My 21st birthday was everything I wished it to be:

A gathering of friends and family, all of those I love.

A place that I hold dear, a beach, some sand, a lovely little bay. 

A day of adventures, exploring the rock pools, setting up a make-shift tent from sheets, and a sandcastle building competition.

And a tonne of really great food: sausages cooked on a bonfire, fruit and cheese and crackers, and of course a huge pavlova cake drenched in berry coulis, (and a little bit of sand). 

After the cake, there were fireworks and big hugs and a few goodbyes - because I was leaving in only a few days to France, to study abroad.

While I was studying overseas, I held the memories of this gathering very dear.