Weekends in the country.......

are becoming our most favorite thing to do after a hard week at work.  This weekend we were off to spend a couple of  days with Cheryl and Shane in St Leonards.  We arrived on Saturday afternoon and before too long were enjoying a glass of bubbles and a very tasty nibbles platter as we caught up on each others adventures of the last few months.

That evening we all changed into our glad rags and drove to the Jack Rabbit Winery to have dinner in their newly renovated restaurant.  It was a delicious meal and the only thing missing was a view out of the huge windows.  There are no lights on a dark night in the bush!  Back at home we all ate and drank some more as we solved the problems of the world until the wee small hours when we all went to sleep.

Shane cooked us a yummy breakfast on Sunday morning and then we jumped in the car and drove to Barwon Heads.  We enjoyed a walk along the beach and climbed the steps to the top for a walk back through the caravan park.  One to add to the list I think!  For those of you that watched the ABC series Sea Change it was here that it was made.  It is a lovely spot situated on the Barwon River and over the sandbar is the bay.  I think the guys we saw on paddle boards that morning were crazy - it was freezing!

Returning home we had a delicious lunch prepared by the two 'Chefs' Cheryl and Shane and then all to soon it was time to say goodbye again and head back to the big smoke.

The following week we decided that we would escape the city again and so got up early on Saturday Morning and drove to Jamieson.  Our favourite place was all booked out so after a yummy lunch at Deb's Cafe we drove back to Mansfield to find a bed for the night

The first couple of places were full so after a visit to the Information centre we headed to Highton Manor and found a very unusual Castle like building on the outskirts of the town.  We spent the night in 'The Grande Suite' and it certainly was an apt description.  A lovely big room with period furniture, a huge bathroom and a beautiful view to complete the package.

After settling in we drove into town for dinner at the Mansfield Pub, always good food, and not long after we were home again and turning in after a big day out.  We woke the next morning to another beautiful day and after breakfast hit the road again and made our way towards the city.

Our first stop was for morning tea at 'The Giddy Goat' in Yarck.  This was somewhere we usually just drive past but with such good reviews we had to give it a go.  We found a really quirky little cafe in a tiny town and it was packed.  Obviously lots of other people have heard about it too.

From Yarck we made our way across to Alexandra to have a look and from there decided to drive home via Marysville and Warburton.  This was a very long way home but something very different from our usual trips back and forth.  We enjoyed our tour of the countryside but were actually glad to arrive home and be able just to sit for the rest of the evening.

After two weekends away we would be remaining home next week as we had a big birthday to attend.

So until then..........