Just Like Martha

Weekend Escape - Hyams Beach

Another weekend escape this time to the stunning HYAMS BEACH close to Jervis Bay on the south coast of New South Wales...famous for stretches of white sandy beaches that are perfect for a mid winter escape with good friends.

We packed the car and headed down after work one Thursday, grabbing dinner on the way, before we knew it we were sitting in front of the fire with a glass of wine. An early night followed by a pre-breakky walk along with beach, coffee in hand was the perfect start to a few days of R&R and catching up with good buddies.

Shhhhh don't tell anyone but it really is the perfect winter escape...everyone flocks down here (including the tourist buses) in summer but the truth is Hyams Beach is only a few streets and it can get overcrowded in summer but in winter for some reason everyone forgets about it...lucky for us!!!!

A lazy day of lounging, walking, eating, lounging, more eating followed by a few wines, more eating and some card games, meant for another early night so we could get up early and venture off on a long walk..more than 20 kms in total.

So many opportunities to snap the camera along the way, this really is a magical coastline.

We did treat ourselves when we arrived in Huskisson with some morsels to keep us going for the long walk home.....and they were delicious!

Ahhh YES just what we needed, a winter weekend escape in a magical part of the world.

Thanks for stopping by x

 

Weekend Escape - Canberra

I LOVE a weekend escape and even better if it involves a road trip, a wonderful hotel, good food and drink and some activities thrown in for good measure!

Friday morning we hit the road, the landscape notably drier and 'browner' than last time we travelled to Canberra. We stopped on the way in Bowral to catch up with friends for a leisurely lunch so didn't arrive at our destination until late afternoon. The Hyatt Hotel - Canberra never disappoints such a wonderful hotel. We checked in, went for a walk then decided a glass of wine, cheese platter and luxury bath robes whilst we watched a movie was in order - the perfect night in!

The next morning we were up early to enjoy the hotels buffet breakfast (yum - it never disappoints) then it was time to explore. On todays agenda was the National Arboretum, featuring 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from around Australia and the world. Many of the trees are still young but two of the forests are over 100 hundred years old. There was a wonderful bonsai exhibition to see along with the featured 'knitted' tree exhibition.

Not only trees on display but a few very funky sculptures as well....

Time to head back to the hotel for a swim, spa and sauna before getting dressed for dinner. First stop a glass of wine near the roaring fire in the Library Bar at the Hyatt...second stop our favourite restaurant in Canberra Otis Dining Hall for an amazing meal. John ordered the 4 course truffle menu and was VERY happy.

Thank you Canberra for another wonderful weekend...hope to see you again next yer for another weekend escape!

Vietnam & Nha Trang (part two)

Whoaaa don't faint I'm back already with part two!

After our wonderful few days in Ho Chi MinhCity it was time to board our flight to Nha Trang to enjoy the relaxing part of our holiday. We left behind the hustle and bustle of the city and headed north - east to a fairly new resort area of Vietnam. Popular with Russians this area has begun to boom! On the drive from the airport to our resort we witnessed hotel after hotel being built, it will be different for sure once its all complete. The area we were staying was on the other side of the city on a more remote beach area.

Welcome to Amiana Resort, a five star oasis nestled on a natural lagoon and featuring a few swimming pools and beaches to choose from, breakfast daily, nightly cocktails, dinners as well as massages, mud baths...need I go on!!!

After all that pampering we needed a break lol, so it was off to the 'big smoke' for a few hours...we caught the hotel shuttle to downtown Nha Trang and discovered the wonderful local markets and a pretty cool Buddha! It was pretty hot and sticky walking around so of course we rewarded ourselves at the end with a ice cold beer, local of course!

Such a wonderful holiday, lots of eating, cocktails, reading, sleeping, relaxing and pampering as well as exploring. I am getting "holiday remorse" as I type...better finish off with a few sunset shots and call it a day...

Until next time...thanks for stopping by xox

 

Travels to Vietnam & Nha Trang (part one)

A little while ago(who am I kidding it was back in March) John and I travelled to Vietnam on a holiday. In the spirit of keeping this 'little blog of mine' as a memory keeper I thought it was about time I blogged about it.

We purchased some cheap airline tickets and as the saying goes "you get what you pay for" we found ourselves travelling Sydney to Melbourne to Singapore to Ho Chi Minh....exhausting yes but when we hopped in that fancy black limo at Ho Chi Minh airport bound for the Sofitel Hotel it was all worth it.

The Sofitel Saigon Plaza is a lovely hotel in a great location, we have travelled to ho Chi Minh before so we were keen to go for a wander and see how much it had evolved in the last ten years. Such a cool city with an eclectic mix of old and new, lots of amazing coffee shops had popped up along with trendy bars, breweries and restaurants, so much on offer it was going to be a busy few days......

So much pleasure just wandering the streets, but of course with all our new discoveries also came our favourite haunts....top of the Rex Hotel for a G&T, Notre Dame Cathedral, the original Post Office, Ben Thanh Markets, Reunification Palace and of course the must do (often) Highlands Coffee stop!

We celebrate our last evening in this wonderful city with sunset drinks on top of a tall building - The GLOW BAR - Saigon, couldn't believe we were the only guests for happy hour???

Following our very glamorous sunset drinks we caught a taxi to a fabulous restaurant that had been recommended by friends...The Chopsticks Saigon  once the home of Mr Tran Van Huong, the Vice President of the Southern Vietnamese Government before 1975....a pretty setting and amazing food a definite MUST VISIT in this fabulous city.

The next morning (after another delicious buffet break at the Sofitel) we were off back to the airport for our domestic flight to the coastal city of Nha Trang.

Stay tuned, promise to try and come back tomorrow to 'reveal' Pat Two...xox

August...and a reality check!

Oh my is it really August.....I cannot believe it has been months, my poor little blog has been quite neglected.

What started as a place for me to share my creative passions for crafting, card making, cooking, repurposing and holidays has morphed along the way. It was never really for anyone else but myself, kinda a place to 'dump stuff' and an online book of memories.

As my life seems to get busier with no end in sight (ha, I thought as my children grew up and became independent that I would have more time...!) I have decided to change my little blog around a little.

Now from time to time it still will be a creative hub but for now its going to be a memory keeper, a little blog to share and store holiday memories, weekends away and the like.

So without further ado...

I hope you continue to come on this journey with me... xox

Source: Pinterest

 

 

 

Monday Mantra

Getting my MOJO back...a quiet day spent playing with photographs and creating some albums...

Source: Pinterest

Taylor's 21st...

Well the last balloon has been popped and the cake almost gone....but the memories will last.

Our little girl is all grown up!

Taylor turned 21 on the weekend and we had a "Mexican Fiesta" themed party with family and friends to celebrate the milestone.

Pops of colour everywhere with balloons and our Mexican tissue paper "Day of the Dead" decorations (all the way from Mexico thanks to a friend), a quick dash to the flower markets for lots of colourful flowers which we placed in tins. We had a "Pizza Station", "Soft Taco Station" and of course a "Dessert Bar" featuring the beautiful layer cake made by the Birthday Girl herself.

So many people got into the spirit of "dress up" (even the grandfathers with their 'accidental' matching moustaches)...we had a photographer come for a couple of hours, cannot wait to see his photos!!

I still cannot believe that Taylor is 21..we are truly blessed to have two wonderful daughters...

John made a wonderful speech which included this wonderful quote which I love...

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good on others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone..." Audrey Hepburn

Party Planning....

We interrupt the business of the past few weeks to make an announcement....I have an almost 21 year old in the house...eek...how did that happen???

We have been busy planning and creating...can you guess the theme???

Pop back in a few days for lots of photos but for now just be inspired thanks to Pinterest!

Happy Australia Day 2018

Happy Australia Day, just a quiet day at home catching up with a few friends, lots of cups of tea and maybe a few cakes...

Source - Pinterest

Monday Mantra

Source: Pinterest