I arrived just as autumn began to settle in, the air crisp against my skin and the ground scattered with leaves that crunched softly underfoot. It felt like the kinda place that knew how to take care of me. Warm. Safe. Ever so inviting.

Hop Hall Cottage was simple and open, a space made for two but exactly what I needed for this solo retreat. Morning light filled the kitchenette, fresh linen carried that clean, comforting smell, and I was welcomed with walnuts to crack open and a small stash of chocolates that didn’t last long. Girl loves a chocolate or five.

Outside the large glass windows, the autumn trees stood tall, reminding me to hold my head high and keep shining my true colours, just as they did mid-change, shifting into warm tones of amber and gold. The outdoor bath became my evening ritual. Steam rising into the cool air, bath salts softening the moment, the sky slowly fading as I sank deeper into stillness. It wasn’t about silence. It was about letting the day fall away, just as the autumn leaves did.

One rainy morning was spent in bed with a strong coffee, watching the leaves drop between showers. There was something magical about being cozy inside while watching the day drift by. Eventually, I made my way to the kitchen where a casual attempt at baking turned into banana muffins that filled the space with warmth and, surprisingly, turned out pretty darn good.

A brief break in the weather let me sit beneath the grapevine canopy, coffee in hand, soaking up a little sun with some raspberries and my questionable muffins… although, for an experiment, they tasted pretty bloody good. I met the locals too while staying at the cottage. The donkey seemed far more interested in admiring himself during our selfie moment than any pats I was dishing out. And the local goat made it very clear we wouldn’t be friends after I discovered he preferred head-butts over pats. Ha!

The next day was a little brighter, which led me to a bike ride along the old railway trail by the Ovens River. Leaves scattered along the path, water moving steadily beside me. It was a pretty blissful way to spend the afternoon, pedalling along at my own pace. That evening, after another steamy bath, I made dinner, settled in with a warm drink, and watched the feel-good series Muster Dogs.

Checkout day arrived and I was feeling rejuvenated. More like myself. Calm. Grounded. And, quite frankly, a little cheeky again with a hop in my step. I visited the pumpkin seed farm nearby and taste-tested just about everything. I mean, what girl doesn’t love options? Sunroof open. Tunes playing. And I felt alive, baby.

This little abode just outside of Bright gave me more than I knew I needed. The recharge. The reset. And that quiet faith in your heart that keeps you hoppin’ on through life.