One of the most amazing things about living in regional NSW is the juxtaposition of a busy little town and a lazy (looking) countryside.
On the most difficult days, the longest afternoons, the most stressful days of the war against toddler crimes, I’m always busting for Pal to get home.
Not just to share in the responsibility, and give me five minutes to “clock off”. Although I’ll admit that’s a big part of our afternoon routine.
And not just because I love my husband and I like to see him in daylight hours once in a while. Although I’ll admit it’s nice to see one’s spouse between sun up and sun down.
Sometimes, if Pal is home with time to spare before dinner, he indulges me by hopping straight back in the car. We all pile in and drive.
Where to, he’ll ask.
Anywhere, is most usually the answer.
And because we live in a rural area, within five minutes of driving out our driveway, we are greeted with vistas such as these:
These photos are taken with my eye-phone, with no filters added. The places I’ve captured are so amazing anyone, even me, can take a half decent photo out there.
The truth is that these images don’t even come close to capturing the true beauty of the scene.
But what they serve to do is remind me of our drives.
The drives that reenergise my spirit. Refuel my soul. Calm my mind.
Remind me that this time, this so-called war against toddler crimes, is only temporary.
Fleeting.
Something that someday I am going to struggle to explain to somebody – my children – how ridiculously hard but how ridiculously happy this time was. And how much I miss it.
Even with pictures.
But oh, how I will try.
Do you have a ritual that calms you? Reenergises you for the coming days? Do you like long walks on the beach? Snuggling by an open fire? Or do you like to pile your entire family into the car and yell “stop!” everytime you see a view worth taking a dodgy photo of too?
This is so beautiful, Daisy. There’s something about nature and a ritual that is so good for the soul (funnily enough I just wrote about this yesterday!)
I love that Pal asks ‘Where to?”… And I understand how tough the parenting gig is for you. You are doing an amazing job. xx
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Thank you Deb xx.
It’s sometimes hard to know whether I’m just a whinger or if things really are tough! They feel pretty tough at times! Pal knows the back roads around town so well, and always seems to find the scene I need to see.
I know the feeling, but sometimes I feel I need the opposite. I just need to see some people other than my beloved family. We are lucky to have such beautiful views on our doorstep. One day you will have to come for a drive over here!
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And now I want to come and visit you even more! He is a good boy isn’t he Pal. Pat him on the shoulder for me.
My ritual often involves a glass of wine….
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I have been lucky enough to capture images like this too Daisy when I visited you all.
My ‘thing’ often involves getting outside and actually looking up.
The sky reminds me of the HUGE place we live in/on and how little problems can seem magnified when they are not out in perspective.
I can extend this further by going for a drive to find an area where there is some space, trees, light and nature of all kinds. Whilst my favourite is the beach, it’s too far away for an instant fix…but about 5 mins from home is a hill with an old homestead on it, that was part of Elizabeth Macarthur’s when she & her husband farmed in the area waaaaaayyyyy long ago, in the late 1790s and early 1800s
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There are so many similarities.
I often fell like it’s me waiting at the door for daddy to get home, pushing the kids out of the way to get out first.
Weekend drives are my saviour!
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Such a beautiful place you live next to! I would like to drive through these beautiful fields, too, it must be relaxing, I’m sure!
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My family lived in the country briefly when I was 8 years old. We would go for many drives for no particular reason. Perhaps this was my parents calming ritual.
For me just taking the time out to read quietly after the kids have gone to bed is soothing. If I manage that first cup of tea in the morning alone – that’s a godsend too.
Love Mumabulous
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