Mount Coot-Tha (Going To New Heights)

Today we decided to make the most of the Brisbane sun. It was due to be in the 20s, which is tropical compared to the current temperature in Canberra.

We used this opportunity to get in a work-out and hiked up “the mount” and also as a “date”. Our daughter (18 years old), is back in the UK and without that free childcare we have not had much couple time in the last 2 months. Whilst this might not sound that long to some people, for us this was a life time because we were used to having a minimum of 2 dates per week in the UK.

We both brought our headphones on the hike with the intention of listening to some motivational podcasts or YouTube videos. However, as usual we got so caught up in conversation they became decorative ornaments around our necks.

We started to reminisce and talk about the last 6 months; five things we had achieved; things that we were proud of; it’s funny how once you actually have time to think and reflect, there is a lot to be proud of. This was a great time of connection for us both as we reflected on the good, the bad and the indifferent of moving to the other side of the world. We spoke about our feelings of closeness and our reflections became larger and further than the last 6 months.

After 50 minutes of descending Mount Coot-tha, we found a little cafe and sat having a latte, peppermint tea and a tomato/ spinach toastie (see menu above) and continued to reflect on our childhood; our teens (we met and got together at 14); getting pregnant at 17 and where we are now. We spoke about the people we were then and how the odds were stacked against us, then quickly turned the conversation to our triumphs and how we have become the people we are today.

Our reminiscing soon turned to our five year plans. What we WILL achieve in the next 6 months, how we would do it and what our next five years would look like. We agreed on some smaller goals such as regular visits from Canberra to Brisbane; but also bigger goals around international travel (to continue giving the children opportunities to see more of the world) and setting our children up financially through property and investment.

After enjoying each other for 30 minutes at the cafe, we decide to make the climb back up. Fuelled with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, we made the climb! The views were amazing!!!

After an amazing few hours together, we headed back home to see the family.

Ahmed’s sister was going to New Zealand for a school trip and she had to be at the airport by 4pm, so we decided to continue our day of driving and took her to the airport. As we waved her good bye, we realised that she was the first Jalloh to go further than Australia. New Zealand, here comes the Jallohs.

Thank you for reading this far and for keeping up with the Jalloh family.

Peace, Love and Happiness.

The Jalloh family.

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Twitter: @justJallOZ