Every Last Sunday
My favourite hotel in NSW, Dusty's amazing film esq camera that I want to steal and I've FINALLY found something that's making my hair grow, see before and after taken 3 months apart . . . .
I feel like I’m playing catch up a lot at the moment, it’s been a hectic last week of the month as well as my boyfriend being away for the last two weeks, which is quite usual and the reason why I’ve started doing little solo trips with Dusty, I want to try and make it more fun and break up the time until Daddy gets home, anyway we were away last weekend but then had to come back early . . . . .
. . . . . as Gus (our dog) managed to dislocate his hip whilst playing with our neighbours daughter, the good news is that he’s okay, the bad is that he has to be crated or put in a pen, we now have both as he likes to be in the same room as us all the time. He can’t do any running, walks for longer than 5 minutes 3x a day or steps, slippy surfaces - our wooden floors etc, we live in a 2nd floor apartment AHHHHHH and all this for 6 weeks. The 2nd night back from our weekend away together after collecting Gus from the vet, Dusty woke up in the middle of the night cough-choking and covered in hives so we left the house in a rush to our local hospital after having an antihistamine and some nurofen, all to the sound of Gus howling from his crate because we’d left him. Luckily we have a beautiful neighbour downstairs that came and sat with Gus whilst Dusty and I got ourselves to hospital, and as soon as we’d registered to see a nurse the coughing stopped and the hives started to go down, we sat in A+E to monitor him and 2 hours later we were sent home. I’ve made an appointment to see an allergist this week and I’m thinking that it’s nightshade vegetables, all the good ones ahhh !! I’d cooked spaghetti bolognaise and put courgette in which I would always do for me but I haven’t with Dusty before anyway we’ll know next week. So basically this week has been a lot of carrying Gus up and down the stairs and making sure Dusty doesn’t try and do a runner when I have my hands full, he’s THAT kid !
Anyway before the drama we had a lovely weekend away . . . .
Halcyon House, Cabarita, NSW.
Back to our little get-away, oh my goodness it was dreamy, we just hung out together, which was exactly what I wanted to do. We swam, ate ice-cream, played games etc, it was bliss. The pool is heated to the perfect temp so even if it’s a bit cold outside (it was 20/21) when we were there, so you can still get in and out without feeling too brrrr. We spent so much time swimming and I noticed a real improvement in his confidence in the water in just a few days. Our room was on the ground floor so we could walk out onto the grass that lead up to the pool and just past the pool area is one of my favourite beaches in Australia, Cabarita. It has so much wildlife, part sand dune and also some rocky bits and a look put point, basically great for an explore and very child friendly, plus the water is still warm at this time of year for a swim. Dusty had a brilliant experience that he’s told everyone that will listen to him about since, an eagle had caught a small shark and had eaten half of it and was carrying the head in its talons and being chased by some seagulls so he’d dropped it and then was swopping down to pick it up again, we watched the whole thing from metres away and it was pretty unbelievable, who needs Attenborough eh ? As we were doing so much during the morning Dusty napped after lunch and I sat on the terrace and read my book which I’ll review next month The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt . In the afternoon we did pretty much the same, grabbing an ice-cream from the hotel at 2.30 (this is when they hand them out for the pool go-ers) we took ours and walked the beach, needless to say after a big serving of kids menu fish n chips he was ready for a bath and bed. I’d then top it up with some hot water and jump back in a face mask and Netflix, before having an early night myself, BLISS. Dusty might just be my favourite person ever to holiday with.
What we love most about Halcyon House
The staff are pure sunshine, if you go please say hi to Ally the restaurant manager for me, the most wonderful soul.
The old school charm / interiors and attention to detail, it’s a bit soho-house, but small and the location is off the charts amazing.
Swimming in their pool which is perfect for toddlers as a really good temp.
Waking up and getting our ‘coffees’ before going for a walk on the beach to collect treasures and to the hotel for one of their incredible breakfast options.
The deepest bubble bath which is big enough for a whole family to get in and the fluffiest towels.
When you walk into your room after check in and there is jazz playing, it instantly sets the tone, I’ve started leaving it on at home to recreate the chill.
Walking up the steps to the look out point to the right of the beach which is a short walk from the hotel.
Eating breakfast on our terrace in the sunshine, the hotel gets morning sun and it’s on the pool all day.
Visiting the near by toy shop which holds play mornings for 2-5 year olds, we were booked in for the food sensory one but sadly had to cancel due to flying back early.
Having dinner at the bar so there is plenty to watch for Dusty, the staff were lovely and made him a special apple mocktail and the kids menu is great.
The food, staff and attention to detail is so good here, hence why we’ve been 4 times and will definitely be back again.
The shop is also worth checking out as it stocks a lot of my favourite Aussie labels.
I’ve had a treatment in the past in their spa which is lovely.
He’s so helpful now and a bit slower since turning 3, it’s been a game changer for travelling with him by myself.
I feel like I’m just his plus 1 now : )
Please never stop holding my hand.
I love the textiles they use at Halcyon and you can buy some of them in the hotel shop.
Always the warmest welcome.
My mum weekend away with toddler uniform, always shorts.
That sky and pool, we were so lucky with the weather, Cabarita in Winter !
Part fish, part boy.
The food here is so good, I’m going to re-create this salad at home.
I even managed to read a magazine.
I love so many things about this photo, Dusty in quiet mode, those textiles, the walls are also covered in the most beautiful linen and every room is different.
Always a good sign when you arrive and there is a double rainbow.
This bath. DEEP.
Cabarita beach in the afternoon sun (Ice cream in hand)
The Sezane beach bag that keeps on giving.
We are currently mastering noughts and crosses.
Made a tent with sticks from the beach and a napkin naturally.
I didn’t get a pic of the eagle as I didn’t have my phone but ran back as soon as he’d cleared off.
Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach, NSW
AG1+
Okay I’ve mentioned this before as I started taking it 3 months ago but I had no idea how much it’s actually really affected my hair until a friend mentioned it the other day so here’s some before and after pics - 3 months apart and I’ve had it trimmed in the meantime, hence it looks a bit healthier too, starting to feel better about it after losing so much post-part, illness and now peri ! Seriously the joys of being a woman eh ?
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FLASHBACK / CAMERA
My brother who’s a complete tech-head bought Dusty a camera for Christmas and It’s our favourite thing. It looks like a film camera and takes film quality photos but the catch is that you can only take 27 at a time before you have to download them to your phone, then it takes 48 hrs for the images to be developed before you can view them. As soon as they are downloaded though you get another 27 so you can shoot as much as a you want. I just love the concept as it’s not instant, which goes against everything else in this world these days. Dusty loves that he has to wait for them and asks me ‘are they ready yet’ quite a few times, he’s getting the hang of it though. You can use a flash and there are two film options link to buy
It’s also inspired me to buy a camera so I don’t have to use my phone when we go away and would love any of your recommendations . . . . . .
Gorgeous pics and stories. Hope your little pooch is ok 🙏🏻 and hope you get to the bottom of Dusty’s allergies. Love your work 👌🏻❤️
Looooove Halcyon house and that part of the world. The massages at the spa are to die for. Hope little Gus heals well and quickly.