Back to Eildon, Euroa and Ngambie......

The week seemed to crawl by but at last it was Friday and we both snuck off work a little earlier so we could get away before peak hour.   A quick trip without much traffic had us arriving at Fraser camp grounds before dark.  Hans helped Bill get the van set up and Astrid took care of heating our dinner while we caught up with a drink as it cooked.  Not long after we were all enjoying some quality time round the table catching up on each other's last few weeks.  

We had a slow start to Saturday and just enjoyed hanging out in the bush with the birds.  The camp was very quiet this trip making it a real treat just to chill out for a few hours with good friends.   After lunch we drove into Alexander for a coffee at a new bakery cafe and on the way out found a wonderful little shop/art gallery run by a lady from Canada and a man from Europe.  Very quirky and we all left with a little something to take home.

Returning to camp we continued to chill for the rest of the day finishing off with a wonderful bar-b-que, cooked by Chef Hans, a bottle or two of red and a great night.  It's a tough life but someone has to do it.  May as well be us eh!

Sunday morning was spent around the table with Hans cooking Bacon and Eggs once again and we enjoyed another beautiful day just watching the world go by us all.  After lunch it was time to pack up again and head back down the hill for another week in civilisation.  Very hard to do after such a glorious weekend but only a week and we'll be off again next Friday.

This was the Labour Day long weekend and we were going back to Euroa and had booked our favourite campsite beside the river at Sevens Creek.  With a very favourable forecast we were looking forward to a great weekend.

We arrived early evening and were all set up and enjoying dinner before the sun went down. It was great to be back again even though this time the park was quite busy with lots of people in town for a Tennis Tournament held over the long weekend.  Lots of families in tents and lots of singles in swags.  We still never had too wait for a shower though, a fact that never ceases to amaze me when these places are busy.

The Sulphur Crested cockatoos, Euroa's alarm clock, had us up bright and early on Saturday morning so after breakfast we walked up to the shops for supplies and a cup of coffee at Albert's before jumping in the car to have a look around a little further afield.

We drove up to Strathbogie and then on to Ruffy where we stopped at The Produce Store for a coffee in the afternoon before driving back down to Euroa to spend the rest of the day and evening at our little waterfront home.  

On Sunday morning we enjoyed our breakfast beside the creek before getting ready to drive over to Ngambie where we were meeting Shane and Cheryl at Tahbilk for lunch.  It was another glorious day and as I had booked early in the week we were lucky enough to have a lovely table on the balcony overlooking the beautiful wetlands.  Lunch was delicious and after we had finished we walked over to the cellar door to see what we could take home.  

The Tahbilk Cellars are open to the public to walk down and see the huge oak barrels and we found some very interesting labels on some of them.  Last time we were here the second cellar had been closed but this time we were able to wander along and it was interesting to see some of the very old brickwork down here.  

Built during 1860 and the 'New Cellar' in 1875 most of what you see is the original structures with just a few new bricks filling in some areas now.  Back upstairs we headed to the tasting tables and both left with a few bottles to enjoy at home.

After the musty old cellars it was lovely to be out in the fresh air again and we walked along to see the old workers cottages and found the vines heavy with grapes.  Not sure what it would become but I'm sure it will be another great vintage.

During our lunch it had been decided that Cheryl and Shane would come back to Euroa with us for dinner and so after a quick stop at their motel we were on our way back to Chateau Harris.  We enjoyed a lovely evening beside the creek with a few drinks, a light dinner and lots more chatter before saying goodbye to them around 10 pm.  We fell into bed not long after.  It had been another fabulous day in the Victorian countryside.

We enjoyed breakfast with the birdies and the fish on Monday and soon after it was time to join everyone else and start the packing up routine.  Very hard to do after such a lovely weekend but the city called once more and we had a long drive ahead.

Back at home mid afternoon the washing was underway and we were both readying ourselves for another week at work. Really can't wait until we don't have to play this silly game any more but until then the alarm is set for 6.30 on Monday morning.

We'll be home for a couple of weeks now so I'll have to find out what's happening in town.

Until next time........

Another Big Birthday.......

It was a little bit hard going to work on Monday knowing that I had to face a full five day week. After my run of short weeks I wasn't happy about this but needs must and off I went so as not to be late.

This week Bill's baby sister Faye was having a milestone birthday and so we were looking forward to spending some time with the family as the celebrations began.

Anne arrived from Perth on Monday night and stayed with us.  We had dinner at home and we all really enjoyed some time around the table with food, drink and time to talk.  She left us the next morning and went to stay with Faye for the rest of the week.

A surprise visit on Tuesday as Sandra was over from Perth and a quick phone call saw me meeting her and Naomi for dinner at The Blue Train.  We had a yummy dinner, my pulled lamb burger just delicious, and it was great to see them both again.  Bill missed out as he had left that morning but he would be back and in Party mode by Friday.

On Friday night we drove down to Mordialloc where we were meeting everyone at the beach.  As you know we had all attended Dad's funeral earlier in the year and Anne had brought his ashes over with her to be scattered at Mordialloc Beach where he grew up.  His Sister, Auntie Shirley, joined us for this event.  It was a very cold windy evening and this proved to be a bit of a challenge but eventually after a few tries and lots of laughs the girls and Bill achieved their task and we all said goodbye to Dad once more.

After leaving the beach we all drove to Faye's and had fish and chips, a few drinks and lots of laughs as once again everyone shared stories and their memories of good times with Dad over the years.  And of course none of us could help letting Faye know there was only 'one more sleep' until the Big Day.  It was all in good fun and we were looking forward to a fun Saturday night.

Saturday evening we all made our way to Sails on The Bay where we had a wonderful night celebrating Faye's 50th Birthday. This is a lovely restaurant is right on the beach at Elwood.  With full floor to ceiling glass on three sides of the building you feel you are sitting right on the beach and watching the sunset from here was pretty special.

Faye enjoyed her big night and as well as the family, her best friend Debbie was there along with Amelia and Laurie to help her celebrate in style.  We all enjoyed ourselves and had a great night of fun and friendship.  And we still can't believe the baby of the family has finally joined the rest of us over 50's.  

After two big nights out Bill and I spent Sunday at home catching up on some housework and other boring stuff and only stepped out to pop Downstairs for lunch.  All too soon it was Monday morning again and time to return to work.  The good news was we were off to Eildon again on Friday.  More on that next time

so until then..........

Visiting the beautiful Bellarine ........

After my third short week in a row it was time to get in the car again as we were going to Cheryl and Shane's place at St Leonard's.  On Sunday night we were going to see John Waters performing Looking Through a Glass Onion.  We had booked this last year and we were looking forward to seeing both the show and our friends.

Arriving on Saturday afternoon Cheryl and I settled in with a bottle of bubbles, some nibbles and lots of catching up while Shane and Bill decided that the beers in the fridge needed thinning out a bit.  I don't think there are too many left now and of course they helped immensely when it came to cooking the bar-b-que! 

After a wonderful dinner we all braved the slightly chilly night and finished off the evening in the spa.  Nice and warm in the bubbles and we were loving a step back in time listening to The Eagles Hotel California.   We all slept well when we retired that night.

The next morning Shane cooked us all breakfast and we chilled for a couple of hours with the papers and coffee.  A great way to spend a Sunday morning.  Soon after we left and drove into Drysdale where we stopped at the Festival of Glass.  

This is an expo which is part market, part art show and part demonstration on the crafts associated with glass.  We watched a glass blower in action and a man demonstrating how to make a Lead light window.  As well there were over 40 exhibits of glass jewellery, beads, household items, artworks, lamps and supplies for the arty.  There were some truly amazing and beautiful items both for sale and on display and I would have loved to bring lots home but restricted myself to just a very small dipping dish.  

After spending an hour here we left and made our way to Terindah Estate where we were booked for lunch.  This winery on the Bellarine Peninsula has a fabulous restaurant called The Shed @ Terindah and we all enjoyed a delicious lunch here.

We had a wander round the gardens after lunch and between the unusual sculptures, the vines and the wonderful views across the bay to the city, it ticked all the boxes for a great place to visit.

After a relaxing couple of hours back at St Leonard's we made our way back to Geelong to the Performing Arts Centre and enjoyed the show.  John Waters does an amazing show 'channeling' John Lennon and Stewart D'Arietta on piano was excellent too.  

Our 6pm tickets saw us out and saying goodbye to Cheryl and Shane by 8.30 and without more ado we were driving back home for another week at work.  It had been a fabulous weekend and we enjoyed every moment.  Thank you again for having us once more!

It's family time next week so until then..........