I had the pleasure of visiting beautiful Larrakia Country a few weeks ago. It was a stunning, humbling, cup-filling week spent connecting with nature and some of my nearest and dearest.
I couldn’t possibly capture everything I adored about Darwin in one post, but these are some highlights.
Fogg Dam
Litchfield National Park
Tiwi Islands
Kangaroo Island was devastated by the bushfires in 2019 and 2020. When we visited in 2022, it was mind-blowing to witness the regeneration of the national parks and wildlife. It is very humbling to see how nature can come back from almost any disaster.
The Remarkable Rocks were such a striking visualisation of the power of the ocean and the wind. Like enormous, angry waves of stone, they tower on the edge of the ocean, appearing precarious and steadfast at the same time.
I can’t wait to come back in a few years and see how things have changed once more.
don’t water down your
April Green
uniqueness
for anyone.
be like a wildflower —
passionate and
unforgettable.
(grow in places they never expected)
I spent the public holiday on a beautiful walk with a beautiful friend! I’m so grateful for any opportunity to be outside among nature. I can physically feel my shoulders drop and my jaw relax in places like this. Today, it was excruciatingly hot (like…suffocating, crushing heat), but the Riverside Walk in the Lane Cove National Park was a welcome relief, with dappled shade and greenery galore to keep us cool. We are so lucky to have places like this so close to home.
We saw enough cockatoos and lizards on our travels to last us many years. They all seemed to be out enjoying the sunshine – some more happy to share the track than others! We found a spot to park ourselves beside the river while we rehydrated. We decided that on a day like today, sitting in the shade and watching people kayak was a much better option than BEING in a kayak.
How gorgeous are these teeny-tiny daisies?! They are delicate and wild and free, and oh so pretty. One day I will have a garden full of them. Don’t they just make you believe in fairies and magic? The wonderful poetry of April Green draws a lot of inspiration from wildflowers, and since becoming acquainted with her work I have drawn many parallels myself. There’s just something about wildflowers that helps me to see the value of imperfection – rambling and stubborn, adding a unique beauty to their surroundings. We could all learn a lot from wildflowers!
A few weeks ago I introduced you to my little friends, Doug and Fred. They are hilarious and loving and hyperactive and gentle and annoying and adorable – they really cover the full spectrum in the space of a day. They’re loving WFH season…they’ll be in for a rude shock when things finally go back to normal!
They’ve had an ideal lifestyle while we’ve been staying on the Central Coast. Here’s a little Day In The Life action for you.
Mornings at the dog beach
These two HATE swimming with a passion, but they love being at the beach. They get their feet wet and cool off, but as soon as they see a wave approaching, they can’t get away from it quick enough!
Lunchtime Fetch!
Doug & Fred could play this allllll day. We actually have to be quite forceful when it’s time to stop because otherwise Doug will hyperventilate. He just keeps chasing that ball – even when he can’t breathe any more. His commitment to the ball is really quite admirable.
Afternoon Recovery
Pretty much the rest of the day is spent snoozing and snuggling. The camera roll on my phone is just a flip-book of sleeping dog pictures. They’re just so adorable when they’re sleeping and snuggling and loving each other! I wish I could tell you that they did something more interesting all day, but it’s literally 90% snooze.
Dinner
Let me just clarify – these dogs are VERY well fed. They’re both very small and they don’t need a lot, but they get delicious Raw and Fresh patties every night, along with the occasional bone and a whole lot of treats throughout the day! You’d be forgiven for thinking they were starving, the way that they carry on when anyone else is eating!
These raw whole chicken & veggie patties look sooo appetising. They’re pretty unpleasant to prepare, but the dogs love them. I really appreciate that dogs NEVER get tired of what we feed them. Every day, they are just as excited to eat the same old thing that they’ve had every day of their lives. They sit right at my heel, watching my every move like a hawk until the bowls touch the ground. So easy to please!
Goodnight!
At the fresh produce market in Dubrovnik, the pigeons begin to gather around the square at around 11:30. By midday, it is a scene from a Hitchcock film. Bird seed is scattered on the floor, and they swarm! Somehow the pigeons know exactly what time to arrive in the square each day, and they begin circling in the air before the seed has even been laid down. Animal instincts at their best!
