Sometimes living in the big smoke gets a little bit too much for me. A ticket out is needed, and some cleaner air needs to be inhaled in. A particularly sunny Sunday at the end of July was going to be just the day to do it.
St Albans was calling. It was an area we had never explored and seemed to be the perfect spot to go for a day trip. Packing three excitable kids in the car and not much else, we headed off.
Turns out it was the perfect spot to go. It was so lovely, I already want to go back. St Albans boasts the historic Settlers Arms Inn, a lovely sandy river bank to play on, no mobile coverage (this is a good thing) and an abundance of leafy green trees to wander around. It also has a kumquat tree laden with ripened fruit, a lovely lady that owns an equally lovely camel, great pub food for when you get peckish around lunch time and the best collection of letter boxes I’ve seen in a long time.
Time stood still. Wonderful lunch was eaten. Clean air was inhaled and I’m very grateful for St Albans being on the map.
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If you are planning a day trip out of Sydney, I highly recommend it, and if you are looking for accommodation in the area, how ridiculously awesome does this place look?
If you have never seen a camel laughing, please scroll to the bottom…this lovely long lashed camel thought my kids jokes were HILarious.
cityhippyfarmgirl 
Sounds like a perfect day trip, Brydie! That camel is very cute too! 🙂 Glad you got the break you needed, love x
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Celia I had no idea camels were so lovely…I may want one now.
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Looks like a very enjoyable day trip! Loved the photos. The meat, potatoes and peas….YUM! And the camel, hilarious! Ha! Looks like its head is tilted back in a very hearty laugh.
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I know! Doesn’t it 🙂
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Wonderful family getaway to the “forgotten valley.” Oh a warm hearty warm pub meal sounds like a nice treat. I have grumpy ole’ cooking and cleaning cabin fever this week. Haha! that camel reminds me of my dad, teeth and all!
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Get out there Zena, doesn’t have to be St Albans, (bit of a trek for you I know) cabin fever glums is not fun for anyone. It was lovely to feel just how much of a boost it was to be doing something completely different.
ps. Lucky dad 🙂
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Nothing like an escape to the countryside to recharge the batteries and if you get to see a laughing camel at the same time? BONUS! 🙂
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Laughing camels are a special treat indeed!
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Sounds like a line from an old cigarette ad 😉
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or some old chewy caramel lollies that you would by from the corner store in a little paper bag for 5 cents.
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emmm…chewy caramels…”cobbers!” how quintessentially Aussie 😉
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I do love heading out to explore new areas, and leaving the city rushing behind. In fact, we’ve already done that in London, which suggests we are going to be better off out of London than in it over the long term 😉 Cities have a lot to love but space and fresh air is needed at regular intervals. Your trip looks and sounds wonderful.
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How wonderful to be exploring new places Kari but in a completely different country to boot. Yay for that I say.
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Looks a wonderful day – especially the long lashed camel. I live near St Albans (my son plays hockey for St Albans Hockey Club) but it’s this St Albans http://www.enjoystalbans.com/
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oh wow Anne. What a beautiful city your one is. So very different to mine, but no doubt named after yours as well. 2000 years of history eh? I got excited seeing the sign from the 1800’s on the pub 🙂
I wonder how many St Albans there are in the world, and how they all compare.
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St. Albans looks so beautiful! I love the yellow junk shed + all the views you saw while you were there. Sometimes a breath of fresh air is exactly what we need to get back on the right track!
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