A classic sandcastle

I love building sandcastles.

It takes me right back to being a kid.

I discovered this gorgeous castle on the beach as we walked back to our apartment one afternoon.

Talk about impressive!

Even more impressive was the fact that this sandcastle was built by a group of teens - maybe 15 and 16 year olds, I'm guessing.

They'd spent hours working on it together and were proudly photographing their creation as we trudged up the beach.

I think it looks like something from a story book.

Building a sandcastle transcends age and you can derive just as much pleasure from a sandcastle whether you're 4 or 40 ....

These teens did a great job.

We loved it

Beach Bliss

Our holiday at the beach was picture postcard perfect.
Wonderful sunny days for walking, swimming and just basking in the warmth.
Magazines were devoured, so were prawns and plenty of crisp whites (to match the waves!)
Family and friends. Cooking and conversation. Sleeping in and staying up late ....
Ahhhhhhh ....
The perfect recipe for a holiday.

I heart holidays

We're back from the beach and we loved, loved, loved it!

xxxx

A beachy break

I'm taking a 10 day break beside the seaside, beside the sea.

The first thing I'll do is paint my toes .... then I'm really on holidays!

There will be swimming (between the flags, of course) and long walks on the beach.

We'll make sandcastles and sit in the sun. Buy prawns and drink white wine.

We'll uncoil and unwind and unstress

We'll breathe out .... and in..... and out .....and in ...

We'll laugh and play and revel in family love.

We'll just be ...

together .

Ahhhhhhhh ......

James and I grabbed some time together while Eliza was at ski school. We headed to the Onsen at Dinner Plain for a leisurely swim and a luxurious soak in the steaming outdoor pool.

It's such a strange feeling to be sitting in hot, hot water in the outdoor pool, as the steam rises and melts the snow in the overhanging trees .... which falls in cold, cold droplets into the water.

.

It's silent ..... and a chance to just breathe in ...... and out ........ and in ........ and out ......... and do something called relax.

Ahhhhhhhhhh ......

Hold that vibe!

Snow Business

My blog has been a bit lonely this last week or so while our family took a break at the snow.

I'm a keen non skier - the result of growing up in Queensland and coming too late to the white stuff. But James loves to ski and a break at the snow is something he's done since Uni days.

Eliza also skies, so father and daughter have an activity they can do together ... and they love it.

This year, James' brother Nick and his boys Charles and Archie joined us for a family holiday. The snow was a bit sparse - and not great for cross country skiers .... but the nights were well below freezing (-5 overnight) so conditions were perfect for snow making. And for our guys that's all they needed for some downhill adventures.

And me .... it's a week of cooking hearty meals for hungry skiers and grabbing some peace and quiet for a bit of craft back at the lodge.

close enough

It's getting closer
Almost here.
Close enough to feel a tingle of excitement..
A sliver of light ...
Mmmmm that first glass of bubbles
That first whiff of sunscreen
That first glimpse of the sea
Dare I even think about more ....
I'm going on holidays in 2 days!

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!