Perspective; Ouse Valley Viaduct Views
Finding new places and exploring local gems has become one of my favourite past times since travelling abroad has been off the cards over the past few months. I suppose being curious and adventurous is a given when travelling, however this time back home in the UK has forced me to discover some truly awesome spots right on my doorstep.
The secret to finding these mysterious locations is through Instagram on which you can utilise the explore location tool. It’s a competitive market on the world of Insta for professionals to produce high quality content, so people are always going that extra mile to get the most epic shots.
My most recent adventure with my partner in crime was Ouse Valley Viaduct Bridge in Sussex just past Gatwick. This was another hidden gem my boyfriend had tracked down via Instagram and we were both keen to get some unique golden hour snaps.
Described as the most elegant viaduct in Britain, construction of the bridge commenced back in the 1830s and has continued to stand the test of time as a functioning railway bridge. Built through the undulations of the valley, the resulting view through that tunnel of 37 arches is spectacular.
Composed of red bricks shipped all the way from the Netherlands along with smooth limestone, sunset hues cast stunning shadows through the viaduct at dusk. A playground for photographers, this bridge is truly unique for capturing different angles on symmetry and perspective.
A final thought from me on Perspective; Stay in your own lane, comparison kills creativity and joy.
The corner sofa in the lounge was the perfect starting point, then using two camera tripods we were able to lift the middle without too much obstruction inside. Another key element to consider when creating a den is what will secure the sheets together and onto things. For this I would recommend having pegs and elastic bands handy as well as using elements of your furniture to secure it, such as tucking it behind the sofa cushions or trapping it inside the fastening of a tripod.
Ready with a bottle of wine, popcorn and a movie, I was so chuffed with our awesome date night setup. We had envisioned sleeping in our creation for the night, however we realised that the tripod legs would be too much of an obstacle when trying to sleep! Instead we left it up for a couple days and enjoyed the change of scenery for a few evenings in front of the TV.
Whether you do this with your partner, family or even housemates, it really is a fun way to shake up movie night at home during lockdown. I definitely felt like a kid again as we cosied up and escaped the madness of the outside world in our fairytale fort.
This will certainly be one of the most unique periods of life for our generation, as we learn to accept social distancing measures for an extended period of time. In the UK the lockdown has allowed us to get outside once a day for exercise and as we welcome in a particularly sunny springtime, it’s a blessing that we can still enjoy the gorgeous weather and boost our mood with some vitamin D.
Being on ‘Furlough’ from my job has given me the gift of time, so it’s been a great opportunity to get on with my ‘To Do’ list and finally see to those longer term projects which I’ve always wanted to do (more on this in a later post!). I’ve also been able to spend more time looking after my wellbeing as I get rested and can priorities those things which matter most to me; staying fit with home workouts, brushing up on my dance skills in the garden, cooking yummy creations in the kitchen, reading books, taking photos and of course, writing my own blog 🙂
Cooking has always been one of my favourite hobbies too, so I’ve been experimenting with a few new recipes and even tried some baking. The popular quarantine sweet treat which everyone has been making is banana bread and being my first time, I was impressed with my creation pictured above. With the sun shining over the past few weeks, I’ve also been making a lot of delicious fresh summer dishes, including this easy Greek salad.
Maintaining sanity during this time has pulled family, friends and community together as we all find ourselves in the same position. Our extended family now have a weekly ‘Zoom’ quiz every Sunday evening and my work colleagues organise regular drinks via video conference too. Creativity is key also as my Dad decided to host a neighbourhood quarantine disco from our back garden last weekend! Having posted fliers around our surrounding neighbourhood to notify them of the party and to text in with song requests, my Dad setup his sound system in the garden ready for two hours of music from 7-9pm on Saturday.
With the BBQ lit and the bubbles flowing, before we knew it requests for songs were flooding in! At 7pm on the dot we heard cheers from the neighbours in their gardens as we got the music pumping. By the end of the set, we counted over 70 messages from neighbours sending their song choices and thanking us for the disco. Being such a success, our plan is to do the next one to raise money for the NHS which I’m sure our neighbours will appreciate.
So as we continue forward in this period of uncertainty and apprehension, I remember how incredibly fortunate I am to be in my position during this pandemic. With my job secured, a comfortable home to reside in a lovely village and most of all a healthy family, I’m optimistic that my life will go back to normal once this all blows over. In the meantime, I hope this pause on our busy lifestyles will help us all slow down, appreciate the simple things and build a stronger relationship with loved ones as well as ourselves.
It was Cara’s first real travel experience so it was my pleasure to show her the ropes of Aus and discover the wonders of Bali together. Being in each others pockets for a month proved our unbreakable friendship; from laughing til our bellies hurt and tearing up the club dance floors arm in arm, to opening up over a glass of wine and making sure we gave each other space when we needed it, a true friend is there in a heartbeat no matter what.
I can honestly tell this girl anything and I’m never scared to be totally myself around her – I hope she would say the same for me. So when she had to leave for England to get back home for work whilst I was going back to Sydney for another week, I felt like I had a limb missing! I even woke up one day back in Aus and started searching the flat for her for a good 15 minutes before I realised she wasn’t there.
Our month travelling together has only made our friendship stronger and I couldn’t wish for a more awesome, caring, funny, loveable bestie. I don’t doubt we will be planning our next trip together again very soon to add to our many special memories shared over the years ❤
This was our last evening together on Echo Beach with my travel buddy, a special time which I will cherish forever. Life doesn’t get much better than watching a sunset on the beach with beers and your best friend by your side.
As we sipped our beers and watched on as the sun dipped below the horizon, I had an overwhelming feeling of content and happiness. Life can get on top of us all at the best of times, but in taking myself out of my comfort zone and exploring new places over the past few years, I have gained a more worldly perspective on my privileged life.
Little did we know that our time in Bali together was to end on such a high as following these sundown drinks, we had another spontaneous night out partying. After meeting more great Aussie guys who ended up being our companions for the evening, we found ourselves dancing on the beach at Sand Bar again until 3am!
I thought Bali was good for my soul in so many ways; from the stunning beaches lined with palm trees and awesome clubs open at any hour, to the laid back lifestyle of friendly locals and their outstanding health food scene, I’m hooked on the place. Bali, I will be back for more wonderfully wild times again soon ❤
La Brisa really is an oasis by the sea encapsulating the essence of boho chic Bali style. Built amongst the palm trees upon a natural decent towards the beach, it’s like a wonderful maze walking amongst the different areas to discover the hidden bars and pools.
Whether you just want a sundown drink and good tunes, or fancy renting your own daybed complete with cute nautical style decor, this place is a sanctuary for metropolitan and nomadic travellers alike.
Being just a 5 minute walk from our hotel, we couldn’t help but wonder down to catch sunset with a few drinks at La Brisa most evenings!
With treehouse inspired architecture and enchanting decor made from hundreds of reclaimed Balinese fisher boats, La Brisa is an otherworldly escape amongst the madness and beauty of Bali.
The next week exploring Bali was so eye opening and exceeded all expectations. The Balinese people are incredibly welcoming and friendly and on the whole I felt very safe walking around. We spent our time in the beautiful town of Canggu in our stunning hotel just off of Echo Beach.
I was obsessed in trying all the trendy health food cafes and restaurants which were just so cheap as well. It was hard to resist getting yet another smoothie bowl every morning and the vegan foodie scene is next level, even meat lovers would find it hard to resist.
Likewise shopping in Bali is reasonable if you’re brave enough to haggle! We were spoilt for choice when it came to cool surfer shops and luxurious swimwear brands, but one of the best places to bag a bargain in Canggu is the Love Anchor Market.
We totally emerssed ourselves amongst the bustling social scene of Bali too which would seem to have no care for what day of the week it is, everyday is a party! From sipping beers on the beach at sunset to partying the night away at Old Man’s famous midweek Wednesday blow out, we certainly lived it up Bali style.
I’m looking forward to reliving some of our best moments in Bali here on the blog, so stay tuned for all the wonderful memories we made and tips if you plan on visiting Canggu yourself 🙂
Now I find myself looking back on that time doing my farm work in the South of Australia and feel a pang of pride as I think of what I achieved and the awesome memories I made. It certainly wasn’t an easy time but with all the loyal, lifelong friends I made along the way, somebody always had my back.
I certainly wouldn’t rush back to those brisk cold 6am mornings stacking rocks on that stone wall, but the whole experience really pushed me out of my comfort zone and revealed my true character. Determined to earn my second year visa in Aus, not much was going to stop me.
Going back to see the wall a year and a half on was very special and I was astounded at how much it had developed and grown. The concept of stone walling is very simple yet takes much patience and an eye for detail to achieve the aesthetic desired. The unique benefit of these walls is that once built, they last an extremely long time and are almost indestructible as the structure can move and adjust with the earth’s gravity.
Given our hard work and long gruelling days spent on that wall, we were very proud to carve our names into one of the rocks…we’re a little part of Australian history now!
Following the famous walk from Bronte to Bondi, the beaches were buzzing and summer in Sydney was in full swing.
This walk was one of the first things I did when I came to Australia two years ago and now I had the pleasure of showing my best friend the breathtaking Aussie coast in all its glory.
Looking out over the open ocean and into the vast deep blue sea is a wonderful reminder of how small we are on this planet and just how precious our time is here.
Living life just on the edge not knowing what is around the corner is the best way to welcome new horizons and opens doors for your future. I guess my move to Aus was one of my bravest decisions and undoubtedly helped me grow and learn how life can never be mapped out in detail, you just have to let each day be and keep yourself happy in wherever you end up.
I haven’t always been an early bird as I’m naturally more productive in the evenings. However with a new routine and 9-5 job, I have learnt to embrace the crack of dawn and soak up my morning me time.
After drawing back the curtains, the first thing I do every single morning is make the bed to set me up for a positive, productive day; clear space, clear mind.
Most mornings I will then do a half an hour workout and stretching routine which energises my body and releases any tension from sleeping. Having danced all of my life, I feel sluggish and tired when I don’t exert myself physically, so I make this a priority.
After a quick shower and simple makeup routine, I relish the process of choosing my outfit for the day as fashion and style has always been a passion of mine. Finally, I make my morning coffee in a keep cup and take 5 minutes to catch the morning news as I savour that moment before dashing to work.
Dani Aneka 