Back down the mountain

The Cottage Kangaroo Valley

To be in a place where there is a fireplace and a bath and Aesop toileteries to soak in, a well equipped kitchen with a gas stove and Pana chocolate in the fridge, cosy robes in the wardrobe and a real heavy (IN BED linen) doona to sleep under. At first I wasn't sure what to do with it all. Do I sit, lay down, go for a walk, cook, listen to music, wander aimlessly around the cottage exploring all the treasures, take another bath, stand in front of the fire staring at Tim whilst he also tries to find his way of slowing down? I finally settled for a healthy combination of all of the above, felt my body start to unwind and then before I knew it was sadly pulling the door shut behind me as we set out for that familiar drive home through Berry mountain and back up the highway.

Thank you dear Lisa. I don't know how you do it but The Cottage is everything you ever dreamed it to be...and more. A place of rest and a treat for all the senses. xxx

I highly recommend booking a couple of nights here to see what you find for yourself!

Photos: Rachel Kara at The Cottage Kangaroo Valley Canon EOS 1V with Kodak Porta developed and scanned at Vision Image Lab

PS. This has accidently turned to a blog dedicated to South Coast NSW holidays. Sorry about that. I'll change the pace next post.

The Valley

To have friends to sit in a squished up car with, who make the detour for better coffee, who's group texts come through by the dozen and make me snortlaugh, who will meet to plan menus for a 48 hour getaway with the understanding that every meal will be an event in and of itself, who go out and dive for fresh lobster whilst the ocean is still close, who will get muddy riding BMX's, climb trees, pick fruit, go canoeing, swim in our underwear, skip stones and look for fish. These are the kind of friends I have! Who understand that cameras are part of the fun, who know when to look into the light or ignore me completely, who dance on the table, up the wall and on the floor. Who don't think it's funny to bring your own kettle, grinder and beans or butter & salt. The kind of friends you can go away with on a Wednesday night. Who notice the way the sun moves and are happy to take solo expeditions and return full of stories and energy to give & share. What a magical time we had.

Photos: Rachel Kara in Kangaroo Valley with a Canon 1V, processed and scanned at Richard Photo Lab 

A table

The ever elusive Kinfolk long tabled lunch club, we made it. I don't really know how (and we did get a little lost along the very windy roaded way) but we did. Styled to the point of imperfect perfection my brain can't comprehend and all details accounted for in every corner of every place the eye can see. Light bouncing everywhere, raucous laughter from our end of the table, some almost awkward interactions and some very easy, natural, simple like minded ones to make up for the former...the beauty of throwing a group of strangers together and share around a table and a meal...but not just any table....this was the Kinfolk table! 

A big thank you to our warm and welcoming hosts, beautiful Natalie of Eat Read Lover and extremely talented artist, Lisa Madigan, whose home we invaded. Hannah Rose Yee & Amanda Bechara, you make any occasion as good as it could possibly be. 

My life feels so rich at the moment...bursting with activity - and slight chaos - but intensely full and dynamic which is why I haven't been hanging around here too much. Rest is coming and when it does I will unleash the last few months worth of stimulation upon you. 

xx