THE CAT'S OUTTA THE BAG

God, it seems like ages we've been keeping our secret but finally I'm able to tell the world of our plans as yesterday hubby did the deed and told his work. So, the cat's finally out of the bag. Yep, we're heading on the adventure of a lifetime. An 8 month stint living overseas ranging from Bali to London to Ireland to France to Italy to Germany to Austria to Amsterdam to Vietnam to Cambodia and finally Laos before returning home, which at this stage is likely to be back to Brissy. But......who knows where this will take us in terms of our future. With books coming out of my ears - 1 done, 2nd in progress and 3rd in thought maybe we'll get book deals and never have to work again therefore can live wherever our hearts desire. So, if you're reading this for the first time "bonjour and bienvenue". If you start from the beginning you'll read what's been going on in my world, where we're up to with our trip planning and also what stage book 1 is at. Hope you enjoy following my journey.

ON THE MOVE BEFORE WE MOVE

We're currently renting here in Ashgrove and this lease expires on the 8th May. We had asked the real estate to ask the owners if we could stay longer but as the owners are selling the house they are currently living in were unable to give us a yay or nay. Last week, when I was in a pissed off mood speaking to the property manager, I kindly (not really) informed her that under the legislation we were required to received 2 months written notice to vacate the premise. Guess what turned up by email that afternoon? So, being the organiser and planner that I am have been on the look-out for somewhere to live for our final 10 weeks here in Brisbane. Really the only option was serviced accommodation and today we inspected and were successful on negotiating the price and conditions on the 2 bedroom penthouse at The Ridge on Leichhardt in the city (I'm getting good at this price negotiation stuff - lol). It'll mean I have to drive a bit further to drop off/pick up the kids from school but the traffic will be going in the opposite direction each time so it should be sweet. Actually, I'm quite excited about having a short stint at inner city living. I'll be able to check it all out, without the parking charges. I can sleep a little better now knowing we won't be out on the streets.

OUCHY MUMMA

3 injections and over a $1000 later we've been immunised against tetanus, diptheria, pertussis, polio, influenza, hep a, typhoid and in another four weeks when we take Jayden back for a influenza booster we'll all get the rabies shot too. The injections themselves were painless but oh my this morning we're all complaining of sore arms. We went to a specific travel doctor in the city which was a much better option than going to our local gp. He knew what we needed for where we are going to and had it all on hand ready to jab.

I LOVE IT WHEN A PLANS COMES TOGETHER

After lots of toing and froing about where to "settle" for 8 weeks in Provence we've managed to negotiate a cottage in Uzes with a discount of $7000. We initially were wanting to stay in St Remy de Provence but our travel agent sent us a brochure from a Melbourne based company with properties in Uzes and after reading what they had to offer we started to think a bit differently and many emails later were successful in leasing Le Moulin. I've jumped forward a week as we'll be staying in Paris for 5 nights after returning from Ireland and before heading to Uzes but haven't done any organising for Paris as yet. And here's where the learning French comes in.

IN HER WORDS

I met with my writing mentor today to talk over, get feedback, next steps, etc on my book. Here's what she had to say:

"What a fantastic read, a real page turner but filled with deep insights and wisdom....

It was a real pleasure to read, gripping, funny and enlightening. The personal stories were a really good balance to the entries. They tell people more about you and they make a nice shift in rhythm between the shorter day-to-day entries.

Very good intro - just enough. I thought the shape of the manuscript ie the content and the order was mostly really good as is now. I expected it might need a lot of editing but you've done heaps of work on it and the shape it is in now, in terms of flow of story, what's in it, what's missing, etc is excellent.

I don't think it needs a lot of editing in terms of grammar, spelling, etc but Copy Editing is a very good idea, for things like full stops, commas, etc."

So.....I've just a few minor adjustments to make before finding an editor and agent but pretty much it's all system go.

TO BE SURE, TO BE SURE

When we leave the Cotswolds we'll drive to Birmingham airport, dump the car, and fly into Dublin, Ireland. Here we'll hire another brom brom and travel around sightseeing for 9 nights, most probably breakfast and bedding it. We haven't exactly planned what we'll do when. It'll be more spontaneity, fly by the seat of your pants, you know moment to moment, type travelling. We're thinking of visiting some of the well known attractions like Dublin Castle, Guinness Storehouse, Blarney Castle where I'll kiss the stone, and also include visiting Cork and Galway. And most definately enjoy some craic at the local friendly pubs.

GOT US SOME WHEELS

Leaving London and heading to the Cotswolds we're gonna need some wheels to get us out and about and have decided on this one - the VW Passat Wagon, which will be hired.


And then after leaving Paris and moving to our French village we've leased this baby from the French Government. A Renault Fluence 1.5L Luxe. She looks racey doesn't she?