A Cool Nest For The Summer

Water and summer go hand in hand. What do you prefer? The beach or a river? Maybe you're more of a lakey person?

Where would you rather hang out...

here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here?

or here???????

 

Pick a place, any place and let me know.

Summer Houses

Well if we have to endure summer then I think it would really help if we had a summer house in the garden where we could relax and restore and get away from the heat.

Here are some cute ones...

here

and here 

and here

 

and here

and here

and here

This one is Heather Cameron's and you can find the link here in Country Living.

Where do you go to escape the summer heat?

Heather Cameron's Summer House

You may remember this cute little summer house from my last post? Well, I thought we'd take a wander into it and have a look around. But first abit about it...

This summer house {green house...perhaps a better summer house for a much cooler climate than Australia!} was built by Heather Cameron's husband as a wedding gift. It was originally an old potting shed at the back of their house but Heather rarely used it and so her husband lovingly turned it into a much more user friendly space  for Heather to glam up and spend some relaxation time in.

Heather is a stylist and does some really, really lovely work. You can find her here at her website and also  here at her lovely blog. I have posted about Heather and this summer house quite awhile ago but, because I have not been diligent with labelling my posts, I am struggling to find the darn thing. If you come across it, could you please let me know? Thanks:)  I thought it was about time we have another little peep inside.

OK, so come on, let's wander around a little...

That's Heather ready to transform her cute little space for a Country Living photo shoot.

Wasn't that lovely? Don't you just want one for your own now?

This is not beyond any of our means. Remember, this little 'shed' is built of recycled materials. Most of it was from a pulled down shed already on the property but 11 reclaimed windows, found in a salvage yard, were added as well as some tempered glass for the roof. And it is only 10 x 12 foot {which is about 3m x 3.6m} , so it's not going to take up loads of garden space.

This could be a project for 2011 ~ what do you think?

**Note to self: Remember to label my posts!!!!

PS Oh by the way, these images are from Country Living.

Technorati Tags: heather cameron summer house stylist

Summer Fun

On a balmy, mozzie filled evening, what could be better than hearing the sounds of happy children playing chasing games in the garden while dear friends sip margaritas  on the verandah? Not much...

PS Lynda took that photo

Down By The River Side

 

I'm gunna lay down my heavy load

Down by the river side...

We did too, down at the Bega River. Yesterday Sarah and the kids and Lewi and I went down to the river again, the same spot we went to on Boxing Day. It was so lovely. The kids had a ball.  It's always very hard though to get a photo of Lewi out of the water. The entire time of us being around water he's the kid who's pretty much fully submerged until it's time to leave. Occasionally he comes up for air. I click. Usually I get a really bad shot. Today was no exception. All very bad shots of Lewi but I can tell you he had fun under the water and that's really what matters. I just wished he'd stay up for a little more air, just enough for me to take a decentish photo. Oh well...

Boxing Day Relax

It's so lovely to have a relaxing, chilled out day after the busy Christmas build up. We hung around on Boxing Day, played a couple of games of Lewi's new board game, The Very Bad Game {a game based on the book by the same name by Andy Griffiths}. It was fun and funny and I think it's one we'll enjoy for years to come.

And secretly I am soooo happy because Lewi's never been big on board games and I, on the other hand, LOVE them. So it's a win-win with this cool game. Thank you, Andy Griffiths, you've really made my day!

In the afternoon we went to feed Lynda and Steve's chooks and so we took Steel for a drive {as we often do}.

On the way home I accidently turned right at the roundabout and found ourselves heading up the Springvale road. Woops! I could feel an adventure drive in my bones.

I've always loved 'adventure' drives. I think it was all those years of my childhood when mum and dad would drive around looking at the scenery or houses or the back roads of some quaint village. We'd be licking away at banana paddle pops or golden gay times {no magnums in sight back then, Lewi!} We would often take the scenic route home and it was always exciting seeing new sights and taking in the beautiful surroundings. They were inquisitive people and happy to explore. I feel the same.

Unfortunately Lewi's not as keen. He always likes to go from point A to point B without too much deviating and he always likes to know he's heading home. So I usually have to come up with something exciting to do or see along the diverted route that will help him enjoy the experience as well.

So today it was an adventure drive up to the end of Peak Hill Rd {which I knew that he has enjoyed in the past} and then a walk along a little road and a wander along the Bega River to try Steel out for his first ever swim. Motivation plus! He was OK about all of this. Phew!

So here's a photographic tour of our little adventure drive through  Springvale:

Down a country lane...

We met a cute little echidna on the road. We waited awhile for him to get off the road. Lewi jumped out to help him along a little, worried he'd get squished by a car.

An inquisitive herd came over to see what was going on. Nosey Parkers!   I love cows, especially jerseys x

The valley looks stunning at the moment. We've had the most wonderful wet spring and summer without the awful heat and humidity. Everything is lush and inviting and alive.

 

Everywhere we looked  the views are lovely.

After a drive we  headed back towards home and stopped along the way to have a brisk walk up Springvale Close.

We found this mark on the real estate sign post. It marks the flood line for the February floods earlier this year. What a sight it must have been out here ~ water, water everywhere!

Along the walk we checked out the scenery.

{sold!}

    {sold!}

{ Hmmm...not sold}

After our little walk we headed for the river. It's so lovely here. Clean. No rubbish. Flowing. Safe. Our new favourite swimming spot, we decided.

Steel embarked on his first swim of his little lizardy life.

He looked like a crocodile in the wilderness!

He seemed so happy to back on the shore.

We decided to come back to this spot ASAP.

.......................................................................................................................

So that was our little adventure drive and Boxing Day fun. I'd have to say it's one of my favourite things to do ~ meander along country lanes, not too far from home, checking out the beautiful hills and lush green grass, looking out for old houses and sheds along the way. Pulling over every now and again to  take in the view. Stopping off at a river and then going for a country walk. Lovely. My idea of relaxing. Oh, apart from slobbing on the lounge with a Country Style magazine, a cup of tea and a packet of chocolate bullets in my daggy 'farm clothes' that is.

Dinner was ham, cheese and pineapple toasted sandwiches. So nice and simple and restful.

Lovely day...