‘Twas the night before launch
And all through the house
Everybody was frantic
Even the dog and a mouse
The night before launch chaos had well and truly descended on the house when Ferne, our fabulous photographer and her fearless foetus, came to pay us a visit.
32 weeks pregnant she came by in the middle of the night to photograph some of our last moments together before Samuel departed on his year long journey around the country. We had been spending so much time together in the lead up to launch that it hardly seemed real that we would be saying goodbye the very next day.
It was then that I discovered she would be the photographer hanging out of the chopper to take the photos of launch from the sky! How amazing is that! I would be too scared to attempt such a feat if I were strong and healthy, but the vibrant and energetic, and heavily pregnant Ferne was up for it, and was really excited about capturing these moments so dear to us on film. What an adventurous woman, and how interesting will her child’s upbringing be if this is happening before s/he is even born!
I am so glad that Ferne came around that night. We were all in such a fluster that none of us would have thought to stop and take some photos of our last might together if it wasn’t for her, and now we have these great shots to remember that time together with.
We had about 15 people in the house, on the back porch and in the street, driveway and caravan.
Jon Bon Jonno and Ley Ley where still working on fitting out the van with shelving, securing the unicycles, bikes, the motorbike and all the camping gear with a few helpers.
Friends of theirs were packing their clothes, toothbrushes and razors.
Sarah and Sully had every pot in the house on the stove doing a massive cookup under my fiercely barked insructions. I don’t know how they put up with me, but they did, and together we managed to cook up massive batches of Bolognese, Chilli, Chicken stew and strog to stock the freezer in the caravan.
Nat and Nat were shopping buying all the last minute things the boys would need for their adventure, we had to make sure they had everything from a blender for smoothies to toilet paper. We tried to get everything on the lsit, but the list kept growing as they were shopping!
I was working with Tanya on the boxes to sell the merchandise from. They are the boxes the crews ASICS sneakers came in, covered in pink and black splattered paper and contact. We are a grass roots operation, trying to save money on everything, so no budget for merchandise packaging here, it’s all home made. All the printed materials from Print Design Australia was being assembled and the price posters were all being made.
Em and hilde were working on getting event plans and insurance finalised for councils and insurance companies. Dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s, all in the middle of the night, just hours before launch.
Jamie and Alison were in charge of bubbly and toasts, and I hadn’t written my speech yet……
Sam was mood managing, making sure that only one person was having a nervous breakdown at any given moment.
The van was being packed, as well as the caravan, the fridge and freezer were being stocked and all the merchandise and printed info was being packed. It was absolute mayhem!
Then Ferne walked in and forced us to take a few minutes and spend some time together. It was wonderful. If she hadn’t been there, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to spend that time together and wouldn’t have these wonderful memories. Thanks Ferne – and all the best with Bub.
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