First two weeks back

After the first few days here, the rest of our first week back turned a bit rubbish because Nick and I both came down with whatever Devon had picked up on the plane, a nasty gastric flu-type bug.

It meant we spent the rest of the week mostly in bed and had to cancel lots of plans!

Thankfully we are all feeling better now, and have bought a new car (a Renault Grande Modus) that has meant we have started getting out and about finally and starting to feel much more Christmassy.

It's really strange being back. Because we are back at Nick's parents at the moment, which is where we were staying before we left for Australia, it feels at times like we have never left.

But at other times it feels so different, two years is a long time and I know we both feel substantially changed by our time in Australia. Whether that's due to parenthood, being two years older, or living in another country, I'm not sure. Probably a combination of all three!

We've been testing out Devon's new waterproofs, and he loves being outside here just as much as he did in Australia. We bought him some new fur-lined wellies (as it's pretty cold here) and he has been getting right into all the muddy puddles and enjoying all the English countryside.

So far we'e been to Winchester to visit the Christmas markets, Chichester to visit some of our favourite shops, and into Waterlooville for coffee with Boris. Devon is doing really well meeting all these new people, he's been a bit shy to start with but it doesn't take him long to warm up.

And we've been down to visit the local pub, the Fox and Hounds. The pub was empty and derelict before we left, but while we have been gone there has been a successful campaign to reopen it. We actually became shareholders and invested some money towards it. We took Devon down for a quick drink one afternoon.

Back in the UK!

Well we made it, we're finally here, back in the UK after a tiring 26 hours of travelling with a 15 month old.

The flights were no where near as bad as I thought they would be. Devon slept for 6hrs out of 11hrs in the air for the first flight, then for 2hrs out of 7hrs for the second. The rest of the time he watched films, or played with toys on the floor and we only had relatively few occasions where he cried or grizzled, usually on take off and landing when I had to hold him on my lap.

Nick and I didn't get much sleep though, Devon had to sleep on our laps (mostly mine) because he was too big for a bassinet so I found the whole journey pretty uncomfortable (not helped by the fact that I bruised my coccyx a month or so ago).

We still booked the bassinet seats for both flights, even though Devon was too big for it, because you got much more legroom and there was space for Devon to play on the floor in front of us. 

Devon is still breastfeeding and this was really handy on the flight, it meant I could feed him on take off and landing to help with his ears and it helped get him off to sleep.  

By the time we landed in Heathrow, Devon had really had enough though.  I hoped he would fall asleep in the car but he cried most of the way instead, falling asleep literally just around the corner from Nick's parents house.

I put him to bed once we got there and he slept for 14 hours, just waking a couple of times for a feed. 

So many people texted or messaged me before we left, telling me how cold it is at the moment in the UK! And yes, it is pretty fresh out there. Devon had a little run around and didn't seem to notice too much, although I think trying to keep mittens on him is going to be difficult.

We've been taking it easy so far, Devon is a bit out of sorts with the jetlag and all the change. Both him and I have also been sick, not sure if this is a bug we picked up on the plane or just due to the body clock adjustment.

We did make it round for a quick visit to see Boris though. Devon grissled for a bit then fell asleep on my lap, bless him.

Our last week in Australia...

This will be our last post from Australia! Tomorrow we get on a plane after almost exactly two years to the day since we arrived. We're leaving with a lot more than we came with that's for sure.

I can't quite believe how quickly it's come around.

We are feeling a bit strange, very excited to see everyone back home, but also very sad that we have to say goodbye to loved ones here. I know the first few months in the UK will be exciting but I hope we still feel we have made the right decision in a years time!

This past week we have been packing, sorting, closing accounts and cancelling policies. 

Last Saturday we had a small gathering to say goodbye to some of our friends here in Australia. We have met some great people who we will definitely be staying in touch with.

Then on the Sunday we went to Whitemans park for a picnic with my family.

On Monday we spent the day packing everything up (easier said than done with Devon running around).

And then on Tuesday our MoveCube crate was dropped off to be packed, and then collected again later that day. It felt weird seeing all our things driven away, not to be seen again for several months.

Today we said goodbye to Moira and her little girl Winnie, who was born the day after Devon. Moira and I met while pregnant at a yoga class. It feels like we've been through a lot together! We both had relatively high-needs babies so being able to talk about our experiences as new mums and console each other through the challenging times has been so important.  Devon and I are really going to miss our chats and playdates.

Now there are just a few more loose ends to tidy and to prepare for that flight!

To be honest I am a bit nervous about it all... Devon is such an active little boy, I really don't know how he will cope being sat on our laps for 20 hours. Jet lag isn't going to be fun either.... Devon has only just started sleeping better so I hope he can adjust quickly.

All in all it's going to be a lot of change for the little guy, so we'll just have to try and help him through it as best we can.

Wish us luck!

E, N & D x