Sunshine with the Ryan's

 

The Tate and Hanna Ryan's have been away for one whole year travelling Europe in a campervan and backpacking through Asia. We have missed them! We knew that once that arrived home we wanted to get up to Queensland asap and reunite the cousins and hear all of the wonderful adventures of their trip. We took the kids out of a school for a week and made the drive.

Return to Canada

Halifax holds half of my heart and earlier this year the longing to return got strong. I've always wanted to go back in a general sense, Levi and I talk all the time about taking all the kids and sharing it with them, but I started to feel like I really needed to get back there myself and sooner to feel whole again. Levi as always finds a way. We were able to use his frequent flyer points and next minute I was booked in and making plans. I was going to be able to see all my favourite people, do all my favourite things, eat all of my favourite food and just exist in a place that I love. 

A Melbourne Weekend

Melbourne! I feel like Courtney, Mum and I had been talking about taking a trip to Melbourne together for years. This April we turned it into a reality in celebration of Mum and Courtney's birthdays which coincided with the art exhibition 'Rone' at Flinder's Street Station that we were all keen to see. Melbourne was full of things to see, do and eat and we had the full Melbourne experience hoping on and off trams, wandering alley's, admiring art and eating all the best it had to offer.

London Calling { The Big Trip Part 3 }

London, I really, really, really love you. 

New York, New York { The Big Trip Part 2 }

Levi and I made our way to the train station Tuesday morning for the 3 hour trip to New York. It really did feel like arriving in the big city when we came out of the station to the high rises and bustle of the city. I had my own Marilyn Munroe moment first thing walking over the subway air vent and having my dress go flying! 

Washington DC { The Big Trip Part 1 }

This trip has been years in the mind and months in the planning, so to land in DC felt a bit like a dream. Levi had flights booked to head to DC in April of 2020. The pandemic hit in March leaving those plans uncertain at first and then completely cancelled for the foreseeable future. But a bit over two years later and here we are! 

Besties in Kiama

I feel very lucky to have found Sig and Sarah. Our time together is always lovely and so reminiscent of the early days of our friendship where we spent day after day in each others company. As our families grow we decided to plan an annual trip together to make sure we keep the connection and have some fun time together as families. This year we chose Kiama and the fates were in our favour as Sydney was in lockdown, but the regions weren't. We were able to keep our plans but we basically had the holiday park completely to ourselves. We had beach front cabins and the weather was just perfect for us, so wins all around.

A Trip to the Coast

We took a little get away in February to explore more of the South Coast. Now that we are in Canberra there are lots of new places for us to discover and plenty of coastline to explore. We decided on a sleepy little town called Tuross Head and had a cabin right on the beach. Nothing like waking up to that view and the sounds of the ocean. We were very lucky that even though the forecast said rain we had a great first day in the water. The kids love every minute of being at the beach and with the calm bay were able to have a go kayaking and using their body boards. Beach days really are the best days.

I Heart Edinburgh

If Glasgow was excellent, Edinburgh was magical. We caught the train from Glasgow, with all our gear in tow for an overnight stay in Edinburgh. Walking out of that station was nothing short of amazing. It's like walking back in time into a place so steeped in history it's impossible to take it all in. The old city looked like a painting with the castle looming at it's edges, the backdrop to a bustling city already in full swing for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We were excited and ready for two days of fun and exploring together, me and my love.

Give it up for Glasgow

There's nothing like an impromptu trip to Scotland! Usually Levi and I are very planned with our holidays, we get flights at the best price, research accommodation down to the detail and line things all up just the way we like. But we had been saying for the last few years that if a really good work trip came up that I could tag along on we should take the opportunity and do it. So we did! Levi had a work trip to Scotland come up right after my 35th birthday, right in the height of summer and the perfect length of time for me to come along. What an amazing way to celebrate my birthday. There was no answer but yes and then getting to work to make it happen. Mum kindly agreed to mind the kids for the week, we booked my flights and then two weeks later we were off. 

On the Road { Tate and Hanna Visit }

I think that the Cumberland Shore is one of the best kept Nova Scotia secrets. Just a few days early we had been on one side of the Bay of Fundy, now we were on the other, winding our way along the shore and stopping at all the treasures along the way. 

A Tribute to the Best ( Italian Getaway Part 4 }

There was so much to love. It really was a near perfect holiday. We love you, Ciao Italy! Til next time.

Favourite activities

Wanderings through streets of Rome ❤️

Pantheon ❤️

Campo di fiori ❤️

Sat on the Spanish Steps, walked to the top for a great view of Rome ❤️

Walk to colosseum / wander the exhibits and levels ❤️

Under the Tuscan Sun { Italian Getaway Part 3 }

Oh Tuscany, you are a hazy, sunlight filled, lazing dream. But the journey didn't quite start that way...

The Cinque Terre { Italian Getaway Part 2 }

After a bit of a rush to make our train it was nice to sit back and relax; reading, drawing and knitting as the train wound us along the coast to our destination. Arriving in the Cinque Terre is really breathtaking. These incredible little towns are literally perched on cliff faces by the sea. The terrain in mountainous and exploring means lots of meandering which suited us perfectly.

When in Rome { Italian Getaway Part 1 }

Before I go to a big famous city I'm always a little nervous that navigating it is going to be tricky. I think this comes from having lived most of my life in Sydney and even working in the city and still feeling a bit lost when I am in there. So I'm always pleasantly surprised when it's actually easy as pie and right away I feel at home. This was my immediate experience in Rome and I fell in love immediately. And what's not to love? The cobblestoned streets lead you through narrow lanes that open into wide squares holding the architectural treasures of Rome. You can't help but feel you've just stumbled across them. The same goes with gelato and food, every corner holds some new delicious wonder and while your eyes and mouth feast on all there is to see and eat, you experience a little piece of heaven.

The Elusive Icebergs of Newfoundland

Just before we moved to Canada a good friend of ours Jean gave us some DVD's she had found called trains across Canada. We were excited to watch them and get a bit more a feel for the place we would be spending the next few years of our life. They had an awesome segment on the Martimes and one of the most striking places was Newfoundland, which interestingly you can't actually get to by train ( ? ) but where you can kayak around icebergs. Immediately Levi and I both said 'we have to do that!' and onto the bucket list it went.

Two Reunions and a Wedding { Utah }

One of the huge blessings of being in Nova Scotia is our proximity to the states and in our time here thus far I've been really lucky to take a few trips to see old friends and attend events I would have otherwise missed. This was the case with Utah. My cousin Tiana was having her American wedding reception and the stars aligned (ie. I have an amazing husband who supports such ideas) for me to take a weekend from my life in Nova Scotia and attend on my own. This was also an opportunity to see my first and most beloved missionary companion Paige Wilson, who I haven't seen for 10 years. I was beyond excited to see her and it was if no time had passed between us. 

Peter and Potter { England Part 3 }

The third and final stop of our grand England tour was the Lakes District. The landscape began to change as we travelled north, water appeared, lakes and inlets with hills on either side, so different from the Peaks but with the same vibrant green and views full of character. 

Our accommodation was right up the street from Beatrix Potter's house with a beautiful view right over Esthwaite Water. The grounds were lovely and we spent some time having fun on their playground before heading into the local village Hawkshead. The village is beautifully kept and lively with Peter Rabbit and all of his friends peeking out of every shop window. The buildings are all white with black trim and the cobblestone streets lead you to treasures down every lane and around every bend. We stoked up on food for the night and headed home to enjoy and evening of reading and rest. 

Untamed Beauty of the Peaks { England Part 2 }

Wow. England is truly beautiful. And the Peaks District is a sight to behold. We left London after a glorious three days of city living and drove 3 hours north to the Peaks, all hills with fields of green boarded by stone walls as far as the eye can see. The green is vibrant, the roads are extremely narrow and the life is quaint and picturesque. 

House numbers aren't really a thing here, it's more of a 'go up the hill, turn at the tree and you won't miss it' style of locating things, so after some back and forth and the spotting of a fallen sign we located our accommodation at Cressbrook Hall, nestled among the most beautiful rolling hills dotted with sheep. We stayed in a lovely cottage on the property and spent that first afternoon exploring the grounds before heading out for a true English Pub meal. The White Lion in Buxton was all we had hoped for, with a roast and Yorkshire Puddings we couldn't be happier. 

To London to Visit the Queen { England Part 1 }

We felt a little crazy to be skipping off to England for 10 days with small children BUT being Australian and knowing the horror that is 25 hour long flights, a 6 hour direct flight felt like an opportunity too good to miss. And it was good...so good. How I love London. I came to London as a 20 year old and crammed my days full of the sites. This time was very different, the kids force you to slow down and with the slower pace we had some of our most memorable experiences.