Sunday, January 9, 2011

The road less travelled

I was all fired up to begin the new year with a zesty post full of vim and vigour. But a funny thing happened on the way to this post. I got all relaxed. Seriously.

Last week, Fam Fibro took off for an unexpected, unplanned (heavens, hold the presses) summer break with friends. To the Snowy Mountains. Yes, in summer. I've written a lot of articles over the years in my other guise as a finance writer about how the best budget family holidays are had when you go against the flow. To the coast in winter. To the mountains when the weather is warm. I'd never before followed my own advice (on this and a legion of other finance subjects). But, you know what? I recommend it.

The weather is cooler. The roads are clearer. Accommodation is plentiful and reasonably priced. The hills are alive - with wildlife, wildflowers and an occasional burst of song. We took Mr4 and Mr7* on a 4km hike up Australia's highest mountain and discovered that Mr4 forgets his weary legs and unhappy self when singing a song as he walks. (All together now: Oh The Grand old Duke of York...)

We arrived back home yesterday. Shattered. Our relaxing break had exhausted us so much that there was no movement in the Fibro, from anyone, until after 9am. The Builder and I are tired. We discussed this over breakfast. And came to the conclusion that this is what relaxation feels like.

We nearly didn't recognise it.

*Some housekeeping matters: to keep things simple, and because their birthdays are around this time, all children get new names. Mr6 is now the lofty Mr7; Mr3 takes a big step to Big Boy status and becomes Mr4. I'm going to miss Misters 6 and 3. They were such fun. But I'm sure the new guys will also keep me on my toes.

27 comments:

  1. Sounds familiar. I usually feel like a need a holiday to get over a holiday I've just taken.

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  2. Relaxed. I'm really hoping to become familiar with that term. Perhaps this week is the week! Glad you had a fabulous time. Oh, and happy birthday Fibro boys. A new year of adventures! xx

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  3. Oh well done. On the relaxation and making it up Mt Kosciuszko. I'm a great fan of Thredbo in the summer :)

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  4. I love the idea of going against the grain. And happy birthday to your boys - I love their cameos.

    So glad to have you back Al, I have missed you.

    I hope that the return to work is not too much of a haul.

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  5. We have just come back from a Very Jindabyne Christmas, & loved every minute of it! How refreshingly cool was it? Just heaven.
    Mrs BC
    xx

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  6. Actually the only time I've ever been to Mt Buller was in summer - it was divine!
    And yes, singing songs reeeeally helps. We do a mean 'the ants are marching' with various animals substituted in for the ants (and I let the kiddos make up the verses as we go along eg: the pandas are climbing one by one the little stopped to wipe his bum...yes, giggle giggle, but it helps us get there!!)
    Glad you found your relaxation :-)
    xxxCate

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  7. Oh gosh , I just saw how many followers you have 399!!
    Come on people...just one more to make it a nice round 400...

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  8. I have been up to Perisher, Blue Cow and Mt Kosiosko in summer too...great escape from the heat..at Perisher that year it was misty and other worldish among snow gums and beautiful alpine rock plants...a real wonderland! I highly recommend that area for a
    summer holiday.

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  9. Sounds completely fantastic. Enjoy the relaxation while it lasts. I am clinging onto the last shreds of the holidays before the school run mania starts again tomorrow morning - waaaaa waaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

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  10. I get the feeling that going against the flow leads you to other kinds of thinking, new ways of looking at things. Like the joys of being relaxed!

    I need to give this a try - thanks for the inspiration!)

    (PS- Love that you don't follow your own financial advice! I read these articles and think, who does that?)

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  11. Happy birthday to the Misters. Growing boys sure do keep you on your toes! Sounds like a great trip and lovely to do the opposite of everyone else.

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  12. I think lots of mums have forgotten how to relax. One of my 'things' (not quite NY resolutions) this year is to remember to have fun.
    Welcome back, and welcome to Misters 4 and 7. How helpful that they start the new year with new pseudonyms. :)

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  13. I can't relax, i'd love some tips! Seriously. If my body isn't going my mind it. Argh.
    Although your holiday does sound wonderful. I have always wanted to go camping in the mountains when the weather is warmer. Holidaying in winter has zero appeal to me. Lol.

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  14. It sounds like a lovely break to me: properly getting away from it all and glad you found a way to keep the boys entertained as well :)

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  15. Relaxation... a foreign concept around these parts too. We've just got through the crazy birthday/Christmas season here that begins in October and ends in January.
    I think a little trip out of town sounds like perfect advice. Thanks!

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  16. I love the Snowy - spent many winters there with my dear Nana who taught me to ski. And I also love it in summer;your post has reminded me to get back there quickly with the boys and hubbie. The air and the water and vast areas of quiet are so refreshing, and because I have so many great childhood memories of it I love to back and renew them. We've only just come back from holidays and you have made me want to book the next one.

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  17. I've just signed up folks, to make it a round 400! Don't know much about Aussie land so this is fab. Love the new boys you have for this year. All the best for 2011 from the UK.

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  18. Aw thanks @Sweffling - that 399 was beginning to bother me. :-)

    Thanks for all your comments everyone. Getting me through a rainy school holiday Monday which, trust me, is not proving relaxing...

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  19. I love holidays that go against the grain. Except camping in the Kimberly in the wet, that wasn't fun (except if you like to sweat a lot and like mozzies).

    Happy birthday to your boys!

    x

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  20. Sounds like a fantastic holiday. so glad you can relax afterwards. That rarely happens. What a bonus.

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  21. Hmmm...I can relate to not practicing what you preach, but it sounds like it really worked out for you. Very cool...maybe I'll give it a shot sometime.

    Best to the boys on their birthdays!

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  22. Happy birthdays to your boys & so glad you had a fabulous trip to the Snowy Mountains. We do Mt Selwyn in Winter for the snow, the children love it but next time my husband is around in Summer we'll do some serious Snow Mountain bush walking. Love Posie

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  23. Wow your boys are getting big now.
    Glad to hear you had a wonderful time.
    I usually spend my holidays at home, sleeping a lot.

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  24. The mini break sounds fantastic! Well done on the relaxing as well. That's a feat in itself!

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  25. I just love those kinds of holidays and the blissful knowledge that everyone enjoyed themselves because they are all konked out on the sofa :)

    Dropped by from Adventures in Estrogen.

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  26. Happy Birthday to the Misters! And if you figure out how to keep that relaxation feeling going, let me know, would you??

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