I love the magic of a campfire.
There’s something infinitely special about disconnecting from a cluttered modern life and into the flickering flames of a fire. The warmth, the crackle of the logs, the hypnotic flames never fails to feed my soul. As ancient as the ritual is, cooking over glowing coals and gazing at flames must surely be one of the simplest, yet significant, things in life.
I’ve sat around hundreds of campfires, all around Australia, under a cathedral of starry skies, poked marshmallows onto sticks and cooked meals over coals, played my guitar and sat with family and friends. Talking and laughing, often just lost in our own thoughts.
That’s the beauty of being round a campfire. The warmth and companionship that it evokes is a central focus of being outside on our camping trips and I love it.
I also miss it. I’m feeling an insatiable urge to be outside these days, to be surrounded by nature and the warmth of a fire. But sometimes other things have to take priority so, for now, memories of past camp trips will suffice. Like this one at Arkaroola.
Few joys in life beat sitting round a campfire on a chilly starry night. Staring into the flaming tendrils, steaks on the grill and coffee waiting to warm us afterwards.
And in the light of a new day a hearty breakfast cooked over the coals.
This week the photo theme at Dutch goes the Photo was Light and Frank challenged us to look at different aspects. For me, sitting around a campfire, whether it’s in the middle of the afternoon or an evening sunset, showcases Mother Nature’s diverse canvas at her best.
Tempered by moonlight lakeside or backed by a flaming sunset sky the light changes as daylight is kissed goodbye. When the sun goes down and the only light comes from the campfire I feel calm and at peace with the universe.
Food for all of the senses comes from a twinkling of stars above, leaping flames and twirling smoke feeding the imagination and fueling the magic.
Last weekend our lovely neighbors lit a backyard bonfire so, close to home, we enjoyed an unexpected dose of campfire magic. We savored food and wine and shared memories of loved ones. We enjoyed some laughs and I recaptured that feeling of peace.
Even Lamborghini was part of our night, relishing hugs near the fire.
I love the way her adorable white face shows up even in the black night. She’s our little light of joy and fun in the midst of my sometimes dark world.
May we always keep the flame of love alive.
May we never let darkness overwhelm us but always find light and hope in our days.
Wishing you all peace, lightness of mood and a warm heart as we continue the journey.
In response to Dutch goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Light
A warming post
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Thanks Derrick.
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Lovely post.You have a couple of really special sentences in there Miriam. Nice of the neighbours to have the fire with you, I love Lamborghini.
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Thanks Louise and as for Lamby, me too, I’m growing very attached to her. 🙂
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A beautiful post Miriam, I too love the romance and earthyness of a campfire. Lamby looks so sweet and at home with you all, truly a gift for all concerned you found each other in this life. Much love to you all xxx
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Thanks Xenia. Yes, it’s as though she was meant to be with us at this time. xo
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I also love a good campfire, and miss it. Love and warmth to you Miriam while you work, may your days of play return sooner than later. We all need those play days, especially as adults! (This is a Good reminder for myself)
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Glad you enjoyed this Tiffany. Enjoy the rest of your week. xo
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Thank you, Miriam, same to you! Xoxo
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Wonderful post, Miriam! The first one I read this morning as soon as I woke up and it brought such warmth into my day 🙂
Lovely images too…the one one with the sunset took my breath away!
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Thanks Rashmi, glad it brightened your morning. Have a wonderful Wednesday. xo
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Thank you! Have a good night. xo
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Very pretty pictures, Miri. Makes me long for a fire in the fireplace!
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Me too! Out of wood. 😦
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🙂 a little too warm out for us
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Not here!
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You need to get more wood, then!
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Or I can just press the central heating button! 🙂
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I know but the fire is so much more romantic 😉
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Oh, it definitely is.
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Soon, very soon, the glow of firelight will cast shadows on Vinny and I!
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I bet you can’t wait! 🙂
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beautiful images! you found light- I love a fire too-and when the heat lifts here will have on. beautiful post.
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Thank you.
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Great post, I have a log fire in my home and a fire pit outside, I know its not the same as camping, but a fire gives you so much company and lets your imagination go to over drive, I’m just waiting for our winter now, not long to go, have a great day
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Absolutely true. I love my fire drum outside too and our wood heater inside (though we’ve run out of wood!)
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Thank you for sharing, Miriam. I am back home from Spain two days ago. We live too far from camping sites, but we enjoy the fire even just in our fireplace, especially in the winter. I like the sight, the sense, and the scent of the fire. It’s a good company! The flicking seems to be talking to you, dancing to entertain you!!!
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Mum used to say that as well, that fire was good company. It’s so true.
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I know. If my husband works late in the winter, I’d get the fire going.
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Nice.
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Wonderful, how you put the narrative and images together. Campfires are great gathering places for singing songs, eating, telling stories or just staring into the flames in meditation.
Frank
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Absolutely true Frank.
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I am craving a camp fire evening now!
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Go for it!
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I will do!
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I have always had a strange affinity for fire. Which is funny because as a child, I had a recurring nightmare that my house was on fire! Lovely post!
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Ooh, that doesn’t sound too good. I used to have a recurring nightmare about being locked out of the house …
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That reminds me of the one I have where I’m at school and cannot remember my locker combination… and the college version… I lose the key to my dorm room!
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Hmm There seems to be a theme happening here …
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Someone once told me that the school/college “locked out” thing is my desire to go back to those years of my life… but I can’t. That may actually be true!
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Interesting thought.
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Great post. Nevr had the chance to experience a campfire. It always mesmerizes me when I see it in photos or movies.
Have a good one.
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Thanks Andrew, you too.
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It’s always a treat to have a campfire. Lovely photos, Miriam.
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Thanks Carol.
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Great take on the challenge. I honestly can’t stand her cuteness. She is so precious! 🙂
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She sure is 🙂
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I love campfires! Especially, when it’s cool and there’s good company. We don’t always get an opportunity to enjoy a campfire, with most of our campfire experiences being restricted to trips. Love the way you captured the flames and the shot with your kids in the background. 🙂 And your breakfast reminded me of our Korean barbecue experience yesterday. Basil loves baked beans. 🙂
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So does Doug. A Korean barbecue sounds good … 🙂
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Lovely post, campfires are hypnotic.
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They sure are. I always find it hard to leave them at the end of the night.
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Love your choice of campsites in that first picture, right next to the rushing water. I can say that when I was younger my friends and I took every opportunity to camp, but we never ate that good! Awesome take on Frank’s challenge.
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A very heart-warming post Miriam. I could imagine the smell of burnt woods and marsmallows…and the guitar playing under the starry night…it’s just wow! I wish I could experience that…
And lambi is truly adorable! Perfect! ❤
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Thanks Nina for making me smile, and yes, all is as you said!
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I’m glad that I did ☺…and I sincerely hope that youand your family are well.
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You transport me with you Miriam. Beautiful post, pictures and quite inspiring too. I haven’t been around a campfire in ages and now you set my mind on fire 😉
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I’m so glad Jacqueline. Always happy to inspire. 🙂
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As always you have the skill to literally bring us to wherever you have gone to.
I have never been on a real camp out so it makes me feel so excited reading your post..
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Happy to have you along with me! 🙂
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I’ve never been to Australia let alone Arkaroola and have very much enjoyed “traveling” with you. Thank you for sharing! Continued happy travels, ~ Peri
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Glad I could share some of my world with you Peri.
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Reading your post just made me breathe deeper.
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Ah, always a good thing 🙂
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Not doing it often enough… Can you believe that we were only camping once since we moved to Australia?! We were just talking about it the other evening. Kids would love to go again. Just need to do it!
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Oh definitely, there are so many amazing places to camp. Have you got a tent or something?
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Nope and that’s the reason why we didn’t do it. Last time we borrowed everything from our friends because we didn’t know if the kids would like it (as if they wouldn’t…)…
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You know that you can rent vans and campers now. You could always try one out and see if you (and the kids) like it …
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Yes, that sounds like a plan 🙂
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Just reading your post made me want to escape into the wilderness for a few days! 🙂
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Haha What are you waiting for? 🙂
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Err…the sun, the time – probably not great excuses but true at the moment!
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Fair enough 🙂
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I also can not wait for the camping season to begin and sit around the campfire!
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Most definitely! I’m looking forward to getting out again.
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A sense of peace crept over me as I read, Miriam. 🙂 But then I burnt the toast!!!
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Hahaha 🙂
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You are right, there is nothing quite like the warmth and companionship of sitting around a fire together! Although you know I don’t have a history of camping, I do enjoy a bonfire with friends and family, particularly on a chilly night. It’s good for the soul. I’m so glad your neighbors provided that for you…and as for the photo of your little lamb, it was precious! Peace to you, Miriam….
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Thanks so much Ann. Hope you’re well.
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I confess, Miriam, I’m not much of a one for camping (though I’ve tried it several times). However, I do love a campfire – you capture so well the meaning behind it, something that goes back to our earliest ancestors. Light, warmth and protection, held in golden flames. Lovely photos, too 🙂
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Thanks Helen.
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Camp fire is truly a magical experience. So many people have no idea what it is to just sit outside at night and mind the fire, listening to it’s sounds and basking in it’s glow.
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Sounds as though you know all too well my friend … 🙂
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Very nicely, you have used the fire in the pictures. The fire and its reflection, its smoke came very well in these photos.
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Oh Miriam what a wonderful post! Our hearts are definitely aligned this week with our love of camping and campfires and taking precious time out to just ponder about life and the world around us. And little lamby – so absolutely adorable!! Beautiful moments to cherish and your photo’s make me want to be right there! xx
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Thanks so much Wendy, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Have a lovely weekend. xo
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Thank you Miriam… xx
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A lovely post! Fab photographs too. I definitely agree with you; campfires are great there’s such a warm atmosphere about it when you can sit with your favourite people around them. 🙂
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Most definitely! Thanks for dropping by.
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No problem!
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Miriam, Great post, and great photos, lovely to outdoor living, you guys seem to camp a lot, and you can manage a fire too -wow. What a beautiful way to become closer to loved ones. Lovely post.
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Thank you and yes, we do love our camping, any chance we get. 🙂
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A wonderful post, Miriam. The photos are fantastic. I love sitting around a campfire as well. 🙂 Now I’d love some roasted marshmallows. 🙂
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Yum! And a streaming cup of hot chocolate would be nice. I’ll join you Brenda! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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That hot chocolate sounds absolutely perfect. 😊 The pleasure was all mine btw. 😊
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Your photos are beautiful, it’s like I’m there close by the fire, the heat and the fragrance of the wood burning slowly, it’s so wonderful.
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I’m so glad you feel that way. Thanks for dropping by the fire Elizabeth! xo
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Fire is so mesmerizing! It brings so much to our lives, heck, I guess it even brings our lives! We wouldn’t have life at all if that big ball of fire in the sky wasn’t there to keep things temperate!
I’ve not had the joy of being around as many fires as I’d like, so seeing your pictures helps me capture that feeling. I can feel the warmth and smell the smoky scents wafting in the breeze.
Thank you for the warmth of your friendship. 🙂 *hugs*
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As always such a beautiful (and profound!) comment Ness. We’d have a ball around a campfire if we could! Thank you for your friendship as well. xo 🙂
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Miriam, this is magnificent! Thank you, thank you for sharing. I was in Australia, and this brings back beautiful memories. I understand the need to be outside in nature, especially after loss (I had this with my mom). Sending many blessings your way, my friend. Peace and love, Debbie
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Thank you so much Debbie. I’m so glad this brought back happy memories for you. Have a wonderful week ahead my friend. xo
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Aww, being around a campfire is so heartwarming! And so reading this post was, Miriam 🙂 Wonderful and inspiring as usual 🙂
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Thank you so much Sandra, I appreciate that. 🙂
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You always whisk me away to some place wonderful – through your poetic words and photos – thank you Miriam for allowing us to join you around the camp fire xx
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My absolute pleasure Hayley, the more the merrier. 🙂
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This post was Magic, Miriam. Everything around you was Magic. The fire, the river, the night. Beautiful.
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Thank you Monica, beautifully described. Camping often feels that way, totally magical and out of this world. xo
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Yes, out of this world 😀
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There’s nothing like a good campfire,all the worries of the world vanish and nothing matters except keeping that fire going. It makes one yearn for the simple life.
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Oh yeah, definitely true Simon. I always come back from our camping trips and think how little we need to actually get by on. Camping really does get you back to basics, especially round a roaring fire. 🙂
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It does… it makes you want to just say screw this and give up this supposed ‘good life’
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Yep, in fact I often think that.
Our “good life” is so full of pressures and expectations but better not get me started …
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It’s too full of bullshit and money. I know what you mean and I mustn’t get started, but the infuriating thing is it’s about making other people stinking rich.
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So true, seems to be the way of the world. Well I don’t know about you Simon but I’m happy to be the way I am, even if sometimes it’s a bit of a struggle … makes you appreciate things a helluva lot more.
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This is the thing – I don’t want to be rich or famous – Just to be able to wake up in the morning and feel happy about my life.
Why is something so simple so hard?
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Don’t know Simon, but – deep sigh – I want the same.
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We just have to keep on with the deep sigh’s and carry on I guess…
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Yep, absolutely.
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🙂
Keep smiling…
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You too 🙂
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Of course! 🙂
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I’m glad I found this today
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Thanks 😍
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