JANUARY, 2014

Familiar airports, miles above the earth watching clouds float by, warm summer nights, the sound of the ocean, red earth and dirt tracks, holding on tight to my father on the back of his harley motorcycle, haunted houses, late night into early hour chats with my best friend, dancing the night away, flushed cheeks and giddy from red wine, sleepy cats and blissful memories. January you have been beautiful.

the air was warm and sticky, we were watching the lightning strike over the city and light the sky on fire. the heart of the storm.

if only we took more time to appreciate how beautiful the small details of this world are.

walking to the beach one hot afternoon to cool down in the welcoming water.

in the middle of the month I travelled to the outback to visit my father and family. it was my cousins 30th birthday and our family came together to celebrate, where we stayed in cute little cabins by the seaside. I awoke early before the sun had risen and caught my first flight to Adelaide. my second flight was on a little rural plane, where there are only 30 or so seats. our air hostess was a man called Dave who was a little rough around the edges but had kind eyes and offered me two mentos. when I saw my first glimpse of the red earth of whyalla I felt home.

my father was there waiting for me in his beat-up old bus. his hugs are my favourite kind. soon we were off on the open road.

sandy beaches and blue skies.

a retired sheep dog who spends his days running up and down the beach, herding the tide and waves.

at nightfall the sky is alive, every inch filled with twinkling stars.

family barbecue breakfast.

driving back to whyalla on Australia Day we decide to stop and explore an abandoned farm house.

a white owl was perched inside when we first peered in.

the door slammed behind me as I entered the living room.

my fathers cosy caravan. I spent two years living in this caravan when I was a little girl.

sunset at my aunt and uncles house eating pizza out on the back lawn. here I am filled with childhood memories.

my father is a nomad, he doesn’t enjoy conventional living. this is his home.

riding in the heat of summer on my fathers harley motorcycle.

wading out into the water.

we swam in the cool, clear water. just us, the sun and white sand. I had never seen a sunset more beautiful.

driving to Adelaide in the afternoon heat.

bush fires in the mountains.

staying with my beautiful best friend is my favourite part of visiting home.

the main reason for my visit was Lucy’s 21st birthday. we spent the week organising all the details for what would be the best party i’ve ever been to. (homemade cakes are my favourite.)