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 

for Elize

 

It was just what I was after. Somewhere to feel like a local but eat like I'm on a holiday. A twitter plea for Byron Bay secrets had more than a couple of people recommend The Top Shop and it didn't disappoint. You're served as though you've been there a thousand times before (which, when you haven't, perhaps comes across a little too on the hip IDGAF side of things - but I'm cool with that) and food comes at a pace that makes you know it's going to be ok to linger, order a second serving of (WORLDS BEST) onion rings, stare out the open window and really let it sink in that you're comfortably sitting without a jumper and no bone chilled muscle tension for first time in a few months after a pretty chilly Sydney winter. 

A blissful further 24 hours included panoramic views from our bed looking out over Clarkes beach and far far beyond, a wind swept lighthouse walk at sunset to the most Eastern point in Australia, a mountain goat on said walk, a workout on the way back up, dinner on the balcony, early night, early morning beach walk, coffee at Bayleaf, the anticipation of a vaguely mapped out antiques trail home - with a very handsome man who not only patiently lets me enjoy all of the above, but truly laps it up just as much as me. EEEEEE. I'm a lucky gal.

Byron, we'll be back.

Photos: Rachel Kara