After months of planning, scheduling and over organising, our family winter weekend in the valley had began. Our aim: coming together to connect and celebrate life. Family are not always just those who share your genetics, they are people who have travelled through life together and continue choosing to support, raise and celebrate one another. From our various parts of the state we gathered where the air is brisk to enjoy a weekend of warm fires, wineries and late nights. An incredible house became our home for the weekend, quietly tucked away the the deep valley surrounded by mountains and mist.
As the light faded and our excited chatter continued, we lit the fire and settled in for a late night of catching up and toasting our frost touched bodies around the fire. We assembled at the family table to share food, tell stories and catch up on the happenings of life over past months. Evening turned to night and night turned to early morning with tired bodies trickling to bed. Morning arrived with the mist heavy at the base of the mountains. The crisp clean air lied still within the tree lined valley walls. I roamed the property in my boots and heavy jacket, searching for fire wood to place upon last night's cinders. As I trudged across the frosty grass I stopped to admire the calm. No cars, no machines, just stillness. The valley was slowing waking and stirring as the sun melted the frost and the mist lifted.
We milled around after a delicious breakfast and decided on a plan of action. The sun was uncharacteristically warm for a highland's mid winter. We capitalised by lounging in its warmth, snoozing by the pool and swinging in the loosely woven hammock as we planned a day of exploring within the valley. First on our agenda was the magnificent Fitzroy falls. Many of us had "been here before" but something about the clean crisp air and the magnitude of the falls enticed us back once again. We meandered along the bush walks stopping at the variously scattered lookouts, marvelling at the beauty and danger of nature.
The cascading water, sharply cut escarpments and the fresh mountain air refreshed our minds and bodies. For a moment most of us stood in silence, taking in the hight of the fall and depth of the valley. I was taken aback by the vastness and beauty. We chatted and trailed along back to the beginning, planing our next stop. Wine o'clock. The first winery welcomed us with its grand entrance, rustic aesethic and french provincial ambience. A mixture of modern and vintage gave me the sensation of being home in Belgium yet experiencing something completely new all at once. We (well not me) sipped on various wine and discussed preferences. The sky was a vibrant blue, the lush green grass and stark white buildings accompanied it well. Soon we found ourselves on the open patio back in the sun's warmth sipping and nibbling, all very pleased with how our day was unfolding.
After sufficiently filling our bellies and satisfying our thirst, we drove the very winding and deserted valley roads to a second more intimate winery with a homely charm and a knowledgable host. We (again not me...yet) sipped wine and cracked some homegrown macadamia nuts while hearing of the types of grapes and barrels so carefully used. After sipping and chatting we wound our way back to our grand yet cosy home. We gathered around the generous oak table for a night of celebrating, fooding, board gaming, chattering and sipping (this time me too!). After 8 years I decided my health was ready to sip on some celebratory French Champagne with my family on this special weekend. Santé!
Another late night melted into the early morning. We all began to stir, still speaking of our perfect valley adventures and a hilarious night of games and stories. The air had lost its brisk chill. The breeze was warm as all the valley locals marvelled at the temperate weather. We came together for one last breakfast declaring how wonderful the weekend had been and how lucky we are to have such a family . The plan for today was to make our separate ways back to the coast and cities. We said a last goodbye to the country house that had welcomed us so warmly, We dipped our toes in the ice cold pool for the last time and picked some fresh yet sour citrus from the trees. A little potter around the valley shops was our last activity before heading off. Freshly squeezed juice for the moment and an old poetry book from 1924 to take a piece of this weekend home with me.
Hugging tightly we all parted ways having spent a wonderful winter weekend together. What a glorious time of family and warmth. A refreshing reset and reminder of how much there is to be grateful for. I'm one lucky little Earthling Peace and Love