Struck down by a fast moving mystery virus that seemed to change on a daily basis we set off from Hobart in our hire car thankfully unaware of what lay ahead and optimistic as always that it would “just be a 24 hour thing” and a few hours later we pulled into Coles Bay in the beautiful Freycinet National Park. I spent a couple of days here about 7 years ago and absolutely fell in love with it and was keen to show Sandy all the area had to offer. Our little cabin in The Big 4 Caravan Park would normally have sufficed with us being out all day exploring, walking and eating our  way around the Bay but it ended up being like a prison as we succumbed further into an acute tiredness and hacking cough/sore throat/nausea. We had no appetite which meant my very favourite Marine Bay Farm with its amazing oysters was given a big miss as were all the local restaurants and their delicious local pinots….sigh. Determined not to miss out on all the area had to offer we dug deep and walked up to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Up through beautiful pink granite and amazing rock formations we went, enjoying the view from the top and capable of no further walking we were happy to trundle downhill and call it a day. Our walking friend from The Three Capes arrived that night giving us a perfect excuse to attempt dinner but even a shared pizza was just too much and all we wanted was sleep! Annie had gone downhill after the Capes Walk too but seemed to bounce back much faster than we did which was just as well as she was off to walk The Tarkine! A chance encounter with a wallaby with not one but two babies in her pouch made us feel grateful for this chance to immerse ourselves in nature despite our bodies not coming to the party.

Feeling rather grim we were happy to set off the next morning to Cradle Mountain where we had splashed out and rented a lovely cabin complete with a log fire. The amazing Peppers owned Cradle Mountain Lodge was a mere 2 minute walk away on a raised boardwalk where we passed wombats and pademelons galore, all completely oblivious to us and it was an absolute joy to be able to get up so close and personal with them. The huge roaring log fire, leather armchairs and delicious food were all very welcome and the rain only made it feel more cosy indoors and a good excuse to snuggle up and have a few afternoon naps. After not eating for about 5 days we were starting to feel hungry even if we couldn’t manage much (and in Sandy’s case, she couldn’t taste much either!) so thankfully on our last night we made it to the restaurant and actually enjoyed our meal. We had forced ourselves to go to Dove Lake where you can walk the 6km circuit through many different environments, lush green woodland, exposed stone tracks (mostly going up, always up…) and finally you arrive at the iconic boatshed which is such a well known picture immediately associated with Cradle Mountain. It had rained for 3/4 of the walk and we were cold and soaked through, but quite chuffed with ourselves for doing it nonetheless. You can knock The Bradley sisters down but not completely out thank you very much!!!

We drove into Launceston absolutely pooped and despite previous thoughts about walking The Gorge we literally collapsed into a heap, ordered some take away which we mostly didn’t eat and fell into bed. We were SOOOO looking forward to heading back to The Meadow where we could see a doctor, go to a chemist and just recuperate. Our last week together was mostly spent on various verandas sitting, chatting and sleeping! Wayne would leave us sleeping in the morning and come home to us sleeping in the afternoon and even then we could barely make it to 9pm before crashing out again for 9-10 hours! We did manage a few drives, spending a nice hour at Hyams Beach on beautiful Jervis Bay with its whiter than white sand and turquoise water which helped rejuvenate us. Also an hour sitting in the shade of the deep veranda at The Cambewarra Lookout, watching colourful parrots flit to and fro. The owner was concerned enough at my appearance to ask if I was feeling ok which gives you an indication of how well we were going! Luckily all this sitting around gave us many many opportunities to chat about everything under the sun which was what the holiday was primarily all about and despite everything we did have a really lovely time together!

The final night arrived and Sam caught a train down to share the last supper and a bonfire with his Aunty before she set off back to the UK. Due to our circumstances she had hardly bought anything to take home but was very pleased to find that our supermarkets sell pink Himalayan pouring salt in 1kg containers and this was one of the very few things she had packed to take back. Sadly and in complete keeping with the rest of the holiday, security at the airport deemed a kilo of salt was 500g too much and confiscated it! Even more sadly, when she went to freshen up in Dubai after a 14 hour flight she discovered that the burly security officers had forgotten to replace her toiletries bag into her hand luggage after rifling through its contents and it contained all her contact lenses and some very expensive items totalling about $400!!! On phoning the airport I was told “the computer shows that nothing was left behind”….grrrrr! I suppose it was a fitting end to a slightly wonky holiday and in true Bradley fashion we laughed when we could easily have cried! Luckily we have a UK holiday planned next year (to see London’s latest mover and shaker) and I am planning a nice trip to Cornwall together with my Mum and Sister so fingers crossed we will have better luck there! It’s always much easier to say goodbye when you know you are going to see each other within 12 months. Bye Sis and thanks for being you  xx

So, three weeks later and I’m still not quite right but life is vaguely back to normal and busy again with the pool house coming along nicely although it’s mostly a game of one step forward and two steps back as the builders and the landscapers dance a waltz of whose turn it is to do something next. We do have progress but it’s taking its sweet time. It will all be worth it when it’s finished and we’re enjoying time with our friends and family in that cool blue water…..

In even more exciting news there will be yet ANOTHER family member to enjoy it with as I am very happy to announce that my daughter is also expecting a baby next year. She is 9 weeks behind our 1st little grandie with the babies due in February and April!!! How lucky am I??? As my sister says, it’s like waiting for a London bus, there are none for ages and then two come along at once!!! We are super happy and very excited for our growing family. She will have the baby in Vietnam and stay there for another year before heading back to Australia so it looks like we will be regular travellers to Ho Chi Minh City in the next 12 months!! I love the thought of the little cousins growing up so close in age and hopefully being good friends, just like our kids (we had  3 under 4) who have turned out to be such close mates as a result. Very Happy Days Indeed!!!

Our little Grand Bump ♥♥♥