And So I Don't Forget...

Anglesea Getaway

Last week we headed to the coast for our first little getaway as a family of three. 2 nights in a little AirBnB unit in Anglesea, about an hour and a half drive from home, was a perfect low key, no stress introduction to travelling with our little one.

A bustling area in the summer high season, it was relaxed and quiet being autumn weekdays. Perfect for travels with a baby who slept beautifully through 3 out of 6 meals. That seems to be what we did; eat well and take walks along the beach.

Dinner at Rose Chinese Restaurant, breakfast at Anglesea General Store, lunch at Aireys Pub. After an unsettled afternoon for the little one, we had (average tasting) takeaway pizza back in our unit for dinner.

The weather was beautiful for our final day. We breakfasted, well second breakfast because it's not a quick process to get out of the house nowadays, at 4 Kings (I think it was called) before spending some time on the beach. I couldn't resist dipping my toes in the water, which was predictably frigid. I didn't get a chance to introduce Amelia to the beach as she slept peacefully for every visit, but our pram does cope surprisingly well with cross countrying in soft sand.

One last stop at Bellbrae Estate for some wine tasting and feasting outside in the sunshine before heading back home. And little miss sleeping that whole car trip was the perfect end to our time away.

 

A Quick Trip to Perth

Next weekend Mike and I were intending to go to Sydney to watch Clarkson, Hammond and May Live (the new incarnation of the Top Gear Live show). On Wednesday, while considering which hotel to book, we realised that instead of buying tickets to the Sydney show, my darling husband had instead bought tickets to the Perth event a week earlier. Yep, oops!

So, two days later we were catching a plane across the country for my first ever trip to Western Australia.   

We began Saturday driving to Fremantle, just half an hour from the centre of Perth. After a wander through the market, and a stop for cupcakes, we took a tour of the Fremantle Prison. The prison operated from convict times up until 1991, when it closed down due in large part to the toilet facilities in the cells not having progressed beyond buckets.    

44 people where hung at Fremantle Prison however the oak beam on the gallows saw over 100 deaths, having been relocated when a different prison closed down. Bureaucracy cares about the oddest things sometimes. 

In the afternoon we took a two hour boat cruise up and down the Swan River. We saw some insanely expensive waterfront property, including the home of Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart, but really the cruise was just ridiculously relaxing. 

We finished off the day with the reason for our trip, Clarkson, Hammond and May Live. I did enjoy the show, but I loved seeing Mike almost giddy with excitement. I'm not sure he's ever been so concerned with not being late, and said it was 'Good to see the boys in fine form'. 

After breakfast on Sunday, we drove to King's Park for a last look around before heading to the airport for our midday flight home.   

We didn't really do that much, and it's an awfully long way to fly for a day and a bit. but it was a pretty darn great weekend. Relaxing, low key and fun. Just what we needed. 

Camping at Cathedral Ranges

Who: 10 of us, a larger group than normal. (Mike and I, Chris, Erica, Tanya, Dave, Gareth, Lierin, Ben and Esther). It was Esther's first time camping, and maybe Lierin's as well.

Where: Cathedral Range State Park, a favoured spot we've visitied again and again and again.

Food: Lamb roasted on the spit with potatoes, sweet potato and corn for Saturday night dinner, followed by Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding cooked in the coals. Breakfasts of pancakes with banana and strawberries, and bacon and eggs with toast. Toasted sandwiches for lunch one day (which taste so much better when eaten in the cold outdoors) and burgers the next.

Weather: Chilly, enough to keep the fire burning all day with us cozying up extra close to it when night fell. There were a few moments of passing showers, but the downpour stayed away until Mike and I were tying down the trailer for the trip home. Mike figures the weather was such we didn't use up all our good mojo and can chance another trip before winter's end.

Sighted: 4 kangaroos calmly nibbling on grass at the edge of our campsite. A wombat by torchlight; Mike was pretty delighted when he realised it wasn't a rock and he could show Esther her first wombat in the wild.

As we were sitting around the campfire after dark I had the thought, this is it. You know that touch of envy sometimes experienced watching TV ads of friends having a great time, this right here is what they are portraying. It may not look the same, we're not taking a roadtrip on a summer afternoon while drinking Coca-Cola, but the connections and history together, the shared jokes, laughter and teasing, talking as we ignore the passing of time, the escape from daily obligations...it's all here. This is awesome.

Alpine Mini Tour

The Alpine Mini Tour was held on the weekend, and Mike and I participated for the second year running. Father-in-law Ray was kind enough to loan us his Citroen DS, my wedding car, for the event. (He and Julie were there in their Mini, as well as brother-in-law Steve and his mate Blake who have been doing the tour together for years.)

It was such an odd feeling being in the car again as we drove to Bairnsdale Friday night; so many wedding thoughts circling in my head. The DS is not without it's quirks, as befitting a classic Citroen, but the seats are incredibly comfy and Mike became quite fond and was sad to hand her back at the end of the weekend.     

We covered over 1000km I believe, from Bairnsdale to Bruthen to Omeo to Mt Hotham to Falls Creek, our over night stop, then Anglers Rest to Swift Creek to Nicholson, where we finished after Sunday lunch. It was a fun weekend, full of curvy roads and beautiful scenery that we'd never otherwise see.

Although Mike and I will not be coming first place anytime soon - some of those questions are fiendish! - my thanks to the Crawf's and sponsors,Cooper S Imports and Link Automotive, for putting on an incredible event. It was the 14th year of the Alpine Mini Tour and they've said this will be the last, but they've been saying that for a few years now. ;) 

My first time completing the Alpine Mini Tour, Part 1 and Part 2.

Wilsons Prom

Friday night Mike and I joined the traffic and headed out of Melbourne, arriving at our Tidal River campground in Wilsons Promontory National Park well after dark. We enjoyed a glass of port in our tent, and In the morning awoke to this...    

After a lazy breakfast we packed some sandwiches and set off hiking around the bluff to Squeaky Beach, then continuing on to Picnic Bay. It was a beautiful day and the scenery was stunning, that water such incredible shades of blue. Although Mike claimed it was arctic and couldn't be enticed in deeper than his knees, I waded in. You turn numb in moments anyway. :)  

Sharing a bottle of wine after dinner, sitting at our little table and chatting in the light of the lamp, I kicked out my leg and encountered fur. A bit of a scream, red wine flying, we'd managed to not notice the large wombat slowly making its way under our table. Ninja wombat, Mike dubbed him. The radio interview I'd heard a few days earlier, talking about vicious adult males who'd happily chomp on Achilles tendons, did not help my nerves!  

On Sunday after pancakes and packing up we made our way to Telegraph Saddle, the start of the hiking path up Mount Oberon. I'm not a fan of 3.5km of unrelieved uphill (Mike bribed me with chocolate) but the views were amazing. Probably worth it. ;)    

We finished the weekend with a dip in the water at Whiskey Bay, before heading back home to laundry and a car to unload.   

Celebrating Mum's 60th

In honour of Mum's 60th birthday, we gathered for the weekend at a holiday house in Mount Martha they'd rented. Mum and Dad were both very appreciative we'd been able to attend but really, give me free accomodation and those views and I'm there! ;)

We barbequed and battled over Articulate on Friday night, with a rematch Saturday morning. (2 time winner, thank you very much!) We wandered down to the shops for a lazy lunch, napped and lazed on the beach.

Jenna and Darren had to head home, but we were joined by my aunty and family friends for dinner on Saturday. Mike and I fed everyone pizza and chocolate mousse cake.

After packing up Sunday Mike and I spent a little longer wandering on the beach, not quite ready to head home. Such a wonderful, relaxed, meandering weekend.

Festivities continued on the Tuesday night, Mum's actual birthday, as we joined family friends (different ones) for dinner at Mum and Dad's house. After Happy Birthday was sung and cake consumed, the kids played outside with some sparklers.

I joined in of course. :)

Dad had suggested a banner for the occasion, so I made this one with my Silhouette Cameo. Letters are about 6 inches high, using the Bebas font, and I just ran them through my sewing machine. It's a little fiddly to make, but not difficult. Cost effective too.

Happy 60th Birthday Mum! Hope you enjoyed the celebrations.

A Weekend in Newcastle

Winter Solstice Weekend

Shortest Lunch stop 1: Yileena Park winery where we started the day with wine tastings and a burger.   

Shortest Lunch stop 2: Steels Creek Estate where we had the most amazing potato and goats cheese gnocchi. Some shiraz braised beef short ribs too, but I'm still thinking about that gnocchi!  

Stop 3: Neds Gully camp site in Cathedral Ranges State Park. BoyF and I had the entire camp site to ourselves - very peaceful. 

The only access to the camp site is across this little suspension bridge. I'm really glad we didn't pack too much! The biggest issue though, the toilets are on the other side of that bridge which isn't the most convenient for late night trips! ;)   

After setting up camp and having a quick cup of tea, we set off on a walk. BoyF was greatly amused when I made a comment about having been walking for quite a while; we were only six minutes in!

We made arrived back at camp just as dusk was setting in, about 5 o'clock, and enjoyed a drink around the fire. Mike made chilli con carne for dinner by torchlight and we shared a bottle of red wine before heading to bed about 9:30. We were pretty impressed we'd managed to stay away that long. ;) 

Next morning we set off for a serious hike - hours and hours of walking. Although this isn't how I'd generally choose to spend my weekend (although BoyF's a weirdo he actually enjoys hiking!) I've signed up to hike the Inca Trail in November and some training is called for.

Yep, I need to train for my honeymoon.     

We walked up and up Neds Gully Track to Neds Saddle, then along a rocky scramble of a track towards Little Cathedral Peak. There were some great views but none when we stopped for lunch, we were above the clouds.  

Then it was time to head back. Along the rocky scramble of a track. Down and down and down. Back to the campsite for a quick pack up and home. A much needed shower, then back out to BoyF's parents house for dinner.   

It was a big weekend. Exhausting, but good.

Camping at Cathedral Ranges: Doomed to Rained

A few of years ago, back in the early days of BoyF organising camping trips with friends, a weekend at Cathedral Ranges was planned. Notorious among our friends, it's The Camping Trip that Flooded. In fact, half of Victoria flooded due to the torrential rain!

I arrived at the camping ground on Saturday morning, gettting as far as the first carpark. I drove a lap, not seeing my friends, before turning around and heading straight back home again! Those who'd arrived Friday night awoke to lots of water - there's talk a trench was dug in the middle of the night to direct water around one tent rather than through it - and the toilet could only be reached by wading. By the time they'd given in and packed up, the front entrance of the camping ground was flooded and they had to leave cross-country out the back!

It's quite surprising we hadn't been back to Cathedral Ranges since. ;)

Until this weekend. And it rained.

On Friday night it rained. Putting up tents in the dark and the rain, that's...invigorating.

On Saturday it rained. We moved the chairs into the kitchen tent, out of the rain. The sky cleared and we moved the chairs back around the fire, because of course it was also very cold. We moved the chairs into the tent. We moved the chairs out of the tent. And repeat, repeat, repeat.

And on Sunday it rained. Ok, showered in the morning and thankfully saved the pouring for the afternoon when we were already packed up and on the way home.

Although I'm exaggerating only a little - it was cold and wet weekend - it was also a great weekend. Despite the lack of showers and toilets that I hold my breath to use each time, camping relaxes me. Disconnecting from technology and screens - no TV, phone, internet, Facebook, Instagram... - and reconnecting with friends is wonderful. Necessary.

Menu:

Saturday - Pancakes with fruit. Turkish rolls with ham, cheese and salad. Damper with butter. Roast lamb with red wine gravy and roast potato, carrots and pumpkin. Chocolate self-saucing pudding.

Sunday - Eggs, bacon and hash browns. Chicken burgers with egg and cheese on turkish bread.

It's a hard life out in the bush. ;)

See that big peak in the photo above; BoyF and a few friends walked up there on Saturday. I greatly enjoyed my time sitting around the fire, knitting as I chatted, instead. I did walk one of the trails Sunday morning, just a bit more gently inclined though. ;)

Our first camping trip in months, it was a great weekend. Just a bit damp.

 

Mini Alpine Tour: Part 2

Continuing on, our next destination was Hotham Airport where we had the opportunity to take a helicopter joy flight. Yes please!  

It was such a smooth takeoff and the views were incredible. You don't really get a sense of the height until you notice something specific to give you perspective. 

Located right near the airport, these tiny cattle didn't pay any attention to us. 

I felt like such a dork speaking into the microphone - probably the quietest I'd been all day! - but the helicopter ride was great fun. :) 

Back on land and in the car again, we continued driving up to the top of Mount Hotham to Dinner Plain.

After checking into our accomodation for the night, there was some last minute sewing to finish off Mike's costume for the 60s/70s themed dinner. (Someone didn't think about his costume until Thursday night, with us intending to head off straight after work on Friday! A trip to the fabric store to turn jeans into flairs somehow ended up with us planning to sew a vest as well, but back home we discovered I own two sewing machines but none that were working. A touch frustrating to say the least! With a detour to Mum and Dad's house on Friday evening, the sewing machine set up and ready for us, we got there in the end.)

Say hello to my hippy dippy BoyF.     

I'm quite proud of the vest, but the flairs are all his handywork. ;)

There were some great costumes; lots of bad wigs, tight dresses and even a Guru. Oh, not to forget the two Elvis. It was a relaxed, silly night, with lots of car talk. 

The next morning we assembled after breakfast for the requisite car group photo. It was a big group this year, 55 cars participating I think.

And there's Stormy with the other non-Mini outcasts. (Although there are 3 'vintage' cars at our house, none are in driving condition at the moment.)   

After a loop around the Dinner Plains village, hooting our horns as we passed the hotel, we headed off again, another set of directions in hand. We (along with half the group) did miss a major turn - looking for a 'Something South' when the actual sign said 'Something North' - and searching for a lookout had us thoroughly confused, but we found our lunch destination and the end point of our tour, the Cruiser Club in Paynesville.  

From mountains to coast, we drove here, there and everywhere, covering about 500km on the tour. (That doesn't include getting to and from.) It was great windy roads, beautiful scenery and a lot of fun. 

Mike's already thinking about next year's event. :)