We're emerging again to complete the saga...

   So... can I have a welcome back from you, dear world wide web, as I continue to relate the travelling Woodleys' adventures one year after last acknowledging you?... Thank you, I'll take that as a yes; and give a brief (ha!) but hopefully satisfying overview of the year of our Lord two thousand and twelve before covering the states of Queensland and Western Australia with more depth than they have initially been allocated!...

(edited to add - DID I REALLY THINK THAT I COULD 

INCLUDE ALL OF 2012 IN ONE POST... I'M LUCKY I'VE EVEN 

GOT TO THE END OF JANUARY!!!)

   After a year of phenomenal growth, the beard is finally sacrificed...

...to reveal a rather surprising eighties' rocker look...

....while relaxing in Adelaide's summer heat 
at a generously provided house-sit...

(many thanks Mr and Mrs Parry)

...during which we were privileged to attend and 
participate in a friend's beach baptism...

...before moving to another house-sit at a fellow homeschooler's 
(yes, that's you, Mr and Mrs Decrevel) 
house to celebrate the big boy's fourth birthday...

(being fellow homeschoolers, there are enough books to satisfy even me!)

...followed by our annual Bean family getaway...

...which just happened to be at Normanville soon 

to become our new (and glorious) local beach...

(the last time we were to use our trusty Viscount... 

already been back out west with friends to whom it now belongs) [sniff]

...then a taste of South Aussie skies again as we stay for the 

longest time in a year at one place - two full weeks with 

our lovely friends the Monaghans...

...interspersed with some Woodley family fun...

...and a decadent rainbow welcome back cake...

(thank you Auntie Leslie!)

...finally on our way to the new abode we pass 

our old place where we began this whole trip...

(maybe the eighties' rocker look as not so bad after all!)

...celebrate our oldest's ninth birthday...

...appreciate the hardy and (mostly) reliable caravan one last time...

...before drawing ever closer to our destination...

We're beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

   Or rather, it has felt a lot like Christmas - during our stays at the grandparents in Oaklands Park and Marion we managed to have five different Christmas celebrations; as well as catching up with family left, right, and centre...

...Trin and Ven did a lovely job of decorating the Bean garden for our last ever Christmas at this house...

This paper has been going for at least twenty-five years... aah, the memories!...

...presents, making music together, and viewing random Christmas clips on YouTube make up some of our day...

(nice wrapping, Dad)

SISTERS...


...and it's all about family...

(love your shirt, Simon!... no, really)

(yes - one of those aging hippies)

...then on to the Woodley family Christmas and seeing the cousins for the first time since Brisbane...

...and then Boxing Day brings another round of Beans... 

Hello Moo... and congratulations!!

...we do love family...

P.S. this could well be the last time we see this unbelievable year's growth of beard)

(recognise the paper?... and another Bean staple - ginger beer!)

Oh yes - we are definitely home...


...then to the park with the junior Beans...

...and next on to the senior Woodleys - Grandpa and Nanna - for some more Christmas cheer... 

...complete with the usual celebratory items...

...yes, we very much love family...

Included here are the special Hickey boys (and friend) on New Years Eve
 as on Christmas they wouldn't stay still long enough for a photo!...

*Happy Jesus' Birthday*

Postscript: it may appear from our last post that our home is in Marion... on the contrary we will be moving into a home on five acres near Normanville and Yankalilla, and minutes from Carrickalinga beach at the beginning of February! But arriving 'home' to the grandparents (both of whom live near Westfield) was supremely exciting and rather surreal all at the same time...

One year ago exactly we started this blog...

Twenty days before that we started our Travelling Sabbath...

Twenty days ago we completed our Travelling Sabbath...

World wide web - the travelling Woodleys are home...

 Now what?...


Stay tuned!...