We're going on a dino hunt.

It's the last day of the winter school hols and as a last hurrah before Term 2 starts, I took the boys to the Botanic Gardens for a little treat.

We started with a decadent morning tea at Pollen.

Then we trooped off through the expansive gardens on a dino hunt.

We worked up quite the appetite running away from velociraptors, playing archaeologists and searching for pteranodons in the rainforest. A spot of lunch at the National Museum soothed rumbling tummies and then we returned home for a quiet afternoon. 

Back to school and the hectic routine that inevitably ensues. 

xx Em.

Berrima

Yesterday the boys and I scooted up the Federal highway to the Southern Highlands for a day trip to catch up with my youngest siblings. We met Alec and Paige at the Book Barn on the Bendooley Estate which sits on the edge of the little village of Berrima. The Book Barn was a new discovery for me and it was a heavenly place to escape the winter chill with a large fireplace, rows of shelves filled to the brim with new and vintage books, bentwood chairs at every turn and the yummiest chocolate cake this side of the equator. Jack was pretty chuffed.

When our caffeine and cocoa levels were sufficiently boosted and we'd caught up on each other's news we headed back into the village so that the kids could burn off some energy in the park. Note the distinct lack of winter jackets on those boys...Canberra kids are tough nuts to crack in winter.

We took a wander up the main street for a pub lunch, had another play in the park and a browse through some of the village stores then headed home in time to pick the Husband up from work.

It was so lovely catching up with Paige and Alec. 

Its rare for all three of us to be together given that we live in different states.

If only teleportation was a common mode of transport these days. 

xx Em

Bright

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” 
― Edith Sitwell.

I love being curled up in our cosy home during winter but I equally love to rug up in layers and head outdoors to explore. We're home from a long weekend with a bunch of my in-laws in beautiful country Victoria. As par for the course, I have plenty of happy snaps, so make yourself some tea and get comfy.

It was a wet and unhurried journey south through the countryside on Saturday, stopping off at Gundagai for coffee and Albury for a spot of lunch. We arrived late afternoon in Porepunkah, staying in cabins surrounded by woodland and overlooking the Ovens River. The boys loved exploring the trails and roaming the holiday park with their cousins and the occasional stray kid who joined in their games. It reminded me of the wonderful freedom to roam I had as a kid when we holidayed in caravan parks...such a sense of adventure and excitement. I went for a bit of a ramble myself on Sunday morning, capturing the quiet beauty that nature reveals in mid-winter.

On the Sunday we ventured into nearby Bright for lunch at a local brewery, a play in the large adventure playground and stroll about the town.

 We stopped for an essential post-play energy fix at Bright Chocolates. The heady aroma of cocoa hits you in the face as you walk in the door and everyone's endorphins magically lift. 

Harry and I stayed in town for an extra hour to have a Harry/Mummy date. He raced alongside the river on his scooter while I strolled behind him, then we stopped for a coffee at the Blackbird Cafe and had a peek at a few stores including the divine Christmas All Year Round store. It felt absolutely perfect walking into such a glorious store in the middle of July. Christmas in summer goes against the grain with me. I know that's odd, given that I'm Australian, but there you have it. Some mulled wine and gingerbread would have gone down a treat! I found a new ornament for our tree that I couldn't possibly leave behind and was sorely tempted to bring home the sweet four-legged fellow we saw on our way out of the store. I really feel that his name should have been Engelbert.

Sunday night we toasted marshmallows over the fire and Husband took the kids for a moonlight walk across the river. When they got back the kids played with glow sticks and the eldest two put on an impromptu dance number for the adults just before the rain set in.

Monday morning we packed up, said goodbye to the Nanny & Poppy and set off for the historic town of Beechworth to do a bit of exploring. Its such a pretty town and I could happily spend an entire weekend nosying around all the historical sites. I think a trip next Autumn is called for. We had coffee and sweet treats at the famous Beechworth Bakery, went for a wander along the main street and poked about the museum, then bid farewell to the kids and my sister-in-law, homeward bound. 

Another adventure for the boys to file away in their childhood memories.

xx Em.