Ididn’t realise the city had such a tight grip around my lungs until we got away from it. That high chested, frenetic breath deeped and lowered as my lungs filled with fresh air of the Prom, that southernmost of scenic experiences. Of course when we got to the hiking up mountains part it turned to a wheeze and a gasp, but that had nothing to do with the location and everything to do with my winter lazybones (they burn with outrage at the mention of activity, I told them to shut up).

It was Dylan’s birthday holiday and his natural inclination to being the best at everything saw us setting out as lightweight explorers. Streamlined down to a single change of clothes and dehydrated food, the delicious lightness of our packs made it feel more like a day walk than a three day camping trip.

Wild bees and birds and orange lichen coloured rocks in an azure sea welcomed us at Oberon Bay.

Those tiniest of birds, puffed up like haughty waitstaff in their brightly coloured vests flitted around us at the campsite. One moment here, then there jerking their heads like stop motion stars. One second for us must be a thousand years to them as they danced in the fading light of unseasonably sunny day, that would earn us some bragging rights back home in dreary Melbourne.

The dehydrated food took only a few minutes to cook and was surprisingly delicious! Initially skeptical of Dylan’s powdered offering I was quick to retract my raised eyebrows when the coconut curry rice proved to be the most gourmet camping food I had ever had. Birthday chocolate and tea was devoured and then to bed by 6 as the sun vanished. Then the drums began a consistent thundering beat on our tent as the skies wept.

As always I took way to many photos so I’ll space them out over a few posts these next few weeks to give you a breather. But with such breathtaking scenery who can blame me? What’s your favourite city escape?