Let the good times roll in 2024
2023 was another epic year. I finally returned to Europe for the first time since living there in my mid-20s and I found my dream home.
In fact were many wonderful wanders. We finally started an annual girls trip tradition with my school friends to Bali which we had been talking about for years. Europe took me to Sicily for the first time for a very memorable birthday weekend, to London to relive my days living there, to Portugal for the first time – a trip that was four years in the making and back to the Greek Islands to experience those mesmerising Santorini sunsets again. There was also the perfect end to a work trip with a weekend on New Zealand’s ‘wine island’ Waiheke.
My girls trip to Bali
Pure happiness in Santorini
Living like a local aka tourist again in London
Wine time on Waiheke Island
I also hopped over to Brisbane twice in the lead up to a work trip to catch up with friends, and on a separate occasion to celebrate my besties’ Italian garden party birthday. I caught up with a London friend in Sydney, had staycations on Rottnest Island and in Fremantle, a long weekend in Margaret River and Bunbury, and only managed one camping trip with the nephews to Guilderton. Work also took me to Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, the Margaret River region, Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Mandurah.
Italian garden party in Brisbane
Camping with my nephews in Guilderton along Moore River
Kalgoorlie street art
Chasing Giants in Mandurah
Blue Haven Beach in Esperance
A lot of the year was spent living with mum while I battled the tough real estate market, though everything fell into place at the perfect time having me in my dream home for the summertime. It is interesting, and sometimes frustrating, moving home as an adult having to answer questions about your whereabouts, and the download of the day when you get home from work, but it really was a generous situation and I am grateful for everything mum did and the memories we had.
I continued with salsa dancing and Zumba, tried out reformer pilates and swapped some of my coastal walks for laps around Hyde Park. I introduced mum to hiking and we followed trails along the Cape to Cape, in Serpentine National Park, John Forrest National Park and Rottnest Island (this one was a drenching!). I recently bought a new cruiser bike too and am enjoying the morning zips down for a dip before work – well as zippy as I can be with all the hills. I didn’t have as many dating stories to keep my friends entertained with living at mums, but I did have my first secret admirer who provided much entertainment for the office.
Serpentine Falls with madre
Sunset ride to City Beach
I enjoyed a beautiful two-week break over Christmas and New Years in my new abode. It was really nice to have the time at home to really settle in and tick off a chore a day. I tried my best not to make too many plans to really take a break and feel refreshed. I enjoyed a lot of morning dips, sunset adventures, bike rides along the coast, had my nephews for sleepovers and tried my new pasta maker.
The results of the new pasta maker – yum!
A dreamy Scarborough sunset
Happy New Year!
Now in 2024, I am excited for my daily coast life, many exciting wanders, and the opportunities work will bring me. I also want to continue my summer holidays mantra and go into 2024 less busy to have more free time to be spontaneous and for dating – maybe it’s the year of the dream man! Wander wise I’ve booked a trip to Sri Lanka in March and have a wedding in Melbourne (always a fave to visit) in November. We have also started discussing girls trip destinations for 2024.
I really feel grateful and blessed for the life I am living and all the beautiful people I get to do it with. I think it’s going to be another amazing year and I can’t wait to see what it brings.
LWL xxx