Hidden gems in Bowning.

On our last day of school hols we decided to jump in the car and see where the road took us for an hour or two. We ended up driving through the Yass Valley region, stopping for an icecream and a play in the park in Yass then continuing on just a hop, skip and a jump down the highway to explore the little village of Bowning. I've zipped past the highway signs for Bowning and the Rollonin Cafe countless times, always making a mental note to stop off one day for a look. I'm so glad we did this time.  

We found a beautiful little slice of history frozen in time. The Rollonin Cafe is housed in a slab hut surrounded by magnificent old trees and a cottage garden. Harry and I enjoyed coffee and scones while Jack gave Mac the draught horse a pat. Mac's sidekick Daisy, the ancient dairy cow settled down on the grass and slept in the sun.

The staff were so friendly and the place had a really lovely, laid back atmosphere. 

Afternoon tea done and dusted, we drove up the hill to look at the old train station from the railway bridge, then spent some time in the Bowning Antique Centre. What an incredible treasure trove that place is!

The boys and I really do love exploring these kind of country gems. 

What a lovely way to round off the school holidays.

xx Em

Floral Love

October always involves a visit to Floriade and Tulip Top Gardens to get our seasonal hit of blooms on masse.

First up...Tulip Top. My favourite floral gem tucked in a valley just off the Federal Highway. The best place for a champagne picnic or some poffertjes and coffee amongst the blooms. I met up with friend Amita in the last week of the school term for a child free morning tea and some floral photography. Its become a sort of tradition for us...a kind of 'floral inspired mummy time out' before the spring school hols commence. 

On the first Monday of the school hols we dropped the Husband at his office in the city, parked by the city pool and wandered over the footbridge to Commonwealth Park for a morning at Floriade. It was a really nice layout this year with more levels and layers of flowers and a fabulous kids marquee. We went crazy and bought donuts and a giant bouquet of fairy floss...nothing like a massive sugar hit to kick off the school hols.

Canberra is such a glorious place in Spring.

xx Em.

Whale Watching in Eden.

Friends that are family...we are so lucky to have them in our lives. It's been a while since we'd been down to Eden and it was lovely to spend some time at the beach house with the Middletons. It made me so proud to watch my boys play with Pierre in such a gentle and nurturing way. He adores Harry and Jack and his laughter is contagious. It was lovely to hang out, eat good food and enjoy good conversation.

  

Sunday morning Paul took us through Ben Boyd National Park to Haycock Point for a bit of whale watching. The wind whipped up the waves but we still managed to spot quite a few whales playing in the bay. Jack kept back from the cliffs, no longer fond of heights since the fall that broke his arm, so Shannon and I took turns to sit with him and distract him by searching for the telltale signs of flippers and spray. We took the little track down to the beach and explored the rock pools for a bit, then headed back up just in time to see a mother and calf surfacing near the other side of the headland.
It was breathtaking to see.

It was such a lovely experience for the boys...I remember when I was their age and saw whales playing in Hervey Bay...you never forget that kind of natural wonder. On the way back to the car Shannon spotted wallabies and kangaroos who were surveying us with quiet indifference. The weather took an even wilder turn during the afternoon so we all decided to head home a little early. Thanks Claire, Paul, Holly and Alessandro for a beautiful weekend away.

Til next time...xx Em