week sixteen | harwood hall, yea, vic

I have the worlds best group of friends; they are silly, hilarious, fun, happy, supportive and really truly outstanding. A couple of weeks ago we headed into the wilds of country Victoria to celebrate our beautiful friend Em on her 21^st birthday. We set off a little behind schedule (isn’t it always the way). And because night driving isn’t that fun and everything always takes much longer than expected, by the time we got to our destination we were all a little hungry, a little grumpy and a lot grateful to get out of the car and have a drink.

We were spending the weekend at an adorable country hall a little way from the town of Yea. It was just picture perfect, a white weatherboard hall which Em and her family has decorated perfectly for the occasion. In all their wisdom they had also set up a couple of campfires outside where people could sit and chat, but also to make sure that there was a lot of space to bust out our rad d-floor moves inside.

Spring is Melbourne is nothing to write home about, unless you like long drawn out tales of dressing for one season and spending the day uncomfortable or drenched. Lucky for us though, about 2 hours north the weather is predictable. Predictably absolutely freezing. That being said however, the nighttime stars, the peaceful country surrounds, the warmth of the campfires and the drinks had us all feeling very cozy and exceptionally lucky to be there.

Once the cold had got the better of us and we were done with our dancing it was time for bed. A quick tent set up in the dark reminded me once again about how truly un-handy I am at most basic life skills, thankfully Luca has no such issues and we we’re all tucked up in tents or in cars ready for some shuteye in no time.  

I took a little walk in the early hours of the next morning, enjoying the complete quite and the misty crisp air. There is nothing like time in the country and it reminded me that I should to take some more time out. Also that I should probably re consider a life path that, at some point, might involve a small house in the middle of a paddock with a tiny fire and a few good books. So until I’ve learnt to put up a tent by myself and bought some warmer socks I’m happy to continue to adore the country from my little suburban flat in the big smoke and spend my days with some of the best people on earth.

TRIP RATING: 4/5 FIRESIDE CHATS 

week fifteen | hawker, canberra, act

Most days I feel like a true Melbournian, however when it comes to my family I wish my trips home to them in Canberra were much more frequent. A couple of weeks ago I got to spend a silly amount of time back home with mum, dad, G and A (just shy of 20 hours) but I made sure it was full of time in the garden, time with my precious Ellie, and time watching a true legend grace the stage of the Canberra Exhibition Centre.

The main reason for this particular trip – if I even need one bigger than mum's home cooking – was Bob Dylan. He was cool as a cucumber, didn't interact with the audience at all and just as smooth as you'd expect. Now I’d say I was a Dylan fan, but my parents excitement really brought home how lucky we were to be seeing him live, and how cute my parents are when given the chance to see music played live that represented a massive chunk of their formative years. It's pretty standard that Mama and Papa Devere are adorable but it was family night on steroids and I was struck about just how lucky I am to have them. 

After a wonderful night out we spent Saturday in the Canberra sunshine, which I kid you not is a different kind of brilliantly bright light blue and homemade brunch was everything I dream of a couple of times a week when I hand over a shamelessly large amount of money in cafes across Melbourne. I then joined the ‘rents on some pretty normal Saturday morning errands, because it is the little things that count most of all.

Thank you for the wonderful trip, the Dylan tickets and the home made smashed avo, you guys rock.

TRIP RATING: 5/5 ELLIE CUDDLES 

week fourteen | the home of the afl, melbourne, victoria

Ahh footy, the most classic of Melbourne experiences! The season runs through winter and is one of the top weekend experiences to be had during the colder months here in Melbourne.

Now I’m no massive fan by any stretch of the imagination but I do have a team (go North Melbourne!) and I adore watching games live. A couple of weekends ago I was invited to watch a Port Power/Collingwood game with my Port Power crazy family. We cheered, we sang, we laughed at the drunken fans and the guy that ran into a pole and then we rolled our eyes because Collingwood won and that just sucks.

Just like every time to go to a game I promise myself that I should go more often, but I think more than anything I love the family time. Whether its with my dad or with my cousins and aunt and uncle it will be something that I’ll try to do for years to come. Also bonus points to my friend Rose who is a real life AFL goal umpire – one day I’ll get to a game of hers and I’ll be the crazy lady screaming for the umpire rather than the players. 

For us in Australia, and even more so in Melbourne, the AFL is less of a game than it is a way of life. It’s much more fun to embrace the crazy then it would be to fight against it. With another season almost coming to an end I’m feeling a little sad. However after last nights spectacular finals win by our Kanga’s things are looking up and footy fever is at an all time high.  

GAME RATING: 3/5 COLLINGWOOD SUPPORTERS 

ENTHUSIASM FOR OUR MIGHTY KANGA'S: 5/5 

week thirteen | 1000 steps, dandenongs, victoria

It seems spring has tentatively hit Melbourne over the last few days and the sunshine and warm weather is doing wonders for my desire to get out of bed and get moving! Saturday me hit the road with some friends all ready for some serious climbing action at the 1000 steps in the Dandenongs.

Being a sunny Saturday the place was packed, however we were determined to get through it and enjoy the fresh air and feeling thankful that we we’re all equally as fit (unfit).

Getting to the 1000 steps is pretty easy, as it’s part of the Kokoda Memorial Trail in the Dandenongs. It’s not a particularly tough walk, but it’s a good reminder that I need to exercise more frequently now the weather is getting nicer and nicer.  It takes about 40 mins all up, and isn’t even 1000 steps (liars!) but it’s just long enough. Plus the 2km uphill hike to the bottom of the steps was more then enough to have my legs feeling a little shaky and for me to look despairingly as we were lapped by a guy in a pair of all stars.

Our hike was nice and our post hike lunch was even nicer. I’m so thrilled that spring is here and that sunshine and warm weather means more outdoor adventures, camping, beach trips and many more get-out-of-the-house Saturday’s!

TRIP RATING: 3/5 STEPS