Category: Travel

Everyday life, Food, Thoughts, Travel

A long weekend in Launceston

by wattleandash2 Comments on A long weekend in Launceston
A long weekend in Launceston

Last month I took a little solo holiday in Tasmania. The purpose of the four day break was to make a surprise visit a dear friend of mine, who I hadn’t seen in nearly two years. The trip was a little momentous for me too, as it marked the first time I’d ever been away from Paul overnight, and it the first time I’d properly travelled since the COVID pandemic erupted.

In the lead-up to the mini-break I won’t deny that I was a little nervous about it all, but I came home refreshed and rather excited to return with Adam and Paul in tow, as Tasmania really is something quite special…

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Everyday life, Thoughts, Travel

What’s making me happy: March

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What’s making me happy: March

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this last month. March 2020 signified the start of the global response to COVID-19 and what was to become months of not faring far from home. Now in March 2021 for us in Australia, life feels a lot different a year on. While some things are still of the table (international travel mainly), we are living pretty normally again. Domestic travel has resumed with gusto, most people are back working in their offices, and the use of hand sanitiser and using QR codes to ‘check in’ to businesses has become almost second nature.

For me this month has really felt like the start of new beginning. The start of this new life, where COVID exists, where the wheels have to keep turning. This is what’s been making me smile this month…

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Everyday life, Food, Life, Local sights, Travel

The Station Collective

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The Station Collective

I think it’s fair to say 2020 has been a tumultuous year. Life as we know it has been turned upside down and we’ve had to confront isolation, lockdowns and uncertainty. What I love about my little part of Australia though, is despite it all, new shops, cafés and restaurants have managed to open and thrive.

One such example is The Station Collective, a beautifully appointed coffee shop with a super unique location…

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Food, Local sights, Motherhood, Travel

A winter’s weekend in Gundaroo

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A winter’s weekend in Gundaroo

Adam, Paul and myself are meant to be in England at the moment but with Australia’s borders still effectively closed  due to COVID-19, we unfortunately had to postpone our trip.  Although we completely understand why we’re not abroad, the last few weeks have been tinged with a hint of sadness at the situation.  Adam and I were so looking forward to introducing Paul to our English family.  As a bit of a consolation prize we decided to scoot off on a bit of a mini-break – a few days away from home to recharge, reset and just get out of our normal routines for a little while.

We ended up in Gundaroo, a cute village not far from Australia’s capital city, Canberra…

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Everyday life, Local sights, Thoughts, Travel

Venturing out

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Venturing out

In the last week COVID-19 restrictions have eased in my part of Australia, allowing for the first time in months, travel within state.  After so many weeks of sticking close to home and not really venturing further than the city centre for supplies, it felt strangely surreal to have this new found freedom.

In a twist of fate, a friend who lives in Melbourne was visiting family in the region on the first day regional travel was allowed, so Adam, Paul and myself jumped in the car and went on a little outing…

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Everyday life, Food, Thoughts, Travel

Calm amongst the chaos

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Calm amongst the chaos

The last few days have been confronting, confusing and to be a honest, a little crazy.  COVID-19 is dominating the media landscape, conversations between family and friends and at the moment one can’t help but think about it a few hundred times a day.

Last week when things felt a bit calmer, Paul and I accompanied Adam on a business trip to Melbourne. We didn’t have much planned – it was really just about soaking up big city life for a few days in between Adam’s work commitments.

Now it feels like that little break was a final hurrah to ‘normal life’ for the next few months and I’m relishing the space if offered…

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Everyday life, Food, Local sights, Travel

So long summer

by wattleandash4 Comments on So long summer
So long summer

After months of fires, smoky conditions and heatwaves, I’m rather glad this summer is over.  Although it’s been a special time for catching up with friends and family, and watching my little boy grow and develop, I’m craving cooler nights, cosy days and hopefully a bit of rain.

I watched the sun set on this unforgettable season in a local park, on a picnic blanket, watching the world go by…

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Food, Local sights, Thoughts, Travel

After the fire

by wattleandash2 Comments on After the fire
After the fire

The bushfires which affected Australia this summer made headlines around the world. While the immediate danger is over, hundreds of communities are now facing a lengthy recovery.  Some people have lost homes, others have had their farms razed and in the fire nearest to where Adam, Paul and I live, entire pine plantations have been burnt, which will make things tough for the local timber industry.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when so many areas are hurting, but one of the easiest ways to help is to go and visit these communities.  So, earlier this month that’s exactly what we did…

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Everyday life, Motherhood, Thoughts, Travel

Season’s greetings

by wattleandash3 Comments on Season’s greetings
Season’s greetings

It’s been a little while, but I just wanted to jump on here and wish you a very merry Christmas, and say thank-you for your ongoing support of this blog. I know I’ve been absent these last few months, while I’ve been devoting myself to motherhood and taking the time to enjoy these early newborn days – which are whizzing by ever so quickly…

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