tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73728438226845769962024-03-22T00:09:43.810+10:00Wheel EducationA Kiwi family of 9, traveling Australia converting a school bus, educating, earning and learning, and performing with our dogs.Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-46629004008772765302016-03-28T17:50:00.001+10:002016-03-28T17:56:36.033+10:00The Saga of the Broken Leg<p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Since we have been working here on the farm, Freya has learned to round up the cows and bring them in for milking. She is excellent at her job, and very enthusiastic.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U_muJ9_2_hI/VvjiFwsEAPI/AAAAAAAAQws/7ZVYXAUcrUQ/s1600-h/02Freya%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="02Freya" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="02Freya" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L2D0P3UbOMo/VvjiGwE001I/AAAAAAAAQww/1s9eIXEiBZc/02Freya_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="174"></a> </p> <p align="justify">On Friday 11 March when we were doing the afternoon round up a cow turned round and tried to head back where she’d come from. Freya went in to stop her and the cow carried on going and poor Freya got tangled up in her back legs! Freya yelped once then stood there holding one leg up and waited for me to get off the motorbike and come to her. We scooped her up and finished bringing in the cows (with Sparkie) while Freya took a ride on the motorbike.</p> <p align="justify">We took her to the vet who with a quick examination in which he almost lost his nose, told us that is was probably broken (which we thought anyway).</p> <p align="justify">They took her off for an x-ray (with a muzzle on now). Returning shortly they confirmed that both bones in her front leg were broken.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h05j76kCrG4/VvjiHwrBhPI/AAAAAAAAQw0/9TMTX0hZqKI/s1600-h/3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="3" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q7424vC2adA/VvjiIgiFR2I/AAAAAAAAQw4/jZIwjuyAj2Y/3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="326"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">After a 3 day long weekend stay at the vets Freya was operated on late Tuesday Morning. We were very worried about her and missed her tremendously. They decided that the best outcome for Freya was to put a plate in her leg – also the most expensive option!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dxWg0uczUfU/VvjiJ-MzjyI/AAAAAAAAQw8/_JwRPVNrQuo/s1600-h/10671418_10208780363215935_8622431475870898098_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="10671418_10208780363215935_8622431475870898098_n" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 26px; display: inline" alt="10671418_10208780363215935_8622431475870898098_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gjBWh1FylXM/VvjiKlfG9uI/AAAAAAAAQxA/GjWi3eA-puo/10671418_10208780363215935_8622431475870898098_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="208" align="right" height="359"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">On Thursday, almost a week after the accident we got to bring her home! She was so happy to see us that the vet was worried all her uncontrollable-bouncing-with-excitement would damage all the hard work she’d done in repairing the leg! </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Once home she settled into her crate with a new very comfy mattress as she now has to spend the next 12 weeks in here or on short, controlled leash walks.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">We don’t like to ask for money, but we’d appreciate any help towards the vet bill which is already in excess of $2000 and she still needs more x-rays to check in the healing process.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">If you’d like to help we have set up a Go Fund Me campaign at</p> <div align="justify"> <hr> </div> <h3 align="center"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/FreyaVetBills">http://www.gofundme.com/FreyaVetBills</a></h3> <div align="justify"> <hr> </div> <p align="justify">Tuesday 29th we head back to the vet for her first post op visit. Hopefully it will be all good news and we’ll be able to start 15 minute walks twice a day. For the last two weeks it’s just been short walks out to the toilet – boring!</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i61wvrqVUFE/VvjiMD8UZiI/AAAAAAAAQxE/P6iGR5q4dG0/s1600-h/10633286_10208820988831550_7314574030083321640_o%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="10633286_10208820988831550_7314574030083321640_o" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="10633286_10208820988831550_7314574030083321640_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Eop40nlGoP8/VvjiNFMc9cI/AAAAAAAAQxI/EtoND-Hhcts/10633286_10208820988831550_7314574030083321640_o_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="385"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <div id="scid:77ECF5F8-D252-44F5-B4EB-D463C5396A79:1c051569-b77f-4a99-a7de-c8414fb62b98" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog" rel="tag">Dog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Broken+Leg" rel="tag">Broken Leg</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Farming" rel="tag">Farming</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cows" rel="tag">Cows</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Freya" rel="tag">Freya</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Working+Dog" rel="tag">Working Dog</a></div>Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-12142641520491207022016-03-26T23:26:00.000+10:002016-04-16T18:48:22.647+10:00Change Ahead<div align="justify">
I can't believe its been almost a year since I've updated this blog. Lots has happened, more than one blog can contain. <br />
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We have spent the last six months working on a dairy farm in South West Victoria. It has been much busier than we envisioned and many times we wanted to move on but we gave the farm owner our word that we'd stay till the farm or the herd sold. So we buckled in and have all learned new skills that I am sure will be useful in the future. <br />
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A couple of days ago the owner rang to say the farm had sold! Despite knowing this day would come it still was a shock to us all. The change over happens in about six weeks but the cows go up for auction in four weeks. <br />
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Having spent the last five months in a house it's going to be different going back into the bus. We don't know how long we'll be on the move or if we'll get another job after a short break. <br />
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In our spare time we've been working on some money making ideas. We have bought a sewing machine and made some capes for service dogs. We have the parts now for collars and leads.<br />
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Earlier this week we signed up to become <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/aussieoils" target="_blank">DoTERRA Independent Wellness Advocates</a>. Essential oils are something we are passionate about and can't wait to learn more them and start using them for our family. You can check our website at <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/AussieOils">Aussie Oils</a> if you are interested.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/aussieoils" target="_blank"><img alt="Aussie Oils" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcb5pDVL9QKt5Id_PtoR6t2ybeX_E1qUzgb7EeuKHoofVLDOdX_AugJhgx8Yn8_0pu7SZPjqQyNhNIys1YOg04XDlMeqRNpHIBy4p-tj8TWOUC3X29oKwirndBRVKqQ5VW3Iq6CLnyRI/s320/11698816_10153503108214083_5352953090127119942_o.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></a> <br />
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We haven’t had a lot of time for scroll sawing, but hope to pick that up again when we finish here.</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N7NioI2Kv5k/VvaQGCWEMlI/AAAAAAAAQnk/KiO7d9tFC1o/s1600-h/2015-08-05%25252011.32.03%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2015-08-05 11.32.03" height="252" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--yEDJIrufJ8/VvaQHo3dZ6I/AAAAAAAAQno/Vk-ERKAh5ds/2015-08-05%25252011.32.03_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2015-08-05 11.32.03" width="375" /></a></div>
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Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Travel" rel="tag">Travel</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Change" rel="tag">Change</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Farming" rel="tag">Farming</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dairy" rel="tag">Dairy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cows" rel="tag">Cows</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Family" rel="tag">Family</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wellness" rel="tag">Wellness</a></div>
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Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-9285125813667215042015-06-13T13:28:00.000+10:002016-03-25T22:09:57.948+10:00Always Keep FightingTrigger warning<br />
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Back in March this year Jared Padalecki (Supernatural TV show star) launched a campaign through represent.com to raise awareness and funds for mental health, in particular depression, suicide and self harm. The funds from this first campaign went to To Write Love On Her Arms.<br />
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This campaign coincided with the Angelversary of our 8th child, Serenity. With this in mind we decided to support the campaign and bought three tee shirts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Enhg8WgqgKSm3-XwPglG529cO_FY5wnu3QcBpZfmBgiljbYZUnvupc_6KITbRcKbSL67NzqlQBAuzPxgdOOvvTlZh5FqAiktgIS8TyPa4nZ1HTyZG__Rs5IdSo8eEPiYfcK685hHEuk/s1600/11084165_876291199085177_6634753689950938141_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Enhg8WgqgKSm3-XwPglG529cO_FY5wnu3QcBpZfmBgiljbYZUnvupc_6KITbRcKbSL67NzqlQBAuzPxgdOOvvTlZh5FqAiktgIS8TyPa4nZ1HTyZG__Rs5IdSo8eEPiYfcK685hHEuk/s320/11084165_876291199085177_6634753689950938141_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It has become somewhat of a motto for our family. We want to spread the word that no matter how hard life may be, never give up, always keep fighting!<br />
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A month or so later fellow Supernatural star Jensen Ackles joined Jared in another Always keep fighting campaign. This campaign sold more than 60,000 tee shirts! We bought one each.<br />
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Our slogan on the back of our bus also spreads this message.<br />
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So from our family to you and yours, when life looks bleak, and you don't see any way through, always keep fighting! Remember that there is someone here who is cheering for you. You are not in this battle alone. <br />
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<br />Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-51024700804405343412015-02-13T17:54:00.001+10:002015-02-13T18:00:10.029+10:00Recap and Update<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Someone was asking me how we were going because they hadn't heard much from us!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It's been a busy time since we last
updated here. I've been relying in our oldest daughter's blog
(<a href="http://www.mysparkie.blogspot.com/">http://www.mysparkie.blogspot.com</a>)
to keep everyone up to speed.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I'll do a quick recap here:</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In September we started our trek down
from Queensland to Victoria for a few appointments. Sickness hit us
at Millmerran so we stopped for a few days at the showgrounds ($20 a
night) so we could have power to run a heater. We made a break for
Goondiwindi where we stayed at the showgrounds ($25 a night) and the
next morning we had two new tyres fitted at TyrePower (highly
recommend this crowd, who came into work on a Saturday morning
because when we made the appointment they'd forgotten it was going to
be Saturday!)
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAg861Xk5rZQBRiK30buodu7pXAUd6nWjYQqPXoMdCIsJh8vwbdPH_YaUWnRRHzpFgtEyT4td46jsRNWnuhQEZPU_XFfWvshOCpRGzdklLFwfIAj_upeW06XFYXCnfADBJm9HtI39_II/s1600/Millmerran+showgrounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAg861Xk5rZQBRiK30buodu7pXAUd6nWjYQqPXoMdCIsJh8vwbdPH_YaUWnRRHzpFgtEyT4td46jsRNWnuhQEZPU_XFfWvshOCpRGzdklLFwfIAj_upeW06XFYXCnfADBJm9HtI39_II/s1600/Millmerran+showgrounds.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millmerran Showgrounds, QLD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Next stop was Narrabri (18/night at
showgrounds) where we hunkered down while the driver recovered from
the flu! As we drove through Moree where we always stop at the
awesome playground, no one wanted to stop.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A few days later as we were travelling
between Gunnedah and Dunedoo the bus started to splutter and was
really struggling on the hills. We pushed on to the next “town”
of Coolah. It was dark so we stopped the night opposite the servo.
Next morning Mike and some of the girls walked into town to find
someone who could fix our problem which we'd identified as a crack in
the injector line. The local hay contractor and also mechanic came
out, spent several hours including taking the injector line away to
braise, and put it all back together and only charged us $120 and was
worried he'd charged us too much! So without further ado we headed
off. We met him on the outskirts of town and he told us to come
round to his shop and he'd clean up the engine from the diesel leak.
Certainly a top bloke!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrPoNnECYtqBNn3UlOikdlsNs6HKmEsR1wO9MtB6R1r5S8d-tAMon3xd5qvM1Mv-QbfeQKN4-yBpOA7C6NKcA2A19XkRk2ZHxycNsaGlF3Q-emAhmDc7bCBQG60jjkRVMbiSNIBfbTeY/s1600/Coolah+Hay+and+Chaff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrPoNnECYtqBNn3UlOikdlsNs6HKmEsR1wO9MtB6R1r5S8d-tAMon3xd5qvM1Mv-QbfeQKN4-yBpOA7C6NKcA2A19XkRk2ZHxycNsaGlF3Q-emAhmDc7bCBQG60jjkRVMbiSNIBfbTeY/s1600/Coolah+Hay+and+Chaff.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our engine getting a clean!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bus was still running a bit rough but
had much more power!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Had a good trip from there, stopped at
Ariah Park ($10/night) and met another bus family. Always good to meet others
living the same or similar lifestyle to you.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE8wXaG4Fs9arph42Z2UjJzTFi94sAS9n0l1QsvQUjthG4jvyXtg9rXiV78N7Oylu985F_M20qlgfyVNOi721LJDsE7RzedHSgb6HcWnyfF3DabGxlLaHjgtSte-2Zz6gz0HWUGvJ-hM/s1600/Ariah+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE8wXaG4Fs9arph42Z2UjJzTFi94sAS9n0l1QsvQUjthG4jvyXtg9rXiV78N7Oylu985F_M20qlgfyVNOi721LJDsE7RzedHSgb6HcWnyfF3DabGxlLaHjgtSte-2Zz6gz0HWUGvJ-hM/s1600/Ariah+Park.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ariah Park, QLD. Camping with friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Somewhere along the way the alternator
started rattling! We made it to Narrandera and called into a place
where we hoped they'd be able to fix it at least temporarily as it
was starting to sound like it was going to self destruct! They
called in the mobile machining guy who took the fan and pully off and
machined it down. It sounded much better!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A couple of days later we made it to
Victoria! We stayed with some friends and helped them move. It made
us all realise how fortunate we were living in a bus and when we want
to move it's no drama, just put stuff away and get rolling!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After we left Benalla (a great town and
really worth exploring) we headed south, after driving about an hour
or so the alternator light came on! As it was getting dark we pulled
in to the next truck stop! As we were driving a day or two later,
Jireh said, “The bus sounds like a train!” When we stopped at
camp we looked underneath only to find that we were missing two
alternator belts! We now wished we done some heavy vehicle mechanic
work in our past life! We charged our starter batteries overnight as
we had to make the train the next morning as it was now obvious we
were not going to drive the bus to the appointments in Melbourne!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSQakQp_UQozhz_5GUft6iIYa5pU3zOIIRv0OVtQ5FesuzTU2JwTzL2D3i_YYr-wgc4521AjWycvAVI0QZ8ju1hSGikAa8U4YWelrS1lo6ynCNrNdpdPHoF7einIuS5ZSPj_NM3K4-Zk/s1600/Charging+batteries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSQakQp_UQozhz_5GUft6iIYa5pU3zOIIRv0OVtQ5FesuzTU2JwTzL2D3i_YYr-wgc4521AjWycvAVI0QZ8ju1hSGikAa8U4YWelrS1lo6ynCNrNdpdPHoF7einIuS5ZSPj_NM3K4-Zk/s1600/Charging+batteries.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charging starter batteries roadside!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After making some enquires we found out
that it was safe to drive the bus without the alternator as long as
we didn't do any night driving! This is a challenge for us as we
love to drive at night!
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We finally made it to Geelong where we
parked in a friends driveway while we decided what we were going to
do. A guy came a took out the alternator and after taking it apart
gave us the prognosis; it was beyond stuffed! On a positive note:
the bearing was near new!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxL84OVue8T-VVmMrwjg_9X0AGpt5cdqF0b0cy2vXecfrtPtLEV-n2GbHco0nub485ht1CXJt07ZOdAsiRshRzTGE5WpCa4dHEOE7bH9M3mkHcDdReuFScLYYUHJdu_7ofY9OKPSERgE/s1600/Stuffed+Alternator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxL84OVue8T-VVmMrwjg_9X0AGpt5cdqF0b0cy2vXecfrtPtLEV-n2GbHco0nub485ht1CXJt07ZOdAsiRshRzTGE5WpCa4dHEOE7bH9M3mkHcDdReuFScLYYUHJdu_7ofY9OKPSERgE/s1600/Stuffed+Alternator.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our royally stuffed alternator.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We spent the next few days ringing
round and driving round (in a friends car) to see if we could locate
a new or reconditioned alternator. The only one we found was on ebay
– for $1000 – and all the way from England!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We decided we needed to pick up some
work to enable us to pay for it and get our home on wheels back on
the road.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The jobs we were looking for were
temporary, part time jobs. We ended up with a (more than) full time
job managing a 380 cow dairy farm! We told the boss we could give
him three months work to see him though a tough time.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuHy7nUy6LGtWrUTcC4nMuNj3fu93dKSdnLze9W4E_yaJWlvGRL1lHwM_xDyzwTfeLysBM5SoA1aCYXcT2BVOZXh8EzsQNVlKLOpI8tQLSmUhbVcxdOkJIZVN-IYXqvnW-teLP2-pjtU/s1600/Calf+feeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuHy7nUy6LGtWrUTcC4nMuNj3fu93dKSdnLze9W4E_yaJWlvGRL1lHwM_xDyzwTfeLysBM5SoA1aCYXcT2BVOZXh8EzsQNVlKLOpI8tQLSmUhbVcxdOkJIZVN-IYXqvnW-teLP2-pjtU/s1600/Calf+feeding.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the Jersey calves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2e0Xs24i3Sf3h8c7q4u6J_Zqmzybp9OMfbnqYrRzKhS8ADDlj0LlO8dByuNCjqUd0s3TldSMR-g_0kWNCy4wb9dpmrDCTYi6yFhSl202f5bbwgUw1X3CqxeFMYbbmcBUFYmW6soyMcX8/s1600/Feeding+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2e0Xs24i3Sf3h8c7q4u6J_Zqmzybp9OMfbnqYrRzKhS8ADDlj0LlO8dByuNCjqUd0s3TldSMR-g_0kWNCy4wb9dpmrDCTYi6yFhSl202f5bbwgUw1X3CqxeFMYbbmcBUFYmW6soyMcX8/s1600/Feeding+out.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jasmine feeding hay to the cows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhly3o8qkGSTCkViUClsKtYjC9mDpeMYZ9SIqUpoxvoORfv7Z-4q_aVvgdutWcvSX_26n9Jv416JyQGyG00N0ibnY_CrkXkHz2XX1-TwY-4Hbci60FJuIc4g7quhvyMIhH0RerxD_GmU/s1600/Jessica+milking+cows..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhly3o8qkGSTCkViUClsKtYjC9mDpeMYZ9SIqUpoxvoORfv7Z-4q_aVvgdutWcvSX_26n9Jv416JyQGyG00N0ibnY_CrkXkHz2XX1-TwY-4Hbci60FJuIc4g7quhvyMIhH0RerxD_GmU/s1600/Jessica+milking+cows..jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica milking in the rotary cowshed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The older girls have gained some
valuable work experience and we have be able to get a new (or
reconditioned) alternator, solar panels, a fridge and a satellite
vehicle!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our time here is coming to an end. We
are all more than ready to have our life back and not be ruled by the
dreaded alarm clock!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We plan of spending the first few weeks after we finish here installing solar, and fitting the new alternator! The job has been so busy that we've had no time to work on the bus so we've just bought the things we need and will fit them on the bus when we have time.</div>
On the 1<sup>st</sup> of February we
had our 7<sup>th</sup> anniversary of living on the road! There have
been good times and there have been the not so good times and there
have been the downright awful times! Living on the road doesn't mean
that life is always good, life happens where ever you live. <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraycBgN3erp429hEqZUR2gfvxpeoayNk3zbwbqMOCuf7alh6m2c7odV0hhFS0n3ylVMVDtsrHKC6jnrz9PodpJJO5O1VdTmoOli3J3Bpsot15Kj8FQulkKXdRjTZNokL9RdBz9TK93Iw/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraycBgN3erp429hEqZUR2gfvxpeoayNk3zbwbqMOCuf7alh6m2c7odV0hhFS0n3ylVMVDtsrHKC6jnrz9PodpJJO5O1VdTmoOli3J3Bpsot15Kj8FQulkKXdRjTZNokL9RdBz9TK93Iw/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven years on the road!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-672014100260294492014-07-17T22:58:00.001+10:002014-07-17T22:58:02.316+10:00Operation Oil Change<p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">It’s a horrible feeling when you are driving along at night and you turn on the light to check your speed (the dash light doesn’t work) and you notice the oil pressure gauge is doing a dance then staying up at maximum, then dropping to normal, then dancing, rising, dancing then dropping.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">We drove to the nearest free camp and stopped the night. Did some research the next day and decided the most likely problem was old oil. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">A couple of days later we drove to the nearest town (Gladstone, QLD) and went searching for an oil filter. Easy task, eh? Well, no! We arrived in town at around 10:30 and finally found a place that may be able to order one in by around 5 pm! That night we did some more sleuthing and found that they were quite hard to get in Aussie, but easy in USA. Decided to go with the local parts place (Maxiparts) to hopefully get it quicker as we didn’t want to drive the bus much more and risk damage to the engine.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">We rang them early in the morning then waited ALL DAY for them to call us back! Finally on Friday afternoon after several calls to them, we got one ordered – from Darwin. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">And so we waited! We parked up next to the Junior Sports Grounds and waited for someone to come tell us to move! (No one did)</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CUijp9lJpTY/U8fIGL_Rr4I/AAAAAAAAE40/46iqqCvM8XU/s1600-h/IMG_962417.jpg"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"><img title="IMG_9624" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_9624" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MO55SH_TYRE/U8fIILI8ycI/AAAAAAAAE48/ltsz8jIFAN0/IMG_9624_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="295"></font></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">Late Monday afternoon, we got the phone call saying the filter had arrived! We asked if they could deliver it out to us, which they did at no extra charge – or maybe that was included in the $40 freight charge from Darwin!</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">First thing Tuesday morning we got onto the oil change only to find the bungs were done up so tight they would not move at all! We spent a frustrating day trying to get someone with the proper tools to come and help. We thought about syphoning it out, then someone on facebook suggested it too.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">So now it’s Wednesday! We take a walk to the local Supercheap Auto and purchase a hand syphon and set to work on emptying the oil sump. </font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-atG4NHlw5Tw/U8fIJOD00sI/AAAAAAAAE5E/d6LsVbPczvA/s1600-h/IMG_962710.jpg"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"><img title="IMG_9627" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_9627" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5DdDzgWUSIA/U8fIJwaI9-I/AAAAAAAAE5M/cUcqopS9QGE/IMG_9627_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="299"></font></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">We ended up removing the filler pipe to make our job easier.</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8xmTRUx_5fk/U8fILuFsv5I/AAAAAAAAE5U/MQC2FMKlNps/s1600-h/IMG_963610.jpg"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"><img title="IMG_9636" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_9636" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3_LIkFP0sps/U8fIMlP34qI/AAAAAAAAE5c/OMH5yED3-Ng/IMG_9636_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="309"></font></a><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"> </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">Our next challenge was to remove the old filter. We banged a screwdriver though the bottom to use as leverage and hit it with the hammer! It didn’t want to come off at all! Finally we noticed a minuscule movement! The cheer brought out some of kids to have a look!</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0PdIrqm2hPI/U8fIOVnSDFI/AAAAAAAAE5k/ETLb9PBSnc0/s1600-h/IMG_965314.jpg"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"><img title="IMG_9653" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_9653" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7PVgOgQFxPg/U8fIPBt4HGI/AAAAAAAAE5s/v9hw0w9r7Jw/IMG_9653_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="322"></font></a><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"> </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">Once the filter was off it was a relatively easy job. We bought some ultra black silicone gasket maker as the old one round the filler plug was shot!</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dEjpLUFYDvE/U8fIQoWbWQI/AAAAAAAAE50/Tb8hW5Xmu_s/s1600-h/IMG_967810.jpg"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"><img title="IMG_9678" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_9678" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cj-SX1aeyq8/U8fIReWHZKI/AAAAAAAAE58/udfBWXzSiQk/IMG_9678_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="293"></font></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">Once it was all put back together, we filled the new filter with oil, filled the sump with oil and hoped and prayed that we’d fixed the oil pressure problem!</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M6wiZmFZRxs/U8fISXy4FlI/AAAAAAAAE6E/Da8DGpufDYs/s1600-h/IMG_968611.jpg"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"><img title="IMG_9686" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_9686" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l6oD5O0RWB0/U8fITVXpMRI/AAAAAAAAE6M/M8bJ7qC6V1s/IMG_9686_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="304"></font></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">After dinner we took The Odyssey for a spin, and the she ran like a well oiled machine!! What a relief!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS">Meanwhile Jireh ….</font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6niLfTVzFgQ/U8fIUm_zulI/AAAAAAAAE6U/ZgREEinr-k0/s1600-h/IMG_96739.jpg"><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"><img title="IMG_9673" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_9673" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZuFuCZ0MIVI/U8fIVVx7kXI/AAAAAAAAE6c/xyTBjy6DGy8/IMG_9673_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="292"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"></font></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-10774835364142619482014-06-25T00:18:00.001+10:002014-06-25T00:18:51.011+10:00Friday the 13th<p align="center">At least once a year we like to put together a video of a day in our life. This year we choose Friday 13th June to be that day!</p> <p align="center"><a title="http://youtu.be/mOvKuOb0Wzo" href="http://youtu.be/mOvKuOb0Wzo">Follow</a> this <a href="http://youtu.be/mOvKuOb0Wzo"><font style="background-color: #ffff00">LINK</font></a> or click on the picture to see what we did on Friday 13th!</p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/mOvKuOb0Wzo"><img title="HNI_0042" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="HNI_0042" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EmCljuUHa9E/U6mIx8HdIII/AAAAAAAAE4k/uBeu_NkPoAA/HNI_0042%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="283"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-17689981577648843602014-06-21T00:16:00.001+10:002014-06-21T00:16:22.267+10:00Humorous Answers to Common Questions<p>We were inspired by another travelling family when they posted on facebook some answers to questions they regularly get asked. Here are the questions and our (tongue-in-cheek) answers.</p> <p> </p> <ol> <ol> <li><strong>Are they all yours?</strong> Of course not, we pick them up as we travel.</li> <li><strong>Are there any twins?</strong> Not as far as we know.</li> <li><strong>Don’t you have a television?</strong> Nope! We got sick of not being able to get reception so we sold it.</li> <li><strong>Do you have a house to go back to?</strong> Nope, houses are way over-rated!</li> <li><strong>Did you win lotto?</strong> Yes, um, No, actually didn’t even buy the ticket!</li> <li><strong>Do you home school?</strong> Nope, the kids do fly in fly out schooling!</li> <li><strong>Bet the bus goes through some fuel!</strong> Nope, it runs on the smell of an oily rag, oh, hang on, that’s the rag from mopping up the oil leaks!</li> <li><strong>How do you make a living?</strong> Dole bludgers and government handouts and sending the kids to work!</li></ol></ol> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Hope the post brightened your day.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wAncVeuFSp0/U6RCKgP_MFI/AAAAAAAAE4M/3ZFoRTiGcZY/s1600-h/1471401_260610067424043_1237243822_n%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="1471401_260610067424043_1237243822_n" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="1471401_260610067424043_1237243822_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-trOhMvVmtGA/U6RCMmHlWbI/AAAAAAAAE4U/smdTgscnX54/1471401_260610067424043_1237243822_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="334" height="398"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-61402875425157543212014-06-15T00:21:00.001+10:002014-06-15T00:21:39.802+10:00A Quick Round Up and a Video<p>It’s been a very busy few weeks for us. After the Gympie Show and RSPCA Million Paws walk we headed off to Springsure for the show there. It was not as straight forward as we’d hoped.</p> <p>Had a great trip as far as Rockhampton where we stopped for a pantry restock before we headed away from the coast and decent shopping!</p> <p>We left Rockhampton later than planned but wanted to make Duringa so we could stop for a couple of days before heading to the show. We drove about 60 km’s before we lost all power to the accelerator and glided to a halt on the edge of a very fast though not busy road. We put out our warning triangles and then lifted the floor to check the engine … there was fuel on top of the engine and none in the tank!</p> <p>We didn’t have to wait long before a friendly motorist pulled up and asked what was wrong. When they found we were out of fuel, they siphoned some out of their tank and put it in ours! They wouldn’t even accept any money for it!</p> <p>Not knowing how long the fuel would last we decided to make the first safe stopping place and spend the night.</p> <p>It was not a fun night at all … with road trains driving past about 2 meters away going 100 km’s an hour! The bus would rock with every truck!</p> <p>In the morning, Mike hitched a ride to the nearest town to get 20 L of fuel and some drinking water (in case we had to stay another night out of town). They guy who picked him up also bought him back with a chocolate bar for each of the kids!</p> <p>After putting the 20L into the tank we drove the remaining 20 k’s or so to “town”. There was no one there to fix the issue as it’s a very small “one horse” town, so we put on what we thought was a temporary fix and drove to the next semi decent town (Emerald). We limped to the Springsure show then back to Emerald.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YS9bmeZrJ_A/U5xaXvpXkMI/AAAAAAAAE3k/TeKKYavSeJk/s1600-h/IMG_9853%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9853" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_9853" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qbPcgsRoGa4/U5xaZpRv0gI/AAAAAAAAE3s/3A-a4_EiDOM/IMG_9853_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="260"></a></p> <p>As soon as we could we booked the bus in to be looked at by a diesel mechanic who spent about 30 minutes, replaced two washes and said it was fixed and charged us $165!! We dove to the gas station, filled her up and headed to the playground to exercise the kids and dogs. Mike lifted the floor only to find the leak was NOT fixed, and was in fact worse! He phoned the mechanic, told him the problem to which he replied, “we are closing in two minutes and as tomorrow is a public holiday we will not be open till Thursday!!” I forgot to mention we had to be at a show 600 km’s away by Thursday afternoon to set up ready for the show to start on Friday!</p> <p>We put a call for help out on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/wheeleducation" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and within a short time someone PM’d me saying their dh was a diesel fitter and could come round and take a look in the morning for just the cost of any parts needed! True to their word they were knocking on our door before I was even up! It didn’t take him long to FIX the problem.</p> <p>So with just two day to go we headed off to Winton. It was a great show and people were very positive. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ULGA3VQSVbY/U5xaaso07II/AAAAAAAAE30/CDfWiKAwMSc/s1600-h/IMG_8976%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8976" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_8976" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-92GInA85yEM/U5xab_qM9SI/AAAAAAAAE38/70h9CcoicmE/IMG_8976_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="445"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Click on the link below to see the video we put together of highlights from our first performance. The spectators are a bit thin but there we not many people at the show by then … the last performance on the last day was MUCH better. </p> <p align="center"><a title="link" href="http://youtu.be/Gjev_PrpyRc"><font style="background-color: #ffff00" size="5" face="Comic Sans MS">Winton Show Video</font></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-20885061706254684192014-05-19T15:04:00.001+10:002014-05-20T11:49:11.568+10:00Fun times<div sab="958">
That was one very busy weekend! Wednesday afternoon we pulled into the Gympie Showgrounds with everyone on a high ready for the show to start in the morning. We tried to organise everyone for an early night but with adrenalin running high this was not easy task! I think it was nearer 9pm before the younger ones were settled … only to be up at 7.30 am wondering when we were going to the show!</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bCtah_1AYFU/U3mQobJmaXI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/zWrfTlQ4j3E/s1600-h/Gympie%252520Show%252520by%252520night%2525202014%25255B11%25255D.jpg" sab="960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gympie Show by night 2014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-np67p0dhQnQ/U3mQqvd9e6I/AAAAAAAAE2Y/zzbBK85Z9yg/Gympie%252520Show%252520by%252520night%2525202014_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="317" sab="961" style="display: inline;" title="Gympie Show by night 2014" width="428" /></a></div>
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Thursday was a quite day, getting the dogs accustomed to the sights and sounds of the show (again) and checking out the sights and sounds for ourselves. The Aussie FMX were a big hit, especially for Mr 4 whose highlight of the whole show was getting a high five from the O G (Old Guy) of the FMX team!</div>
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Friday we relaxed some of the day, resting the dogs in preparation for the high jump. As usual they called the dogs in at 4pm, and then they had to sit and wait (and listen to the grating voice of the MC/commentator who over used the words “Thank you very kindly”) and to pass the time the kids counted the times he used those words! (26 times in about 3 hours). They are planning on changing the system next year which will hopefully mean less time sitting round in the sun waiting.</div>
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After waiting almost an hour and a half they called the dogs in to the main ring and the jumping started! As always there is another dog there (called Dougie) who can jump over 9 ft and is just too good taking out first prize for three years running! When it all came down to the line, it was between Sparkie and Tess for 2nd and 3rd place. Sparkie took out third, then the rain started (which is why there are no still photo’s of this event) so they gave Tess one more jump which she couldn’t do it so they called it. The prize for 2nd place was a ribbon and $150 and $50 for third place!</div>
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Saturday saw us up early and heading over for the Novelty Dog competition! This is our 6th year competing and winning prizes, so it was no surprise that the girls and dogs came away with a good portion of the prize pool. </div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LVN0M41AvRQ/U3mQsDHwsuI/AAAAAAAAE2g/EXF2f2QSpgI/s1600-h/Third%252520in%252520Best%252520Child%252520Handler%2525202014%25255B14%25255D.jpg" sab="967"><img alt="Third in Best Child Handler 2014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cfd7BXNUSdI/U3mQuGPlD9I/AAAAAAAAE2o/99Aco0M_5Vo/Third%252520in%252520Best%252520Child%252520Handler%2525202014_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="373" sab="968" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Third in Best Child Handler 2014" width="361" /></a></div>
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The highlight this year was Suzanna (age 6) who came in third in Best Child Handler running Tess.</h2>
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Jasmine and Sparkie, Best Tricks, Gympie Show 2014</h2>
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Chana and Lassie, Best Trick, Gympie Show 2014</h2>
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More results and pictures are up on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/superdogsaustralia" sab="980" target="_blank">Superdogs Facebook Page</a>.</div>
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Sunday was another early start as we headed off for our first Superdog performance of the year at the Gympie RSPCA Million Paws Walk. As it was raining off and on we didn’t get any photo’s of this event either. It was a success though and everyone enjoyed it and the dogs all got a free hydro bath so smell great now too. <hr sab="983" />
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Next up is the Springsure Show at the end of the month. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we can get some more pics!</div>
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Ever tried to write a blog when your three young children are watching a movie (in this case Tangled) right beside you? Sorry if this is a bit disjointed.</div>
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Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-50433472550373837632014-05-09T05:18:00.000+10:002014-05-09T05:18:00.745+10:00Life as we Know it – Guest Post<p>Hi! I am thrilled to have this opportunity to swap posts for a day with the fantastic Wheel Education. Reading through their blog was fascinating and painted a vivid picture of a lifestyle that would be unheard of on our little island. I am slightly envious of their opportunities to explore and to learn as they travel! <p>I am a 40 year old married mum of 4. We've had a tough few years, battling serious illness and accidents which has resulted in a total lifestyle change for us. I started blogging as a way to document our new life. <p>Circumstances have forced us to move to a more rural location and as an unexpected result we have changed our general outlook on life considerably. Despite our initial fears we can honestly say that it has been a change for the better. <p>In some ways the way our family live now is reminiscent of my childhood in the 70s. The children have much more freedom to play and explore than they did in our previous home. I've always loved the idea of 'free range' children, of letting them play outside and explore. To allow them to make their own entertainment. Sadly as times and attitudes have changed it seems that these ideas are now somewhat frowned upon. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FblCmiYIyNU/U2t5Z1ZWX-I/AAAAAAAAE04/uZY7BtRVyEE/s1600-h/14%252520The%252520view%252520from%252520our%252520street%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="14 The view from our street" alt="14 The view from our street" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZHwt1TlL8mo/U2t5a6dHThI/AAAAAAAAE1A/BKr2hvAOfbM/14%252520The%252520view%252520from%252520our%252520street_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="99"></a><br> <i>The nearby forest </i> <p>We now live near to a wonderful forest. The 3 elder children go out and play in the street, at the park or in the forest. Exploring and building dens, quite often free from the beady eyes of their parents. All the children in the neighbourhood play out together and look out for each other. If any of my brood do something naughty one of their pals is straight at the door to report the misdemeanour! <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UvDFnte2PFY/U2t5cXfhANI/AAAAAAAAE1I/zqcCqwzCrSQ/s1600-h/17%252520Off%252520they%252520go%252521%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="17 Off they go!" alt="17 Off they go!" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-csVNO96FgKU/U2t5dXHVcGI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/I9PnqfKMACY/17%252520Off%252520they%252520go%252521_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="342"></a><br> <i>Off on an adventure!</i></p> <p>Of course I worry that they will hurt themselves but I have to balance that against the opportunity to learn that this freedom gives them. How will they know their limits if they never push their boundaries? How will they know what amazing things they are capable of if they don't have the chance to at least try? It is sad that so many children today live sedentary lives, glued to their games consoles and not exploring their surroundings. </p> <p>We love to get out and about at the weekend and to explore our surroundings. We all pile into the car with the dog with no particular end game. it adds to the excitement when we don't have any set plans and see where our mood takes us. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7meiWWG-x0s/U2t5fQxRntI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/gQc1Kn8Tf2o/s1600-h/64%252520Bouncing%252520Belle%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="display: inline" title="64 Bouncing Belle" alt="64 Bouncing Belle" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2-hnfm5SeSA/U2t5hDLyQXI/AAAAAAAAE1g/C6UQvYQIkdc/64%252520Bouncing%252520Belle_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="432" height="338"></a><br><i>Enjoying the great outdoors</i> <p>Arts and crafts also play a large part in our lives. It is a great way to explore their creativity and to learn through play. I personally use paper craft and sewing as a way to express myself and to relax. There is nothing like the satisfaction of knowing you made the art on the wall or the bag your children is carrying. We like to do projects as a family and the children often have a part in any larger projects. <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kQRVc4umCyY/U2t6W_bQnlI/AAAAAAAAE14/D2hrTJnU7I8/s1600-h/23%252520Will%252520and%252520Belle%252520making%252520pom%252520poms%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="23 Will and Belle making pom poms" alt="23 Will and Belle making pom poms" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OBVWLfLUQCo/U2t6Yqk9-qI/AAAAAAAAE2A/3ro5CqFNNDs/23%252520Will%252520and%252520Belle%252520making%252520pom%252520poms_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="337"></a><br><i> Making pom poms</i> <p>Our next project is to start growing some vegetables for ourselves. It is very much a case of stabbing in the dark but we will have fun learning and discovering what works and what doesn't. <p>Life is very much for living and gaining new experiences. I would hate to look back in a few years time and say that we hadn't tried something out. Life is an adventure! <hr> <font style="background-color: #ffff00"><strong>For more post from Life as we know it … check out her blog at </strong></font><a href="http://lifeasweknowit.co.uk/" target="_blank"><font style="background-color: #ffff00" color="#9b00d3"><strong>LifeAsWeKnowIt</strong></font></a> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-20843828748465449462014-05-02T16:12:00.001+10:002014-05-02T16:12:14.567+10:00Two weeks to go<p>Till the start of the winter show circuit and most of us have colds, it’s wet and there are not many suitable places to rehearse! The stress levels are rising in both the parents and the children!</p> <p>We don’t have far to drive now to get to Gympie where we start our circuit competing at the Gympie show then the following day (Sunday) performing at the <a href="http://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/Queensland/Walk_locations/Gympie.htm">Gympie RSCPC Million Paws Walk</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYp5MEZChnU/U2M3Nles55I/AAAAAAAAE0g/6F5AYzrKicg/s1600-h/IMG_4036%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4036" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_4036" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ONVoMqe_GR4/U2M3O-JRVLI/AAAAAAAAE0o/V1_r00XwgVE/IMG_4036_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="245"></a></p> <h2 align="center">Chantel and Freya at the Million Paws Walk 2013</h2> <p>When it rains we often cannot train and travelling up the east coast there are not many free camps where we can pull up for a couple of days and set up the agility equipment!</p> <p>I’m sure it will all work out, it always does. I remember a few years back a few days before our first of the year show telling the girls that their routines needed a lot of work, in fact I just may or may not have told them that their routines sucked! BUT on the day, they shone! I know this year will be the same.</p> <p>We did train/rehearse this week after spending time at the beach, when we found an amphitheatre. Some of the locals/tourists enjoyed a free show.</p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/k2o55DBv0-s"><font style="background-color: #ffff00">HERE</font></a> is our newest video : <a href="http://youtu.be/k2o55DBv0-s"><font style="background-color: #ffff00">Playtime at the beach with the Superdogs</font></a></p> <p>Playing at the beach was a good stress reliever and the girls did well with the rehearsal, but need a bit of polishing before the first show in two weeks!</p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-91279988167012798222014-04-08T23:12:00.001+10:002014-04-16T23:32:44.327+10:00Dragons and Devil TrapsI love to watch our children develop their own interests. As they grow and develop so do their interests. They seem to go through stages: three years ago it was MacGyver! We bought the whole set and watched it over and over till we could quote it! Our then 1 year old would hum along to the theme music!<br />
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Next they went through a stage of Stargate: SG1 and Atlantis. We got good at quoting that one too!<br />
Now we have two themes as the older ones move on past the “baby stuff”. Current favourites are Supernatural and Dragons (How to train a dragon etc.). I have been interested to see how these “fads” develop into their own educational activities.<br />
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The older girls have music videos they have made of Stargate,Supernatural and others, they have fan fiction, and computer artwork.<br />
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The younger guys have been drawing dragons (and getting quite good at it too), writing out instruction manuals of How to train a dragon after researching on the internet or just remembering it from the movie.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rzUfVE_zc2E/U0P1aJcwOMI/AAAAAAAAEyY/5WvQLvRBIRQ/s1600-h/IMG_8751%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8751" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NOV8H11t1hI/U0P1buHrvMI/AAAAAAAAEyg/yeGkh7EQpIk/IMG_8751_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="380" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8751" width="261" /></a><br />
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Gabrielle writes what she remembers from the movie</h2>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sTQLbPFtf5U/U0P1chK_WsI/AAAAAAAAEyo/ib68Dto5TfI/s1600-h/IMG_8752%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8752" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GvNIwKNaFxI/U0P1e4KjcbI/AAAAAAAAEyw/1qTwxvPHj2A/IMG_8752_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="376" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8752" width="263" /></a><br />
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Jessica designs a book about the Boulder type of dragon</h2>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tYgB1B_-XGg/U0P1i9trDKI/AAAAAAAAEy4/5XkwzXq3vz4/s1600-h/IMG_8753%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8753" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dK0jV2t53Wk/U0P1j4XZH4I/AAAAAAAAEzA/X3tMoPcrIcI/IMG_8753_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="269" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8753" width="391" /></a><br />
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Chantel researches dragons on the computer</h2>
Below is some fan art, some by Jasmine and some by Jessica.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tQ7BPAgm8qc/U0P1qhAvnuI/AAAAAAAAEzk/nbxN7E3UNvg/s1600-h/sga%25255B72%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sga" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TFLLufBgXMM/U0P1rmmYIxI/AAAAAAAAEzw/jTw9orDlxu8/sga_thumb%25255B70%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="119" style="display: inline;" title="sga" width="420" /></a></div>
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So are they learning? YES! <br />
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In the last week we have covered: reading, writing, researching, math, fitness (P.E.), geography, religion, languages other than English (LOTE), art and more. <br />
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Another thing the youngest three wanted to do was to play Thawfest games. So together we set up an obstacle course, a “barrel” race, a “sheep” lugging, and a “arrow” throw. They had a blast!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-upMN9KhyarM/U0P1ssUVwtI/AAAAAAAAEz4/SI5qZyi3QhU/s1600-h/IMG_8687%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8687" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DOTa1PDu1HY/U0P1tzE1gcI/AAAAAAAAE0A/4uMrhgxb6aM/IMG_8687_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="347" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8687" width="264" /></a><br />
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“It’s a good day for lugging dog biscuits!”</h2>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MvQc2JRHU4o/U0P1v7jp8-I/AAAAAAAAE0I/Q-Rz9TSBbv8/s1600-h/IMG_8702%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8702" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wrgEif3Q9BA/U0P1wxGXSiI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/tkJ-TvCD2oM/IMG_8702_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="252" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8702" width="367" /></a><br />
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Jireh navigates the “barrel” race.</h2>
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Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-63109792984144324342014-04-06T21:22:00.001+10:002014-04-06T21:22:35.151+10:00Rescue on the High Seas<p>We have been following the journey of Eric and Charlotte for a while now. They have been preparing their boat SV Rebel Heart for a circumnavigation of the globe for several years. Two weeks ago, they left the US heading eventually for New Zealand. </p> <p>Now, 1000 miles off the Mexican coast, with their boat suffering storm damage their little girl gets sick, critically sick. They radioed for help and four members of the 129th Rescue Wing parachuted into the ocean, inflated a motorized boat and reached the 36-foot sailboat. They administered first aid and the baby is now in a stable condition. They are now awaiting the arrival of a navy frigate to rescue them.</p> <p>This boat is the families home. They will have to tag it and abandon it where it is, which is better than the other option of sinking it!</p> <p>Before any of you naysayers post negative comments and crucify this family … the media have already done so. What is life if we don’t take risks? We can bubble wrap our children then they learn to fear the world. We can take our children on seemingly reckless adventures (but with enough planning are not really reckless) and our children learn that whatever they dare to dream can be accomplished.</p> <p>Another friend who “recklessly” took her two young sons from Alaska to Argentina by bike over a three year period wrote a blog about how life is a gamble and it doesn’t always go our way. She articulates it much better than I can. Read her blog <a href="http://familyonbikes.org/blog/2014/04/life-gamble-doesnt-always-go-way/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>If you can find it in your heart to support this family you can do so by clicking on the picture below.</p> <p><a href="http://fnd.us/c/djWq3"><img title="safe_image" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="safe_image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_vl_JJH3lS8/U0E49yCZZuI/AAAAAAAAEyI/WNzY7ucFraw/safe_image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="154" height="154"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-76630320509643927212014-03-24T21:47:00.001+10:002014-03-24T21:47:01.958+10:00Hypothesis<p>A few days ago, Mike and I were chatting about how much hungrier our daughters are when they spend time on the computer. So I raised the hypothesis that playing on the computer makes one hungry!</p> <p>I have watched for a few days; the more time they spent on the computer the hungrier they became! </p> <p>Today, we took them out, went to the playground/dog park and when I asked them if they were hungry, they said no, not really!</p> <p>So in conclusion, I’d say that we were right! Playing on the computer makes one very hungry and on the flip side, being outside in nature makes you not so hungry. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6J9XCHQR38I/UzAbK-4MU5I/AAAAAAAAEwg/kx59HgbINJY/s1600-h/IMG_8138%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8138" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_8138" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w6VZRLFv2DM/UzAbMn_gtuI/AAAAAAAAEwo/jO4sRI-lCBY/IMG_8138_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="276"></a> </p> <p>PS: Just a little aside, we had lunch from the cafe today which may or may not have had an effect on our study!</p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-27335919375451627782014-03-22T23:23:00.001+10:002014-04-04T22:34:18.402+10:00Blayney Show Roundup<span style="font-size: x-small;">What a fun busy day it was at the Blayney show 2014! The older girls always wake early on a show morning and insist that I get up and make coffee! It was still cold and the grass wet with dew when we took them (the dogs) for a walk and gave them a brush. By the time we got over to the first competition at around 10am everyone was shedding layers!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">After filling in the paperwork, signing to say we would not sue the show society if something went wrong <insert rolling of the eyes> we went in search of some shade to wait for the rest of the competitors to be ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Finally our time for competing arrived, and the girls and the dogs did great! As we watched the Best Tricks I was thinking to myself “Now if the judge is anything like me (which I hope she is) she’ll have Freya first, Sparkie second and Tess and Lassie third equal! We had to wait till all classes had finished before waiting another 10 minutes for the judges to decide on winners</span>.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wTc3jWVLfmc/Uy2OTdYj1xI/AAAAAAAAEtk/zrbpc0lrWEU/s1600-h/IMG_8354%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8354" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YsyTXf1FLGA/Uy2OVTip7KI/AAAAAAAAEto/BHE99hZKajI/IMG_8354_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="246" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8354" width="352" /></a><br />
Our patience was rewarded when the judges came over and awarded Freya a first, Sparkie and second and Tess and Lassie third equal!! <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GjpFweXnDRI/Uy2OXOFTtYI/AAAAAAAAEt0/fNkC-wwqmsg/s1600-h/IMG_8324%25255B28%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8324" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GN1u8OReBts/Uy2OYnSMlNI/AAAAAAAAEt4/kpIAp-K2Ptw/IMG_8324_thumb%25255B22%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="350" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8324" width="241" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C7v8E2EjDqc/Uy2OajT3V5I/AAAAAAAAEuE/su9dF9LqQf8/s1600-h/IMG_8325%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8325" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PyXO81VVk-M/Uy2OcPIXYmI/AAAAAAAAEuI/NJlqOyABZXg/IMG_8325_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="326" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8325" width="245" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Jasmine and Sparkie</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VeMnZ8__xYo/Uy2OeQ9fO9I/AAAAAAAAEuU/lXSNZbyVrCw/s1600-h/IMG_8333%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zdTJVTzaSAg/Uy2Of1hHTDI/AAAAAAAAEuY/e57iTXkwgCU/IMG_8333_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="274" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8333" width="392" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Jessica and Tess</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1YQNPgp-rJg/Uy2OiIVYoLI/AAAAAAAAEuk/SgaVwWk9KXQ/s1600-h/IMG_8339%25255B7%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="IMG_8339" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jZMS3BE_5HQ/Uy2Oju82EMI/AAAAAAAAEus/cvAu43rsCPs/IMG_8339_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="280" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_8339" width="407" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Chantel and Freya</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bwMCpqAC8l4/Uy2OlmaEOBI/AAAAAAAAEu0/bz52YI_D5JU/s1600-h/IMG_8329%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aEsEjaEHKyQ/Uy2OneMWncI/AAAAAAAAEu8/JWqwb0foDZ4/IMG_8329_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="284" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8329" width="406" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Chana and Lassi</strong></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>e</strong></span></div>
<br clear="all" />At 2.15pm we headed over for the dog high jump. This is the first year the Blayney Show has run a dog high jump so we didn’t know what to expect. We watched as they set it up and realised it was a vertical jump as apposed to one on a slight lean that becomes more of a dog scramble! <br />The dogs have often competed in “dog scramble” so we were a bit nervous as to how they would perform with the vertical high jump.<br />
It was blistering hot, and there were quite a few other dogs to run but it was worth it. The dogs did great! Freya was the first to give up, followed by Sparkie who decided it was too hot to jump (she was right!). Tess and Lassie kept going, surprising everyone! Finally it was down to Tess, Lassie and one other dog. Both Tess and Lassie cleared a height of 174 cm, but the other dog cleared a height of 202cm (a new record!) So once again Tess and Lassie shared a place, this time a second place!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-35evJrnRp2I/Uy2OpGoEV3I/AAAAAAAAEvE/JrlQMUaymgg/s1600-h/IMG_8413%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8413" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MXijdKiSepc/Uy2OqjD8xUI/AAAAAAAAEvI/r4rQE9pT5GU/IMG_8413_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="357" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8413" width="259" /></a><br clear="all" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KTmqr_UkFlE/Uy2OsHSe8gI/AAAAAAAAEvU/pSl1FAoWUjQ/s1600-h/IMG_8430%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8430" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ihe5iY_HRTY/Uy2Ot1GXDVI/AAAAAAAAEvc/zVCdSr2-2LM/IMG_8430_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="359" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8430" width="256" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FHRMoPmGb3k/Uy2OwKWCMqI/AAAAAAAAEvk/a709WaIPl2E/s1600-h/IMG_8377%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8377" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uFqkDIHDdcU/Uy2Oxpix8wI/AAAAAAAAEvs/e2tj8L66ATo/IMG_8377_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="279" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8377" width="406" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4Vnw4_69Hg4/Uy2OzgiUFLI/AAAAAAAAEv0/S-geMBXBd8g/s1600-h/IMG_8394%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8394" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WJx1RmeXD30/Uy2O1Pgpm7I/AAAAAAAAEv8/u6hKi2S-QyM/IMG_8394_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="291" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8394" width="403" /></a></div>
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So the result table looks like this:</div>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sparkie: 2nd in Speed Sit, 2nd in Tricks.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Tess: 1st in Speed Sit.</span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <div align="center">
<br />Lassie: 3rd in Speed Sit, 3rd in Best Biscuit Catcher.</div>
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<br />Freya: 1st in Tricks.</div>
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<br />Tess and Lassie got 3rd equal in Tricks and 2nd equal in the High Jump.</div>
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<br />Total ribbon haul: 10, and 16 bags of dog food!</div>
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There are lots more pictures on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SuperdogsAustralia" target="_blank">Superdogs</a> Facebook page.</div>
</span></strong> <br />Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-36116444118870419162014-03-20T23:40:00.001+10:002014-03-20T23:40:30.136+10:00Blayney Wind Farm and Carcoar Dam<p>Blayney wind farm is set up overlooking Carcoar Lake and Carcoar Dam. The fifteen windmills were built in 2000 at the cost of $18 million and will reduce the Carbon Emissions by 400 000 tonnes over a 20 year period.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9_LVpfiegQ/UyrvaIL9A4I/AAAAAAAAErc/IQFsqBCfN9k/s1600-h/IMG_8171%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8171" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_8171" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tuQV18xmYYo/UyrvbVrZHpI/AAAAAAAAErk/UTmaRZ-juuU/IMG_8171_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="266"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VKBH6C1Gcx4/Uyrvc0wXYeI/AAAAAAAAErs/75u6YEDXD_Q/s1600-h/IMG_8141%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8141" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_8141" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pAkeWQ_JKmc/UyrveOglKtI/AAAAAAAAEr0/EsyK-v3TIB0/IMG_8141_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="269"></a></p> <p>Although at the time of construction it was the largest wind farm in Australia is has now been superseded by several other wind farms as they increased in popularity during the 2000’s.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eVhMR1CPb3c/Uyrvf81vy4I/AAAAAAAAEr8/o-sDAyMxMMU/s1600-h/IMG_8104%25255B22%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8104" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_8104" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bOrfhoelvCE/UyrvhVwjXiI/AAAAAAAAEsE/ZYMb_-eoQIY/IMG_8104_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="299"></a></p> <hr> <p>Carcoar Dam, built in 1970 is a great place to free camp. With ample space, some with shade, a free BBQ and flushing toilets it makes a great place to check out the local areas such as Blayney, the historic town of Carcoar and as far afield as Bathurst and Orange.</p> <p>From the camping area you can walk to the Dam wall and cross the two lane bride (with footpath) and explore the other side of the dam.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BuGthrgDj8o/Uyrvjb2EOwI/AAAAAAAAEsM/Bdn9wAb2Ucw/s1600-h/IMG_8095%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8095" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_8095" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-We4gVOjfaNM/Uyrvk9l423I/AAAAAAAAEsU/dSTFverLKRg/IMG_8095_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="210"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UFbvWiUh37Q/UyrvmkgfpKI/AAAAAAAAEsc/g5xz9d-E53w/s1600-h/IMG_8111%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8111" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_8111" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lB1AIAIHbF0/UyrvoAsvhJI/AAAAAAAAEsg/1OH4uTP9tnI/IMG_8111_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="211"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tBspc4GF6Ns/Uyrvp5zuDsI/AAAAAAAAEss/JBjqGD4PNHo/s1600-h/IMG_8121%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8121" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_8121" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Llg6vZnXuMk/UyrvrYCuJkI/AAAAAAAAEs0/1eFRiapLF1g/IMG_8121_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="217"></a></p> <p align="center">Water is continually released from the dam “for irrigation purposes” although we were told it actually is diverted to a gold mine.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0TzTd0eVb4o/UyrvtQFvIgI/AAAAAAAAEs8/Vpfhq5CCS9k/s1600-h/IMG_8149%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8149" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_8149" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7cXWdqO2ndI/Uyrvujju1jI/AAAAAAAAEtE/s-PJKpz-2s4/IMG_8149_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="211"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ze-YXn0p_zo/UyrvxdzH1nI/AAAAAAAAEtM/3QZ-LumdEBE/s1600-h/IMG_8125%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8125" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_8125" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F3nl_vil1gg/UyrvykXcAuI/AAAAAAAAEtU/gXI2AYc1y7I/IMG_8125_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="216"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-70917520977425576902014-03-06T05:30:00.000+10:002014-03-05T21:34:22.645+10:00Closer to 50<span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue; font-size: small;"><strong>Trigger Warning</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;"></span></strong><br />
Been thinking a lot about life lately; I think when you are closer to 50 than 40 you start to realise that if you want to do something in/with your life you better get on with it!<br />
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Three years ago, all was well with my world, then for the first time in Michael’s life he got asked to leave his job! Not only was it his job that we lost at that time (Nov 2010) but also the house that we had just moved into 8 weeks previously. We had made plans to stay with this job for a minimum of 18 months. We’d talked about what we wanted to do, achieve while settled in one place. Then, just out of the blue, and through no fault of our own, we were told we had 2 weeks to leave! <br />
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Two weeks later, found us all packed back into the bus, and heading out on the road again feeling very dejected, lost and alone. We had no direction, no desire to travel anywhere or do anything. Oh and we were 4 months out from having a baby!<br />
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We drifted south to escape the heat and settled into a showgrounds with good rent and constant power, toilets and showers. We once again had something to look forward to, we had a purpose. All was well again!<br />
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Then …. March 12, 2011 happened! We welcomed our 8th child into this world at 9am and farewelled her at 10pm the same day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OYgDVKD_JfE2rAG3mYAJbUeD8zHacwgRuDyVeGzlL1uw2ZJMDu3UZrEb-jUui8sMYlrHlb3HF3YgNg10ACNgwTufcCNv58qPNzL-Ori0uOBWmA9JlOa1xVokJPqoQb6TDPTDWymShfU/s1600/IMG_7678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OYgDVKD_JfE2rAG3mYAJbUeD8zHacwgRuDyVeGzlL1uw2ZJMDu3UZrEb-jUui8sMYlrHlb3HF3YgNg10ACNgwTufcCNv58qPNzL-Ori0uOBWmA9JlOa1xVokJPqoQb6TDPTDWymShfU/s1600/IMG_7678.JPG" height="320" title="Our Guardian Angel Rose" width="213" /></a></div>
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Once again life was spinning out of my control. We once again were drifting with no direction. I tried to focus on keeping everyone together with some success. I was falling apart though! <br />
For the next three years I have battled depression, looking for a direction for me, for my family. I’d set goals, start out well for a day or two, then sink back down again feeling worse for not having been able to stick to what I wanted to do.<br />
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This year I have started listening to motivational speakers, like Zig Ziglar. I have started reading motivational books. I haven’t got back to the Bible yet, but I’m getting closer. It is amazing how much better I feel. I feel that I now have a purpose! I have a direction! I can be anything I want to be. I feel a power within that I have not felt for a very long time. I have started exercising again. Started waking up and actually wanting to get out of bed! <br />
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I have set some goals, just short term goals, like, goals for tomorrow! When I reach that goal it encourages me to set a goal for the next two days. It’s just one small step at a time. The last three years have passed me by, I’m glad I’m seeing that now. As I get older, I can’t afford to have life pass me by any longer! I plan to get up and take back what the devil has stolen from me. Take back my life, and live the life I want to live. Live the life I was destined to live!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Hold On</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"> by Rapture Ruckus</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">CHORUS: [x2]<br />You Gotta Hold On<br />Help Is Coming<br />You Gotta Hold On<br />You Going To Make It Through The Rain<br />Through The Rain Through The Pain<br />Through The Fire And Flame</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">The Same Name I Cling To<br />The Same Name That Remains Forever<br />The Name Above All Names<br />Above Death And The Grave<br />The Name That Cures Cancer<br />And Gives Strength To The Lame<br />The Same Name That Came And Shattered My Chains<br />The Same Name That Will Come And Do The Same Again For You<br />He's Going To Come Through<br />Yes It's True<br />Jesus The Only Name That Will Pull You Through</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">CHORUS [x2]<br />'Cause He Said He'll Never Leave Us<br />Nor Forsake Us Man And That's The Only<br />Word You Need To Hold To<br />And You'll Never Be Lonely Homie<br />I Know I Ain't The Only Person Out There Hurting<br />Who's Flirted With Thought Of Ending It All<br />But Been Averted And I Know So Many Out There Who Have Had It Much Harder<br />They Got No Food In Their Bellies<br />Got No Mothers Or Fathers<br />So Many Questions Out There That Need Answers To But Even If It Comes Down To The Final Hour<br />Man He'll Still Come Through</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">CHORUS [x3]<br />If You're Waiting For A Miracle<br />You Gotta Hold On<br />You Gotta Make It Through The Rain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">CHORUS [x2]<br />Bridge: [x2]<br />Through The Rain<br />Through The Flame<br />You Are The Name Above Every Name<br />Through The Rain<br />Through The Flame<br />Jesus The Name Above All Names</span></div>
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Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-16503160748992099112014-03-04T21:59:00.002+10:002014-03-04T22:20:03.084+10:00Three Years On … Hang on!<strong><em><span style="background-color: #ffc000; color: blue; font-size: medium;">(Trigger warning)</span></em></strong><br />
Almost three years ago we bought our 8th child into the world. It was going to be a joyous occasion … but sadly she was born not breathing. They revived her, got her heart beating, but there was no brain activity. She spent 11 or her 13 hours hooked up to every tube and wire there was.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G12cvr6NWkU/UxSDEU3SUtI/AAAAAAAAEog/Xw3CVn7H1VU/s1600-h/Me%252520and%252520Serenity%252520hooked%252520up%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Me and Serenity hooked up" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L0XQq_k3cCE/UxSDGHN63hI/AAAAAAAAEoo/g4RUgyjWKJk/Me%252520and%252520Serenity%252520hooked%252520up_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="222" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Me and Serenity hooked up" width="283" /></a><br />
On consultation with the doctors who informed us that her heart was so weak that it could give out at any time, coupled with the fact that she had no brain activity we made the gut wrenching decision to remove life support. <br />
After removing all the wires and tubes, dressing her and wrapping her in a blanket we were all ushered into a small room where we could be a family of 10. We all got to cuddle her and say our goodbyes.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vh-0L6Vc36E/UxSDHXGO9JI/AAAAAAAAEow/3557jKsnT7A/s1600-h/Daddy%25252C%252520Chana%25252C%252520Suzie%252520and%252520Serenity%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Daddy, Chana, Suzie and Serenity" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U8f5pwJ1DpY/UxSDI_cm5LI/AAAAAAAAEo4/R_67lHyag-g/Daddy%25252C%252520Chana%25252C%252520Suzie%252520and%252520Serenity_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="284" style="display: inline; float: left;" title="Daddy, Chana, Suzie and Serenity" width="217" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9uWoB03Bp_Y/UxSDKadSTII/AAAAAAAAEpA/3RfEwFp7oQA/s1600-h/Chana%252520with%252520serenity%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Chana with serenity" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UanKQqu7Nqw/UxSDMEZDvyI/AAAAAAAAEpI/TZJ6Obc1Qq0/Chana%252520with%252520serenity_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="284" style="display: inline; float: right;" title="Chana with serenity" width="230" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hCVQnw8Jd0s/UxSDNoe2reI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/Lv4wVjwx2QM/s1600-h/Family%252520of%25252010%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Family of 10" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dHc1frE7VKo/UxSDPRRuckI/AAAAAAAAEpY/LDEpVFZe-nY/Family%252520of%25252010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="260" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Family of 10" width="332" /></a><br />
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Now three years on ….<br />
We are still a family of 10, but one is now forever with Jesus. It is still not easy, it still hurts like xxxx, I still shed tears, the pain does not go away! You learn to deal with the pain, you learn to work through the pain, you learn to live in the here and now; not the past or the future. Not a day goes by where I do not think of her, wonder what life would be like if she were here now. Wonder what would she be doing at three years of age.<br />
I thought I’d never be able to pick up the pieces of my life and carry on. I thought I’d never be able to look another new mother in the eye and say congratulations (that one is still hard). I thought I’d never be able to smile again, never laugh again, and never live again.<br />
But, I can! It is a choice I make on a daily basis. I have seven living children who need me here and now. I want to be there for them, in the here and now. I choose to smile, I choose to laugh and I choose to live again.<br />
I’ll never forget Serenity and the way she changed our lives in such a short time. I carried her for 9 months on the inside, enjoying the kicks and movements. I held her for two short hours on the outside, bathing myself in her sweet smell her beauty. All too soon she was gone. Our lives will never be the same. We know tragedy, we know death … but we also know we are strong, and we can get back up again and carry on.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MptyrZu7-1I/UxSDRG6TbHI/AAAAAAAAEpg/09r3jgjun_A/s1600-h/With%252520Jesus%252520forever%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="With Jesus forever" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nMu_gVBneJ0/UxSDS_kDBSI/AAAAAAAAEpo/iHhrnEbbJxk/With%252520Jesus%252520forever_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="335" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="With Jesus forever" width="419" /></a> <br />
<h1 align="center">
Hang on</h1>
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<em>by Michael Whitaker Smith;Wesley Ivan King;Matthew Bronleewe</em></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">I'm so stubborn, it's how I got here<br />So alone, feels like forever<br />Wanna swim away and breath the open air<br />But I feel so afraid, then I hear you say</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Hang on when the water is rising<br />Hang on when the waves are crashing<br />Hang on, just don't ever let go</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">I'm so hungry, how can I stay here?<br />Starving for what I hold so dear<br />Like a hurricane it takes everything from me<br />Wake me from this dream</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Hang on when the water is rising<br />Hang on when the waves are crashing<br />Hang on, just don't ever let go</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Hang on when you are barely breathing<br />Hang on when your heart's still beating<br />Hang on, just don't ever let go</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Three days, thirty years<br />So hopeless, doesn't matter<br />Don't say it's too late if you blink your eyes<br />The sun is rising, the sun is rising, oh</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Hang on when the water is rising<br />Hang on when the waves are crashing<br />Hang on, just don't ever let go</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Hang on when you're barely breathing<br />Hang on when your heart's still beating<br />Hang on, just don't ever let go</span></strong></div>
Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-31397441800053122572014-02-07T21:46:00.001+10:002014-02-07T21:46:42.783+10:00Handyman<p>What do you do when something breaks? What do you do when your washing machine frame looks like this?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gG-6HotuL68/UvTHbcu5x2I/AAAAAAAAElQ/X_X59Dloktc/s1600-h/IMG_6922%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6922" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6922" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s3Z2ZbKAI8o/UvTHdGHJNEI/AAAAAAAAElY/xMueHFNj9gI/IMG_6922_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="319"></a></p> <p>Well it’s time to get creative!</p> <p>We had some plywood left over from the old bus seats and some screws and a saw and a drill. With a lot of sanding and some varnish to seal the wood we now have this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rMSozyGZOL0/UvTHfKCrz-I/AAAAAAAAElg/2eroanKmWZk/s1600-h/IMG_6923%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6923" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 64px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6923" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LM0W1wl2hIc/UvTHhCZMzWI/AAAAAAAAElo/CZBrp1r2DAs/IMG_6923_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GB56JqeUVpY/UvTHi2q-6cI/AAAAAAAAElw/aeQnkWSgugY/s1600-h/IMG_6924%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6924" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 27px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6924" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mpozvd0NZJE/UvTHkbfdknI/AAAAAAAAEl4/RvlPg-RS1J8/IMG_6924_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="482" height="339"></a></p> <p>The handle snapped too, that was the first thing to go so we used the same knob but made a wooden handle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zPDxEFSs0t0/UvTHmWaTeKI/AAAAAAAAEmA/Hkeg4LD-ias/s1600-h/IMG_6925%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6925" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 33px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6925" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5mzxliY3_AM/UvTHoHM2iXI/AAAAAAAAEmI/xU-pD2ULvaM/IMG_6925_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="340"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now this should last for years!!</font></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-78592841773839201172014-01-21T21:53:00.001+10:002014-01-21T21:53:07.618+10:00What Lies Ahead<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gLA8T4VQB6E/Ut5fkJ_owTI/AAAAAAAAEkw/rCJe_5WvI00/s1600-h/wild%252520life%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 1px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wild life" border="0" alt="wild life" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0XTJYoUwZ5Y/Ut5fmEx4C4I/AAAAAAAAEk4/F79yxBVWnBA/wild%252520life_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="330"></a></p> <p>After much discussion we have made a decision. </p> <p>On the 1st of February it will be the 6th anniversary of us going on the road! When we left our rental house in Glenwood, QLD we never imagined we’d be still living this lifestyle in six years! We had planned to go look for work then settle in a new area as there was no work in the local area.</p> <p>We scored a three month job in Townsville, then when that finished we decided that seeing we had wheels and accommodation, and that we didn’t like Townsville in the summer we may as well go explore Aussie!</p> <p>After 2 years on the road we all thought about returning to New Zealand, but the timing did not seem to be right. </p> <p>In 2011, after our family tragedy, when we needed a focus, the <a href="http://www.superdogsaustralia.weebly.com" target="_blank">Superdogs</a> were born and we did our first public performance at the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival. Each year they have performed at more shows/festivals with most requesting us to return the following year. </p> <p>That brings us to 2014 …. this year is going to be the final year of the Superdogs in Australia. </p> <p>The plan is to return to NZ at the end of this year or the beginning of 2015. As our children get older and need to make their own life and also with ageing parents/grandparents we feel the timing is right. We also have two children who have never been to New Zealand, and others who don’t remember it! Those who do remember are very keen to go back and have been for a number of years.</p> <p>This year will be a year of tying up loose ends. Saving like crazy and saying goodbye to family and friends that we have made here in Aussie. Not sure yet what our life will look like in NZ, but I can assure you we’ll still be giving our kids a “wheel education” and training our Superdogs. </p> <p>I have included a link here to our <a href="http://gofundme.com/6dcjio" target="_blank">fundraising page</a> for those of you who’d like to help us get back home.</p> <p><a href="http://gofundme.com/6dcjio" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="changes" border="0" alt="changes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--uOUCqpaBgs/Ut5fn2SOSkI/AAAAAAAAElA/st17BEl4C6U/changes%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="429"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-27982983910573689542014-01-04T18:31:00.001+10:002014-01-04T18:40:08.461+10:00Dr Who for MollyThis is a personal message for our good friend Molly to help cheer her up!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fCvz9tEtfzo/UsfGxgzmyjI/AAAAAAAAEj4/nozUaZqRx_Y/s1600-h/Dr%252520Who%252520title%25255B3%25255D.gif"><img alt="Dr Who title" height="237" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jGjwvZvjaiY/UsfG0LE87eI/AAAAAAAAEkA/lR31H7Btz-o/Dr%252520Who%252520title_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 64px;" title="Dr Who title" width="401" /></a><br />
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We hope you get better soon and are soon running round pain free.</div>
Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-5770887081639468232014-01-01T22:54:00.001+10:002014-01-01T22:54:31.413+10:00Goodbye 2013<p>The year that was, that went past of fast, bought with it ups and downs and then left! Welcome to 2014!</p> <p>Some highlights from 2013 in 12 pictures.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V81FPpVDQcY/UsQO4J03KsI/AAAAAAAAEgw/szYZCA3Z6r0/s1600-h/IMG_1526%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1526" border="0" alt="IMG_1526" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7UeLCNirGUU/UsQO5bE26qI/AAAAAAAAEg4/v2Hd1QluMQQ/IMG_1526_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="221"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DWsjZ-KmDLQ/UsQO-_8kEUI/AAAAAAAAEhA/fRuK6Sbu8ws/s1600-h/New%252520Look%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 21px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="New Look" border="0" alt="New Look" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VEK8yVMUxHs/UsQPATdpIHI/AAAAAAAAEhI/3ooqnggGY7s/New%252520Look_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="216"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xSLDxeCkOPw/UsQPFzcBGhI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/JAY_45HHuDM/s1600-h/CAM00953%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CAM00953" border="0" alt="CAM00953" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qusb3Q7C118/UsQPHnKY51I/AAAAAAAAEhY/0aJOJosBZwI/CAM00953_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="218"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cseI1LzOyIA/UsQPJOj_T6I/AAAAAAAAEhg/reWMtWbYT7s/s1600-h/Showtime%252520FMX%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 75px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Showtime FMX" border="0" alt="Showtime FMX" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vgG3IivvP6A/UsQPKQsspnI/AAAAAAAAEho/z0OgenV_4sA/Showtime%252520FMX_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="216"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G7XDZRPcYc4/UsQPN6-Y6dI/AAAAAAAAEhw/X7xm2hC4ZEs/s1600-h/Borranore%252520Caves%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Borranore Caves" border="0" alt="Borranore Caves" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xf-JcUZG9yM/UsQPPd37NdI/AAAAAAAAEh4/ElZB6B8loVw/Borranore%252520Caves_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="209"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ihFBQBA43_w/UsQPU7GuNeI/AAAAAAAAEiA/kX_4HGGH7oE/s1600-h/CAM01102%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 43px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="CAM01102" border="0" alt="CAM01102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bmXXHRhckGY/UsQPWkYJW-I/AAAAAAAAEiI/T5fBduDVtBo/CAM01102_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="209"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hv-MULupfog/UsQPa1i6AWI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/T23q-HDQthI/s1600-h/Superdogs%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Superdogs" border="0" alt="Superdogs" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3U0CQNET_Mo/UsQPcJlwBlI/AAAAAAAAEiY/pwqr7DhcgDE/Superdogs_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sx2GZOp9zKY/UsQPfeGi_MI/AAAAAAAAEig/st7qqIWIYBI/s1600-h/IMG_4639%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4639" border="0" alt="IMG_4639" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ROE8utXf6Kw/UsQPg2pS-ZI/AAAAAAAAEio/kWuDuA9W_kQ/IMG_4639_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="197"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tm5GshqZgXU/UsQPlbt-5FI/AAAAAAAAEiw/tpfyzwzu4JY/s1600-h/IMG_6048%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6048" border="0" alt="IMG_6048" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-39ponPnBOlk/UsQPmo740EI/AAAAAAAAEi4/R8721o0usis/IMG_6048_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="205"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z8_XKijFxLE/UsQPp1ZttZI/AAAAAAAAEjA/kRyw8n2I938/s1600-h/IMG_5534%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5534" border="0" alt="IMG_5534" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ARdViP1RJBk/UsQPrGPXlnI/AAAAAAAAEjI/WEEwZ0o4cIg/IMG_5534_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="205"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8rxg9XSisig/UsQPzIPpj7I/AAAAAAAAEjQ/5h0y7vCdsn8/s1600-h/IMG_20131225_145857_zpsckhj2lss%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20131225_145857_zpsckhj2lss" border="0" alt="IMG_20131225_145857_zpsckhj2lss" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0gy4sElR-sQ/UsQP02pUXNI/AAAAAAAAEjY/kQMKPIw91U0/IMG_20131225_145857_zpsckhj2lss_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="217"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dXTBQXT-ZaI/UsQP9jxU6OI/AAAAAAAAEjg/TKDV-SpI9L4/s1600-h/IMG_6712%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6712" border="0" alt="IMG_6712" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ddz3NXB2yVo/UsQQAwOAL3I/AAAAAAAAEjo/xmZWq0uj708/IMG_6712_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="289" height="216"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-88085609361526258882013-11-29T22:23:00.001+10:002013-11-29T22:23:04.658+10:00From SA to Vic and almost back again and 33 point turns!<p>With our South Australian Rego due on the Odyssey we tried to reregister online, but were given the message that we needed to phone in. So we dutifully phoned in but didn’t realise we needed a credit/debit card to pay over the phone. All was set to go, we just needed to put money on our debit card. </p> <p>Two days later we phone again, card in hand only to be told we now could not do it either online or over the phone, we needed to come in to a South Australian Branch! We were by this time in Seymour, Victoria about 500km form the nearest SA service centre. They would not budge! Apparently our SA drivers license, that was to have been posted to NSW had been returned and now they would not release it until we fronted up in person. The operator we spoke to said they did not post interstate, yet when we transferred our license to SA the lady at the desk had no problem with it! </p> <p>We now had two days to get this sorted before our current rego expired! A 500km trip in two days was not what any of us wanted to do!</p> <p>We had mail to collect so decided to go and collect it and hope that our SA drivers license was amongst it; it was not! As it was now close to 10pm we choose to stay put and hope that either SA would be kind to us and understand our situation or maybe we could transfer to Vic rego.</p> <p>First thing Thursday morning with rego due Friday, we phoned SA again, explaining our situation again, they still would not budge! So we phoned VicRoads asking about transferring our rego. Yeah, they said, that’s no problem! Phew!! Appointments were made and we breathed a bit easier!</p> <p>By lunch time on Friday we had our Vic plates!! Woo Hoo!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dMWDPtz-MFc/UpiHFXoVrSI/AAAAAAAAEZA/uiCv28j-wCk/s1600-h/vic%252520plate%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="vic plate" border="0" alt="vic plate" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-imcS22ffvFg/UpiHGqKD0DI/AAAAAAAAEZI/2JY-LtPd1dQ/vic%252520plate_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="154"></a></p> <p> <hr> On another note; we took a trip out in the Odyssey and used the GPS to find our way out of one town to the next town. Hmmm … bad mistake! We ended up on a narrow road with a lot of traffic behind us, and in front of us a 3 ton load limit bridge! We put our hazard lights on, and got out of access the situation. We thought that with a bit of skill we could get turned around. So Sarah went up to the top of the bridge and stopped the traffic while Jasmine helped direct Michael and make sure he avoided a stake that was inconveniently placed on the side of the road! After much skill and manoeuvrings we got her turned round! The other motorists waved to us as we drove away feeling very relieved! </p> <p>There was signage approaching the bridge, but when we checked them on the way back they did look like they were pointing to the side roads!</p> <p>This is a pic from Google Maps of where we turned round. Fortunately there was a side “road” not that we could go far down it, but at least we could put our nose into it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BxVyumfG9lE/UpiHHsu_AtI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/kkEEmUjz-aA/s1600-h/33%252520pt%252520turn%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="33 pt turn" border="0" alt="33 pt turn" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ff29jP7Cc98/UpiHJgBxA9I/AAAAAAAAEZY/OBBXLQvP3NU/33%252520pt%252520turn_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="432"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-33711065643179306702013-10-10T10:18:00.001+10:002013-10-10T10:18:59.669+10:00The one in which we buy a bus …<p>Some people have asked if I’ve blogged about our new wheels … here it is!</p> <p>About 6 months ago, after trying for years, we sold our Volvo (The Auroara). We then bought a Toyota Hiace Commuter and travelled with a tent. There were positives to living/travelling in a tent; fuel was cheaper, we could drive further in a day, we could camp at different places, Jasmine could use it to learn to drive. There were also disadvantages; after a long day of driving we still had to set up the tent, the zips on the tent kept breaking so we had to find a BCF and swap it for another one, it was really cold, we had to always be aware of the weather.</p> <p>When we sold The Auroara, it had always been our intention to get another bus. We figured we’d be in a tent for around 6 to 12 months. After 5 months, though we’d all really had enough of tenting! My hat goes off to any families who travel long-term in tents!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PZYx23uWxc4/UlXyWvB9FHI/AAAAAAAAChg/hQqlvziFOzU/s1600-h/IMG_463424.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4634" border="0" alt="IMG_4634" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SbNY0zWEMlw/UlXyX4kMnCI/AAAAAAAACho/SJOcfndS-hc/IMG_4634_thumb21.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" height="348"></a></p> <p>After a long trip down from Mt Isa to do a show with the <a href="http://www.superdogsaustralia.weebly.com" target="_blank">Superdogs</a> in Quorn, SA we now had time to look for a bus! </p> <p>The first one we looked at, everyone loved, looked great on the outside and in the photo’s, but on closer inspection has some serious problems that we were not prepared to deal with. The kids were very disappointed. We had three in the area to look at, so with one crossed off we rang the second one, sorry, sold one and the other I have will take a while to be ready … we didn’t have a while in that area as we needed to be in Melbourne for the <a href="http://wheeleducation.blogspot.com/2013/09/performing-in-memory-of.html" target="_blank">Pregnancy Loss Association's Memorial Walkathon</a> that we were performing at.</p> <p>Now we were down to the last one, or actually he had two the same. So next afternoon found us looking at not one but two Leyland Tigers! Now our very good friends have one (<a href="http://thetumbleweedproject.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">The Tumbleweed Project</a>) so we have a soft spot for Tigers! It took ages to check out two of them! Hey, takes long enough going through one 38 foot school bus! After about two hours of looking, poking and asking questions we decided that one sounded better than the other when the engine was running. We put a deposit on it subject to a test drive the next day.</p> <p align="center">On arriving home to our tent we found this: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xH3wnUs9eus/UlXyYhP2QnI/AAAAAAAAChw/qSl4Iv_F3X8/s1600-h/totalledtent_thumb28.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="totalledtent_thumb" border="0" alt="totalledtent_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YLLA_shEBPg/UlXyZrVkDlI/AAAAAAAACh4/hZd5_5kutpc/totalledtent_thumb_thumb25.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="313"></a></p> <p>A massive wind and rain storm had swept through our camp, broken almost every pole and ripped the tent in several places. It was totally beyond redemption, even MacGyver could not have fixed it! The only thing that stopped us from all falling apart was the thought that tomorrow night we would most likely be sleeping in a bus! So for our last night we all nine of us piled into the van! It was rough night, but at least we were dry! Next morning we packed the tent into the rubbish bin!</p> <p>After we broke camp (pun intended) we headed off to test drive the bus. It drove well, so we paid our money and drove back to where we had been camping. Everyone was happy to once again have a solid roof over our heads and not have to set up the tent EVER AGAIN! <font size="2">(well not that tent anyway!)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v6_b9jeNb6o/UlXybCYw7EI/AAAAAAAACiA/jQPxiQsgLqg/s1600-h/IMG_545325.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5453" border="0" alt="IMG_5453" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IVEIM4_pMhQ/UlXycRgG7XI/AAAAAAAACiI/xerf3mw_Bwo/IMG_5453_thumb30.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="247"></a></p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7372843822684576996.post-69658411828937933192013-09-15T20:54:00.001+10:002013-09-15T20:54:04.032+10:00Performing in memory of<p>Sunday 15 September 2013 we performed in memory of our babies we have lost. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sbpk_yX98qM/UjWRei9uBKI/AAAAAAAACf4/q5gNHdWuRw8/s1600-h/IMG_5528%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5528" border="0" alt="IMG_5528" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WMgILQdsPXM/UjWRgJQl6TI/AAAAAAAACgA/G2kMHwgoCTY/IMG_5528_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="283"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cKvKj4lknYQ/UjWRh0RT8LI/AAAAAAAACgI/TdWYQEsJoS0/s1600-h/IMG_5498%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5498" border="0" alt="IMG_5498" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jLekHIBHWGU/UjWRjULNEZI/AAAAAAAACgQ/r345hD3z7bQ/IMG_5498_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="378"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7LASoaJJp8Q/UjWRlSCRHlI/AAAAAAAACgY/LNdPr_jMcC8/s1600-h/IMG_5514%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5514" border="0" alt="IMG_5514" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KaQLu8OetaU/UjWRnNrdCAI/AAAAAAAACgg/RJK96k-gEAA/IMG_5514_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="298"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PSbCUaNXsD0/UjWRpCd0JzI/AAAAAAAACgo/fflh_D4dq6U/s1600-h/IMG_5510%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5510" border="0" alt="IMG_5510" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9hDRaLltp-k/UjWRqvXacpI/AAAAAAAACgw/m5u_0PrXbcw/IMG_5510_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="302"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.teddyloveclub.org.au/" target="_blank">Pregnancy Loss Australia</a> had their annual <a href="http://www.pregnancylossaustralia.org.au/index02.php?id=497&pl=347&tl=15" target="_blank">fundraiser</a> to raise money to assist families who have lost a baby through miscarriage, still birth or neonatal death. When they asked for stall holders and entertainers for the event we offered our <a href="http://www.superdogsaustralia.weebly.com" target="_blank">Superdog Trick Show</a> for the event. It was an honour to sponsor such and event.</p> <p>To be able to bring joy into the lives of others who have also suffered loss or losses is a privilege. If for 15 minutes we can make people smile, take away the pain or give them something else to focus on our show is a success. Judging by the number of people who came over to watch, and those we spoke to after the show, I think we succeeded in our purpose.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E1v-j7f_L3o/UjWRtPh_isI/AAAAAAAACg4/AgTIrcnaO7c/s1600-h/IMG_5509%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5509" border="0" alt="IMG_5509" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fUCAScY6IKA/UjWRu790WfI/AAAAAAAAChA/j4PCWTcu8B0/IMG_5509_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="556" height="390"></a></p> <p>Having suffered multiple miscarriages and a neonatal death there we lots of emotions stirred in our family too. The girls who perform with the dogs were very keen to do this in memory of their siblings lost and especially their forever little sister Serenity who went to be with Jesus at 13 hours old on 12 March 2011.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-icYT999hNwA/UjWRwiN4QoI/AAAAAAAAChI/2ekxyQtuesQ/s1600-h/IMG_5539%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5539" border="0" alt="IMG_5539" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-At-fxaDqxpY/UjWRya941xI/AAAAAAAAChQ/-xJkffz8rhc/IMG_5539_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="395"></a></p> <p>Balloons were released at the end of the day … a very moving experience.</p> <p>Not sure how much was raised in total, but it was in excess of $20,000! Awesome effort by all involved!</p> Wheel Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489295317671822706noreply@blogger.com2