Following my declaration on Facebook last night that I was going to start (finally) sharing my knocked up, European adventure tales, I thought it best actually follow through. That is after all what this blog is supposed to be about I think.
Of course when you visit 7 countries over 7 weeks whilst you’re 7 months pregnant you have a fair bit of writing material that you could cover so the question is: where to start?
Lucky I like writing. I kept up a pretty strict regime of writing in my journal virtually every day. Mr Vick said when he saw it that I had virtually done a degree in Scottish history. It’s true I did love ALL the details and being that I was pregnant I had to write it ALL down so that I didn’t have a case of amnesia (casually known as prego brain) upon return. A whole exciting chapter of my life could be non existent if I had to rely on my prego brain. I am thankful for such notations now and I will be sharing them going forward. You will of course have to keep in mind that they were written by a hungry, lonely, happy, emotional, energised, curious, confused, inspired, zonked, determind and grateful pregnant woman who was doing what many viewed as the unthinkable. In hindsight, I do admit I must have been a quite an image. Have you ever seen a pregnant (and I mean full belly bulging, back aching pregnant) woman backpacking? But I am so grateful to have done it. I am a better me, a better mother and a better wifey (to be) for it. I feel truly blessed and proud of myself for making my dream a reality and getting on that plane when all the signs were tell me no.
I feel the only way to really start this all off is by sharing some of my favourite shots taken over the trip to give you a bit of a sampler. It’s a tasting plate I suppose. Hope you enjoy them and the dream trip posts which will inevitably follow.
There’s are in no particular order. Just a jumble. Don’t laugh too hard at me. I like life 
This is perhaps my loved ones most favoured shot from my trip. Something about me having a glow. I was 27 weeks pregnant when I stepped out like this on a warmish (a mild 22 degrees) day at Brighton Beach, England. Judging by the stares it was like an elephant had stepped onto the sand but I cared not. I was in love with my bump and the English sunshine!
Yes, I’m still in England here. A day in Stratford Upon Avon to be precise. Shakespeare country. I do love a red telephone booth
Oh I’m so Frenchy right now. The Louis Vuitton label is making me look sooo glamorous!
Perhaps a little less glamerous at the Notra Dame in Paris. I saw no hunch back, so I became the lurking hunch back with bump on back and front and all. Extra creepy!
Heading into the Moulin Rouge foyer. I was hoping to audition but I discovered I didn’t quite have the required measurements to be one of the show girls funnily enough
Did I mention I was a pregnant bridesmaid in Belgium?
A pregnant bridesmaid who’s eyes nearly fell out of her head when she saw the desert table…. I had one of everything
At the Globe Theatre during a performance of ‘Macbeth’ in London. The most spellbinding production I’ve seen to date (and I may or may not be pregnant and drinking a can of Pepsi).
My declaration that I left on Juliet’s wall in Verona.
Oh hello Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. How breath taking are you?
Dunking my head in the icey Scottish waters… something about getting eternal beauty
Being dressed as a Scottish Highlander (you don’t even know I’m pregnant in this moo moo look a like). This outfit has been worn by yours truly AND the material girl herself, Madonna. Not her usual slinky getup you’d have to admit.
If you read my blog then you’d be familiar with this shot (it’s my banner). It is my favourite. This is Jock, the bagpiper found in some random look out in the Highlands of Scotland. How he get’s there no one knows. Smart looking uniform don’t you think? He said not a word, nor did he think it was odd to have a pregnant Australian girl jig around him as he played. I was just channeling my inner Scott and getting into the spirit I didn’t come all the way from Australia to just be conservative now did I?