Peace Perfect Peace

was the aim when we started to look for somewhere to spend a few days at Easter. With both of us having had very busy times at work we decided that we would retire to the country for the 4 day break. With a lot of options off the table after the fires in Jan we surfed the net and found a spot that ticked all the boxes. Jamieson Valley Retreat in the High Country was just perfect.

We joined all the other Easter traffic to drive up on Friday. Took a bit longer but once on our way it wasn't too bad. We found our cottage during the afternoon about 7 kms out of Jamieson and fell in love. We woke up each morning to the mist over the lake, the rolling hills surrounding us, cows grazing in the fields, birds galore in all the trees and the State Forests just at the boundary fences. The 140 year old oak trees on the property were magnificent as well. When we weren't sitting on the porch, yes another one, but not quite the same, we were playing tourist and seeing all there was to see.

Jamieson is in Victoria's spectacular High Country region and is nestled beneath the amazing mountains of the Great Dividing Range. The town is only very small but beautiful. I think I have found my Paradise. With only one shop, one Pub and one cafe in town it really fits the bill for a 'quiet retreat'. Mansfield is only 36 kms away so there is civilisation nearby if you feel the need. Most people head up there for camping, fishing, 4WD & trailbiking. We also saw lots of people bush walking and riding bikes long distances.

We spent our days having a look around. Saturday we drove further up towards Licola but could not go all the way as you needed a 4WD. Still we saw some wonderful views from the mountain roads, some a touch scary, but mostly OK. The State Forests are very different from what we are used to but still lovely. Later that day we drove up to Mount Buller and were just blown away. Not at all like NZ. A complete town on the mountain. And of course it looks very different without snow. There was a Mountain Bike competition on and we were amused by the rider's coming up on the chairlifts with their bikes on their knees. And yes, we did ride the chairlift too. How's that. Bill wasn't sure at first without the soft white stuff underneath but finally the chance of a few photo's won out and we did it. I think I was more nervous than him.

On Sunday we wandered around Jamieson, going to the bush market in the Community Hall. We then grabbed a mud map and followed some of the walking trails around the local area. The little town is rich in history, starting life as a staging town for the Gold rush in the Victorian mountains. We also took a walk along the Jamieson River to the junction where the Goulburn River joins it. One of the features of the town is the wonderful trees, planted many years ago by the first European settlers. As you can imagine the autumn colour is spectacular. We were a bit early but some were just starting to colour giving us a taste of what is to come. Next time. During the afternoon we took a drive to Mansfield and had a look at the little settlements of Howqua & Macs Cove along the way. These little places used to be on the banks of Eildon Weir but now with the water down so low it is many miles away from them now. Who knows if it will ever return. It has certainly changed the landscape again.

The weather was just perfect for the four days and made sitting on the porch even more enjoyable. I did take a book but never even opened it as I just sat and watched the birds and water and Bill trying to capture yet more ducks on film, (well memory card). They flew off every time he approached. It was duck shooting season so maybe they were a bit wary of men with sticks.

We hope that you all enjoyed your Easter as much as we did ours. We did think of you all and look forward to seeing you all when we come over in June.

Leaving on Monday to come home was a little difficult but all good things must end, so after stopping for brunch in Mansfield we hit the road again. Work on Tuesday brought us back to reality but our little break was just 'perfick'.

until next time..............