Sunshine in Adelaide and a roadtrip to Western Victoria

Well the sun finally came out in Adelaide...for one day. It may have been short lived- but I was happy to only work until 2.00 that day! I needed a dose of Vitamin D!!! I went for a walk from my house to Largs Bay- a walk I do nearly every day when the weather is warmer, but hardly ever (and if I do it is rarely enjoyed) in the winter. Because of the cold, I have been sticking to swimming and yoga for exercise, so it was refreshing to breathe in natural air instead of the rubbery smell of my yoga mat or the chlorine of the pool.

 The walk put me in such a good mood...it could have been the fresh air or the Vitamin D, or maybe it was just the feeling of stepping outside without feeling utterly irate towards the elements! 

I can't wait to sit here and watch the sunset with a certain someone... (I'm so romantic aren't I?)

But...as I said, it was short lived. And even if it wasn't, I wouldn't have experienced any more of it because after that splendid sunny day, I went to Victoria with my family for the weekend. We drove the nine hours to my Grandparents town of Bacchus Marsh- Mum and Dad in the front, Matt and I in the back. Just like the old days. It was funny to think about the territorial fights my brother and I used to have- 'MUUMMMM- Matt's leg is on MY side!!!!' Or the classic 'Are we therrreeee yeetttttt????'

There was none of that this time...but some old traditions still lived on- Dad always has Clinkers (I swear he is the only person I know who likes those chocolates) and we stopped for lunch in Horsham, one of the towns we usually stop in for a feed.

We stayed in a motel for the first couple of nights, and then in a cabin at a caravan park for the last night. It is funny, when I was younger I always found Bacchus Marsh to be really boring, but since I have visited in more recent years, I have appreciated that it is actually a quaint, buzzing little country town

We had breakfast at this awesome cafe one morning- after eating lots of chocolate and processed stuff on the drive over, I was craving something a bit healthier. This muesli was sooo yummy- I want to make some like it! It had macadamia nuts, which were the stars of the dish!

Hepburn Springs

We also went on a day trip to Daylesford. I had never heard of it before, but Mum told me it is a really trendy 'spa town' due to all the Hepburn natural mineral springs nearby. We went and walked down the main street, had a totally healthy lunch of baked goods...and by healthy I mean extremely fat and sugar-filled, and by baked goods I mean a veggie pie and a custard tart...I have no regrets. 

Dad and Mum trying the natural springs

It was a nice little get away for the Darlings. I got to see my Grandparents and my family who I have not seen in over a year due to being away overseas. I did eat a lot of crap- but whatever, I applied my 'I-don't-care-I'm-on-holidays' rule, plus I am starting a 28 Day Hot Yoga Challenge next week! So of course I will be going on a little health-kick with that!

It was a long drive, and I got to see my family as well as some new sights. And, if nothing else, we got some updated classic family travel shots. We are dorks :)

Writing allllllllllll the blogs! (except my own)

Hello! 

Yes, I am still here! I promise I have still been writing and posting- just not on my own blog! I am happy to say that I have actually landed a couple of blogging positions which have been a great experience for me so far! I am now blogging for Peak Physique Hot Yoga and Wyld Orchids: Wedding Flowers.

If anyone wants to have a look, here are the links:

http://www.wyldorchids.com.au/lee-blog/

http://www.peakphysique.net.au/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=5&cntnt01returnid=52

So far I have loved the feeling of writing about something other than my own life! It is nice to have more direction and focus with what I write about, and it is a good feeling to see things published. My documenting ways are starting to pay off! One of the main reasons I write this blog is to keep myself writing and gain any experience I can in the publishing/blogging world. I would like to keep moving forward with it and see where it takes me!

But writing hasn't been the only creative outlet keeping my octopus arms busy recently- I have also been focusing on my art work again! To be honest I have not created many new pieces, but I have been busy framing and completing older works ready to hang in one of my favourite vintage fashion shops!

Fox On The Run Vintage is the perfect little vintage/retro shop. Not only is it situated in gorgeous Jetty Street (one of my favourite Adelaide streets!) in Largs Bay, all of its vintage delights are set out in a quaint old building complete with old wooden floorboards and a basement full of racks and racks of vintage and retro clothing! So I was very happy with the opportunity to hang some of my paintings in such a cool space!

I found it soooooo hard to hang up my works without looking too closely at the racks! Maybe if I sell a couple of paintings I will be able to afford a little splurge!

The best part about all these projects is that I have been able to support and be involved in local Adelaide Businesses- Peak Physique Hot Yoga, Wyld Orchids and Fox On The Run Vintage are all really awesome examples of people's passions coming to life here in Adelaide- something I hope to achieve in my own life.

So yes I have been a busy bee lately. But I am grateful for these distractions- it has taken me weeks to get back to feeling like myself again! I mentioned in my last post that I have been feeling sluggish, unmotivated and tired. I think it was a mix of a few things...post-travel blues, the freezing temperatures in Adelaide lately, and missing my boyfriend very much! But there is nothing to do but stay busy! I have been eating healthy, focusing on my yoga and walking/running whenever I can.

Oats are like HEAVEN in winter. Says me.

Sky Blue and Floral...a new friend to clash with the usual red lipstick! 

Oh, and I also went on a wine tour in McLaren Vale, which is always a good day- especially when you do it with an awesome bunch of friends! We had a really fun day full of delicious wine and food (and slightly drunken antics!)

I bought a new skirt for the occasion- pencil skirts are my latest love and this pale blue floral one was just what I wanted... although not the most comfortable thing to be wearing with a belly full of cheese, olives, wine, bread...and whatever other yummy things I ate that day!

Ladieesssssss

Ohhh European summer, where did you go?

I'm baaaaaaacckkkkk...and freezing my butt off! I guess the downside of escaping Adelaide winter to go frolicking in the European summer... is coming back to Adelaide winter. I know I shouldn't complain- but I have a tan and no one can see it under all these clothes! *sigh.* 

Ok I will stop complaining now and try to warm myself by uploading some holiday snaps.

So I left about a month ago. I just realised I didn't even say goodbye on here! Well here is a postponed au revoir and a brand new bonjour to get things rolling! 

The long summer days were not the only thing getting me on a 24 hour flight to Europe- I had an even better reason. I met up with my boyfriend, Philippe, in Paris, which all sounds very romantic...and in fact, I think it was! After not seeing someone for almost 5 months, where better to meet than Paris!? We saw lots of the city and sights, ate yummy food and I almost talked the poor boy's head off in the space of two days...

Breakfast in Paris. A big change from my usual green smoothies and oats... a very delicious, carb-filled change...

Duckies! :)

My favourite sights (apart from croissants and bread coming towards me) were The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower and duckies in a pond!

I was sure to wear my 'french' top for this day! I liked the Eiffel tower at night, but I liked eating lunch
on the grass underneath it during the day even more!

After Paris it was time for Philippe's hometown of La Roche. It was nice to be there again- I visited there in December last year and to be honest I didn't know I would be back so soon! It was cool to see Philippe's family and friends again, as well as meet some new ones.

I went for a few walks and runs while I was away, but not many. After I got completely lost in La Roche one morning and had to call Philippe to come and get me...I was a little put off...

Lovely scenery in La Roche though!

We were lucky to be able to relax in La Roche for a few days, because then came the drive to Spain. It took 9 hours, but we stopped overnight in Bordeaux on the way there. Even with the stop-over it was still a looooong drive. Poor Philippe had to drive the whole way because (I am ashamed to say) I can't drive a manual and I was not used to driving on the opposite side of the road! But we finally made it to our little apartment in Peñiscola- home for a whole week!

The view from our apartment on the beach!

Peñiscola was a cool little place- it was made up of two bays, which meant really still water and wide sandy beaches. In the middle of the two bays of water was the town, made up of random little buildings and tiny streets which led up to a hill with markets and a castle on top of it! We got there before tourist season so it was not too busy- just perfect.

We did a couple of day trips away from Peñiscola, including one to Valencia to see one of Philippe's friends. We only went for one night and didn't get much of a chance to explore the city, which we instantly regretted once we got there. There was so much art everywhere! The streets were so typically European in that old rustic way. It always happens when travelling- the places you don't expect too much of always end up being the ones worth seeing! Oh well, maybe Philippe and I will go back one day...

After getting extremely drunk in Valencia on our only night there, the next morning we had to wake up early to drive back towards Peñiscola because it was time for another big reunion! This one was with my two beautiful German girlfriends, Sina and Mascha! After leaving Sunderland, we didn't think we would be seeing each other again for a long time, so we were excited that it was happening so soon! After a hung over drive, some confusion with the trains and two large McDonald's meals, Philippe and I found ourselves waiting at the train station in Vinaros for two funny little German girls to arrive. Finally I saw both their tired little faces (they had a few issues with the train ride to Peñiscola) and it was like we were never apart!

In true 'Sina-Mascha-style'-- checking the photos to make sure we look alright haha!

We had a lazy day at the beach and the pool and then went to have some dinner and drinks. It was nice to catch up and spend time with all these people that I didn't think I would be seeing again for years.

This one must have made the cut! Now all we need is Beth!

The next day, we all drove to Barcelona, where Sina and Mascha were staying. We had a look around the city, had lunch and then hung out at the rooftop pool at their hotel! I liked Barcelona, but like Valencia, I didn't get enough time to really see much of it. It was a lot more modern than what I expected but still beautiful. I think one day I have to come back and explore the whole of Spain- just Spain! I loved it so much!

I had to take a photo of these Barcelona Markets to show Mum- I will admit they were a big competition for our beloved Adelaide Central Markets back at home!

Dragon Fruit smoothie... oh yes...

and a nice healthy burrito to follow... Maybe not healthy...but definitely a burrito. I rest my case.

We finished off our Barcelona day trip with dinner and drinks on the coast. 

The girls checking out the menu. I will miss them! But I was so happy to find that our friendship had remained the same despite the time and distance! Hopefully we will see each other again soon- maybe Germany? Maybe Australia? Maybe somewhere totally random- it doesn't matter, I know it will be another good time.

Our last look at Barcelona

For our last day in Peñiscola, we finally explored the castle on the top of the hill- something that we kept meaning to do from the first day that we got there (but all our relaxing and living the good life got in the way).

Philippe's friends came to visit from Valencia, so we all walked up there to check it out. Of course, it was amazing and there were a million little cafes and restaurants overlooking the ocean that we should have gone to during our stay- but it's ok, another time!

It was a cool place- history mixed with beautiful ocean views, so we couldn't really go wrong there!

Finally, after a week in paradise, it was time to leave our little apartment on the beach of Peñiscola. I was sad to leave, but not too much because I was still happy about having another week left in France. We spent it in La Roche, just relaxing and seeing Philippe's friends. My favourite day of the last week was when we went to a lake to have a picnic and hire an electric boat. It was my idea of a perfect day, but I will admit that my sadness and anxiety about leaving soon was starting to creep in. 

My new favourite beer! I wonder if we can get this in Adelaide. I know we have the brand, but not sure about this specific flavour...

Sunny days in France are the best days!

Take me back! :(

Now I am back in Adelaide and I can't pretend to be 100% positive about it. I love Adelaide and coming home to it is always a good thing, but missing somebody is not. There are a lot of things I would do to be back on this balcony in Peñiscola with this funny Frenchman, but that isn't how things are for the moment! I had such a great time with him and I will always remember it, but I hope there are a lot more memories with him to come...
:)