Winter wanderings
It’s winter in Australia, and you can spot the visitors, especially where I live in Queensland. They’re the ones wearing t-shirts and shorts, and sometimes even swimming.
Here, a cold day is if the temperature reaches a high of less than 20 degrees (Celsius). Inland areas get colder, especially at night, but mostly it’s pretty balmy. Living relatively near the coast, where it’s usually pretty mild even in the depths of winter, I like to go somewhere colder so I can break out my gloves, scarves, coats and boots, and feel that nip in the air.
If you’ve noticed I’ve been quiet on the blogging scene lately, you’re right. I’ve been deep in a couple of big work projects that haven’t left much time for anything other than the writing that pays my mortgage, so I’ve taken a short break from the blog in order to meet deadlines, often working through the weekend and travelling very little.
But the chance to have a cold climate trip recently was too much to resist – and it worked in well with one of my big projects, so I grabbed it. Ten days in Melbourne and country Victoria sure gave me a taste of cold weather, and it was hugely invigorating.
Last weekend, with my head above water on the immediate deadlines, I took a weekend break to stay with friends who live on 10 acres of land about an hour’s drive from Brisbane. A horse called Banjo and a rescued kangaroo called Maddie graze around the homestead, and the birdlife is prolific. There was wine, good food, an old wood stove heating up the kitchen, conversation and lots of laughs. Just what I needed to blow away the cobwebs, re-energise and get back my blogging mojo before I tackle the backlog of stories I’ve got to share with you all.
A Glass Half Full 
16 Responses to “Winter wanderings”
Loving your photos, Lee. It all looks so idyllic!
It was…made me contemplate moving to the country! Especially as it’s only an hour’s drive from the city.
You had me at: “There was wine, good food, an old wood stove heating up the kitchen, conversation and lots of laughs.” Sounds like Heaven! Love the lanterns on the trees. I bet it’s magical at night.
Yes, but a bit too chilly to be sitting out on the verandah at night. We lunched there, but ate in the kitchen at night, of course!
Winter is a great time to recharge. And even better if you can do it with good friends, food and wine. Your pics are lovely.
Thank you Goddess. It was great to just relax and do nothing!
Winter in bush – how wonderful. Nice photographs.
Thank you…yes, it was wonderful.
Better than summer, A Glass Half Full.
Better? Different, perhaps. I plan to go back and see what it’s like in summer (or maybe spring).
A Glass Half Full, go back in the summer, autumn, winter and spring.
Oh wow, it looks absolutely idyllic Lee . And I love that kangaroo :-)
She’s a rescued kangaroo, who’s lived on the property since she was a joey. Old now, and not travelling too far from home…
Sounds like a great winter break. Especially when life gets hectic and full of deadlines like you described. A visit with friends? Even better. :)
Yes, sometimes it’s great just to go somewhere and do nothing at all!
What a beautiful place. I think I’d like that kind of winter.