Day 563: Around the GlasGLOBE in 50 days

08/02/2023

After a stunning solo weekend in Sydney, it was nice to be back with the kids to start the week. It was another massive day as our SOLD sign was stuck up, we bought a house (in Australia, just to clarify).

In Glasgow, I think I am finally over the jetlag after flying back from Australia. I was still a bit physically drained from two big weekends, sadly with all this travelling I have not found a magical jetlag cure, cycling to Edinburgh probably didn’t help. It supposedly takes “about a day to recover for each time zone crossed”. Physically drained, it was the perfect time to sit down and tackle the GlagsGLOBE.

After almost five hours the GlasGLOBE was complete, well almost complete. A little someone wanted to fly around the GlasGLOBE to finish it off, putting on the glory piece.

Even better, it actually spins. The next challenge is to attach a small motor inside the frame to sync up with the Earth’s rotation.

Luckily with the new house, we should have room to display The Globe next to the Millenium Falcon, Saturn V and all my other important Dad stuff.

Tuesday was final hugs before Grandpa, Becca and Amy kindly dropped us off at Adelaide Airport.

Just like in Ireland, Grandpa suitcase rides were the preferred method of transport.

We arrived with plenty of time so grabbed a happy meal before jumping on a plane to Melbourne.

We were about to fly across to the UK and begin our second 18-month stint, well that is the plan at the minute at least. Jeez how time has flown, the family is certainly looking a bit different now. The last time we did this was during Adelaide’s COVID-19 lockdown when everybody was scared to step foot outside their house. We remember trying to work out if we were crazy. As we were preparing to fly to the other side of the globe for the third time in 18 months, we must be.

There were big smiles from the get-go, the kids are fantastic fliers, we really lucked out. This was going to be a real test though as the groovy husband was already home. To be fair, he generally just goes to sleep anyway.

After a delayed up and down to Melbourne we had a fast transfer. Qantas flight attendants organised a buggy to transfer us, but classic Australia and their rules, children were not allowed on, what good that was. We had to leg it, Super Duper Mum carried Lachlan and Eloise’s legs were going at super speed, “Mum, Mum, my little legs cannot go any faster”. We made it just in time to catch the end of boarding, thankfully filling up an A380 takes some time. We took to the skies and soared past our new house.

Tuesday in Scotland the people had won. “After tremendous revolt from the golfing world St Andrews Old Course bridge paving dug up after backlash. Renovation work around a historic bridge on St Andrews’ Old Course has been removed following heavy criticism. Thousands flock to the Swilcan Bridge every year for arguably the most famous photo opportunity in golf”.

“Golf fan Warren Allsworth reacted: “No. Just no. That’s like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa.” And US-based Tron Carter said it resembled a “DIY backyard patio”. Meanwhile, six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo posed the question: “If you’ve travelled halfway around the world for your bucket list round at St Andrews, would you rather leave with a bit of historic dirt on your shoes or a few cement mix scraps?””

We are lying low at the moment, as “St Andrews Links Trust said a new round paved area was designed to prevent the approach area falling into disrepair” due to high tourist numbers. However, the Swilcan Bridge is over 700 years. It was most likely Lachnado tearing around ye Old Course.

In other major sporting news, “Manchester City charged with more than 100 financial rule breaches by Premier League”. Surprise, surprise.

Meanwhile in Sydney, “a new Manly ferry has suffered a catastrophic engine failure during regular safety drills, forcing the operator to pull it from service amid growing concerns about the reliability of the vessels purchased to replace Sydney’s larger Freshwater ferries”. Luckily the #partyparents were not aboard that one.

After the second leg of the journey, the longest leg was complete. The last time we passed through Dubai Airport, which should really be its own city, both the kids were sleepy and we used the Emirates strollers. However, this time, Lachnado was not having any of that and made sure to wheelie his own stroller to the next gate, mehhh, whatever works, he was a happy boy and we got to the gate with time for Tiny Teddies. We are thankful the kids really do embrace our wild family adventures.

Two down, one to go. Next stop Glasgow. Lachlan was starting to scream “DADDDDYYYY”, we were almost there.

Conveniently at lunchtime on Wednesday the family flew overhead and I dashed off to the airport to pick them up. Eager to see them, it has felt like months apart.

It always feels good jumping off that last plane. At least this time we didn’t have the stress of not knowing where we were. There were even lots of welcoming Glaswegians commenting on how good the kids had been. We were tired but managed some sleep on our journey.

It was lovely seeing the kids run through that gate towards me. Lachlan looks like he has had a growth spurt in my absence, amazing how much they change in just a couple of weeks. It has been hard without them and it was quite nice hearing “Dad, Dad, DADDY” on repeat.

Dad had brought Tunnock’s Tea Cakes and Oreos for snacks on the way home which made everybody happy. Eloise could not wait to show off her new Emirates bag, she has quite the collection. Lachlan fell asleep on the way home eating his Oreo, to be fair it was about midnight in Adelaide. They all looked great, Super Duper Mum had done an incredible shift, a standard day in the office.

As soon as we got home, the kids had both found some energy. Eloise sprinted upstairs to let her babies know all about Australia, she was excited to tell Roo she had made friends with some actual roos and that they were “really really big”.

In the evening, as promised, Eloise put the finishing touch onto the GlasGlobe. We had done it! Around the GlasGLOBE in 50 days! 30 days ahead of schedule.

Looking back on the past month, we are not sure if it counts as a holiday but it was a fantastic family trip. It was lovely seeing our family and friends. There had even been some new arrivals that we were all thrilled to meet for the first time. The kids are already seriously missing their partner in crime, cousin Xavier. Thank you everyone for bending over backwards to catch up with us and the grandparents for letting the chaos family flip your house. We did feel a bit like tourists in our home city and we don’t think we have ever taken as many photos in Adelaide. It was important we exposed Eloise and our wee Scot Lachlan to Aussie culture: BBQs, pool parties and beaches and they loved cuddling the Aussie animals. Super Duper Mum had a once-in-a-lifetime weekend in Sydney. We even bought a house project.