Here we go… trip blog #8 capturing England, Belgium and Spain. The tradition of blogging the big GradyBunch trips started with Vietnam in 2012. At the time it was a practical way to keep family up to date with our adventure with the girls. Later I realised it’s greatest value is for me, creating a rich record of the little moments alongside the big highlights. It’s fabulous to look back at some of our adventures with little girls that are now grown up!
Every trip is unique, and this one is my first without any of the GradyBunch. Andrew has always been my photographer, image editor, and trip-planner extraordinaire, and the girls always spark the wide-eyed wonder of kids and teenagers. It’s going to be quite strange without them.
This trip is a special one with my Mum – aka ‘Bonnie Bonne’. It’s such a privilege to share this opportunity to reminisce on our heritage, laugh with family and friends, and most importantly, honour my beautiful sister, Rachel who passed away in January.
We’re spending time with family in the town where Mum grew up, met and married my Dad, and that Rachel and I were born. We’ll explore the places where my earliest happiest memories were made before we moved to Australia in 1983. We’re then off to Belgium where my Mum was born and spent some of her early years, and finally to Spain to meet dear friends of Rachel’s.
Rachel LOVED to travel, and we’re heading to some of her favourite places in the world, to spend time with some of her favourite people, immersing in her favourite experiences. I’m travelling with her suitcase, and many of the items that keep me close to her… I know she’ll enjoy being a part of this journey, sharing some tears, and helping us to make new memories.
This is Mum’s first trip in many years, so we’ll be making sure that we include plenty of special treats along the way. There’s also going to be lots of unexpected experiences for both of us… I suspect the prawns in baked beans that defined our ‘Western’ breakfast are just the beginning 🙂
Ready or not, here we come!
Love M & BBx
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