Home and Away

Time flies when you're old!  I'll start with the most recent and work back.
Sandrine arrived on Sunday evening and we were off and running.

a day exploring The Boardwalk and Bellerive Bluff,

coffee at Cocobana

a day in the city followed by dinner at Cugini with Pat the Dog Whisperer - a 73 year old, 84 year old and 93 year old living the high life     

a drive to Triabunna for fish and chips with Georgia and Oscar

and a look at the amazing kelp sculptures at The Village

And then the day of the Big Drive along the Midland Highway, pass the Georgian mansions, through the village of Kempton (which has very nice toilets beside a well thought out dog park - everyone happy!), and on to browse the shops at Oatlands and find some lunch.

https://weaversoatlands.com.au/ featuring Georgia's work

 and a lovely dog called Oscar who guarded the doorway to make sure Jilly didn't sneak in

We lunched at Bunch - spicy cauliflower soup, pumpkin soup.  I had a delicious Valhalla whiskey cream icecream.  I was too delirious to notice what Sandra had - cappuccino maybe?  I also highly recommend the cottage style toilet with the cutest little window.

Much replenished, we walked around the Callington Mill grounds.  The neighbouring gardens are spectacular.  Looking into the sun, this photo does not do justice to a parterre garden.  According to a local, back in the days when you could climb the mill tower, the view down to this garden was breathtaking, especially in Spring.  He still comes to view it from ground level every couple of days, entranced by the daffodils.

bit hard to read but I was impressed with this recognition of the female dry stone wall builders of Oatlands

easily amused... - books holding open a window and a lamp post shadow

We drove home via Colebrook and Campania to Richmond.  This is a road I have only recently discovered and is currently my favourite drive, twisting hill climbs and farmland panoramas.  A little Welsh-like perhaps?

Friday saw us stay local.  We explored the Rosny Barn complex.  This is always a welcoming place and Jill PD is always particularly welcomed.  The School House gallery housed a stimulating exhibition and gave me an idea for the dining room windows in the River Bank house in Wentworth - a decade or so too late.

watching Sandrine from the Rosny Barn atrium

display of beautiful locally made furniture in The Barn

Sandrine looking pensive on Saturday, her flight home later in the day.

A snoogy dog, croissants in the oven.  Heavenly breakfast.

We were so lucky that the weather was clement!!  We had sunny, windless days - contrary to what I'd told Sandra to prepare for.  She still needed her hat, scarf and gloves but was warm.  And the flannelette sheets, 4 blanket doona and a second doona gave good nights' sleep.

When will we do it all again?  There's talk of following the river South next time, exploring Channel country.

In earlier news:

Bilbo Baggins' First Birthday party.

Miya was busy bursting balloons.

Georgia made cup cakes for all of us - liver treats in the ones for Billy, Miya and Jill

A local Syrah wine from Richmond won the Sydney Wine Show.

exciting that Tassie is now making reds

And the day Mum would have turned 100: