Minyon Falls, Mullum and dragon lizards

12/02/201612/02/2016

Well some days nature just calls and today was one of those days.

A few clients shuffled around their appointments this morning and (like a silent but LOUD alarm) I knew I need a dose of mother nature.

I didn’t really bargain on the BIG dose of mother nature at Poinciana Cafe – a funky outdoors healthy eats place in Mullumbimby!

David Bowie’s soft melodic tunes hum away in the back ground and the weather blows, stops, rains and shines! Very Melbourne but quite nice being rained upon and awesome listening to some random tunes!.

Yellow Sword Fish from Poinciana Cafe Mullumbimby

The Poinciana has a good vibe… and lots of lizards. I think the chardonnay helps with the phobia but seriously I need more convincing.

Today I order the Yellow Fin Sword Fish and it is delicious… and the lizards become less of an issue until one pounces on my toes (I dropped a crumb) which sends me into a tail spin and I bolt off to the bush. (I don’t “do” lizards well).

Minyon Falls is a little off the beaten track but the drive there is so sublime. Yellow-green fields, fresh country air and exitement! I love the northern rivers of NSW. It’s wholesome and complete and close to civilisation yet so far away.

Minyon falls are incredible. Some of the tallest falls I have experienced in a long time and I get a little giddy.

The lovely creek that feeds into Minyon Falls

After a few kilometres into my bush walk, I also get giddy from thinking about snakes, so this time decide to abort and come back on a cooler day! Some days snakes don’t bother me, but after my frazzled ending to Nepal and the heat of the day, I know I will encounter a snake and I doubt I will be cool-calm-and-collected, so opt to bail before greeting my demons.

A light swim at Clarkes in Byron Bay on the way home rounds the day off nicely and a stressless drive home.

Swings, paddocks and organic food – The Farm

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My favourite sort of day.. blue skies, Hot House Flowers, adventures, kids and The Farm.

Having heard so much about The Farm at Byron Bay I was feeling remiss that I hadn’t been there. Today was the day.

It’s a Saturday, and most people are getting wrapped up in Christmas shopping and the like but I grab the kids and decide to head off to explore The Farm.

There is something very therapeutic about the drive to Byron, or even Brunswick Heads… I’m not sure exactly what it is or why it happens but the transformation takes place roughly on the bridge over the Tweed River

I am in a haze of calm.

As always Mr Warning gives me a wink.

I love the vibe immediately at the Farm. It reminds me of Daylesford in the Cottswalds and that’s a great thing!

The kids take off to the swings and I start to scuffle my shoes along the white dusted drive way lost in day dreams… I’m digging The Farm!

I feel like its a wanderlust trip back in time. Back to my childhood growing up in Tasmania where there were endless fences to follow, paddocks to play in and dodge bulls in and creeks to sit by.

The space at The Farm is relaxing and I am so happy they are sharing it with all.

Fence at the farm brings back wanderlust — Long white drive ways and fences

There is total calm at the farm (except maybe my city slicker kids who can’t get enough). A guy playing guitar, the beautiful back drop prattle of laughs and chit chat. Vineyard ambience, hipster dress code and I am really digging The Farm.

After a thirty minute wait, which should be mandatory, so you can check out the property and meander around, we are seated.

Yummy food, gluten free, dairy free, the menu is ticking a few of my boxes!

Organic, preservative free wines an even bigger tick!

I order fish of the day: Wahoo, with zucchini, almonds, quinoa, wild rice and macademia cream. Oh yes, quite delicious. Definitely worthy 9/10. Something different, healthy and stimulating! Well done guys.

The kids have a BBQ steak with roast veggies and a BBQ sausage on Sour Dough. YUM! Ticking more boxes.

Suck up the air, let go of the city bustle CHILL out.

The Farm has met my expectations and more. It is the space, the food, the friendliness of the staff and of course the swings.

Worth a day trip from any where just to find calm at the Farm. I love it.

Grass Roots UP in Brunswick Heads

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This place is so inspiring!

A day trip to Brunswick Heads is always light relief, reconnection and inspiration!

I have been traveling to, staying and pausing in Brunswick Heads for years. It seems to have been gracefully, healthily stuck in the 80s with its town feel and community.

It’s here that I love going to the local primary school marveling at their awesome garden. To me, it is the best way to infuse health and nature into children’s lives. They seem to have an inherent love for nature and exploring and well, mud and dirt really makes their funky clothes look even cuttier!

These pics are from this school garden

Grass Roots UP!

Why am I such a huge foodie and garden lover for children?

Edible gardens that involves little fingers, small shoes and open minds – make sense! Sense in every single way.

Sense in that we can teach children the value of our solar system and weather patterns. Why the moon, rain and sun are critical elements for life and why we need to understand and protect nature bio and science- rhythms.

Food can teach children its beauty and power – how do you feel when you eat corn from your own garden? Can you taste its sweetness, does it pop in your mouth, does it make you feel good?! YES they will all say, and then you don’t have to explain why mass produced, genetically modified food tastes radically different. It’s because it isn’t food.

And running around in a garden, pulling weeds, digging holes, chasing worms, surely has to be the best way to exercise.

I have some great pictures of my kids from a few years back when I took them on a day trip to Summit Organics at the back of Tyalgum. It was the best day and my favorite memories was the “soil tour.” I remember Rod saying the soil usually sits around 37 degrees. And is a living organism and you can cook eggs in it on a hot day! My little brain exploded with ideas that day!

Whether it’s in schools or homes, I love seeing children playing in gardens!

Fishheads Byron Bay

06/05/201528/12/2015

Why Wategos, Byron and Fishheads are my happy place

A favourite of mine is Byron Bay, especially Wategos Beach around under the light house. It’s one of my “happy places” where time stands still, where dolphins break the water and the sun always beams (even on rainy days).

Today was a perfect start with a stretch (like a blue sea dragon searching for pearls) and a push towards the sky (like a crane stretching it’s neck) doing Tai Chi on Burleigh Hills.

It just is an incredible way to start the day and to feel like alive. It’s so cool pretending to be a monkey or a crane… my imagination loves the play!

Tai Chi is better for me personally compared to yoga especially as it is outdoors.

My car seems to know it’s why to Byron which is handy and today I thought I would try Fishhead’s in town. I haven’t eaten there for ages but apparently everyone knows they don’t serve before noon because it goes from ghost town to busy town in minutes. At five minutes past noon the place is pumping.

I take my boyfriend’s mum there (she’s over from Wales) for the Seafood Platter. No batter, no gluten ridden bread crumbs just pure unadulterated seafood – they way I like it and the way good seafood should be served – virgin.

Seafood platter at Byron Bay — Seafood platter

The oysters are meaty and salty. So fresh and yummy! But of course not everyone’s desire. The BBQ prawns even more flavour some and the calamari melts like butter. My sides were starting to bulge but I find some space for an alfogatto with Khaluha. Perfect meal.

The ONLY way to cap off a day like this is a swim or surf at Wategos. I love the views, the waves, the vibe – it is my happy place. So off we went to lie with the myriad of other nationalities bathing in the winter’s sun, staring out to sea, talking of wild adventures and dreaming of fantasies.

Kingscliffe, Mexicans and French winnings

04/05/201528/12/2015

Our Sunday finds us pottering along the Northern Rivers seaside towns of Fingal and Kingscliffe where we stumble across Baja, celebrating the famous Mexican day Cinco De Maya. The day when the Mexicans beat the French.

The Giant Causeway at Fingal, named after the famous Irish Giants Causeway. Absolutely magic.

Before finding our lunch destination we swing into the quiet town of Fingal. Fingal Heads was discovered by Captain James Cook way back in 1770. But it wasn’t until 1872 when a light house was erected to veer ships away from it’s treacherous cliff rocks that Fingal was put on the map.

The causeway and light house make a delightful short walk and then you can meander to Kingscliffe, just as we did.

Baja lured us in with it’s vibrant colours, chilled atmosphere and the celebrator air. Today they were celebrating Cinco De Mayo. The day (really 5th May) when Mexico beat the French in the battle of Puebla. Complimentary tequila, $5 fish bowl sized cocktails, I instantly liked the Mexican remembrance day! A long way from Mexico, Kingcliffe Baja does OK.

The food was fine – not five star dining but ok. Crispy calamari, buffalo wings and a beer washed down nicely a sorjourn to another country.