Campsite 23: Dandenong South Caravan Park (not recommended, especially when trying to set up at 9pm, doing so on the wrong site and having to start again, oh dear!)

Oh, take me back to Tassie! We're on the mainland setting course for home but our hearts are still in the Apple Isle. Oh, for just another day of the freshest air in the world, the relaxed pace, the wide open spaces that are only 20km from civilization and a great cup of coffee. Just one more exhilarating hike with our girls - hearing Angelina's sweet voice pointing out all the wildlife, and Esther's soft breath as she sleeps on my chest as we walk on with nowhere to be, but to be together.

The drives with everything important in life in the car with us; and our bed being towed behind us. Our camper was repaired today but we just don't have the confidence in it to travel further. I feel a little deflated, defeated for one of the first times in my life. And a little angry at Jayco for supplying us a product that let us down. But we are fiercely protective of our girls and our precious time together. It just doesn't make sense to travel on if we can't guarantee them a safe, dry bed every night and instead are fearful of what will break next.

But we will be back! And we certainly haven't been put off road trips. We're already planning another: to see the wildflowers in South Australia in Spring 2013! That time with 4 bikes on the back - including 2 pink ones! Life on the road with our girls was far easier than I thought. Angelina loved it. For her starting off her day exploring her new location, stopping for a 'cuppa-chino', setting off on a hike on her daddy's back and going back to sleep in her 'big bed' was as normal as a day at home.

I will dearly miss Angelina appearing from behind her curtain 'Punch and Judy style' to say good morning and to enquire of each of us how we slept. "mummy, good seeep (sleep)?", "daddy, good seeep"?, Esther, good seep? Just precious. And as for our beautiful 'little bug', she knows nothing else than life in her camper, with all of her family busy around her. For Esther, 'tummy time' on a picnic rug, on the beach or even on a picnic table (!) is all part of a normal day. Since she learned to 'self-settle' (or whatever the politically incorrect term is for it) in a caravan park no less, she has been a dream sleeper. Her gorgeous well-rested smiles at in the morning would make anyone's heart melt. And she keeps those smiles at the ready for the rest of the day. Unless of course she was snoozing in the carseat, rocker or the baby bjorn on my front (her favourite spot). A real sweetheart. And already her sister's biggest fan (and vice versa!)

So our dreams of spending a week in Maclaren Vale and watching the sunset as we scoff Coffin Bay oysters will happen; they've just been slightly delayed. And who knows, in a few years time we may have a postcode with a '7' prefix to call home! But these dreams are only possible if we put our heads down and get some more money in the bank - so we can have 'once-in-a-lifetime' holidays more often!

I am indescribably proud of all of us. We set off as a family of 3 and a newborn; but we return to Brisbane firmly as a family of four. And a family full of such love, joy and excitement for the future. We have so much to look forward to: Esther rolling, crawling, talking. Angelina learning to ride a bike, reading more - and of course lots more cuddles!

And many, many more adventures with our two little explorers. Starting with two wonderful weeks in Malaysia. So, as we head north towards Gold Coast airport, instead of west towards South Australia - with Angelina proudly giving us updates from the backseat as to whether Esther is sleeping or not - we are excited about the future and most of all grateful for the past 8 amazing weeks. Thank you Lord for all our blessings. You are truly awesome!