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We left home for a twilight meet, Dana rang me, after driving around in a really big circle, and said “ok how do I find the pool” I tell her we are still on the freeway, and she should park and walk!

We arrive, it’s raining we have great seats in the grandstand (thanks Dana!) From that moment we have one of the best meet experiences. Laughing, dancing for prizes. Yelling for Parso & Tyler. Realising Elliot is entertaining everyone, and is in danger of falling in the pool, whilst dancing pretending to have a broken leg? We buy swimwear (after Min tried on EVERY pair), we enjoy rice in chinese takeaway boxes (thanks to Steph’s sponsors). Olympic athletes come and sit with us, chat and hang out.  Maggie sleeps, throws grapes in the air! Min collects autographs, says “like” too much. Elliot dances behind the blocks OMG.  Ty and Dave have Ice baths between racing. Parso tries out a new kick, and to his amazement, holy crap, it actually helps. He dead heats for first in his 400 free, wins a bronze medal for breaststroke, (you have to know Dave to realise how hilarious that is!)

But best of all, we hung out and really, truly enjoy ourselves. St Peters really know how to run a carnival! 

Isla was the breeze to blow over “Aunty’s” heart the day I came to capture them. They are a gorgeous family, and Isla & Mitchell already know so much love. …Take the love Isla has for peas

When I arrived, the light was nearly non existant, so I went with the energy around them.

This would be the weekend that:

Gave my children a glimpse of country life, and reminded me of a life I had as a child. Seeing a local man walking a goat and a sheep on a leash, was funny but not that disturbing. Here we would judge him, and not kindly. In his environment, we spoke to him and took an interest. The main street was full of surprisingly awesome stores. The bakery made it’s own chocolate wagon wheels, and smiley face biscuits There was a handmade chocolate store. A store that had art and all things interesting, that stocked South African dolls and china that Diana knew, and had pieces of! The pub we ate at was very interesting, the cafe perfect. The IGA sold everything from fruit to Dulux paint, Adidas clothing and a bottle shop with local wines at the back. A plastic replica of a waterford crystal bowl, that made Diana remember her grandmother, and had the hair on her arms standing up.  Meaghan notices within a couple of hours, something that most adults overlook. Everyone is taking an interest in everyone else, she said something like “Mum it’s weird, they all know each other, it’s like they are all really good friends” and you know, I guess they are!

At the IGA instead of trying to sell us an esky they give us a foam brocolli box, and go out of their way to do so. At the pub when we can’t decide what to drink, they get us to taste the options. When George makes crumbs at the front of a shop, they bring him a broom. The pizza shop pick toppings for the pizza from their garden, to put on fresh for us! The local pool lets us enter and shower for free, because we are swimmers! The locals immediately know we are not, but offer up great suggestions and directions.

We only stepped back into our normal lives while at the venue, I guess where there was a high concentration of  “non country” people. Where rulings seemed stupid, impatience existed and there were a lot of people that seem to only care about themselves. I’m grateful for the time we spent in Euroa, I had an enourmous amount of fun and would go back tomorrow. It makes me wonder though does Swimming Australia offer us parts of our country we might not otherwise visit, on purpose? As a side note Dave came 4th in the 10km, this is the first year he has competed in this distance at National’s. Michaela also first time out and came #1

Albert’s Cafe was sensational.

I woke feeling a little lacking in the wellness stakes on Saturday morning. Ian & I went out for a run, which turned into a walk down a dirt road, with 2 metre tall wildflowers and rabbit’s running out infront of us. When we got back, breakfast and coffee were the two things most of us wanted, neither appealed to me. But along I went.

As soon as we walked in I didn’t know where to look, everything was charming. Even the little old couple who were sitting near us. Julie smiled at the little old man grooving away to a song being played, and when he realised he had been caught, he said he thought no one was watching him

I wish I had of felt better, all I managed was a lemonade and braved a latte at the end. Everyone else’s food looked amazing. Quality, in generous country portions. They graciously let me take photo’s, athough clearly they didn’t understand why I wanted to!

It was one of the highlights of our weekend, the decor was warm and comforting. The food and company just right. If this cafe was anywhere near where I lived, we would happily eat breakfast there every weekend. I can only imagine lunch and dinner with a glass or two of wine would be equally hard to turn down. Their only problem, getting people to leave..

We have a bit of a rule, once they are warmed up, and have spoken to the coach. We will not think about the swim. Uno was the perfect distraction, George only made it more hilarious . There is enough time walking to the start, to visualise your race.

On the Saturday Dave swam the 5km, came in 6th in his age group. He had a pretty ordinary start, but when you have 80 odd bodies all trying to do the same thing, in the same space. Stuff happens! that’s why it’s called Open Water, and you are always learning. Mick had a blinding swim, Michaela also put together a good swim. Rhys pulled out after getting kicked in the ribs, (another ordinary start). 

The result, not what Dave wanted for himself, but after a while came to terms with drawing a line, getting over it and prepare for the 10km race the next day. Fresh. The photo’s of him finishing I’ll post later, although they are all the same. Cranky!

See Not something a mother wants to see. I feel enourmous amounts of sadness, when things don’t go to plan for him. He works so hard, and is 1000% dedicated. Early mornings, and sacrifices made (all his choice) It’s such a brutal sport, sometimes for very little reward. Yet when he is rewarded, you realise why it is, he has chosen this!

We love you so much Dave, and I will add, it wasn’t long before he was able to shrug his mood off. Something I need to learn from him

I will get to the swimming part of our weekend, honestly!

Another charming part of the country, plenty or rail crossings.

George thought it was brilliant that he could run on the track. We did have a plan, if a train did happen to appear. I got some lovely shots of Diana & george together, which was great. The last shot of Meg’s & Jules also great. Which proves that when you least expect it, you can capture a really nice moment.

We discuss where Min should sit,

I decide that she should get on top. And to my surprise, they are very light, and easy to roll!

This story began back in January. Coming back from the valley, after dropping Emma at home. I drove past a field where they had just rolled their hay. My instinct to stop was in vain, no camera. The following day around 4 people told me excitedly about the spot, so I was eager to go back. After 5 days, and numerous faults with my plans. I did go back. To find, most of the bales had gone, the ones that were left. All droopy

I was upset at myself for not immediately going back, but resigned myself to the fact I had missed the opportunity.

Fast forward to last weekend. As we arrived at the venue where the kids were swimming, I noticed a field. In the field were perfectly rolled bales, this time I had my camera with me! So with Meaghan in tow we walked down the road, climbed through the fencing, which was a first for Meaghan (we were in a country town). And carefully picked out a close and uninhabited by snakes, or any other nasty creatures, bale to use as our prop. The results, definetly worth the wait.

Last weekend I fell in love with family time, all over again.

We flew to Melbourne, and drove out to Euroa for 3 days, with 3 other families who I respect and love for a whole host of different reasons. The motivating factor, National Open water championships. While I have {loads} of great images/recount’s  over the next week, to show, these ones of Megs, are special to me.

I could of stayed for a month and still would not have captured everything I wanted to photograph. Driving with me was a lengthy exercise. Jules was perfect at coming to a complete standstill when I would randomly yell out “stop”.

I LOVED this charming little town, I LOVED the 3 days we were there, memories were made there!

We definetly covered Fun & enjoyment. Leaders, well they are {by example} Professional too! The only problem, seemingly not enough free time to train or join them!

Ntina (spelling? sorry) there should be a law against having so many fabulous expressions, you need to seriously market your arms

Sometimes you can come across something, and either choose to ignore it, or think just a little about it.

Take one or many things, and inspire others to be positive and happy.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculped like a rose before it melted
in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more
while watching life.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment, realising that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I love you’s” and more “I’m sorry’s”

. . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . .
look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back.”— Erma Bombeck