There's no place like home

I have lost track of the number of times we have been to Sydney. Hubby’s brother lives there with his wife and their three kids. They are our only niece and nephews so we visit Sydney often. Weddings, birthdays, new babies, celebrations and just to say hello there is always a reason to pack up our bags and head up for a little break and a whole lot of family time.

Our early visits to Sydney felt like holidays and we certainly felt like tourists. But over the years that has changed. Sydney doesn’t feel like a place that is so foreign to us anymore. While we may not know her intricate ins and outs, a trip to Sydney now somehow feels like a visit back home.

A few weekends ago we went up to celebrate my nephew’s third birthday and spend time with the newest addition – our little baby nephew.

The cousins had an absolute ball together. They played pirates, played chess, chased each other and collapsed in fits of giggles. Giving my kids the chance to make memories, share moments and milestones with their cousins is something I often think about. Is certainly something that always tugs at my heart strings. My mind wanders to when these kids will grow up and how they will feel looking back on photos from their birthdays or celebrations and seeing their cousin’s faces in there.

So while home may be where the heart is, over a few weekends each year, our home is where our family is and that’s in Sydney. Some of the details are always the same, like my brother-in-law’s famous Greek BBQ’s. Some of the details change, like new little babies. There are moments when I wish they lived around the corner, but then I stop and count my blessings that Sydney is only a short flight away.

Trips for next year are already planned, a little baby will celebrate his christening and that same little baby will celebrate his first birthday, two events we cannot wait to be a part of. Sometimes I sit and think about how really lucky we are to live in a time where we are so connected and present in each other’s lives, despite living in different cities. I think back to a time when my own mother said good bye to her brothers and sisters and moved to the other side of the world. That distance was breaking.

So when I put on my metaphorical red slippers and click my heels three times whispering “there’s no place like home” the Universe chimes in and asks “where do you want to go?” Almost always the answer is Melbourne, in the depths of my heart the answer is sometimes Malta and every now and again the answer is Sydney. For home is where the heart is – but that heart lives with the ones we love.

When in Sydney we usually stay in the city, but this time we spent our time in Surrey Hills at The Cambridge Hotel. Oh my goodness what a gorgeous little place Surry Hills is. No hustle bustle, beautiful little restaurants, gorgeous shops, street graffiti and open space. We felt so comfortable and at home at the Cambridge, we would certainly stay there again.

Our room was perfect was a family getaway. Little kitchenette with everything we could need, beautiful balcony with sweeping views of Surry Hills, I loved watching my boys cuddled up together in a sofa bed and a separate bedroom for me and hubby meant that I was able to indulge in watching Eay Pray Love one night, without disturbing the boys.

In room Wi-Fi, indoor heated pool and a scatter of amazing restaurants within walking distance we loved it. One night PJ after slurping up his home made linguine at Baccomatto Osteria squeals “this dish could win a competition!” The same PJ who ordered a babycino with a side of bacon at Mr Mo’s the next morning. It is safe to say the kids loved it.

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with The Cambridge Hotel. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you to The Cambridge Hotel for making our stay feel like a home away from home.