2 weeks back at the Homestead

We are officially back from being just shy of 10 weeks and 6000km living the van life. We travelled the east coast until we reached a beautiful beachside place just below Lismore when and where the devastating floods hit.

So… as heaven and earth would have it, we were washed back down to our homeland in Victoria. We felt blessed to have everything we always planned to keep. Especially knowing how many people completely pack up their lives for the road.

Given our business back in Victoria, we never planned on being away for too long, knowing there is always something to take care of. Plus we know all too well that you never know what life will throw at you… so going with the flow was always our intention.

Now, after 2 weeks back home, I felt it a great time to reflect. We were so grateful to come home to our veggie garden (thanks to our irrigation preparation) and wildschooling community! When we moved to the country in late 2018 from inner Melbourne, our back yard was as bare as the desert. Pretty soon, we had it full of veggies the way we did back in our previous urban yard 7 years ago.

When we first moved here, we were the only homeschoolers that we knew of for a long time and I was missing the big likeminded community we had built back in the city for many months. Finally, in Spring 2019 nearly a year later… we started our Wildschooling Community.

For almost 3 years we have been gathering each week in the wild and we have loved every minute of it! When our littlest was just 1, she would fall asleep by the creek. Sharing picnics and chai, stories and nature craft has brought us so much fulfilment over the years.

During the harshest lockdowns with the regional “ring of steel” over winter was the only time we really hibernated when it was about impossible to come together… but beyond that, It’s been a beautifully evolving gathering.

The children race leaf boats down the stream, forage for wild blackberries, swim in the natural spring, climb trees and build huts, learning some of the most essential life skills of risk assessment, awareness and a healthy respect for nature. It’s something we are so thankful to come back to after being able to explore this beautiful country some more!

Since we have been back, we spent a few days away in the van this last week again. It was beautiful being able to explore some of the great wonders of our south eastern coast! We’re especially grateful now, for having the van… especially since living out in the bush… at times, can feel far away from everyone!

So… for now, we will be planning all sorts of adventures in our van, while we are busy tending to our Health Clinics and supporting our amazing team that help make this all possible! We are blessed to be able to work anywhere running our business. But there is nothing like being present.

It’s our greatest gift! Presence is one of the most powerful gifts we can give. Which is another one of the millions of reasons why I chose to homeschool. To be with my children. Motherhood is not something I ever wanted to outsource!

If it means slowing down and changing my perspective on certain aspects of life… then that’s what I’m so grateful to be able to do! So… thank you for slowing down to read this far! It shows a willingness to absorb life and delve deeper. Such a lost art in todays world!