Time out in Jamieson

After my big weekend with Mum and a busy few days back at work where better to recharge the batteries than our favourite little cottage at Jamieson. And no, it wasn't just all about me, Bill had been busy as well with 2 weeks of travelling. He was more than happy to take an early pass with me and try to beat the traffic out of the city. We were not alone though, this time we were sharing our little cottage with Astrid & Hans and looking forward to a fun weekend of rest & relaxation.

Our attempt to beat the traffic was not wholly successful. There was a huge storm forecast and many others had the same idea. We managed a good run for the first 20 mins and then hit traffic and very soon after the storm hit us. About 30 mins of slow crawling and very heavy rain before we broke free and from then on it was easy going. After stopping for a bite to eat at a Roadhouse along the way we decided not to obey the GPS and travel up the way we knew. We met Astrid & Hans a little while later in Mansfield where they had stopped for dinner in the Delatite Pub. We joined them for dessert and the 'bowls' of Hot Chocolate that Bill & Hans ordered had both us girls drooling. Certainly going back there again. Who said Pubs were all just beer & chips.

A quick catch up with Angie & Freddie before taking possession of our home for the weekend and from that moment on we were in 'chill out' mode. The bottle of Red might have helped but we had a great night chatting and listening to the rain from inside Camellia cottage. The rain continued to fall all night and Freddie told us the next morning that there had been 50mm overnight.

We woke to a grey sky and the showers continued for a little while but had cleared by mid morning. Being in total relaxation mode we had a slow start to the day and breakfast on the verandah was the way to go. Once dressed we had a wander around the property. The lake is full and the Jamieson river running fast & furious after the nights rain. We had already decided that we would lunch at Kinloch Winery, about 20 mins from Jamieson, so that was our next port of call. We spent a couple of hours over a great mixed platter, Smoked salmon bruschetta and a bottle of Kinloch bubbly. Of course you have to wine taste at a winery and we left with a few bottles to bring home as well. They might only be a small vineyard but they do have some lovely wines a few of which are in our wine rack now.

A drive to Kevington, about 10km's past the Jamieson turnoff to see the old Hotel on the Goulburn River completed our afternoon. The Poplar Kevington Hotel was built in 1862 as Garretts Beerhouse and is the last remaining hotel from the days of the gold boom. It is known affectionately by locals and visitors alike as the Kevy Pub or the Kevington Hilton. We stopped here and had a drink in the Riverside Bar before returning to Jamieson & Camellia cottage for another night of R & R. Astrid had brought a yummy Zucchini slice with them so we didn't even have to think about were to go for dinner. Late afternoon turned to evening with a cheese platter and a bottle of Red and before we knew it the sun had set and it was time for dinner. Not sure how we could eat any more but we managed. Maybe it was the second of bottle of red that helped to wash it down.

Sunday morning was fine and after another slow start breakfast was moved inside as without the cloud cover it was a little cooler. Before we knew it the time had come to say goodbye. We had a wonderful time sharing 'our' little piece of paradise with friends and hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.

We decided that we would let the GPS bring us home and had a great day discovering some new places. Our first stop was Mansfield where we picked up a map and some local info and then we drove to Benalla via Lake Nillahcootie. The lake is situated on the Broken River in north-eastern Victoria, 36km south of Benalla. The name Nillahcootie is of Indian origin and apparently means ‘Blue House'. The dam was built in 1968 and the water stored is used for irrigation and stock supply. We had a look around the picnic grounds and boat ramp and then walked up to the dam wall for a closer look at the spillway which was overflowing, before leaving to drive on to Benalla. It is another beautiful place and good to see it full.

We had lunch at Benalla and then it was time for the 2 hour trip down the highway. A very easy straight run home and before long the bags were unpacked and the washing machine running. All good things must come to an end and it had been another good weekend.

Our week at work was another busy one and our last weekend was a little quieter. We met Suzanne & Bryce for lunch at the Red Star cafe in South Melbourne and had a lovely couple of hours catching up again. A wander around South Melbourne Market after lunch inspired me to pick up the makings of Sunday night's dinner. Chicken with apricot & macadamia stuffing. The rain arrived on Saturday evening so we decided that home was the best place to be that night. A couple of old movies on TV took care of that. Sunday's planned activites were put on the backburner when we woke to the rain still falling. Breakfast in St Kilda will have to wait for another day. A day in gave me a chance to catch up on the washing & other domestic duties. Bill got to prepare for another week of travel. Next week we will be out & about again.

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