We are home – exhausted and inspired. When we bundled into the house late yesterday with our suitcases, stories and jars of homemade jam, we agreed that someday soon we would return to Tasmania. You see, six days is nowhere near long enough. A real holiday is a month – time to settle in, explore and soak in the ambiance.

Travelling is tiring and travelling with small children is exhausting. I’ll put my hand up high and admit that blending work and family was challenging but, as Daniel pointed out, if it wasn’t for my career, we wouldn’t have been blessed with such a wonderful opportunity. And wonderful it definitely was. The apple orchards were in full bloom, the vistas in both sun and rain were incredibly beautiful. We were deep in the countryside where simple living was priority and subsequently, we returned home with a greater awareness.

But you know what made this trip so unforgettable? Being welcomed into the warm homes of new friends. Family homes that were achingly beautiful; full of home-grown, homemade and just-baked. Friends that shared knowledge, offered advice and cuddled my children.

Over the next few days I’ll be sharing a little bit more about Tasmania because writing blog posts is far more enticing than unpacking.

Photos taken by photographer and travelling companion Luisa. The setting? Michelle’s to-die-for kitchen..more on that (and her) tomorrow.