By February I longed for time by the ocean … the short Christmas break had done little to restore me, and I felt tired, stressed and frankly a bit over it. Everything. But I had a plan!

I winged across the seas to Tasmania, collected a trusty little toyota corolla from ‘car next door’ – the exact model I used to own – and headed up the east coast coast road. No winery or lookout stops for me – my singular focus was the idyllic Airbnb on the headland at Seymour that I’d indulged in for the night.

Slipping through the pines to a white-sand beach, all to myself. Buoyant in the chilly aqua water, so clear I could see my toes. A glass of wine gazing over the ocean, and time to reflect on desires for the year ahead.

Then a little further north to Binalong Bay where I joined my good friend Harri to explore the Bay of Fires. The images tell the story – no need for words.

A few days in Hobart with Dad and Margaret, with an always-looked-forward-to trip to the Farmers Market and game of scrabble.

Back in Sydney, I mused about the next leg – north? south? I decided on Meroo National Park, just south of Ulladulla – a lovely spot with bush camping. Only 3 nights, but oodles of time to walk, swim, read and snooze. Calm mornings but windy in the day – perfect for afternoon napping! Watching a large goanna slowly meander down the steps onto an otherwise deserted beach; seeing country recovering after the fires. Peaceful and restorative, although by day 4 I felt ready for company again.

Time immersed in the ocean and bush, enjoying both solitude and the company of wonderful friends was restoring, and just what I needed. I came home feeling energised, enthusiastic and ready for another year of uncertain times …