Life on a bus.

Everywhere we go people notice us. Now when we talk to anyone at sites etc I just say that we are on the bus. The usual response is “ Oh, the big bus!” Then when we answer their questions as to what we are doing, the usual answer to that is “ You are so lucky. I would love to do that.” Are we really just lucky? At first I used to just agree with people, but now I talk about the choices we have made etc., because really luck has had very little to do with anything actually – except perhaps in the purchase of our wonderful Bessie bus, but I personally think that was meant to be to help us meet the wonderful Smith family who sold her to us! A desire to travel again like we both did when we were younger, before children; a belief in the need for our children to get to know the wonderful country that they have been born in; a need to expand our thinking and ideas and show our children the diversity that they are part of; a chance for Andre to be inspired to create even more wonderful artwork; the courage to sell our home, relinquish our security and friends for a time; all of these have played a part in where we are now. So to any of you reading this and thinking how lucky we are, I say “Just do it!” We are all learning so much, especially about each other and as a family we are growing closer all the time – a necessity on the bus! The children have their moments, but overall are becoming intrinsic contributors to our day-to-day existence. They are learning so many new facts, having so many new experiences and are reading so much that I am finding it hard to keep up with them. I am glad we are able to take this as a year out, as I think the need for regular study would change the trip entirely and be difficult with Jarra. Even keeping their journals going is a bit of an effort. Another realisation is that we, Andre and I, really need one another. There is no way we could do this on our own. We constantly tag-team, especially with Jarra, but also with everything else. Andre is the fix it man though and usually can create something to fix any problems we may have. It really helps to have a very practical outlook and experience with making and mending things to get the most out of your trip and he is never happier than when he is solving some minor problem. In an ironic twist I am missing two things that are pole opposites – time on my own and talking to friends, even just talking to people past the usual “Hello”. We spend a lot of our time all together and as it is dark by six, pretty chilly and we are exhausted, we often fall into bed early at nine or ten…. so not much chance of socialising. I hope as we get into warmer climes we will venture outside the bus more in the evening. So far we haven’t met many people our own age. Most of the residents in the campsites are much older couples who keep to themselves a bit. We will see how things go.H