As built up urban areas flashed by I felt anxious but not in an uncomfortable, negative, way. I was anxious and excited to put the city behind me and to place my feet upon familiar and fertile ground. The air is fresher there and as it fills my lungs it infuses my body with a feeling of being just that little more alive and I tend to tumble into the emotions and feelings of, well of being where I came from and where I feel like I belong.
I was in the Big Dog, my Landcruiser 4x4, and it ate up the miles with ease; the big V8 engine rumbled along as it pulled me farther along the road and the hum of tyres on the blacktop droned in counterpoint to the country music coming from the sound system. As buildings and the chaos of humankind's creation gave way to rolling hills of greens, rich browns and the yellow of canola fields my shoulders relaxed a little more and my foot released the throttle peddle a little slowing down my journey through the beautiful Barossa Valley...I know it as something else though.
Home
I had no destination in mind, days like today are often better that way, but I knew I'd find moments of value and I let Big Dog carry me forward along the blacktop, and then dirt and gravel roads without thought. By the time I passed through Sandy Creek, not much more than a map dot, the little town of Lyndoch, Rowland Flat and finally Tanunda I was deep in home-mode and felt...well I felt comfortable I guess is the word.
With winter officially over and spring showing it's beauty already the region looks simply amazing. The vineyards are all pruned and wired ready for the growing season and and the crops are reaching for the sky. And speaking of the sky...Well, you can see for yourself from a couple of pictures I took today. It's a good time to be here, and I felt fortunate I'm able to do so.
The Barossa Valley is a very famous wine region with some of the best wines originating here, but it's not wine that brings me here, it's nature, fresh air and the sense of belonging I feel when I come back. Today was all about peace and quiet, seclusion and nature and as I turned down a little track I know well my mind shifted to the little creek at the end of it, the grassy banks lined with overhanging gum trees and a row of willows someone had planted many years ago - the sound of willow trees blowing in the slight breeze is like music, and I knew they'd sing me to sleep later as I lay back on a blanket soaking in life and nature.
Big Dog came to a stop and as the engine died the sounds of nature settled upon me.
I could hear the stream, the trees moving in the breeze, the swish of winter grasses and the trill of birds. I did the usual, an exploration of the area, tasted the water, I have a thing about tasting water, and smiled inwardly at the serenity and beauty I found in the moment. I loved being here because it was, and always will be my true home.
I'd brought along a picnic which I deployed after my creek exploration mission and I set out the blanket and food thinking a nice lunch followed by a snooze would be exactly what I needed. As it turned out, it was.
I kept the food simple: Cold cuts, cheeses, olives and crusty bread. There were beverages also, and I brought along an apple strudel, purchased at the German bakery in Lyndoch, for later. I had my JetBoil to brew some hot coffee also, but that was a post-lunch post-sleep thing.
Days like today fill me with happiness. There's not much to them, a little planning for lunch and some driving. Spending time, simple time, with nature and finding the solace and comfort through those simple moments is something I love. Being able to lay back and become pat of nature for a time is something very special, and doing so in a place where my life began provides immeasurable value. It breathes life into me.
I'm fortunate to have been born and raised in Australia, and double-fortunate to have been born and raised in this part of Australia - It's wholesome, natural places like this usually are and when I'm here I feel nurtured, welcome and a part of the area, intrinsic to it. I think it's a pretty special feeling, and I come back often to experience it.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
All images in this post are mine and are not for your use.
It feels somewhat strange to realize that in other parts of the world it is now spring, when here (and not just here) we are preparing for autumn, and then winter. Everything feels upside down, it messes me up the more I think of it.
It would BE & FEEL really really REALLY strange to just come in Australia and live the next months there, enjoying Spring and Summer again. In the end, I dont think that I would enjoy it much and I guess this is normal because my body and my mind is in a state of awaiting for the cold season. It's like natural. Or maybe its because I ddint get the chance to experiment it ( I mean skipping a season or two). 😁😅
It's all a bit upside down, and yes it seems weird sometimes when I fly to Europe or the UK and the seasons are opposite. You get used to it though, and Australia is a beautiful country, a mix of everything here, big cities and all, but it's the natural places I love the most.
It sounds perfect! 💚 I've never been to Australia before LOL but I will. One day! Thats a promise (to myself) 😅.
I hope you get to fulfill your self-promise, I think you'll find plenty to like down here.
I bet I will! 🙂
I envy your independence so much. I would love to wander off into the wilderness like you do, alone (even if this particular day was not a wilderness adventure.) It is not something that I get to do just because of who I am - enjoy it.
I'm certain that your Big Dog will never be as fabulous as my Big Dog though ;)
Here's one of my favourite tracks...watching it will explain why...it's the thought of just walking away.
The original Big Dog simply cannot be out-fabuloused. It is known, even down here at the bottom of the world where we all life upside down.
I wish you had the chance to wander in the wilderness as I do, maybe you could swing it sometime.
Also, I missed you G.
Oh yes, I know that feeling. The horizon whispers. There is a deep-seated craving that isn't explainable.
I missed you too.
Exactly.
😊 ...or did you just miss teasing me.
Hmm...both?
I'll accept that...I'll even call it legit.
Going home will always be special to me, I have lived away from home as many years as I lived there, yet that remains the stronger pull. The one that claims me, the place that I went when I felt broken.
The healing properties, the peace, the love that touches me every time I go.
I'm envious. I want to go home again too. I was just thinking about how nice it would be to go home and be taken care of once again.
I know, ridiculous, or is it really?
Hi, Galen. Every line of this pulled me along with you. I hope you had an incredible day. I know did just thinking about it.
Good night from here.
Growing up in a rural place meant I had to be more creative than the city slickers as we simply didn't have the external means of entertainment; we needed to make our own. It made me more creative and I guess contemplative as I had to think a lot. It was a good place to grow up and I think that's what I like going back so much, the memories of these places hold great value.
Thanks for your nice comment, as always, I appreciate it. I hope you have a good start to the week.
Going home.... the words always conjure up something good if you were lucky enough to have a good home.
Does any of your family still live around there?
Those skies do seem to go on forever. I like the grass growing out of the fence post/stump.
I had to google the jetboil. I have heard you say it before and understood your use of it, but didn't know what it looked like. Now I do.
Sounds like you spent your weekend balancing out against the stresses of the workweek.
Nah Jace, I'm the only one in my family that lives in South Australia now so going home is more about the area, those familiry dirt roads and the feel of being in places I recall and love so much. It was a really nice day today and one I needed. The Big Dog liked stretching its legs too.
I know this is not quite the same, because I live within the same little towns that I was born and raised in, but not near the neighborhoods I actually lived. On rare occasion I will ride back through those areas, look at all the changes and all the things that are still basically the same as it was when I grew up there. It is a beautiful feeling and seeing it brings back so many memories of my childhood, so close and easily remembered in my mind, but so far away in years.
Glad you chose to go and that it turned out to be a good day.
It's the memories that mean the most I guess. As I drove to places I went as a kid today it brought them flooding back and it brought with it that happy feeling of good times. You get it as you describe the same thing above.
I've never been to a place where I could see this much flowers grown and are blooming all at once. I hope to see one in the future, though I can't think of a place like this one in the Philippines.
It's something to see for sure.
Going to a place we called HOME is priceless and we don't want to leave that place but sometimes life will require us to leave but one thing more important is we always crave to go home to feel loved, feel relaxed, unwind and enjoy the ambiance of our home.
Life takes us from place to place, physically and emotionally also, it's a journey we're all on and it only goes one way. I'm pleased to be able to get back to this beautiful location though, and hope I'm always able to return; I just feel so happy there.
Greenery is just everything. I already find peace looking at the images and breathing in and out as if I was right there. This is really home, a place of fresh air, fresh water and of course greenery to feed the eyes. Your images are wonderful 💙
Hey there, thanks for your message. I had a great day today, just simple but enjoyable. A great way to spend a Sunday.
Oh, my pleasure 😊
Indeed 😌
The natural and peaceful nature is our basic home.
In many places we are starting to plant concrete terraces for reasons of modern living and displacing villages. The hustle and bustle of urban life mercilessly displaces peace.
For those who were born in the village and then migrated to the city for reasons of prosperity, they always harbored longing, but were bound by reasons of income sources in urban areas that tied their feet not to be able to return.
Every time I hear the peace of rural life, the longing always peaks and wants to come back, even if only for a moment to pick up the longing.
For people who have been born and lived in the village, always feel the "sense of belonging" as you feel. I also feel a "sense of belonging". All the villagers who went from there, also felt that "sense of belonging". A sense of belonging about peace and quiet, seclusion and nature.
You are absolutely right, Mr @galenkp.
Life in a rural area is more suited to me than the city although I live and work in the city at the moment, mainly because the work aspect. I get back to my home town a lot though despite there being no family left there, we're spread all over the world and Australia. But I like days like today, as per my post, and it's good to reconnect.
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.
Well now I know why we resonate.
It's Sunday so I'm not going to chat much. Moving slowly and finding the moments of space between today.
But this is wonderful and you took me right there.
Going offline to find a bit of it myself.
You're full of surprises in the best possible way. 😊
I've sprung a surprise or two in my day, intentionally and sometimes by happenstance. Some has gone well, and some not so well. Happily, it seems on this day, it's the former.
Unplugging is a perfect thing to do now and then, and Sunday's are a good time to do it; I hope you have a really great day, as I did myself. It's ticking on to 18:00 here so dinner time in a bit...Left overs from last night, nothing too exciting. I'm looking forward to a restful night which today's little escape will help me find. I'm feeling rather content and happy.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Beautiful. And see? You're inspiring change just by being yourself! (upvotes on your comment :) )
Feeling the same here. Slow and easy... and simple... wins the race.
Restful evening and see you in the week! 😊🌼
I'll see you in the week for sure. I've got a pretty busy one this week, but I'll Hive afterwards, and maybe during. Shhh, tell no one.
Your secret is safe with me ;)
My hubby was in Australia when he was young and since then it was his dream to return and even settle. But obviously we are not in Australia yet, who knows maybe that dream will come true one day. But reading through your post I can imagine the beauty of nature and of course spring and really envy you :)
It's the best country in the world in my opinion, but I'm biased, being born and raised here of course.
I've been away from my home because I need to work so I can give them something. Being comfortable once you're in the place you call "Home" is something else. It's also a good feeling when you are with your family and you laugh together. I miss them, I don't even know when I will be able to return to my place of origin.
I hope you manage to return to your home someday, but whilst you're elsewhere maybe you could find happiness and contentment through other activities and thoughts. I wish you luck.
This is really very beautiful, I want to feel like enjoying the natural atmosphere that is so beautiful and peaceful there.
I hope you get a chance to enjoy some nature, and if not nature then something else that brings you happiness.
You are very kind, I hope I get a good chance like you @galenkp
I have my fingers crossed in hope that you manage it.
There are places that does not only mean the 'destination' we stepped our feet into, but at some points in our lives, the place was our home. It is where we breathe without any worries and look around feeling comfortable and relieved. Moments like these are priceless.
I completely agree with you, thanks for your valuable input. I hope you have a great day.
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The views are amazing! Love these photos!
Thanks mate, it was a really nice day.
There's no place like home.
These are moments that are worth to be shared and be remembered.
A home that gives calmness and peace is priceless.
May you enjoy more this kind of moments in the future. God bless you! 😍
Thanks for your comment, I hope you've had a good weekend.
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What a pretty place!
It sure is.
That dish looks super creative and cute I loved it.
😊
We are living also at the countdyside and what I love staying here is a quite and peaceful place like you've shown in that picture.
Love the shots ,it is a very relaxing place😍
It's certainly more relaxing in the countryside than in cities right?
Yes hihi its a bog different from cities😄