Where did the last two years go????

2012 - We settled after our trip in a small Delfin housing estate in Sydney’s west called Ropes Crossing. Shane was posted to RAAF Richmond, and it was time to get back home and spend some time with the family.

Scarlett's 1st day of school

Scarlett settled into School well and went straight to 1^st class (having missed Kindergarten while we were travelling around the last year). I will admit it was a struggle for her to keep up with her class, but she did really great and moved into 2^nd grade the following year.

I started a job at Narellan in the June, but the 50min drive was painful, if it wasn’t for the hours really suiting me (basically come in when I want, and work from home when I don’t want to come in) I would never have taken it. The work was dirty and very manual, having to clean and list items for sale on eBay for a third party holding warehouse.

Living back near home was amazing being able to watch my beautiful niece Isabella growing up over that year. We had her naming day, and a wonderful Easter all together. And her first birthday was a huge day out at the local dam.

Isabella's 1st Birthday

Scarlett’s pet goat at nana and grumpy’s house had two babies, Scarlett was lucky enough to see them being born and raised which was a highlight every time we visited.

I managed to sneak away with my girlfriends Jodie and Michelle, to Phuket on a tour with the “Sunny Cowgirls”. Let me just say, what happens in Phuket stays in Phuket……..
 

Adam and Courtney's Wedding

I was also bridesmaid for my long-time friend Lynda at her wedding in Sydney, which was lovely and mum and Shane also attended. But I must admit the Wedding of the year was my brother Adam and his beautiful partner Courtney’s. Scarlett was flower girl with Isabella, and it was the most beautiful day. I think it meant so much to us all, as we welcomed the most beautiful amazing sister in law in the history of ever Courtney into our family. We just love her to pieces.
 

We went to the V8s for a week in Bathurst, and also spent the Oct long weekend in the hunter Valley. I think this was the first weekend the van actually made it out since the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Jan. Nicky, Martin and Scarlett who we met on our travels around Australia also came up with their van for the weekend. It was just like old times travelling around Australia together again.

The year flew and before we knew it Christmas was upon us!

2013 – Shane, Scarlett and I packed up the van after Christmas and went for a couple of weeks holiday down to the Victorian High Country, where we stayed at a lovely caravan park on the river in Bright. We explored Beechworth, which is a beautiful town famous for the last days of Ned Kelly’s life. We took a few day trips into the mountings to see the famous “Man from Snowy River’s Craig’s Hut” and other huts famous in this area. The scenery was amazing and we were reminded of the devastating bushfires around Falls Creek on the way in that decimated the area only a few years ago.

Craig's Hut

But before we knew it, Shane was called up once again and was sent back to the Middle East on another six month deployment. We managed a great week off together before he left; staying down at mums van in Currarong - but saying goodbye was one of the hardest days Scarlett and I have ever had to face.

Singapore's Merlion

Not long after Shane left I was made redundant and that turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I did not have to juggle work with Scarlett’s school drop offs and pick up’s. It was certainly refreshing.  I had also started a TAFE course two nights a week studying Small Business Management, so a good friend Barb offered to stay with me and help out on those two nights.
 

Time flew by with Shane away and in July we all met up in Singapore for 12 wonderful nights as Shane was given some R and R to see us. WOW what a country! We had the best holiday and recommend it to any family wanting to go abroad and visit a safe, clean, kid friendly destination.
 

We stayed on Sentosa Island and had everything we could possibly want to do at our door step. There was Universal Studios, and Underwater World, a huge Waterpark, and a million other things to see and do. We visited four of their world class zoo’s and literally ran out of time to see and do everything we wanted to do.

 

Gardens By the Bay Singapore

October saw Shane return home to us and the birth of the second little princess for Adam, Courtney and Isabella; a beautiful little girl named Emily. She is so beautiful and Bella is showing all the makings for a very protective and hopefully helpful big sister.



Isabella welcoming Emily





Scarlett was awarded Sports person of the Year



Bitter sweet was the birth of little Emily, as we also got word of our January 2014 posting to Exmouth in the remote north west of W.A.  

 

Shane immediately purchased a fishing boat and in November we went over for a handover visit. It is such a remote and beautiful part of the country, we all very excited to be embarking on another big adventure.

 

We have loved our time in Sydney, being close to family, and reconnecting with friends. Living at Ropes has also been amazing, I can honestly say I now know what living in a community is and will miss them all terribly.

 

So follow along the Cheney Caravan Of Courage as we take another trip across to the West xxx

 

Merry Christmas Scarlett