Tamworth is the largest city in the New England region (see my previous post), but there is so much more to see on these cooler tablelands. On our way home we stayed overnight in Armidale, where Master J is currently in his third year of civil engineering studies. The next morning he took a couple of hours off between exams to lead us on a quick tour of New England University (see more here and here from a previous visit) and some other locations of interest including St Patricks. Our three youngest daughters had never been to University of New England and were quite surprised at how large it is.
We then headed home via Wollomombi Falls, Point Lookout and Ebor Falls before the long and windy descent to the much warmer climate of our river flats town. A day filled with family and wonderful locations! Yet it was a little conversation Miss E had with me which struck me most. As just the two of us walked along a track at the Wollomombi Falls my little eight year said to me "Do you know what one of the best things about life is?" My mind started racing, thinking it might be something about Australia, sport, family or motels (the previous two nights in motels were a 'first' for her since she was a toddler).
"No" I replied, not wanting to sway her thoughts.
"Things aren't perfect" she stated. "If everything was perfect life would be boring."
I was rather stunned. Yes, things certainly aren't perfect in so many ways, even within our family. Maybe she was making peace with expectations v's reality, a lesson which takes a lifetime to learn....
15 comments:
What a beautiful landscapes! Until your breath away. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! What a fantastic landscape - I never seen before.
Wow your daughter must be a born philosopher. Beautiful landscapes by the way
That clever little daughter of you......
I enjoyed the wonderful landscapes very much, thank you for showing us.
I believe Miss E is going to be a philosopher. I've enjoyed the travel photos in your emerging spring.
You live in a beautiful part of the world Karen! And photograph it perfectly too! Thanks for sharing this special weekend with us.
wow great lanscape and photos !
Karen, I do not even know what to say here (Miss E.).
Are you sure she is only 8 years old??????
This sounds like such a wonderful day, and what a beautiful area this is.
You truly have such a beautiful family.
Such wisdoms for an 8 year old, and an answer you never would have thought of. She must be growing up with a wise mommy!!
Such a wise young woman, we could all learn a lot from her! This looks like such a beautiful outing, the views, that wooded path and those waterfalls, all gorgeous!!
St. Patrick's is such a beautiful building, I thought it must be a villa or some exclusive retreat. Your daughter is wise to learn the blessings of imperfection at such a young age.
--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)
Wise words from little Miss E and so true too! Looks like such a great family trip
I love your photos of the Australian places you visit. I can't get over how blue the sky was in some of those shots. Your birds are so much more colourful than the ones we have in NZ.
Thanks Julie. The sky may not have been that blue as I edit most photos to try to accurately reproduce the true colours of the buildings/scenes, which in turn sometimes makes other aspects not-so-true. :)
Such words of wisdom from your daughter... and unprompted too. Your scenery is amazing!
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