As much as I love Squash and hitting that little black ball, I also love getting away from the court after a busy and long season of tournaments.

My last two week holiday away from the Squash Court was visiting my family in North Queensland. Mum, Dad, my brother and I hired a house on South Mission Beach directly opposite the ocean and with an amazing view of famous Dunk Island.

I should clarify what I mean by "Break". I didn't actually take any days off from exercise. I ran, skipped or hit the gym every day but there was definitely no squash, two weeks off the court is so refreshing. What I did get a break from was the constant grind of training twice a day, up to 2 and a half hours at a time and the pressure of putting in 100% every time.

I love the outdoors and waking up by the sound of the ocean washing up against the sand is such an amazing feeling. Most days were filled with walks on the beach with Mum and her little dog, fishing trips, searching for clams, oystering and sun bathing.

But everything comes to an end and I had to soon lace those shoes up again and get back on the Squash court. I spent most of the summer in Australia, based in Melbourne this year working with my coach Vicki Cardwell. I was lucky enough to spend the first 2 weeks back in Melbourne (mid-January) training with Nicol David. I loved the opportunity of being able to train and hang out with Nicol and I definitely learnt a lot, not only about my game but also about being a more confident player and it is so breathtaking to be able to talk with other players especially the world No. 1 and learning about their experiences of life on tour. I have always been a very quiet, shy country gal, but I am learning that by communicating and asking lots of questions is the way to learn and improve. I spent 2 and a half months working hard on certain areas of my game as well as strength and fitness before playing my first tournament of the year in Canberra the ACT Open followed by a week later a tournament in Melbourne the Westerfolds JDP Open. I think it is always a little unnerving playing in the first tournament for the year coming off a block of training as I tend to put that added pressure of expecting too much from myself. The anticipation gets me too worked up and excited and it is a matter of trying to settle myself down so I’m in that right mind set. I was very happy with my performance in Canberra coming home with a win.

The tournament that followed Canberra was a very important tournament for me as it was played at my home club in Melbourne - Westerfolds Sport Centre. The feeling was a little strange as normally I have to pack my suitcase and jet off somewhere, but being able to drive 5mins down the road to play was a little hard to get focused as it felt like I was going for a casual game of squash, it is all a matter of having the right mind set for each and every occasion and situation that I have learnt over time. I was also successful in that tournament winning in the final.