A sunny weekend in St Leonards

After a few days back at work it was time to pack our little bags again for another weekend away. This time we were leaving the camper at home and going to stay with Shane & Cheryl who live in St Leonards on the Bellarine Peninsula. We have been over to Queenscliff a few times but have never been to this lovely little part of the coast. We arrived just before midday as requested and spent a couple hours catching up over a bar-b-que lunch and a drink. Afterwards we walked the two blocks to the beach and had a look at the little coastal town. It is a really sleepy little holiday village just 15mins around the bay from Queenscliff. As it was a warm day there were lots of little people in the water and a few boats and jet skis enjoying the sunshine out on the bay.

Later in the afternoon we hopped in the car and Shane drove us round to the new Marina complex at Queenscliff where we climbed the lookout tower, well went up in the lift and walked down. From the top of this tower at the Queenscliff/Sorrento Ferry terminal you can see for miles in all directions as well as getting a wonderful look at all the boats in the newly opened marina. Boy are there some $$$ moored down there. Once home we relaxed with a drink as we discussed plans for meeting each other in May when we will both be in Paris at the same time.

Soon it was time to get ready for dinner and we were back in the car for the short drive to Port Arlington where we were having dinner at the Grand Hotel. Apparently famous for it's many varieties of mussels on the menu. Now I didn't know this but they farm mussels at Port Arlington just of the beach. Well we just had to try some of these and Bill ordered some in a Yellow Curry sauce for entree. Oh My Goodness what a plateful arrived, I can only imagine a main course size would have fed all of us, and they were delicious. We all tried a few as well as sharing the two other entrees ordered. Shane's Bruschetta with Brie was just huge and Cheryl's Spring Rolls could have been our main. Thank goodness we had only ordered 3. Needless to say not all of our mains were finished but they were just as nice as all the entrees were. Will certainly be returning there again and might just eat the mussels. They were wonderful. Once home again we finished the night with wine & chocolates and lots more chatter. We finally fell into bed at 1.45am dreaming of sun, sea & mussels.

Sunday morning was another beautiful sunny day and a long slow breakfast was had with Shane firing up the barbie again for bacon, eggs & homegrown tomatoes. Boy were they yummy. After the dishes were done we all piled in the car again for a drive around the local wineries. We stopped at Bellarine Estate, Jack Rabbit, McAdams Lane & Scotchmans Hill Winery primarily to check out the lovely views but we did manage to tatse and buy at one of them. The bubbles from Bellarine Estate were very nice and we took a couple of bottles home. From the grounds at Jack Rabbit you can see the mussel farms in the bay quite clearly and I was amzed at how many there are. From there we drove through Drysdale returning to St Leonards with a detour to Tuckerberry Hill Blueberry Farm where we had a coffee and a piece of the famous Blueberry Buckle. Also yummy! You can pick your own blueberries here and they were quite busy but with time marching on we decided to go the lazy way and purchase the pre picked ones. Again, OMG, the fresh blueberries were the nicest I have ever tasted and we came home with a kilo of them. Some are now frozen for later.

Home again after our tour of the area we sat round the table with cool drinks, declined any more food, there was no more room left in our tummies, and firmed our plans for May. Soon after it was time to say our goodbyes and we left Shane & Cheryl around 4.00pm. We have had a wonderful weekend and look forward to doing it again one day. Thanks so much for inviting us and we will see you in Paris in a couple of months. Sounds good doesn't it.

Back to work on Monday for a full week this time. Faye's birthday kept us entertained the following Saturday night as we joined the family to celebrate. A great night was had by all. Another week at work passed quickly and with a very wet week and an even wetter weekend forecast we went in search of indoor pursuits for the next Saturday.

We left the house with umbrellas and braved the rain as we set off to see if we could find theatre tickets for A Chorus Line. We managed to get some and after lunch headed back to the front row of the Dress Circle to enjoy a the show. It was an excellent show and we enjoyed it all. It was still raining as we headed home but after a couple of hours it stopped long enough for us to walk across to the Rising Sun for dinner and to get home dry. The sun finally came out on Sunday and we went in search of a late lunch and found a new little gem in a laneway off Coventry St. Chez Dre is a gorgeous little cafe with a quirky menu and I think we will need a lot more visits to check it out properly. Oh how I love finding South Melbourne's little secrets. A visit to the market to buy the ingredients for Sunday nights dinner - Sweet Potato & Pear soup - finished the day and we walked home for a quiet afternoon.

So now we just have to survive the next week at work and then we're off again to explore the great outdoors for our long weekend.

until next time........

Jazz in the Grampians

It's that time again. February is the Grampians Jazz Festival which is held at Halls Gap each year. This 26th year was another wonderful weekend with almost perfect weather while we spent a few days with a fine selection of Jazz musicians from all over the country.

Mum & I drove up on Friday afternoon stopping at our favourite little cafe in Beaufort for a late lunch on the way. Once settled in we joined the many other Jazz fans at the registration point to pick up our badges and programs for the weekend. $55.00 gets you into all venues for the entire weekend. The tiny town in the spectacular Grampians is the ideal setting for this event and no matter where you are wandering you can hear the sounds of Jazz from early morning to late at night. Even right at the top at the Pinnacle Lookout, I believe. No I haven't walked up there to find out but many others have.

We found our seats in the main marquee, right in the front row, and settled in for a fabulous night of music and laughter as about 12 bands entertained us until midnight. After leaving we stopped at Ralphies on the way home for a hot chocolate and found more musos still playing in make up bands. A wonderful clarinet player, Nick Polites who is almost 90, was still playing when we left and looking like he was in for the night. No idea when they went to bed but we went home at 12.30am.

Saturday morning is the street parade and this is always lots of fun with many of the Jazz clubs dressing up and getting into the spirit of the event. Of course the grand parade led by the very official looking bandmaster and followed by trombones, clarinets, trumpets, drums, washboards and many others gets everyone into the mood for the rest of the day with lots of fun and loud music.

Saturdays program runs from midday to midnight and again sees bands from all over the country. A favourite of ours is Gail Kingston & the Hot Foot Jazz from Adelaide. She always fills the marquee and has the place rocking. Maryborough Jazz Band is another show stopper which people can't get enough of. A group of young muicans playing there 2nd year here filled the main marquee both days and were thrilled to do so. Shirazz were wonderful and I think we have just witnessed the beginning of a very successful career in Jazz. Many of the musos play in other groups for the weekend so we get to see favourite players many times during the weekend. Once the program was finished we visited Ralphies again for another nightcap and more music from the make up bands. Bed time was a little later that night.

Sundays start a little earlier with bands playing at a church service in the main marquee. We did not attend this but did hear the final hymn as we walked over for the morning session to start. One day I must go. The rest of the day was spent picnicing outside the marquee as we enjoyed the sunshine and the music. Sunday night we all gathered as usual at the picnic shelter for a bar-b-que tea with other members of the Peninsula Jazz Club and many other folk who just come and join in as a variety of musicians entertained us for the evening. The festival attracts many people throughout the weekend both old and young but my favourite spectator this year just had to be this little dog. It just sat on that little rug all weekend with eyes glued to the stage. Mum & Dad did take it out for frequent pit stops between sessions.

Just one very sad note here, Jeremy Cookes, the piano man who has played at this function for the last few years had passed away in November with a very sudden and aggressive cancer. We all missed him so much and it was wonderful to see so many people continue to play his piano in his memory. His wife had brought it over from Adelaide and all his friends took part in a tribute show for him and the money we collected was donated to Cancer Research in his name. Over the weekend 3 separate events collected well over $500 just by passing the hat around.

Usually Mum & I leave on Monday morning but this year we had booked in for another day so as to attend another event on Monday. We had a wonderful day just browsing the little shops on Monday morning before joining the others at the Caravan Park. Here another group of musos entertained us for 3 hours while we relaxed in the afternoon sunshine with drinks & nibblies.
On the way home from here we met friends having a coffee and they invited us to have dinner with them at Kookaburra Bar & Cafe that night. Here we joined a group of people from the Geelong Jazz Club and had a great night listening to John Morrison & friends as they played until late into the night. An absolutely wonderful end to a great weekend and yes we are staying another day next year as well.

Once home on Tuesday it was an early night for this tired little vegemite and back to work the next day. Bill came home on Wednesday night from NSW and we caught up for the first time in nearly 2 weeks. On Thursday night we had dinner with Matt & Amber who came up from Narre Warren. We went around the corner to a little place called The Olive Tree. I had been there once but Bill had not and once again we were all impressed. Bill & Matt had Duck Risotto which was delicious. Mine & Amber's meal were very tasty too and so big that we didn't think we would need to eat again for a week. It was good to see them again and catch up on all their news.

So with another week drawing to a close it's time to say bi for now and see what the next weekend will offer.

until next time.......

Mt Pilot & The Barambogie Ranges

The next morning Bill rose early as Bartley's Paddock called again. I stayed in bed and slept once more. A cup of tea and my book in the shade made for another perfect morning and after our morning treat in Chiltern we set off to explore a little further afield today. When we were here last year we never made to Mt Pilot so decided that we would go and see it this time.

Our fist stop was at Yeddonba, an Aboriginal site, at the foot of Mt Pilot. Here you will find a fascinating 45 min interpretive walk that introduces you to the traditional owners of the rocky outcrops, river flats and open plains of the area, as well as seeing some of their ancient Rock Art. For some reason I thought this walk would just be a 45 min loop on flat ground but before long we climbing those rocky outcrops and seeing some wonderful views. The rock art was very faded though and for the most part hardly visible. Still it is amazing to see sacred sites and learn abit about the people that called this place home many years ago.

Once back on the ground we left Yeddonba and drove up to Mt Pilot. From the carpark it is about a 300 metre climb to the summit where there is a fire tower. It certainly was worth the effort and from the very flat top you can see 360 deg views, looking across the Chiltern Valley, Mt Barnawartha, Mt Big Ben and on a clear day Mt Buffalo on the southern horizon. It was a very clear day when we were there and the views very great.

Once down on flat ground again we drove back to Chiltern for a quiet lunch in the park before we heading out to Lappins Dam & Green Hill Dam in the Mt Pilot National Park. From here we drove back to Rutherglen for some extra bits & pieces we couldn't find in Chiltern. I think the sign as we left said it all and having tasted the Port I have to agree. We drove back through the Chiltern Valley, lots of farm land and vineyards all looking very rural. Our next stop was Frog Hollow where not much was happening so we headed home from here and took a walk around the lake to finish our day of touring. With rain threatening the dark clouds kept the sunset hidden so we returned to our home in the park to cook those wonderful pies from Rutherglen. They really were good and the oven worked like a dream. A movie took care of the evening, watching it outside as the rain did not eventuate and soon after two very weary adventurers hit the sack.

Waking to another beautiful sunrise through the windows, Bill returned to Bartley's Paddock for a final time while I got another hours rest before starting to pack up for the long trip home. It was sad to say goodbye to our little friend who had enjoyed our portable bird bath but we finally had to empty the water and pack it away. Once ready to go we stopped for a final Coffee & Scone at the Mulberry Tree and soon after said goodbye to Chiltern. We had had a wonderful weekend and will certainly pop in again for another weekend some time.

Returning to work on Monday was not as much fun as leaving the previous Wednesday but it had to be done so we can get ready for the next adventure. A quiet weekend at home was next as Bill prepared to head interstate for the next few weeks. Lunch at the markets was yummy as always and after picking up some museli and vegies it was home for a quiet night. Next weekend will be anything but quiet as I return to Halls Gap with Mum for the Jazz Festival again. Can't wait.

until then..........

Summer days in Chiltern

With Australia day falling on Thursday this year there was really only one thing we could do, take the day off on Friday and make a long weekend of it. We were both lucky enough to be able to get the day off, no Aussie sickies here, and with a 4 day weekend ahead we packed the camper and headed off to the bush again.

Chiltern was our chosen destination and we were looking forward to taking a closer look, having just touched the surface last time we were here in March. We had booked into the Lake Anderson Caravan Park and were suitably impressed on our arrival. The park is a lovely little place with spotless bathrooms, always a good thing, and just a 5 min walk to the Main Street.

We arrived mid afternoon and set up our little home for the next 3 days. We are getting better at this part and were all set up inside & out in about half an hour. We kept the man across the road amused as Bill tried to hammer tent pegs into the hard ground to anchor the mat. The nice man lent us a mallet which did the job in a couple of hits. Must get us one of those! Once we had unpacked and settled in our next task was to walk into town for a bit of shopping.

With the shopping done we came back to spend some time in the shade with a quiet drink before heading off to watch the sunset over Lake Anderson just 5 mins away. The lake has been created from the subsidence of Alliance Gold Mine operations and is now the centrepiece of a beautiful park with a wildlife & bird refuge. The Lions Club have done a lot walk creating a Chiltern walking path around the lake and wetlands and it was here that we enjoyed the days end before heading back to have dinner and settle down for the night. Once the sun had gone down the night cooled and we spent a pleasant evening watching a movie outside. And inside was nice and cool when we finally crawled into our very comfy bed.

Bill woke early the next morning as he was heading off to Bartley's Paddock to see what he could find. I can still remeber the spiders from last time so I opted to stay in bed and get another hours sleep. It was wonderful. Bill enjoyed his foray into the bush and was rewarded with lots of birds and he came home a couple of hours later a happy man. After my sleep in I spent an hour under the trees with a cup of tea and a book. What a nice way to start the day.

After breakfast we went to have a closer look at the little town. With a past deeply entrenched in Gold Mining Chiltern is full of history with most of the buildings in the Main Street heritage listed. The town has also been used for the movies, Ride a Wild Pony, My Brother Tom & The True Story of Spit McPhee. I'll have to watch them again to check it out. With most of the buildings contructed in the mid 1800's, at the peak of the gold rush, it is a very old and authentic streetscape with no modern buildings to spoil the feel of the place. You can do a self guided walk 'Chiltern Walk' taking about 1 1/2 hours to see it all. Over the 3 days we saw most of them with our favourite being the Bank of Australasia - now the Mulberry Tree Cafe. We just had to stop here each morning for coffee (the best between capitals, the sign says) & cake. This little gem is run by a lovely lady, Regina, who does all the cooking herself. Each day I had one scone with my coffee but Bill tried a different one of her home made cakes each day. Swiss Apple cake, Rhubarb cake & Apple cake all got the tick of approal and it really was the only naughty thing we ate all weekend. Breakfast lunch & dinner were very healthy options.

With the little town 'done' it was time to head out into the bush and see what we could find. There are many drives through the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park and we spent a few hours exploring these, stopping for a while at Dam No 1 where there were lots of little birds to keep us amused for a while. Went in search of Dam no 2 but couldn't find the way in so contented ourselves with the Major Mitchell monument instead. We stopped to eat our picnic lunch at the Honey Eater Picnic ground at Cyanide Dam. Another leftover from the mining days, the cyanide has long since gone leaving just a small dam where lots of birds come to find relief from the heat of a summers day. Just not today though we did see one gorgeous parrot siting waiting for us on our walk.

Leaving the bush for a while we drove the few kilometres to Rutherglen where we found another town, a little bigger and not quite as charming but historic none the less. We were here to visit Campbells Winery where we were going to buy some more Shiraz Durif, a red wine that we are quite partial too. We left with a mixed dozen of those, Durif and another blend. And a jar of Milawa mustard as well. Looking forward to drinking these. Leaving Campbells we mosied on to Buller winey where it was birds we were after here not wines. There is a bird park here and while there were a few lovely birds it was all cages and we have seen much better. Still it was not a waste, I bought a bottle of their very fancy Sparkling Wine. And while in Rutherglen there was one more place to visit. Parkers Pies are very famous for their homemade pies and we got some to have for dinner the following night. I had to try out the oven so what better way than to cook pies. I bought frozen uncooked ones so I could really try it out. The pies have won awards for their many and varied ingredients and though Bill wasn't too brave with a Jolly Jumbuck, lamb & rosemary, I was a little more daring deciding that the Kangaroo with redcurrant sounded good enough for me. They were both wonderful and the oven worked perfectly.

We spent an hour or so under the awning at home before venturing back to Dam no 1 to watch the sunset. Very pretty & peaceful by the water but not too many birds here so took ourselves back home for dinner and what better way to finish the night than with a bottle Shiraz Durif to send us to sleep. And with another balmy night we slept like babies dreaming of new adventures to be had tomorrow.

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