a date with the smalls
is very important to have
leisurely and playfully
and with presence
thankyou Jugiong
such a tiny highway side spot for an overnight stop
near Gundagai
Melbourne to Devonport express…
Reacquainted myself with all day nausea like in pregnancy
Wandered decks and corridors
Have thanks for white bedecked bunks
Played ball with a vest
Had hilarity visit while taking care of
12 apples
1 box strawberries
1 peach
1kg apricots
3 avocadoes
1 broccoli
1 zucchini
4 carrots
2 bunch asparagus
So as not to lose beautiful organic produce to a quarantine bin
Lily was dedicated to the task
Happy to get feet on soil
Lily was a trooper
Cedar was a sleeper
Jesse was an adventurer
Mama was a smuggler (organic garlic plait from dear friends, sorry Tasmania)
Arriving was waving
Driving was exploring
Stopping was adoring
Made instant friends
Lucked out with the location
Sunset was expanding
Seashore was restoring
Nothing to do but snoring…
phew
our next chapter has begun
xxx
Waking up to a full day.
I have a few drafts of interesting thoughtful wordy posts, yet they will have to wait as here and now I am wiped out by the heat of the day, the long hours on a blazing highway (sydney to Melbourne) the crisp golden tortured landscape, glaring light and engine buzz, cranky hot kids and it’s just been one of those long travel days.
It’s forecast to be 43’c tomorrow so we have tried to position ourselves close to Melbourne so a little morning drive completes the trip. I will be putting wet tea towels in the fridge to cool us…
This day began so cool in Jugiong with a chill wind, deep shade and a patch of thick grass for stretching, I had a great session, so inspired by my days at mangrove yoga centre last week. Finding it has strengthened my ability to focus quietly inwards despite external distraction. Simply connecting with my own breath and being.
then Jesse was joined by Cedar who mimics our postures!

Cutie boy had his second hair cut last night by his own insistence and was coyly hiding behind his big leaf for his portrait, also at his request…

I had a sweet date with the two shorts at the cafe but the shots are on the other camera…
Anyway there was
Lots of kilometers …
Lots of gold, parched slopes…
Little water, yet lush willows are squatting down in dry gully’s so it must be wet sometimes…
Jesse and I are both revelling in the feelings such an expanse of vivid sky reveals…
He reminds me I originally wanted to call this blog ‘ under open skies’ which was evocative and original i thought, but turned out to be a famous song and used by various others for a myriad of causes already. Boo.

And some swimming gratefully in man made lakes and then finally a halt is called and we spill outside as the sun finally lowers its invasive glare for the eve. Phew we survived.
This land is so crunchy underfoot , the fire hazard is extreme. I hope the rains come before any burning disaster.
Lily is showing a new found appreciation for food and commented today was a great eating day how do we do it mama?
Muesli
Eggs and sourdough toast with tomato compote( cafe)
Nori rolls with all the trimmings
Cherries and lychees
More sourdough loaf with goats cheese pesto and salad.
Mm simple and tasty and no cooking for me today! Yay!
What do you feed yourselves when in transit?
And then I was so tickled by the beauty of the suns departure tonight!
I rarely see it set over lake water and tonight it really shimmered so peachily and peacefully
Ah sweet relief as the day cools
We are at lake nillahcootie, not an official camp spot but it seems quiet enough for an overnight stay.
Oh bed I love you! And I’m loving the new wool stuffed pillows I chose as our family Christmas gift!

Goodnight
Xx
Ps my blogging/boggling may not be chronological or consistent for a while as I adjust to being a traveling lady again and work within the bounds of technology and time on the road, I do a lot of imaginary blogging on busy days so I hope you enjoy those as much as I’ve enjoyed composing the words and stories which you may never get to read…
under the gaze of the mountains
in the deep verdant grass and flowers
lies our stinky bounty
the treasure we hunt
with joy and exclamations of success
there in the garlic field
after the harvesters have been
and tirelessly pulled tonnes of perfect garlic heads
we are free to forage
delightful abundance
food for free
following the legal art of gleaning in France
as our french guests have enightened me
we gather
a years supply of pungent organic garlic
grown 300m from where we sleep
blessed are we
when hands are put to work
and a little effort and a group of willing children
it’s fun for us all
and then a mad dash home hysterical
high on garlic fumes
the rain chasing us
thankyou to the growers who water mulch weed harvest and share this beautiful crop
xxx
I spent a few delightful hours with Shaye and Lee and Wala after the Mullum Music festival
and spontaneously took some joyful photos of them together!
a musical genious with an excellent array of jokes
{that’s why we’re all smiling}
an inspired and inspirational artist
and the cutest little cheeky pixie
thankyou beautifuls
amidst the forest of edible green
little hands and big hands alike are foraging
a tomato wrapped in sweet basil
and popped and spurted between sharp teeeth
a joyous exploration of tasting leaves and petals
pure vitality and nourishment
flavours piquant and bright
a chile which made me cry
a haven of play for my tired little ones
a carpet of lush green to flop onto in mama exhaustion
a quiet place for us to be together
nurtured by vibrant life
the rustle and whisper of food growing
glorious food
abundant food for all!
gratitude
i’ve said it before and i will happily say it again and again
Mullumbimby Community gardens are fantastic
and if you can go there you are sure to be inspired
and feel happy simply by being with all the good growth
and feel connected with the ladybirds and the caterpillars
and come away well fed body and soul…