The Southern Trip

I couldn't believe it!!!

It was actually the day that my two whole weeks with mum would start! Fourteen days!!! I had my bag packed, I had my trumpet ready to go, I had gobbled down my breakfast and now it was a waiting game. A waiting game for me. We had to wait for Gram and Pa to drive up in their old Toyota Landcruiser to take us to Maitland train station. I was just about to start thinking that they would never come when I heard a familiar sound. It was Gram and Pa pulling up in the Landcruiser! Just as they walked through door I realised that I didn't have any copies of my music. Dad and I were in a rush to get the music copied and get out the door.

Finally we got the music copied, said our goodbyes and hit the road.

It was a long trip.

We saw heaps of coal trains on the way. We even ended up racing one to the station!!!

When we got to the station we saw Nanna and Mum coming to us across the carpark!!! Before I knew it, all three of us - Hannah, Caleb and I - were running towards Mum!!! After I finished hugging Mum I turned around and hugged Nanna just as much. When I had finished all  my huffing, we gathered our stuff, said goodbye and left for the train.

I couldn't believe it!!! We were actually having a whole holiday with Mum!!!

We hopped on the train and soon got to Hamilton. Wow! That was short! The next train we got on went to Central Station. This time, the train trip was alot longer. When we got off at Central, Mum took Caleb and Hannah to the bus stop while Nanna took me to the News Agency to get Hannah, Caleb and I something to do on the bus trip. It was going to be a long ride!!!

Caleb got a Transformers magic pen colouring pad, Hannah got a Total Girl magazine with a sheet of stickers, and I got a Total Girl Magazine with a pocket pet (a Tamigotchi). Oh boy. Did they keep us busy or what?

Halfway through the trip, things were getting a bit squishy with Mum, Cale and I all on the same doule seat, so Mum asked me to show her what a big responsible girl I was by moving up into the spare seat in front of us. It was kind of creepy sitting next to a total stranger, but I survived the next half of the trip.

When we got off at Wollongong train station, I noticed a group of people with a whole heap of showbags. I figured that they had been to the Royal Easter Show for the day.

We got on the train to Kiama. Our second last train trip. Woo hoo!!!

On the way we had some of Nanna's (own special ed.) delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken (or KFC for short) and chips!!! Yummy!!!

Suddenly our last train switch had arrived. The train to Nowra!!!

Yipeeeeeeee!!!

I was so excited that I wished that the train would just take off at top speed and take us to Nowra in 2 seconds. But unfortunately, that's not what happened. It seemed like the train would take forever to start going. But eventually, the train started the long journey. Phew!!! It didn't take forever to start up.

I guess for everyone else it must've seemed like ages before we got to Nowra, but to me it was just a few flashes and we were there. When we (arrived ed.) Poppy was waiting for us. We decided that because there were 6 people and only 5 seats in Nanna's car, that Poppy could take Mum, Hannah and Cale home while Nanna and I waited at the train station for Poppy to come back with the car. So that's what happened. While we waited for Poppy to come back, I played my Nintendo DS.

When I got home Leyla and Chance, Nanna and Poppy's two playful puppies were jumping around like mad because they were so happy that I was back. I quickly said goodnight and went to bed.

Wow!!! What a trip!

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by Leah Griffiths