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I used to live in a small country town up in the mountains. It was boring, with frequent blackouts and terrible internet (Even by my already low Australian standards of ten years ago), but it had the bonus of the peacefulness. Trucks passed through often, and you could hear travellers going through at all hours of the night, but I personally love the sound of distant traffic.

But most amazing was the stars. You don't see them like that in the populous areas.

So it was that when I moved back to the small city I often travelled back to the various towns in the mountains. (My girlfriend living there also had a small influence on that)

At night, I would be happy to just sit outside with her and watch the stars for hours. It was a way to unwind from a stressful job. Life was amazing.

Now, her cousin once asked me why I didn't get a telescope to view the stars? So I could see them in more detail.

That's simple. I love the stars. But I don't look at them wondering what's up there. I don't want to see them in detail. I look up at the stars to remind myself that no matter where I am, there's something beautiful to look at.

As a child, I wasn't overly enamoured with the stars. It wasn't until I was older and got glasses that suddenly I realised what I'd been missing.

It's easy to see why stars have always held such importance in our mythology, or dreams and our lives. I often find my eyes drawn to the Southern Cross, and feel that strange pride at our stars. I don't think I'd like looking up at the night sky and not seeing the Cross. The sky would seem empty.