Midnight Moon Child
From time to time I find myself restless and wide awake, full of thoughts and ideas at 3am. It’s when my mind ticks on over into this midnight madness that I get my most inspired to create.
I’m always reading poetry and collecting quotes as I find words and writing to be one of my favourite outlets of creation. Having a little journal by my bedside is key for capturing those unique moments of imagination and other worldly dreams which fascinate me.
After a few days break from work I already feel a new wave of inspiration and motivation as my mind, body and soul has had time to catch up with itself. Not pressuring myself to go out and do lots of things on my days off has been a blessing as I’ve had quality me time, something which I’ve neglected since going back to work.
I’ve always been a night person and feel a strong connection to the moon and the stars as they accompany me in my midnight madness… perhaps I’m a moon child, still searching this infinite galaxy for the stars within myself.
Having successfully overcome his addiction to drugs, sex, fame, money and power, Russell Brand is now using his challenging experiences to educate and motivate others also suffering with their mental health. So when I discovered that he was hosting a talk just down the road at Heckfield Place which had already sold out, I was eager to get my name on the waiting list. Thank fully luck was on my side and I was thrilled to receive the email on Saturday morning inviting me along as someone had dropped out.
As always it was a delight to be back at the stunning grounds of Heckfield Place. Taking my seat in the luxurious theatre room with its plush lounge sofa seats and intimate atmosphere, we might as well have been at Russell’s house!
Lasting almost two hours, the talk took the form of a workshop as Brand explained his journey to recovery and how the 12 step program led the way, continuing to stabilise his mental health to this day. His wit, passion and engaging energy sparked numerous thought-provoking questions from the audience, which Russell answered with intelligent and insightful analysis. Whilst the heavy topic of mental health can lead to all sorts of conversation regarding the human condition and how we perceive reality, Brand proposes a fresh perspective on the crazy world in which we find ourselves…what is reality? What is normal?
I was thrilled to meet the man himself at the end to get my book signed before (rather unexpectedly) finding myself a little tearful as I opening up about my own struggles. Russell was so kind and offered some truly meaningful words of wisdom which I will remember when times are tough.
Thank you Russell for demonstrating what happiness and harmony recovery can bring and paving the way for some truly important work surrounding mental health.
Having gone to uni in Bournemouth, my friend used to visit Coast.Surf+Moto frequently and knew I’d love the stylish, quirky vibe of the place. Bringing together a fresh, wholesome all-day brunch menu as well as serving quality coffee, this cafe promotes a healthy living outdoor lifestyle.
The simple, sleek interiors featuring black window panels and bamboo lampshades, reflects coastal living with touches of Scandinavian character.
Located in Poole near to the South’s most popular beaches and harbours, their shop sells an eclectic mix of surf, skate and motorcycle products. After our leisurely lunch under the afternoon sun out in the courtyard, I enjoyed browsing the branded clothes and accessories before having a read of some of the contemporary books on offer.
Following our chilled afternoon at Coast.Surf+Moto cafe and shop, we made our way down to the beach to soak up the rest of the day’s sun…an essence of Aussie living in the UK!
However journalling is something I only began doing when I first embarked on my trip here to Sydney over a year ago. After my friend brought me a beautiful journal as my leaving present, I have continued to keep a diary ever since. Now onto my third book, I have a unique record of my travels here in Australia which provides a whole other perspective to the photos. Keeping a journal gives me opportunity to reflect on moments in life, both the good and the bad. I like to add little memos to my diary too such as tickets and receipts to remind me of all the places I’ve been.
I would be the first to admit my journals are certainly no novel and definitely lack a decent amount of grammar (usually my worse nightmare). Yet those words capture all of my thoughts even when I’ve faced challenges and spark fond memories of the adventures I’ve been on. It has definitely been quite a journey and as I continue to stand on my own two feet on the other side of the world, I will
With my hectic 9-5 job consuming the majority of my week and constantly booking out weekends socialising with friends, I forget how wonderful the quaint corner of Sydney I live in is. Looking back over my diary so far this year, it’s been so busy with something happening every weekend since I moved to Lavender Bay. So having made the conscious effort to be selfish and nourish my soul on Sunday, my body as well as my tired head, thanked me for it this week as I started Monday fresh and ready for the demands of my high pace PR job!
Working at one of the wineries myself, I have been keen to visit other popular venues including Centennial Vineyard just out of Bowral and Bendooley Estate in Berrima. I was particularly intrigued by the idea of a bookshop at Bendooley which welcomes guests to enjoy their menu of enticing Australian cuisine whilst perusing the literature.
Arriving at the estate on a drizzly spring Friday afternoon, I was welcomed by the site of a roaring fire to escape the cold. In the main cafe seating area nestled between the shelves of books, it’s hard not to get drawn in and immersed into an interesting read. Stocking everything from original English fiction and old school cooking books to current cult classics and eye catching coffee table hard backs, you could spend hours discovering new reads whilst sipping on your wine and enjoying a slice of pizza fresh from the stone oven.
Starting with white, I was refreshed with a crisp fruity Sauvignon Blanc and found the woody zest of the Semillon a real winner. Of course I had to try the sparkling too and being my personal preference, the NV Cuvee didn’t disappoint with a delicate fruity finish perfect for a summer afternoon.
Moving onto the reds and with a good variety of light, woody and heavier types, there certainly was a taste for every palette. The Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of dark fruits and a medium body was exquisite and the Sangiovese giving more spice and bite would accompany a cheese board perfectly. Being more partial to a full bodied red, I didn’t expect such depth of flavour in the Pinot Noir which time in French Oak leaves a delicious woody finish.
With staff as friendly and welcoming as its surroundings, Bendooley Estate offers an all round experience of casual fine dining, sociable chatter of wine tasting and book browsing at leisure…a beautiful recipe for the quintessential afternoon in Berrima.
Being a Sunday the spot we had planned on going was busy with people, but luckily we knew of another place a little more off the beaten track. We found a deserted section of the river, set up our hammock and got some chilled tunes going on the speakers. I couldn’t think of a more idyllic scenario than sitting by that stream all afternoon enjoying my flask of coffee and reading my book in the hammock.
Whilst there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, a gentle spring breeze took the edge off the strong Australian sunshine. Soon enough though we’ll be swapping our coats and flasks of tea for swimwear and refreshing cocktails as we make weekly trips to the abundance of stunning rivers and lakes the Southern Highlands has to offer – Spring has sprung!
Dani Aneka 