A big weekend with some first time visitors who are our neighbours in Melbourne.
They left for Inglewood around 3pm on the Friday, unfortunately not early enough to miss the Queens Birthday holiday traffic.
They left early in order to arrive in daylight, and also to get the literal home fires burning. We thought it a brilliant idea.
So yes, we arrived around 10pm, and not only were the home fires burning in the dining room, but Val the self professed fire lover had a fire going in both our bedroom and theirs. Just lovely and cosy. Had a drink.and then bed.
Next morning I was up reasonably early, and so was George, so we took Dylan (the dog) on a walk. Was a lovely clear blue morning - cold but not freezing - no frost. We had been warning them about how cold it was (based on our experience from the previous weekend) - but it wasn't anywhere near as cold as then,
Anyway, went for a nice walk through the scrub, past the Eucy "ruins" to the White road and round past Potters Hill. Dylan was in 7th heaven with all of the new and exciting country smells to explore. Took some photos of him - with very long shadows cast by myself and George - showing how early it was in the morning
So yes, we arrived around 10pm, and not only were the home fires burning in the dining room, but Val the self professed fire lover had a fire going in both our bedroom and theirs. Just lovely and cosy. Had a drink.and then bed.
Next morning I was up reasonably early, and so was George, so we took Dylan (the dog) on a walk. Was a lovely clear blue morning - cold but not freezing - no frost. We had been warning them about how cold it was (based on our experience from the previous weekend) - but it wasn't anywhere near as cold as then,
Anyway, went for a nice walk through the scrub, past the Eucy "ruins" to the White road and round past Potters Hill. Dylan was in 7th heaven with all of the new and exciting country smells to explore. Took some photos of him - with very long shadows cast by myself and George - showing how early it was in the morning
Back to the house, and a late modest breakfast outside - just toast and coffee. The plan is a big breakfast tomorrow
Spied this green parrot in the palm on the way to the shops (you have to look closely to see it in the trunk ) Also went to the Butchers to get some of their fabulous pork for dinner tonight
After this we decided to pull down the old wood shed, as it had been falling down by itself a little - nails pulling out of the house wall etc
George and Val kindly helped us - although of course they were under no obligation to do so, Being first time visitors after all.
But first we had to move all of the wood and other bits and pieces out of the shed. This naturally took a lot longer than anticipated....(I had initially thought that it would only take about 1/2 hour to pull it down, hadn't thought about moving the stuff also)
Rediscovered some bags of goat manure that David had given me a few years ago, must be well and truly rotted down by now, so I went and spread it around the garden also
George unfortunately kept hitting his head on the rafters and also banging the supports with long bits of wood when he was taking them out. Gave Val and me a bit of a fright at times, as it all could have come crashing down on his head (and ours). Luckily it didn't, but we gave him a hard hat for safety...
Stopped for lunch on the veranda - sandwiches and ends of wine bottles (like last week)
And then back to the shed, Val and I took up directors chairs on the south lawn,watched, drank bubbles, and cheered on Justin and George
And finally, it was down - with just me standing, and a small pile of firewood to be burned at a later date. Certainly looks different now. I would still like to bring the back veranda around the side (to make it a U shape) , block the end up, and have the laundry and and another toilet and shower there. But there is no hurry for this. Especially as I successfully bid on an old galvanised shed on Ebay which we will put in the far corner of the garden - and put the bikes, scaffolding ladders etc in)
Saw a nice big butterfly outside the dining room
Saw a nice big butterfly outside the dining room
Had Val's lovely cheese on the veranda with wine before dinner, and then down to the dining room for the fab Inglewood pork - George and Val very impressed with the pork. As per her new habit, Val had set the fire in the dining room, and we had a roaring fire while we ate
We then adjourned to the music room for the musicians amongst us (not me) to sing and play. George had brought up his guitar and Val her saxophone. Luckily Dylan didn't howl. And yes, Val had set another fire for up here
.
Sunday morning, and another early morning walk with George and Dylan, This time to the reservoir. was another lovely morning, still and blue. Unfortunately I had forgotten that Dylan doesn't like to be on his leash for any extended period of time, and he is a very strong and heavy dog, so trying to keep him in check was a little difficult. We had to walk through the residential streets for a km or so until we reached the reservoir. Once there he was let off leash, and was very excited. Walked around the reservoir, and it was lovely so still, with the trees perfectly reflected in the water - until Dylan ran in chasing a stick , and caused a rippling effect
Was impressed by an abundant pomegranate tree on the walk back
On on return Justin and I rustled up a big breakfast. Bacon, eggs, hash browns, sausages, (had forgotten the breakfast pork sausages at home, so when I went to the butchers yesterday and asked if they had any small sausages, they just shortened and re-tied some large ones for me - and hey presto, breakfast sausages), tomato and red bubbles. Delicious, and plenty to tide us over til dinner, no lunch required.
After our leisurely lunch I took Val, George and Dylan up to Melville Caves to have a look around. Had clouded over slightly by this stage, but was still great. Very crowded though, more crowded than I've actually ever see it, and lots of noisy kids. Despite this had a good wander around, and they would both like to come back another time when there are no crowds.
The plan was also to go to a few wineries after this
Kangerdaar was 1st on the list as the closest to Melville's Caves, tasted a few varieties, and George and Val bought a few ( I didn't, still had some from last time).
Just before we arrived at Blanche Barkly we stopped for a kangaroo leg - literally... Had spied the roadkill on the way up, and stopped to get a leg for Dylan on the way back - very environmentally sound
And then onto Blanche Barkly, lovely and toasty warm in the tasting room, Pot belly stove was very efficient. Arleen was there and she gave us various tastings too. I bought a bottle of the Johann, and she very generously gave us 2 cleanskin bottles to taste and compare back at home, as I had said that I would buy a dozen of the cleanskins also. One was $10, and the other was $7, once home we preferred the $10 one. Arleen said she'd drop the dozen off the next morning - how's that for good service
Dropped in quickly at the house to see if Justin wanted to come with us to Bridgewater, he was happy at home - so didn't.
Dropped off the stinky kangaroo leg
Stopped at the Bridgewater Pub and sat outside in the sun - lovely. And then a walk along the river path and beyond to the circuit. Once again Dylan was in his element snuffling around and jumping into the river to retrieve sticks. Was very pretty there
Dropped in quickly at the house to see if Justin wanted to come with us to Bridgewater, he was happy at home - so didn't.
Dropped off the stinky kangaroo leg
Stopped at the Bridgewater Pub and sat outside in the sun - lovely. And then a walk along the river path and beyond to the circuit. Once again Dylan was in his element snuffling around and jumping into the river to retrieve sticks. Was very pretty there
and then onto the final winery of the afternoon - Waterwheel. Peter was there, and vaguely recognised me, or rather knew that I had the house. He was a great raconteur, regaling us with all sorts of amusing stories. Another lady came in and asked if they were still open - as it was after 4pm. He then told a little story ending with the punchline, did you come through the door, or a window. Given that she had come in through a door, it meant that the winery was open. This woman was visiting friends in the area and had been sent out to get wines. She was a laugh also, some other people came in a bit later - not as amusing. We would have stayed at least an hour - Justin missed out.
Back home and gave Dylan the leg
And then a little more wine and cheese on the veranda, I had planned to make pizzas, but given the lateness of our return decided against it. Was another glorious evening
and we went to the pub for dinner instead. Justin and I sharing an Outback parma - was all good.
Back to the house again and more music and frivolity
Back home and gave Dylan the leg
And then a little more wine and cheese on the veranda, I had planned to make pizzas, but given the lateness of our return decided against it. Was another glorious evening
and we went to the pub for dinner instead. Justin and I sharing an Outback parma - was all good.
Back to the house again and more music and frivolity
Monday, and it was the Queen's birthday, and dull and overcast. Didn't feel like going for a walk, although George did with Dylan. Late start, inside breakfast, and the neighbours left soon afterwards
Justin and I pottered around a bit, got pasties for lunch. It was funny, at one of the wineries, we were told that they were the worst pasties ever, and at another winery, we were told that they were the best ever. So, we had to decide for ourselves.
I bought the meat varieties, and they were pretty good - I believe that the "worst" comment was in relation to the vegetarian variants.
Justin and I pottered around a bit, got pasties for lunch. It was funny, at one of the wineries, we were told that they were the worst pasties ever, and at another winery, we were told that they were the best ever. So, we had to decide for ourselves.
I bought the meat varieties, and they were pretty good - I believe that the "worst" comment was in relation to the vegetarian variants.
