The middle of winter, when the days are short, jackets and scarves become precious possessions and cold feet is the bane of your existence. I hear the complaining of the season and although there is a part of me that agrees and wants to howl with them winter pack, there is the other side of me that just loves winter. Heck I wake everyday and I’m happy to be alive, so every day is a good day, even the bad weather days.
The chilly and damp weather is (in my mind) the most perfect of times to go into the local bush for a wander. Five minutes from our place is a most wonderful forest of mixed timber that was planted by a forestry pioneer John La Gerche in the 1890’s.
It’s nothing like typical Australian bush, and I guess that’s what makes it all the more interesting. Loads of Conifers and Pines, Oaks and all sorts of deciduous beauties. There is a stunning walk through the original plantation site with plenty of little spots to sit and take in the forest beauty.
It’s a forest brimming with diversity. It’s a place we like to go to find peace. It’s our recharger. Lately its been a very important place for me to spend time in to reflect and reassess my approach to certain parts of life. It’s a place where I can release some of my daily frustrations and in a calm environment, think with a little clarity. I’ve been getting rather frustrated with peoples approach in life of late, but it’s no use letting that get the better of me. I went hunting with a friend a few days ago, and he said he has the same problem. But he’s approach is to take a moment, calm and remind himself to just keep on doing what his doing and possibly lead by example. I guess that’s a good approach….right?
I agree…the forest has a quiet, rejuvenating effect for me, and I disappear into it as often as possible! La Gerche sounds like an interesting fellow! I love the design work on the post as well.
love that photo of your daughter with the potato ricer! and agree about the last part. I think it is a mix of inexperience/intimidation in a kitchen and we live in a time of instant gratification. Keep doing what you’re doing Ro!
yeah.
I reckon that’s a good approach.
But getting cranky and railing against the world every now and again is good for the soul too.
looks like you’ve found your Zen Rohan, mine comes from a good dose of brewing at present, something I am well overdue for
It’s good that we have found our ‘thing’
I can imagine brewing to be a good pastime…..
a great pastime, science, man skills, burners, taps, yeast, grain and you end up with beer. Can’t go wrong with that
yep. that’s the ticket.
you’re already doing SO MUCH good by blogging about an attainable lifestyle, publishing your book, etc etc, so meditate on that and all else will, hopefully, follow! x
Thanks Lucy. I’ll take on your sound advice. Thanks lovely!
oh, and i think i saw that you were at the glenlyon general store ‘tother day (via an instagram link)…such a great spot…but it’s about a 5 minute drive from out place! next time you’re there, ro, come visit!!
You cannot physically change the way other people are and how they behave unless by threat of violence and even that doesn’t work (reference recent events in Libya)
You can however focus upon growing and improving to the best man you can be. A good mate said to me “conflict and turmoil makes a man”. The reason being that it’s how you react personally to that “conflict and turmoil”. You can choose to pin it on others and tell yourself that things would be different if only he did this or she did that or you can look at yourself and learn and grow. When you stand proud as a man and hold true to your convictions and act honestly and with integrity, at some stage someone will take notice and say “hey that old fart knows something, I’m going to take a leaf out of his book”. That person may be your kids or someone totally random. It may be 1 person or 50. In rare cases such as say Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi it might be half the world.
The world changes slowly. Do your thing man. Be honest. If you have a positive effect on the way one person does something you’ll have made a difference. There’s my 2 bob’s worth. Carry on.
Fraser, thats a fine bunch of advice mate! All taken on board.
it’s nearly 100 degrees here for three straight months Rohan! oh how i long for winter, which we’ll get… in February… for a week. been making a lot of chimichurri and pesto lately with ingredients from both the back garden as well as the one from the neighborhood. i dare say that your example is inspiring. thanks for all you’re doing and we can’t wait for the book. speaking of, i’ll be reaching out soon to try and get you to San Antonio for a reading. maybe entice you with a hunt, depending on the season. – SAM
Hey mate! Wow that’s sounds like a warm summer. I’d love to get out to San Antonio for a reading event. And maybe even taste your chimichurri and pestos!!
I love a good bit of winter myself. Planning on heading your way soon for my week of Zen and respite. Mind if stop by your forest?
Cheers
Phill
Sure thing mate.