Wide open spaces

I’m up in Sydney at the moment staying at Mum’s last night as I had a meeting to go to yesterday. Do you know how appealing it is for me to say “I had a meeting in Sydney yesterday” all flippant like, like it’s the kind of thing I do all the time these days? I truly am a tosser. Anyway. The big smoke. I must say my trips up here are indeed few and far between these days. I remember when we moved down to the Highlands I thought that I would be up here every other week, catching up with friends, still going out to galleries and cafes and shopping and yet? I’m lucky to get here every few months.

I’m happy to report that I can still reverse park like the best of them in small streets in Surry Hills. My hair still makes me look a little city like. I can guzzle a Vietnamese chicken salad with urban hipsters like it’s no body’s business.

But.

My heart is back home. In the fresh air. With beautiful, kind, interesting people who want to stop for a chat. Where the pace is slower. Where life is indeed beautiful. What a lucky duck I am!

Oh and speaking of duck’s, Sydney your weather has been SHITHOUSE. I’m outta here…

Comments

  1. You make me consider a move to the country…you and your Pemberley. Beautiful picnic basket! X

  2. I SO understand this draw to the ‘free range life’ as I call it. My hubby and I have always dreamed of acerage and been totally sustainable. I actually spent a year or two in the highlands as a young kid and have very fond memories of it. I know what you mean about not wanting to loose your inner ‘city chick’, but I know my family will enjoy it when we get there one day! Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos 🙂

  3. Hi Beth, I’ve been following your blog for a while and this post is the perfect example of why I love it so. Have just woken up bleary eyed after a shocking night (including waiting for the NRMA on my own with baby and small child in the shocking Sydney weather you had the pleasure to experience) and had a good chuckle reading this. Please don’t let all the recent negativeness ever stop you from doing what you do so well. xx

  4. Yes, you are lucky as I feel we are too. An hour and a half away from Sydney, its there for a good time. But for a good life, gimme Newcastle anytime. G.x

  5. The weather ain’t so bad this morning ; )
    Mx

  6. I love wide open spaces, they are the best. I think….and I am trying to choose my words carefully….. Some how the weather gods swapped Victoria’s usual summer, with new south wales’s usual summer. Not complaining by the way, a I reside in vic. Pretty sure I will be freezing my butt off soon anyway.

    x

  7. Gorgeous, Beth. I was born in New Zealand and grew up in the wide open spaces. After living in Sydney for the last 20 or so years, I am YEARNING to move somewhere a bit more rural.

    No rain this morning so far, fingers crossed. Hope it stays like that… I have Laundry Mountain waiting for me to deal with!

  8. packing my bags.

  9. When I was driving to K’s place in Orange and indeed when we driving around the streets in Orange the peace I felt in my heart kind of took my breath away. One day.

  10. Mate it is only the boys job that keeps us here, reckon give me two years and we will be neighbours x

  11. Oh Kim, don’t put it off too long for your “one day”. We moved out of the big smoke 6 years ago and whilst I lurve the city still I can’t imagine living there again. When we go to Melbourne we now do the fun stuff – the museum, art gallery, zoo, shopping, great food – and then we leave. We catch public transport (so that our girls are happy with that) and walk everywhere. We stay in the city (not in the burbs) and don’t drive our car.
    But I love our community. I love our 10 acre (4 hectare) block. Our dam. Our sweeping paddocks. Our amazing view that I look at every time I glance out the windows. Wide open spaces for me too

  12. Beth, I couldn’t agree with you more. We moved out of town 4 years ago to our farm, and I’m home right now and all I can hear is…peace. I love it here and I can tell you love your space as well x

  13. We bought our first home and moved to the country only 5 months ago. I smiled at your friendly folk comment. It’s so true. I walk down our towns main street and EVERYONE says hello. I feel so comfortable and at home. Absolutely no regrets.

  14. I have never really liked the city. It’s just so…busy. Rush, rush, rush and even though I’m a rusher it’s too much. It makes me feel dizzy and anxious and claustrophobic.
    I’m a country girl at heart. Give me a place where you can only just see your neighbours and I’m happy. I like my space. I like my clean fresh air.
    Mr Black is more of a suburbain type. I have been working on him since we met to turn country. He’s getting there, but not near as secluded as I’d like. I’m just happy with the little one road towns, but he wants to be near everything. *sigh*

  15. You are totes lucky!!! ( I love using totes just to piss my 12 yr old off, it’s such good fun!)

    Enjoy your fresh air, beautiful kids & interesting people. These are the things that make life great xx

    • Ha ha Reannon. I do the same thing. In fact, for a while there, every second word was abbreviated when I spoke to my 16 yo daughter. Oh she giggled at her dorky Mum at first. Then got annoyed and started rolling her eyes. Now she uses complete sentences. Society, you’re welcome!

      Nice post. Probably why I like living in Canberra. The best of both worlds.

  16. What Cat said. I think my husband would be so much happier if we were living away from suburbia. He’d love an old place with rolling hills and a bit of bush. Even I’m coming around.

  17. I agree… Shithouse SYDNEY… Shit.

    With the whole slower paced, and fresh air, I agree too. I have not lived in the highlands, but I remember a huge dream, that still exists today, to have a farm, 2 horses, chooks, and a massive vegetable patch. I believe I am country at heart, even though I have hair like a city slicker, dress like one, and can rock that reverse park in my zippy zee of a car….. I am glad you appreciate the fresh air you have, and I will continue to live my dreams through your little life, in a none stalker way!

    (I hide on the northern beaches, rarely ride over the bridge, and take advantage of the sea air everyday. I still have to deal with crappy traffic, smelly cars, and reverse parking, but I do appreciate putting my feet in the sand everyday. And right now I have a dozen fresh farm eggs in the fridge from a friend….. living the dream)!

    xx

  18. Yes this weather has been awful. Quite fitting for our last week in Sydney before moving back to England! There is something lovely about arriving back home after being away. Hope you have a great weekend with your girls. x

  19. You have certainly found your niche lady friend, good for you! The weather has been mental, so much bloody rain. Lovely picci’s of your picnic xo

  20. I love anyone who calls themself a tosser!! 🙂 xxx

  21. Snap, we have such a similar picnic basket, yay for country & being able to visit cities, love Posie

  22. Have only been reading your blog for a week – since that piece in Sunday Life – but I think you have a lovely life because you have a lovely attitude. Still, you make country life sound idyllic.

    Really enjoy your blog, your photos and your insights.

    Cheers.

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