We decided to have a little 5 day mid-winter holiday. So packed up the car and met up with my parents about 5hrs north of where we all live. The weather was gorgeous (the previous day there had been weather warnings suggesting no one travel unless necessary, and many inland roads were closed due to snow fall or heavy rain).

We went caving, hung out at the beach and played in the snow. A very simple, down to earth holiday and was great fun for all!

Where we were staying was isolated - no mobile phone service, no service stations or much of anything else except nature - quite blissful really. I felt quite disconnected after emerging though and noting that petrol prices had hiked by another 6 cents a litre.

I feel blessed that we could still afford this trip away and experience new things while prices are where they are at. What will the family holiday look like in a year?