Waterfall Picnic, Longing, Birthdays and Family

 Just three weeks ago it was sunny enough for T-shirts and dresses.  Autumn has finally come with a wintery force, the chilly mornings leave me longing for those sparkling sun filled days.

A journey into the deep dark wood with my family, including my brother, sister in law, and their beautiful 3 kids. A short climb down some beautiful stone stairs takes you to this place. A waterfall that flows all year round. One of my favourite spots to visit.

The children spy water and places to climb and quickly remove their shoes for an adventure. For a moment I think to stop them, just a second really, it would be wrong  hold back such exuberance.

Stepping into an icy cold stream.

Too cold for these sensitive toes (and mine).

The lure of what lies beyond kept the kidlets investigating along slippery stones.

Deliciously dirty, and the problem of how to put on ones shoes for the climb back up.

A small slip , the inevitable wet bottom.

Forest gazing for the less adventurous

Sometimes we forget to explore the beautiful place we live in, and and it takes a visit from the family to inspire us to go adventuring.

Sadly said goodbye to my mum this week, had to return her to dad who has been missing her enormously. There was lots of wonderful adventuring, op shop exploring, cafe grazing, gypsy music, and I even found a local supplier of delicious olive oil. She's back on a plane back home to Jakarta where her adventures take on a whole new level, one of my friends said she's like an Indiana Jones grandma (although we call her Nenek - Indonesian for grandma).

There are lots of comings and goings.  After a week away at school camp my eldest has returned filled with famous five like stories, and an extra digit to add to her age. Some catch up celebrating and lots of washing. I guess there will be many birthdays without her as time goes by, but I wasn't quite ready for one so soon.

I'm also thinking about my sister whose birthday was yesterday. Wishing my far flung family was just a little closer, and didn't cost so much to visit. 

I'm sure you're seeing this birthday in with some European style little sis.