between. Everyone has a very positive opinion on this and has either done it, wants to do it or closely knows someone who has. It’s not often in life that you make a decision which is so wholeheartedly embraced by all and I feel really, really buoyed by that.
Time takes on a whole new meaning. I can’t really put it into words exactly but it’s like we are in an entirely new dimension. Days of the week and dates of the month have all floated away out of our brains and often whole mornings or evenings float away too. Our measurements now consist in lots of 2-3 nights and 2-3 planned dinners and only the very next place we’ll stop on the map. It’s so immediate and present and has turned the responsibility of commitment on its head.
Hard work is so good for you. I knew this beforehand theoretically but this is next level purpose, focused on the most practical of survival. We are literally living the bottom triangle layer of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - air, water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing (we can leave the reproduction part out thanks) on a constant rotation of simple jobs that take us through; carrying, lifting, making, climbing (in and out of the jayco double bed gah), packing, shopping, navigating, washing, folding, sweeping, clearing, cleaning, winching, securing, checking, etc etc in mini cycles which all provide much satisfaction when completed. These are the tasks of the day, shared between us and all part of a greater whole.
Living outside is so much better. I can’t quite believe how much of our usual life was spent indoors; no wonder I was always slightly unhinged. Now we do everything outside. Initially because the dear caravan is just so small but now because it’s way easier and nicer to essentially do everything bar sleeping out in the fresh open air and wide space. We need to figure out the sleeping-under-the- stars bit too. Which brings me to:
We have the most beautiful sky in the world. It’s so high, it’s so clear, it’s so big.