POTD | DAYS 13-15

First things first – apologies to all who’ve sent messages checking to make sure I’m ok.  I guess it did kind of look like I dropped off the face of the earth.
But I’m ok, I promise.  Actually, I’m more than ok.  I’ve just come back from a computer-free weekend away, hence my sudden disappearance from here, Facebook, Flickr, and anywhere else I tend to hang out.

Hard as it may be to believe, I love being away from my computer, where I don’t have the option of pushing that dreaded ‘on’ button.  Self-discipline isn’t one of my strongest points, and as much as I tell myself every day when I jump out of bed that I’m going to leave it switched off for the day, it actually rarely happens. So I’m quite happy to have that choice taken from me, and to soak up some gorgeous scenery while enjoying the company of old and dear friends at the same time is a bonus.

We’d organised the weekend in Beechworth a couple of months ago, and I’d really been looking forward to it – as much for the change of scenery as anything else.  With eight children under four it wasn’t necessarily the most relaxing couple of days, but that didn’t stop us enjoying ourselves. Or planning the next get-together.

I’m still reluctant to spend too much time here staring at my screen, so I’ve only processed enough images to share here for my POTD.  Maybe I have got a tiny bit of self-discipline after all.  🙂

This was the view that greeted us when we arrived.  If I’d had my way though we would have arrived long after the sun went down, as I stopped every five minutes to capture paddock after paddock of haybales, bathed in sunshine, and cows seeking refuge from the sun.  A more typical Australian scene couldn’t be imagined. BUT we kept our heads down and feet on the pedals, to arrive in time enough to actually see where we were staying. And I’m glad, as the sunsets over the following nights weren’t nearly as glorious.

And a couple of ‘bonus’ shots of our two playing by the lakeside.

DAY 14

Behind the unit we were staying in was a gorgeous little creek (which of course was like a magnet to the kids), surrounded by the most beautiful foliage and lighting.  A photographer’s dream, really. Throw in an equally gorgeous little girl and you have a match made in heaven.

DAY 15

The kids just loved being on holidays.  It was such a joy to watch them make the most of each day, inspiring us to do the same. I need to take a leaf out of their books more often.
And it was a special treat for me to watch Matt soaking up the days filled with hugs and laughter.  It was certainly a much needed breath of fresh air for him too.

We’ve now vowed to schedule weekends away into our diaries next year, no matter how busy our lives may be.  Or more so because our lives are busy. But never too busy for fresh air, laughter, hugs, and weekends away from the things that distract us.