Launceston to Melbourne

Awoke after our first night of more than 4 hours sleep in what feels like a month. Who knew that packing up a 3 bedroom house into a single car garage would be so time consuming. Although, completely landscaping an 800m2 block in 2 months did cut into that a little. But we got there... just - but not without a lot of help from loving (and patient) family members who we are so very grateful for.

With all packing, cleaning and work in the backyard, our departure date didn't so much as creep up on us, but jumped out from behind the door screaming "BOO!" and scared the living s**t (daylight for those little ones that might be reading this) out of us! No real time to get excited - which has been good I guess and no real time to think about the fact that we'll be leaving our family and friends and likely not see many of them for 2 years. I'm sure that will hit us like a tonne of bricks too but at the moment it just doesn't seem real. No counting down the weeks/days/hours, etc - it has been all too hectic; but glad the day has finally come.

Got up early this morning to take a load to Vinnie's and tie up a few loose ends (redirecting mail, sign rental paperwork, a few last minute goodbyes, etc) to find frost covering the car and the temperature hovering around 4 degrees. Goodbye Tassie winter -hello Californian summer! But having said that, the forecast for Launceston for the rest of the week is sunny and around 19-21; but in San Francisco it is 14 and rain - we can't win! Hopefully things will pick up as we head further south along the highway towards LA (sunny and 24).

Had a nice lunch with both sets of parental units and siblings this arvo - home made egg and bacon pie - with perhaps the best looking birthday cake we have ever seen for Kaye's birthday courtesy of Cassie (well, adults cake - there were some pretty cool kiddie birthday cakes growing up - Robbie the Robot stands out) . It only used a combined 1kg of chocolate in the actual cake, the ganache and the white and milk chocolate sprinkled on top. And let me tell you - it tasted as good as it looked! There's a fair chance our entire daily calorie allowance went in that slice of pie and cake - and Kaye was worrying about our diet while we're in the U.S. Hmmm....

Before we knew it, it was time to go to the airport. Checked in and grabbed a drink at the bar to say our final farewells to the family. Finally hit home that we were actually going - up until then it was a bit of a blur. Even know it still doesn't feel quite like that was the last time we'll see our family for close to 2 years. I guess it'll hit home tomorrow when we get on the big plane. A couple of tears were shed with the last hugs and kisses before the boarding call forced to part for good. We went through security with a final wave and it was off to Melbourne.

For the first time in a long time the flight was on time and we arrived in Melbourne with 2 hours to catch our breath and recuperate before heading into the city to catch up with Apples and Naomie in the city for dinner and some well earned drinks. Was good to see them after their big move to the mainland and get some tips on things to see and do in the US.

Back to the hotel by 10pm for a relatively early night (much needed). We are very much looking forward to a decent night's sleep - not to mention a nice sleep in. But not tomorrow - up at 6:30am to catch our flight to San Francisco. Now, the adventure begins!