What a wonderful world....

This really is an extraordinary place. Here we are in our home, overlooking a beautiful lagoon and a few minutes from a great beach - and yet we are 40 minutes by bus from the central business district of the most important city in the country, down the road from a cinema, shops, hospitals and everything we need for modern life.

And then - under 30 minutes away - there is this....






We've spent the day up the road in the Ku Ring Gai National Park with Maria, Molly, Luke and Sam, eating lunch by the water, enjoying the spectacular views and soaking up some rays. It's been wonderful.




As you can see from my photo, I'm feeling pretty relaxed these days. In fact, when I went to the gym to have a first session with the personal trainer he asked me to write a list of the 5 biggest causes of stress in my life, and do you know what? I couldn't think of anything! Not many months ago I could have written an essay on the subject, and I wouldn't have known where to start.

Coming here has definitely been a great decision. However, this is not to say that I don't miss countless things about home. I frequently think for a fleeting moment that I have seen someone I know - the other day I thought I saw Gary Watkins (hi Gary!). There is a short flicker of excitement, followed by the realisation that you have made a mistake and then inevitably, disappointment and a stab of homesickness. I miss the certainty of my old life - which is ironic, as it was exactly this certainty and lack of excitement and newness that had given me itchy feet. I miss my family, my friends and most painfully the opportunity to spend precious moments enjoying my nephew Lewis.

But what do I miss the most - the most consistently?

Sitting in the car chatting with Nugs after dropping off the children for school.

Love ya xxx