The east coast of Australia comes alive on the weekend. Not like in England where it’s go time on the housework and food shop and general life admin. It comes alive. 

Alive in the sense that everyone is actually living. 

No one is in a rush, and everyone is enjoying themselves. It’s like even the weather knew its role – it’s been stormy all week yet now the sun is shining and it’s warmer than a British summer (which is not too difficult I know but trust me it was a lovely temperature). 

I’ve only walked about 10mins of the coastal path so far and I’ve seen a dozen surfers out on the waves and half a dozen more catching their breath on the beach. I’ve seen a couple practicing a kind of Latin dance I wish I knew how to do. There’s people sat in silence, both in company and by themselves, all simply admiring the view. There’s big groups of friends and family gathered round picnics and bbqs, kids playing, runners getting their daily jog in and everyone else keeping their step counts up on the same coastal path I’m on. 

The Aussies really know what they’re doing when it comes to a) making the most of good weather and b) enjoying the great outdoors. I mean, if you live in a country as beautiful as this then it would be hard not to right? Yet, the UK has some incredible countryside that I personally think is underrated, and people are trying so hard to keep up with life that time spent enjoying it seems to slip away.

It’s not just their attitude over here, the local governments actually help facilitate these things. Rather than trying to make as much money off the public as they can, they provide parking near the beach that is free for up to 4 hours, there’s toilets and changing rooms free to use, BBQs in the parks and actual space for people to enjoy being outside.

The UK should take a leaf from whatever book the Aussies are reading.