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It’s A Big Old World Out There

Growing up, my parents loved to take us all on a road trip. I remember trips all over the place, usually with our camper trailer hitched on the back of car. When I was in Year 6 they packed all four kids up (my youngest sibling was 9 months old at the time) and took us to Europe for three months. They hired a camper trailer and drove us around England, Western Europe, with a few days in Hong Kong, and in the process they showed us that there was much more to the world than the little corner that we lived in.

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In many ways the trips we took with my parents set us up for a life time of wanting to travel and see new things. Seeing the battlefields of WWI made studying it later in High School so much more meaningful. Knowing that there were people out there who were different to us helped us to value these differences, and show tolerance and consideration for people who may look or act differently to what we were used to.

Soon after Country Boy and I were married, we decided to go to England and Europe for 12 months. We saved our money furiously, and got working holiday visas which allowed me to teach, and CB to pick up contract work. Every weekend, and school holiday were spent exploring. We then spent three months backpacking our way around Europe, blowing our hard earned cash. We still see that trip as one of the defining moments of our lives.

A Big Old World Out There-1

Since having children we have shortened our trips some what. We visited my sister and brother in law in China when the girls were 20 months and 4 years old, and had a stop over in Malaysia on the way. Meg of course, doesn’t remember anything, but Hannah has distinct memories our time there. Having two small blonde children made us stand out in the part of China where my sister lives, as Westerners are not so common there.

From the time our kids were small, it has always been a dream to take them to overseas. To revisit the places we lived and loved when we were in Europe, and to explore a few new places as well. We have been waiting for them to be the right age; old enough to enjoy and remember it, but not so old that we are travelling with teens who don’t want to be with us. We’ve just returned from a week of touring around the Victorian Goldfields with the kids. We learnt about the history of the towns, tried new foods, and experienced new things. The kids soaked up the experience. It has convinced me that the kids are ready to try a bigger trip, so I’m putting it on the agenda for the next two years. (Nothing like announcing your intentions to kick you into action!)

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One of the things I notice about living in a small country town, is that it is very easy to be “town centric” – to believe that the small town we live in is how the world is, or should be. Some people never really leave the town, or go further than the nearest big town. As much as technology has given us the ability to see parts of the world through our screen, it is not a substitute for actually experiencing different places and people. The thing is, it’s a big old world out there. Full of interesting things to see and do, and people to understand. I’m super grateful that my parents took the opportunity to travel with us, and show us a big world. I’m determined to give my kids a big world too.

 

Have you done a big trip with kids? Got any advice or good ideas? How do you make sure your kids see a big world?

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Hi, I’m Jo

I'm a city girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: toge The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: together, cooking damper around the remains of the bonfire.
It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got through shearing without a hitch (thankfully 🙏) but we’ve had a run of the flu followed by Covid run through the family since then. The kids and I have tested positive (this is my second time getting it 🦠) though so far C has managed to avoid it. There has been a lot of lying on the couch feeling pretty ordinary. Han had to reschedule her driving test for a 4th time due to Covid, which is disappointing for her because she wants her freedom and for us because it would be so much more convenient if she could drive herself places. Just to add in to the mix, our hot water system has chosen now as a good time to die so we’re on cold showers until we’re all out of iso. This is not meant to be a whinging post but sometimes life just sucks a bit and it’s good to be real. Fortunately, the sight of the fire going with a stack of wood next to it cheers us up. Things will improve soon. Onwards we go…
A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the scho A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the school holidays. We’ve been busy spending time with friends and family, harvesting the last of the summer produce, as well as a short escape to explore the big smoke. After the craziness of last term it was the break we all needed. It’s back to school for me tomorrow, and the kids are back on Wednesday. Shearing starts soon and so it’s all systems go over the next few weeks.
Covid has made some late changes to our weekend pl Covid has made some late changes to our weekend plans so we are embracing the unexpected and doing not much at home. Plenty of time for hanging out on the dam and enjoy the perfect weather.
Autumn has arrived in the orchard and the apple tr Autumn has arrived in the orchard and the apple trees are full of fruit. Yesterday we filled five baskets of apples that had fallen off the trees. Then we had apple crumble for dessert last night. Between the orchard and the vegetable garden this time of year is always super busy as we deal with all the harvest. No so busy though, that I can’t grab the camera and snap a few pics.
On weekends he makes himself a hot milo and lies o On weekends he makes himself a hot milo and lies on the veranda in the sun, just chilling and enjoying the freedom (until mum grabs her camera at least 🙄🤣).

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Hi, I’m Jo

City girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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