Here we go a-wandering...Gunning and Yass.

We've reached mid-winter and the second week of school hols and I'm loving the slow comfort of this time of year.

Last week was spent hiding out in the warmth of our home watching movies, playing board games and nursing headcolds with homecooking. By the weekend we were all itching to go exploring.Yesterday we wrapped ourselves in layers to fend off the icy winds and took to the back roads in search of train tracks, old houses and chocolate cake. All equally important and worthy of a drive through the countryside.

There's such a sense of freedom that comes with exploring an area without a solid plan, just a vague approximation of where we're headed with the hope that winding roads will unveil something beautiful and interesting. 

I've yet to be disappointed.

Gunning provided the spoils when it came to cake, railway stations and heritage houses. A sweet feast at the Merino cafe, a wander up the main street to peek over rusted garden gates and into antique store windows and a stroll along the station platform before the buffeting wind sent us scurrying back to the car.

Where to next? Boorowa in one direction, Crookwell in another...or back towards Yass before heading home? Consensus (i.e. Harry) concured that we should head to Yass to explore the old railway bridge. 

Riverbank Park, nestled in between beautiful stone houses and the slow moving Yass River, was a delightful place to stop and stay awhile. Jack immediately bounded to the playground and burnt off some energy while Harry and I looked at the bridge from the riverbank. When Jack had sufficiently exhausted himself we strolled along the river and scrambled up the hill to take a closer look at the rusted bridge and warped, discarded railway tracks.

 What delighted me the most about our little adventure was the discovery of artist Al Phemister's amazing home and workshop tucked away right next to the bridge. I love his rustic garden sculptures and hope to one day commission him to make something special for us when we eventually settle in the countryside with a garden big enough to do his incredible work justice. His place has a Grimm's Fairytale feel to it...quirky constructs overtaken by a tangle of rambling vines and farm machinery sculptures partially obscured by gnarled branches.

Style and decay...it's a phrase that has really resonated with me lately. 

Old things, simple things, made beautiful with time and exposure.

Such a lovely discovery.

We're off on another adventure tomorrow involving a chocolate factory and steam locos. Trains and chocolate seem to be a re-occuring theme this winter school hols.

Til then...xx Em.