Change of Plans ...

What does one do when one enters their child into a competition only to have them shortlisted and in need of flying to Melbourne?

Pack up and go. Of course! 

We were just settling in for the last week of school holidays. Getting ready to pick up books. Lots of books. And cover them. And probably have a few play dates in the lead up as well.

And the next thing Miss Tween and I were on a plane headed for Melbourne. The red eye flight. We stayed in a hotel in the city for two nights before heading down to spend time with friends until we knew whether Miss Tween was required. Which it turned out she was. So we stayed with our friends for the best part of a week, caught up with some of my favourite Victorian locals - meaning another drive back into the city. But well worth the trip! - went to the beach, tried to keep on top of work, visited a coal mine, went back to the city for the shoot and then got back on a plane to come home.

Sound exhausting? It was. But the time we spent with our friends was also very relaxing. There is something to be said for old friends. The friends who knew you before. Before marriage, before children, before loss. These friends know you to your core. They know all the good (and the bad bits) and they love you unconditionally. For who you were and who you have become.

They also often possess some very old photos. So be very careful when you introduce them to Facebook. Just a tip!

But here is a quick peek at what we did. 

It was so amazing spending the time with Miss Tween. One on one. Watching her eyes light up at all the new wonders she experienced. I love Melbourne and now she does too. And the best part. She's old enough to remember it. The tears in her eyes as the plane took off were enough for me to really understand how much she had taken in while we were there and how much she will remember from that trip.

Ah Melbourne. Until we meet again!