These posts capture our days as they unfold while travelling long term as a family. They’re written in real time, without polish or hindsight, and reflect the small moments, routines, and rhythms of life on the move.
Longer reflections and feature stories live separately on our Blog page.
Day 88 - Snowfall & the Ebensee Fetzenzug
Fresh snowfall in Scharnstein. A scenic drive along Lake Traunsee. And an afternoon inside one of Austria’s wildest traditions, the Ebensee Fetzenzug, an officially recognised UNESCO cultural heritage carnival that smears lipstick on your face and hands your kids lollies.
Day 87 - Snowfall, Setbacks & Schnitzels in Austria
We woke up to a world completely covered in snow in Scharnstein and what was meant to be a rest day quickly turned into snow angels, tough lessons on a crowded T hook and a cosy Austrian pub dinner with schnitzel, wine and translator apps. One big winter day we will not forget.
Day 86 - Valentine’s Day, World-Schooling Style in Austria
Valentine’s Day didn’t look like roses and restaurants this year. It looked like reshuffled beds, digital cards made on the iPad, a sick kid resting, and finally mapping out our next chapter after Austria. A quiet, meaningful reset in the middle of our world-schooling adventure.
Day 85 - Friday the 13th, Fresh Snow & Firelight in Scharnstein
Fresh snow on the mountain, tiny jumps with the kids, a peaceful rural walk with Kia and a traditional Austrian fire cooked feast of Würstel im Stockbrot made for a Friday the 13th we will not forget in Scharnstein.
Day 84 - 17 Runs and Knowing When to Stop
A quiet drive up an empty mountain road, seventeen ski runs with the kids, lunch in a gondola, and the moment we realised it was time to call it. Day 84 in Austria was about more than skiing. It was about pacing, tired legs, big feelings, and knowing when to head home.
Day 83 - Forest Finds and Family Games in Scharnstein
An early start that led nowhere turned into a productive website reset, library visits for 30 cent books, fresh yoghurt from a local dairy farm, forest stick houses in the drizzle, and an unexpected hunting rifle discovery. We finished the day with laughter filled family games in Scharnstein.
Day 82 - Firm Snow, Big Wins & a Broken Ankle on the Slopes
An early 5:30am work call back to Brisbane kicked off Day 82, but by midday we were back on the Austrian slopes. Freshly groomed snow tested our confidence, Emmett conquered the T-bar solo, and we received some sobering news after a ski accident. A day of progress, perspective, and mountain highs.
Day 81 - Emmett Shines on the Snowboard
Day 81 tested our nerves and pushed us onto steeper slopes than we were ready for. From icy traverses and gondola queues to T hook mishaps and confidence crashes, it was a rollercoaster of a day. But by the afternoon Emmett was carving like a pro, conquering the lift on his own and reminding us why we keep showing up.
Day 80 - Finding a New Slope to Build Confidence
Day 80 saw us back on the snow after a rest day, navigating busy Sunday slopes, shuttle buses and a few chaotic T hook moments. But more importantly, the kids are starting to get it. Emmett is finding his turns, Maddie is building speed and confidence, and we are finally feeling like snowboarders and skiers instead of tourists sliding downhill.
Day 79 - A Rest Day in Grünau im Almtal with Mountain Creeks and Snow Play
After big days on the slopes, we slowed things down with a rest day in Grünau im Almtal. From farm fresh produce and schoolwork to a ninja style park beside a crystal clear mountain creek, rock skimming, snowballs and a mini snowman, it was the perfect reset before another round of skiing and snowboarding.
Day 78 - Third Day Snowboarding and a Big Step Up
Day 78 on the slopes and we took a big leap from the beginner field to the blue run. Harder snow, steeper terrain, plenty of crashes and a whole lot of mental commitment. A confronting but rewarding day of learning for all of us.
Day 77 - Learning to Snowboard at 39 in the Austrian Alps
Day two on the slopes at Kasberg and the confidence is slowly building. Softer snow, fewer crashes, a bruised bum cheek, and small wins on the snowboard. The kids are flying on skis while I question why I decided to learn this at 39. Another big family day in the Austrian Alps.
Day 76 - First Day Skiing in Austria as a Family
Our first day on the slopes in Austria was equal parts chaos, crashes and confidence building. From gondola nerves to mastering the beginner slope, we all stepped well outside our comfort zones and learned some big lessons along the way.
Day 75 - First Morning in Scharnstein Getting Ski Ready in the Austrian Alps
Our first full day in Scharnstein, Austria brought mountain views, elevated heart rates, toboggan runs, ice cold creek water and a full mission to get our ski gear sorted. After restless nights adjusting to Austria, we eased into alpine life and prepared for our first big day on the slopes.
Day 74 - Travel Day to Scharnstein and Our First Night with the Locals
Up at five, bags everywhere, one last play at the park and a confusing train station meet up before picking up our rental car and driving through the Austrian countryside. We said goodbye to Vienna, met Christian and Rafaela, squeezed four big bags into a tiny boot and settled into Scharnstein with a long table dinner, wine and new friends. A big transition day and the start of four weeks of alpine village life.
Day 73 - First Snow in Vienna and a Winter Walk to Schönbrunn Palace
Day 73 brought our first ever snowfall in Vienna. What started as a light dusting on our balcony turned into a magical winter morning exploring Schönbrunn Palace gardens, hiking to the Gloriette in the snow, slipping on icy paths, and ending the day with a leftover dinner when we discovered everything closes on Sundays. Cold, tiring, and unforgettable.
Day 72 - Running the Danube, Belvedere Gardens and a Cold Day at Vienna Prater
Day 72 in Vienna started before sunrise with a riverside run along the Danube, followed by worldschool lessons, frozen fingers at Belvedere Palace and an afternoon at the Prater amusement park. A cold day, an expensive coffee stop, and a few parenting lessons thrown in for good measure.
Day 71 - Ice Skating Through Vienna: Parliament Rink, Tram Mishaps & Jet Lag Mornings
Jet lag had us awake before sunrise again, but Vienna delivered one of our favourite days yet. A freezing morning run, a spontaneous tram ride into the city, and hours skating through the incredible Wiener Eistraum ice park in front of Parliament. Cold hands, wrong trams, ticket inspectors and a homemade family dinner to finish. Day 71 felt like travel and normal life all at once.
Day 70 - Jet Lag, Snow on the Streets & Our First Taste of Vienna
Our first full day in Vienna started at 4:30am thanks to jet lag and empty stomachs. From cold, rainy bakery runs and paper shopping bags falling apart, to bargain winter boots and snow on the footpaths, it was a full reset from Vietnam. Vienna already feels different, calmer, colder, and a little more expensive, but we’re excited for what’s next.
Day 69 - Vomit Bags, 4am Wake-Ups and Our Arrival in Europe
A 4:15am start, airport vomit bags, long-haul flights with the kids and an eye-watering European taxi fare. Day 69 was wild from start to finish. But by sunset, we’d made it. Vietnam behind us, Vienna ahead, and Europe officially begins.