Open Minds & Open Doors

Sometimes the best adventures begin with a stop at Bunnings. With the boot loaded full of firewood and good vibes, my sister Manda and I made our way to a little bush cabin tucked away in the Great Ocean Road region, just 20 minutes from Torquay. We arrived at dusk as gentle rain danced across the tin roof. It was the sound of slowing down. An invitation, if you will.

Getting the wood heater roaring was our first priority and, before long, the cabin was glowing with warmth. The complimentary bottle of red certainly helped too. The shack offered a beautifully simple way of living, yet somehow had everything we needed. Although, to be fair, I had my sister with me, and that's really all I need in life.

The next morning we slid open the enormous walls, letting the crisp winter air drift through the cabin while keeping a careful eye on the resident fluffy possum. The scent of damp earth, eucalyptus and flowering gums mingled with birdsong before I enjoyed one delicious open air hot shower, completely surrounded by nature.

We headed to Moriac General Store for brunch and holy moly... she was delightFULL! Much like my sister. On the way back to our little abode we stumbled across Freshwater Creek Cakes and couldn't resist taking a passionfruit sponge back to the shack. One bite instantly transported us back to childhood, reminding us of the homemade sponge cakes from our hometown where the lovely local ladies would bake for every fundraiser and community event.

Later that afternoon our host invited us to enjoy a wine tasting while sharing stories from his own journey. It was such a thoughtful touch that made our stay even more memorable. And THAT wine... top notch, my friends!

As the sun disappeared, Manda got the outdoor fire going while I bravely tackled the outdoor drop toilet. I think it's fair to say I was the brave one in that moment. Ha! The evening was spent laughing our faces off around the crackling fire, revisiting ridiculous stories from our childhood. It had been years since we'd escaped together like this and it reminded us just how important these moments really are.

You see, my sister... she's a real keeper. And gosh, I love her so.

That night we fell asleep warm and cosy to the gentle rhythm of rain falling on the tin roof. We woke to another misty winter morning with fresh coffee, flowering gums and absolutely no reason to rush. Manda and I live very different lives these days, but no matter how much time passes, we always seem to pick up exactly where we left off.

On our final morning we wrapped our hands around warm mugs of coffee and sat quietly overlooking the native trees with the sliding walls wide open, just like our hearts. Mist lingered between the gums while the bush slowly woke around us. There wasn't much to say. We simply soaked it all in, knowing moments like these don't come around nearly often enough.

As we said goodbye to our little shack, I realised that the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Thank you, Manda, for taking the time to make these memories with me. You are one of a kind and I feel incredibly lucky to call you my sister.