Millthorpe

I hadn't made any hard plans for the remainder of my weekend after the floral workshop. I wanted to leave it open to serendipity and see what happened. I figured that I'd probably find my accommodation, grab something for dinner and spend my Saturday night editing all the photos I'd taken that day. Belinda had a far better idea and suggested we meet for dinner at Tonic in Millthorpe with Libby and their friend Nicole. Not wanting to shun a first class meal and good company...I immediately said yes.

It was a short drive to Millthorpe where I found the beautiful little studio I'd booked, tucked away at the end of a garden path.  

(Photo from For 2)

For 2 was filled with so many thoughtful details including a bottle of wine and nibbles, plenty of beautiful books to pore over and breakfast & coffee all set for the next morning. The studio was stylishly decked out and filled with high quality linen making it so cosy and comfortable.

 I happily collapsed on the couch and unwound for an hour before dinner...relishing the late afternoon without the usual demand to feed hungry boys. 

At twilight I strolled down to the main street...it reminded me of the passage in Wind in the Willows when Mole and Ratty passed through a village on their way home from an adventure and found the street quite still, all inhabitants tucked up inside eating dinner or warming themselves by the fire. Millthorpe had that same kind of feeling...everyone tucked up in their homes as I wandered down the main street to Tonic. 

Dinner was a complete delight...Nicole, Belinda and Libby have known each other for years and the conversation flowed fast and free as incredible seasonal dishes came out one after the other. I realised as I watched these amazing women interact, that I've missed these kind of moments. After my dearest Rach died, I found myself avoiding social gatherings. I kept to myself a lot, I stopped investing in real life catch ups with friends who were still here, preferring to maintain my friendships online. Saturday night inspired me to put myself back out in the real world more often.

Chef Tony Worland, (who happens to be Nicole's hubby) came out and joined us at close of service as we were tucking into dessert and coffee. My sides were aching from laughter by the end of the night. Tony and Nicole have created an absolute gem with Tonic. Such a feast, such impeccable service from the staff and such warmth and welcome for a fine dining establishment. I bid everyone goodnight then wandered back to my little studio feeling perfectly content. Not quite ready to curl up under the covers, I spent a couple of hours editing my images from the day before finally falling into a deep and undisturbed sleep. Sunday morning involved a sleep in and breakfast in the sunshine. I sat on a garden bench, watching the birds flit about and the magnolia blossoms sway in the breeze as I savoured each slow spoonful of berries and yoghurt. 

It was a lovely, gentle way to ease into the day.

It was such a splendid morning that a wander through the streets with my camera was an absolute must! Bels recommended the Millthorpe Providore for the best coffee and, as ever she was right, it was amazing. That small town cliche of everyone knowing everyone proved true for Millthorpe as I observed locals chatting animatedly to each other while I waited for my order, but it came across in the best way. It left an impression of real community and it made me want to stay and be part of it all. 

I spent a while exploring the streets, admiring the gorgeous heritage architecture and rambling gardens. There is so much character imbued in this village and I'm keen to return with my family to stay longer and discover so much more.

My first port of call on the way home was a quick stop in Carcoar to see Belinda and thank her for inviting me to take part in the magic. We enjoyed one last chinwag before I continued on down the highway in search of fields of gold.

This weekend away was everything I needed. 

Wide open skies, country roads, time to think, creative souls, beauty and purpose, nourishment and friendship. I got to challenge myself with my photography and spend time in the company of truly wonderful people.

When can I do it all again?

Here we go a-wandering - Junee.

I'm sat here at the dining table with Elton John blaring through my headphones to drown out the squeals of a tickle-fest emanating from the other end of the house. The first five minutes were funny, the last twenty...not so serene in this tiny little cottage. I think tickling is torturous but my kids seem to love it and go back for more. Weirdos!

On Thursday the boys and I dropped the Husband off to work a little earlier than usual and continued west for our day trip to Junee. Our first port of call was Jugiong for a coffee at the Long Track Pantry. It was buzzing with tourists and locals, all finding caffeinated sanctuary from the icy winds blustering about outside. I snavelled myself a lovely Rare Rabbit necklace from Long Track's home wares store and we popped across the road to the playground where the boys hit up the swings and flying fox with a rambunctious rabble of kidlets. Then, it was onward south to Gundagai where we took a turn off the highway and wound our way along the back roads through a landscape of green rolling hills dotted with sheep and cattle. We arrived in Junee just before lunch and headed straight for the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory housed in the town's old Flour Mill. It was bubbling with the sound of humans happy and high from chocolate induced endorphins. We decided to sit in the courtyard of the cafe and have lunch before diving into the cacao laced fray. Not a good idea to peak too soon when it comes to chocolate! 

After a belly warming feast of chicken pot pie and fish & chips, we made our way inside to have a go at making Rocky Road. With hair nets and gloves donned and my camera at the ready, we were welcomed by a lovely staff member and shown into the chocolate room. At one of the cool metal benches decked with tubs of delectable toppings, we portioned out marshmallows onto our plates, added a couple of scoops of nuts and fruit, covered it all with melted chocolate, mixed it up with our hands then gave a last flourishing sprinkle before they were transferred to another bench to set. Willy Wonka eat your heart out!

With about twenty minutes to kill before our confectionery masterpieces were ready for collection, we wandered within the building, peeking through windows to watch conveyor belts lined with long strips of raspberry licorice being sliced into bullets and large copper kettles filled with shades of light and dark chocolate. Jack had a tinkle on the old piano, we stocked up on an array of chocolate supplies from the shop and then, before we knew it, our rocky road was ready to pick up and it was time to start heading home. We popped into the train station for a few minutes on our way through the town so that Harry could get his loco fix. To his delight there was a team doing track work just near the platform. The old railway cafe was open so we ducked in to have a look. With it's immensely high ceilings, giant mirrors and a roaring fire in the fireplace, it was easy to imagine what it had been like back in it's hey day. We grabbed a coffee then jumped into the car homeward bound.

The drive home was filled with more of Stephen Fry's audio tales of greek mythology as we wound our way past paddocks and villages. The sun dipped below the hills and we arrived back in Canberra just in time to pick the husband up from work.

Til next time...xx Em.

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.