Trips to Melbourne

We have done a few trips to Melbs over the journey - some back in the day when it was a hub between Ma's place and SEA, but most during our five years in Echuca. We're about to do another one actually, in early Jan', to take the boys to the cricket, and for us all to enjoy some shopping, good food, and a nice pool to swim in. They are good trips, but unfortunately, have often been tainted by arguments. One could argue that these arguments have come from multiple sources or are caused by multiple people, but ultimately, I need to take responsibility. It is my angst, in city driving, and general impatience, that have caused a few fights. The last one was pretty bad, and led to us staying away from Melbs for quite a while. We're soon going back. We do have renewed resolve to control other contributing factors, such as booze, but at the end of it all, I need to keep my cool. This has proven to be more challenging of late, and I don't know why. I suspect, it is a subconscious dissatisfaction with myself due to constant failings that keeps me on edge. I really need to learn to not give in to them. I really need to get that values checklist happening soon, so I can better keep tabs on this and better manage myself. I think it is well and truly worth a shot. I love stat's, and I love my family. I need to do better.

Trips over the years to Melb's have been either to the city itself, or to the eastern suburbs, particularly Glen Waverly, where some parts look more like downtown Hong Kong than Australia! On our very first trip, we stayed in a part of town close to the embassies, so wifie could renew her passport. On the way there, walking through a park, we came across this strange shrine, which had wooden spoons littering the ground everywhere. Babs, having been threatened with one more than once in his naughtiness, looked quite spooked at the prospect of dealing with all these! Tongue in cheek of course...

This trip, we are staying close to the G, as I will be taking the boys to a BBL match. I hope it is fun and a spectacle for them, and not boring, nor tainted with yobbo's. I always worry about the yobbo factor when I am with my kids, one does need to be cautious. I hope we are able to find some good food too, maybe a couple of places to visit (Aquarium perhaps?) and some shopping for the girls. 

Also, I am considering a move in 2025, so it might be worth thinking about other places to go while we live in this neck of the woods. One I like the idea of is the Great Ocean Road. Too touristy and over-crowded in summer I feel, but maybe mid-year holiday, if we're still here, we could go for a road trip? I reckon it would be fun. I think we have the rest of this summer covered, and a Cairns trip already booked for Easter, so mid-year or next spring if we're still here, could be the go for this coastal exploration perhaps?

Anyway, those are my musings on local family holidays, and the impact my behaviour can have on them, and on my family in general. I may sound a bit blasé about this, but believe me, I am not. I am well aware of my shortcomings, I am well aware that I tend to focus on others when under duress, and I am well aware that this behaviour distances me from those I love most - too often at the moment. I must do better, for the sake of my wonderful family, this short life, and the joy these people bring me.