After our time at home we were looking forward to the Easter break. We had chosen to head up the Hume Highway this time staying in Yackandandah. We were up bright and early the next morning and hit the road soon after trying to beat the Easter traffic. The stream of cars looked endless but we had a good run with no hold ups and we arrived at Beechworth in time for lunch which we had at a lovely little French providore called The Larder. We dined on fresh terrine, soft cheese and home made chutney with some lovely bread reminding us of some of our French lunches with Marg and Peter. All that was missing was the bottle of red but with a camper to set up still we settled for coffee instead. We left here with a bag of goodies including home made Fig Jam, Chutney and a lovely brie for the weekend.
A half hour later we arrived at Yackandandah caravan park and found this to be a lovely little park set at the bottom of a hill with the river running through it. We found our site and were soon all set up and ready to sit back and relax for the next few days. We took a walk up the hill and had a quick look around town before returning for a quiet night in with dinner and a movie. The weather forecast was for a fine weekend with cool nights and with the overnight temp reaching just 5 deg we were very glad we had a powered site and a heater.
The next morning after a slow start and yummy scones at Sticky Tarts we returned to Beechworth to have a look at the Easter Craft Market. We found the whole town in party mode with the main street blocked off and a food and music festival happening here. A little further along there was a carnival and the market in full swing as well. We left the market with two bottles of Durif from a winery in Wodonga and some yummy Beechworth Honey before pointing the car towards Chiltern where we were on the hunt for the elusive Regent Honeyeater known to be seen in the area.
Not too far down the road we found a sign pointing to Woolshed Falls and so followed that to see the falls. We spent a couple of hours here scrambling over rocks and enjoying the fresh air, sunshine and the park in general. As the morning wore on the falls got busy with tourists which was our signal to move on to quieter places. We continued our drive on to Chiltern passing through Eldorado and just loved the countryside throughout the Indigo region.
We lunched at our favourite little cafe, The Mulberry Tree, before heading out to Bartleys Block where the birds were singing, playing and generally in great supply. Lots of beautiful Robins, Honeyeaters and Babblers but no Regent Honeyeaters here. Leaving the block we headed back to Beechworth to see the night market at the jail.
Here we discovered that most of the stalls from the morning had just relocated around the corner so we didn't stay for long. We'll have a look at the jail another time. We stopped for a coffee at the Beechworth Bakery and succumbed to a yummy Snickerdoodle as well before heading home for another night in and a movie. Well what can I say - when in Beechworth!
With no markets on the agenda Sunday morning we started our day with coffee from Sticky Tarts - no scones - before driving back to Chiltern and Bartleys Block for another look. We spent the morning with the birds again this time being entertained by both Yellow and Red Robins. They are such beautiful little birds how can you not be captivated by them. With lunch on board today we left and drove the few minutes down the road to Dam no 1 and enjoyed the hour with a few ducks on the water.
Leaving Chiltern we drove on to Rutherglen where we were on a mission to find the famous Parkers Pies to have for dinner that night. Here we found the queue in the bakery about 6 deep and out the door but we joined them and soon had a our two Jolly Jumbucks to put in the fridge for later. From here we drove a little further on to Campbells Winery were we found another full car park for their Easter Picnic. Lots of people enjoying lunch, good wine and some great music. We only stopped long enough to pick up some of their fabulous Durif and Shiraz Durif before heading back to Chiltern.
Our next stop was into the forrest where we stopped at Honeyeater Picnic Ground and Cyanide Dam. We spent a few hours here wandering the walks and again enjoyed our time with the wide variety of bird life. This is known to be a favourite haunt of the bird we were looking for but either we were too early in the year or they knew we were looking for them because once again no luck. One day when we least expect it he'll just be there I'm sure.
We drove back to Yackandandah from here with a quick stop at Wooragee to see the lovely Sunflower sculpture at the local primary school. Soon after we were tucked up warm and snug with our Jolly Jumbuck pies and a bottle of Red. A lovely way to end our day of wandering around the Indigo Region.
We woke to another sunny but chilly morning and before long it was time to pack up and join the other travellers driving back to the city. We had had a great weekend and have decided that we will have one more crack at finding this elusive Regent Honeyeater and so have booked back in to this lovely park for the Anzac Day long weekend. Not really long but we have taken the Friday off to make it one. Fingers crossed our little friend will be around next time.
But wait, there was still one more market to see. On the way home we passed the Wooragee Primary School where another little community market was in full swing. We stopped for a quick look and bought some of the nicest peaches we have tasted for a long time. Straight from the farm. Also found some yummy home made Passion fruit butter that we couldn't pass up. And then it was time to hit the road for the long drive home.
until next time..........
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