We arrived home yesterday after a red-eye flight and a two-hour drive from the airport.

With bleary eyes and dwindling patience we pulled into the driveway eager to shower and lay horizontal. It’s the small things after wrangling three children in economy.

I was charmed to see that our Jacaranda tree is in full lilac bloom (I thought we would miss it’s flowering glory!). And to my surprise, the green hedge that lines one side of our garden is actually star jasmine! Those pretty white flowers emit the most potent springtime scent.

But the best thing of all? I had booked a cleaner to come in while we were away and so we returned to a sparkling home with clean floors and windows, a shiny bathroom and freshly made beds.

I now consider it one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. We had left the house in a bit of a state while packing – late deadlines and general disorganisation and indecision had us throwing things out of suitcases at the last minute, resulting in a tornado-effect from the front door to the back. Yes, we closed the door on a debacle but thanks to my mum and a hired cleaner of the perfectionist variety, we returned to organised and clean homeliness.

The relief!

Of course, it hasn’t taken long for there some of the mess to return (unpacking will do that) but at least I know I can get away with a thorough clean for another week or two and hold onto that no-chore-holiday-feeling for a little longer.

It is lovely to be back, especially when it comes to day-to-day practicalities and drinking water from the tap, but we still very much in Bali mode which is best described as “jam karet” (Indonesian for “elastic time”). Tight schedules and rushing about just isn’t a thing in Bali…it’s more like “when you’re ready….no rush….whenever!”.

Now that we’re back I do have places to be but if I’m a little late…so be it.