The Packing

August 31st

"Dahling, it's our honeymoon!"
We've been referring to each other as 'wife' (or 'wifey' for more endearing occasions) and have decided that this adventure -- at least the drive out -- will be our official honeymoon.

We've popped into downtown Dapto for a little pre-desert op-shopping; Tisi feels the trip calls for a summer dress.

"We're so cute," she says, catching the reflection of us side-by-side in a passing bus.
She's absolutely right.

***

I've lost track of how many separate trips we've taken to The Big W, Coles, Safeway -- back and forth, again and again. We keeping thinking of forgotten necessities, misjudging how many tubs are required, suddenly deciding a pair of Volleys are essential, and so on.

That evening, on our final round, Tisi and I are in quite a state. Tisi's brain is pressing against her skull; I'm all foggy and bitten nails.

At my suggestion of eggs: "No eggs. We can get them in Port Augusta."
I can't argue: my thoughts refuse to focus into anything more detailed than no more, I can't do anymore.

In the grocery check-out line, one of us remembers headlamps. We push the heavily laden cart up to Big W, but it's now closed. Damn.

Out we go to the parking lot and Sharky. Tim and Cal pop out, fancy new headlamps switched on. Tisi and I lament our oversight. Tim tells us to look on our seats, there's a surprise: headlamps of our very own.

***

Tuesday morning.

The final pack is underway. Departure has been delayed until the mail arrives [Sharky's registration papers -- or reggos -- are, well, in the mail. Or somewhere. Uh... yeah]. While the boys lash things to the vehicle, Tisi and I play music in the lounge, she on ukelele, me on a mini-accordion that was tucked among the stacks (oh! if only I could bring it with me!).

We are by no means packing light: juggling gear, hula hoops, teeter board, stilts, a lyra, 3 unicycles, rigging, $200 of unroasted coffee beans (Sosi -- who's meeting us in Warburton -- is from Ethiopia and will be doing a traditional coffee ceremony), a knock-about table, scatter mats, handstand posts, hats, slack-wire, tight-rope, bamboo and skis for building "stuff," tools, plus camping gear, food, and clothes.

Sharky the Hectic-Mobile looks gorgeous in all its circus glory.