If home is where the heart is - can I have two?

Pets are pretty amazing. They're a part of your family and are pretty much one of the few things that you can count on to unconditionally love and trust you - even after the crappiest of days. The fact that it's been a rough couple of months kind of came to a head on Thursday when we had to put my dog (of 12 years) down. It sucks. So I ran away - but I ran to a 'home' of my past.

There is a place down south where I pretty much spent my summers growing up. In its' remoteness and isolation, it's a place where I feel completely safe, comfortable and at peace - so I went back down this weekend to spend some time with the family friends who live there. And being in a reflective mood, I thought I'd give you some memories.

I went for a couple of runs, about 5 km's of beautiful beaches and invariably my runs would take me past this place. It's known as 'the Gantree' - seen here for fishing, but for me, it was the place where I went to learn how to do backflips when the tide was high enough.

As well as the sun and the surf, time down south always revolved around the beach and about 10 of us sitting around a big table eating enormous amounts of great food. This weekend was no exception - except now it involves more good wine for me.

The only negative about this weekend was getting tossed around like a rag doll in the surf while kayaking, and getting smacked in the back of the head with an oar. I have some almighty bruises...


...but considering that this was the view from my room - I think it was worth it.