A quiet retreat

was needed for the weekend with the tram track work scheduled to start at 2.00am on Saturday morning. We left home on Friday morning and made our way back to Jamieson where peace & quiet was in abundance. We caught up with Angie on arrival, picked up the key to Camelia Cottage, and settled in for a truly tranquil time. With no other guests for the weekend there was just us and the birds and we really enjoyed our retreat to the bush.

Just like during our previous visits the weather was perfect, though cold. The fire went 24/7 from when we lit it on Friday night and we were very grateful for the big stack of wood in the shed. We spent a lot of time on the veranda watching the sunsets and the sunrise was watched from the warmth of the lounge room. Well, I watched from there. Bill did brave the chilly mornings twice to see what he could capture on film. Spring had really sprung and all the glorious old trees were bursting into new leaf providing wonderful hues of green and playing host to the many birds feeding young ones in nests.

With the snow still falling on the nearby mountains and lots of rain in the surrounding areas, the rivers were running fast & high. It was wonderful to see so much water. With all the rivers in the area running into Lake Eildon capacity has increased to 32.8 at the moment and hopefully will continue for some time to come. A trip to Goughs Bay on Saturday afternoon showed water covering areas that have been grassed over in the last couple of years. Sunday afternoon was spent at another newly discovered gem. Kinloch Winery, just out of Mansfield, is a lovely place to spend a few hours over lunch. The views over the vineyard to Mt Buller & Mt Stirling are spectacular and the food & wine even better.

We left on Monday morning to come home and stopped to explore further at Mansfield, a drive through Bonnie Doon (I can really say I've been there now) & lunch at Yea. After lunch we had a walk through the Yea wetlands. This area has recently been upgraded so people can walk through in all seasons, lots of boardwalks & bridges. And lots of mosquitos too. The little monsters even bit through our clothes. Will certainly remember the spray next time.

We arrived home to find all the workmen gone. Mission accomplished, new tram lines and no noise. Way to go. Back to work again the next day and time to get ourselves ready for the Spring Carnival. Tammy & Paul arrive on Friday.

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