Travel hiatus: Back on British soil

After 6 of the best months of my life enjoying a working holiday down under, I came back to reality with a bump when I stepped off the plane to 3 degrees, rain and grey skies. ‘Welcome home’ indeed. Definitely not the best idea I’ve had coming back to the UK in the middle of winter, but unfortunately I had to return for job interviews for the next stage of my career. Out came the layers, hats, scarves, gloves and boots in force.

 

Stunning Snowdonia

 

In an attempt to ease the ‘post Aussie blues’, I spent the week embracing striking Snowdonia, whilst dog sitting the cutest golden labrador. The mountains certainly delivered the goods, wearing glistening white coats with the most snow I’ve ever seen on them. Despite the chill, the sky stayed blue and sunny for a few days, meaning a romantic wander in the mountains whilst enjoying all things British – wintery walks followed by tea and scones in a tiny village café.

Dog Sitting in this beautiful home

Afternoon Tea

 

Back at the cottage, I had my first attempt at lighting a wood burning fire (with success!). I spent cosy evenings snuggled up with the dog in front of the fire; losing myself in a good book and planning my next adventure - a 5 week leisure trip to New Zealand (not much of a travel hiatus, I know).

Acing the log fire, so proud!

 

 

I have cheated a little during my few weeks back in the UK. I hopped across the water and spent a weekend in Dublin, visiting friends that I’d made in Australia. Having previously only explored the rural South West coast, it was great to experience a change and visit the capital.

River Taffy, Dublin

I shamelessly did all the tourist stuff, including the famous Guinness Brewhouse. I’d never really liked Guinness much, but sank my pint in the famous gravity bar with surprising ease whilst enjoying panoramic views over the city. The most delicious pint I’ve ever drank, I’ve been converted!

Guinness Brewhouse

 

The weekend flew by in a blur of delicious food, laughs with friends and a few too many Guinness...you know you’re in trouble when you end up hollering Justin Bieber at the top of your voice in a pub called ‘The Hairy Lemon’.

Temple Bar, Dublin

 

My time back home has certainly made me appreciate how beautiful home is. However, no sooner have I unpacked, it’s time to start packing for New Zealand. As if Australia wasn’t South enough…

Goodbye again for now, Wales

 

Tasmania Photo Diary

Our Route: Covering over 600 miles during our week in Tasmania

Bicheno 

Wallabies in Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay

'Fairy' Penguin Spotting in Bicheno: The smallest in the world at 30cm tall!

Bay of Fires Beauty

Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain: Avoiding snakes as we hiked Dove Lake

Uncontrolled Bush Fires made for a tense week

Sheffield Mural Town

Convict Bridge

Hobart

Whiskey Tasting....*hic*

The Harbour

Our Magical Mountain Nest

Sunrise from our bed in the mountain nest - Heaven!

Making friends with the other residents of the Mountain Nest

Exploring the Markets

Creepy MONA

Bruny Island

 Climbing the Headland

The Sand Spit

Topping up on aphrodisiac Oysters

Hello Echidna!

Grapes, Vines and All Things Wine: Mt. Tambourine

With a treasure trove of wineries nestled in the green countryside so close to Brisbane, we couldn’t resist a visit to the picturesque Tambourine Mountain.  

 

Mt. Tambourine Distillery

 

Our first stop was somewhere a little different: Mt. Tambourine Distillery. A kitsch wooden cabin, stacked high with tantalising flavoured vodkas, whiskeys and liqueurs in mysterious medicinal-style glass bottles. It was like entering Santa’s grotto for adults! Greeted with a lemongrass vodka shot at 10am definitely woke me up ready for the day ahead, za zda-ro-vye!

The Grotto

 

We made our way to the wineries next. First up was the much anticipated, award winning Witch’s Falls. We had already been lucky enough to receive a bottle as a gift from friends, which had been delicious, so we couldn’t wait to try more. Winding our way through the vines in the garden, we indulged in numerous tastings, before purchasing a bottle of the woody, buttery Viognier. I can’t wait to pair this with some seafood.

 

Witch's Falls Winery

Fill it up!

 

Lunch was enjoyed at Mason wines, al fresco amongst the vines and the chatter of tropical parrots, overlooking the mountains. Wine tasting here was in an amazing room stacked high with hundreds of wine bottles, adding a vintage feel to the experience.

Mason Wines

Lining the stomach

 

The next winery was Cedar Creek, where you simply chose ‘Sweet or Dry?’ for each tasting, before enjoying a chocolate ‘Baileys’ style liqueur for ‘dessert’. *Hic* In high spirits, we made our final stop at Mt. tambourine Brewery and Cheese Factory; gorging on delicious cheese and supping local brews whilst enjoying live music. A great way to end the day!

Cheers!

 

 

Feeling slightly weary the morning after, we blew away the cobwebs by going for a walk around D’Aguilar National Park. We relished the cool, fresh air as we strolled around the lake, scattered with beautiful yellow water lilies.

D'Aguilar National Park

 

However, the temperature and humidity soon started to soar, so we ducked into the forest café for coffee and cake as wallabies hopped past.

 

Now to fire up the barbie and crack open the Viognier…

Oz versus UK: Things I'll Miss....

With less than a month left working down under, it’s got me thinking what I’ll miss about Oz when I leave and what I’ve missed about the UK…

Aussie Sunset

Things I’ll miss about Oz

• The fact that every day that I’m not on work, I’m ON HOLIDAY. So much fun!
• The Weather - Blue sky never gets boring. And I haven’t missed wet feet and frizzy hair from rain.
• Great Barrier Reef - A once in a lifetime amazing experience that I’ll cherish forever.
• Forgetting what socks are (and coats) - I found a pair of socks stuffed at the back of my wardrobe the other day gathering cobwebs. Flip flops forever.

Great Barrier Reef

• Public Transport - Involves catching rays on the top deck of a ferry when commuting to the city centre, bliss.
• Avocados - Soooooo delicious out here.
• Mangos - Even more juicy and delicious.
•  Al fresco dining - Really going to miss enjoying a delicious meal and glass of bubbles in the twilight warmth of the outdoors….without a coat!
• Local wildlife - It’s amazing to see all the unique wildlife here, like kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras, as well as all the stunning marine life – turtles, rays, dolphins and whales everywhere you look!
• The Beaches: Of all the places I’ve visited in the world, Australia’s beaches really are the most beautiful to me. Soft golden sand and the most turquoise water I’ve ever laid hands on, it even beats Hawaii!

Queensland Coastline

 

 

Welsh Waterside

Things I’ve missed about the UK

• Cheese - Yes, they do some good cheese out here, but it’s hard to find, and doesn’t quite cut it like back home, despite their efforts.
• Pints - Most pubs serve ‘schooners’; a measly half measure that is an insult to the pint. We’ve found the solution is to buy 2 at a time.
• Green - One advantage to our wet UK weather is it makes everything so beautifully GREEN. Everything has a yellow tinge to it in Oz, and just looks a bit sorry for itself. I never thought I’d hear myself say that I’d miss the smell of freshly cut grass, but I do. I’m looking forward to some green scenery when we visit Tasmania in South Australia.
• Christmas - It was such a novelty having a seafood bbq on the beach for Christmas, but I did miss wrapping up warm and wandering the Christmas markets with a glass of mulled wine in my hand, gobbling on roasted chestnuts.
• UK Fashion - The clothes suck here. And I'm SERIOUSLY missing Primark. ‘Nuff said.

British Coastline

• Winter walks along Whales’ beautiful coastline - But I’m happily contenting myself with summer walks along beautiful beaches instead.
• Seasons - I'm missing the beautiful daffodils and cute little lambs in the fields come spring.
• Magazines - Missing all the girlie mags. Nothing beats UK magazines.
• TV - Okay, so I don’t miss it much because we’ve been so busy exploring whenever we have free time, but I’m salivating at the thought of binge watching 6 months of Hollyoaks on catch-up when I fly home.
• Boots (the shop) - Every girls skincare and cosmetic dream, ’Priceline Pharmacy’ just doesn’t deliver the goods here in Oz I’m afraid. I can’t bear thinking about how many loyalty points I’m missing out on!

British Beaches

Are you team Brit or Aussie?

Kayaking, Koalas and Kampai: Visiting Noosa

With cute accommodation and a top restaurant booked, itinerary sorted and beach clothes packed, we jumped into our hire car and drove up the Queensland coast to Noosa for a couple of days.

Hello Mr Pelican

 

We arrived at the upscale town and enjoyed some delicious oysters and bubbles at a lovely restaurant on the beach, a stone’s throw from the golden sand and crashing waves. A heavenly welcome!

 

Beach and bubbles

 

Tempura Oysters!

 

 

The temperature soared to 30 degrees in the afternoon, so we pottered around the swish boutique shops, before picking up some fresh seafood to make a linguine dinner in our ‘Little Rum River Shack’ airbnb.

Exploring Noosa River

 

The next day, we went kayaking along the tranquil waterway of Noosa River. We paddled past flocks of Pelicans and tropical mangroves, deciding which of the million pound homes we would live in on the water’s edge. I’ll take the one with the infinity pool and private pontoon complete with ‘his and hers’ jet skis, thanks!

Noosa's Riverside Pads

 

Despite Dom doing most of the paddling, my arms were still killing me afterwards, so I was in the mood for a big lunch! We packed up a delicious picnic and ate it at Laguna lookout, with panoramic views over Noosa. The swirl of the river winding its way through the sandy islands creates an almost watercolour effect. One of the best views I’ve ever enjoyed with an alfresco picnic!

Picnic Paradise

 

After lunch, we walked around the headland in Noosa National Park. An absolute treat spotting mother and baby wild turtles swimming in the turquoise water, and a koala snuggled up having a snooze in the eucalyptus above us.

Noosa National Park

 

Dinner was at top waterside restaurant Wasabi. A seven course tasting menu full of Japanese delights, complete with the sommelier serving us matching sakes and wines personalised to our taste buds. Kampai! A great end to an amazing few days.

Sunset