Our first holiday in Tasmania with our son Hugo has been absolutely delightful. He has loved being with his Babi and Poppi (Babcia or Grandma, Pop or Grandfather) as well as his uncle, auntie and cousins. We have enjoyed the cooler weather and layering with knitted cardigans, socks, shoes, scarves and beanies even though it’s technically ‘Summer’. I’ve managed to go swimming a few times around Taroona which was been great even though my fingers were going numb. But I’ve loved being able to snorkel and get some exercise in. There are some beautiful areas around Tasmania to snorkel including Bruny Island which we stayed at towards the end of our visit. I even saw a huge stingray, pufferfish and lots of parrot fish!

I’ve really loved catching up with friends who I haven’t seen in years - literally since getting married and having a baby! Some of whom I have known since I was only 2 years old, others are friends from high school and uni days. So it really hit me how much the pandemic impacted our lives and connections/disconnections to friends and family. Even though we are still surrounded by different strains of covid, there is an element of just getting on with things. I’ve definitely felt mentally drained the past couple years and at times quite lonely and isolated in Brisbane. It’s just felt so good to feel like we are getting back on track with our life and to do things again.

Highlights in Tasmania would have to be Christmas (both Christmas Eve and Day), cooking with my Mum, Beach days, Boxing Day with friends and New Years! Everything was very casual, spontaneous and not planned because of the baby but it all just seemed to work out in the best way!