Sorry for my lack of presence here in Bloggy Land lately.
I once read a poster that said "Live first, Blog later". So, that's what I've been doing. And this weekend was all about living. I did not open my laptop screen once and although I love this blog and writing about my adventures, the break was also very welcome.
Chris was in the USA all of last week for a very quick business trip. And when I say quick - I mean he spent more time traveling & sitting on planes than he did actually in America. However he got to explore San Francisco briefly and was captivated & keen to explore again. One day, not too soon though! Enough planes and time zones for now :)
Before the USA trip was booked we had arranged a child-free weekend in Melbourne to conincide with the AFL Dreamtime Game. It was kind of a big deal - to be traveling interstate for a whole weekend - leaving children behind. The USA trip slightly changed our plans - resulting in Chris and I meeting in Melbourne instead of traveling down together.

I hate flying. With all of my being. But it's a means to an end, it's a convenience and it's the one thing I have to deal with, if I want to live an adventurous, big life.
Every plane flight over the past 5 years, I've done with a baby, toddler or both in tow. I've been distratced by bottles and snacks and Dora movies and tantrums. But this time, I had to face my fear; head on.....on my own.
I'll be honest. I was a mess. After a week of single parenting and very little sleep, I dropped Ella at school and Ryder at Chris's parent's house, and headed down to the Gold Coast airport, solo. It was rainy and windy and miserable. My heart was racing, I was sweating. I was a knot of anxiety. Anxious about leaving the kids for a whole weekend. Anxious about being 2 states away from them. And very VERY anxious about the flight. I cried.
I only just admitted this to Chris the other night - and am now taking a jump and admitting to you guys too. This is depressing and slightly horrific.....but everytime I get onto a plane, I'm convinced it's my last living hours. I look at the other people on board and ponder that these are the people I will die with. I feel lousy writing that. Dramatic even. But it's how my brain works as I come face to face with one of my biggest fears. Chris and I talked about it. He asked when the fear of flying began for me. And as I tracked back through my years of travel - it was indeed since Nick's crash and death in 2002. That reality that, yes, planes really do crash, not just on movies, sunk in and has never left. Maybe I need therapy.....or maybe I just need to get over it. Either way, flying ain't my thing! {The way back....with Chris next to me....was much better. No tears and I hardly even broke a sweat - PROGRESS!!}
Anyways.....on to more positive things. Because Oh Lordy....the weekend was ALL POSITIVE!

I survived the flight. Virgin got me to Melbourne safely. Stepping out into the world, still alive & surprisingly quite calm, was a magical moment.
This is Adam {above}. Him and his fancy Audi chauffeured me to the hotel. To meet my Prince.
It was all very romantic, really.
And then I got to our suite. HELLO MELBOURNE! AND HELLO CHILD-FREE WEEKEND!


It was very spech. And I found my Prince asleep, all jetlagged and snoozy. But hey, without kids around, you can curl up in bed at 2pm!
The feeling of freedom sunk in. We had nowhere to go, nothing to do. No one was waiting for us or relying on us. No one to feed or dress or play with. No routine or schedule. Just us, and a weekend of nothingness yet everything; lay ahead. Bliss - pure and utter bliss.
We laid around and talked. Proper, grown up talk about our previous weeks and experiences. We had long showers in peace and wore white fluffy robes. We left messes, knowing we wouldn't have to clean them up. Lovely, I tell you!


It was so nice to be just the two of us again. We got to talk, really talk. And laugh.
We got to connect.
And let our hair down and have some fun.
The drinks flowed, the dinner was Ah-Mazing and we truly had one of the best nights in a very long time.



We ate dinner at KoKo {Japanese restaurant} in the Crown Casino. If you're ever in Melbourne - I highly recommend!
Yes, I drank way too much and kept eating for the sake of eating - but it was such a fun night.
After dinner, we had a bit of a play and explore in the casino - where I won on a Tinkerbell Pokie Machine :))) And some coffee, greasy wedges and calamari at midnight from Room Service topped the night perfectly.
A slow, queezy start to the day and a 9am sleep in, on Saturday - exactly what the Doctor ordered, I'm sure! And then we set off to devour the City.


It was lovely to experience a real Autumn. With brown fallen leaves and that iciness in the air.



We walked for a couple of hours - shopping, tasting, simply looking around.
It's such a beautiful city. Vibrant and busy.
That's what I love about exploring different cities - seeing everything through new eyes. Although most cities are so alike, they are all so different as well. The culture and atmosphere. The people and sights. The transport and building structure. So much to see, so much to take in.



Saturday afternoon rolled on, with hot baths and lazy sessions of reading and snoozing. I kept saying to Chris "Oh it's so quiet!" And although I missed the kids and thought about them constantly....I also truly loved the peace....the space....the calm. For the first time, in a loooooong time - I shut off. I shut off my brain and my pace. I relaxed - truly relaxed.
We then dolled up and walked the 5 or so kilometers into the MCG. Not a great idea in heels- but enjoyable all the same!

I saw the perfect Autumn leaf - all lonely and still, on the side of the road.

The footy was such a cool experience. 86 000 people in one place. A sight I'll never forgot. The atmosphere was electric. We caught up with friends, ate, drank beer, cheered loud and celebrated!
Go Bombers!! It was a good game - and a good win!
Sunday, kind of disappeared. We slept late {oh, it was heavenly} and enjoyed a room service brekky. Adam picked us up at 10am and off we went to the airport to begin the journey home.
Both Chris and I were refreshed and ready to get back into reality. We were both hanging out to see the kids. We missed them. So much!
Hugging their little bodies and kissing their perfect faces, I felt grateful for the break but ever so grateful to be back. They had an absolute blast with Nanny and Pa.
It's now Monday - life has resumed as it was. Work and school and appointments. Messes to clean, bags to unpack, meals to cook, deadlines awaiting. I need to wake up and get back into it.
Thank you Chris for such a romantic and wonderful weekend. MWAH!
Have you ever stayed in Melbourne City? I can't wait to explore it more one day!

We stayed at the Crown Towers in Melbourne. If you're looking for luxury and style - you MUST stay here! It will not disappoint, I promise!