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.

All things Bright & Beautiful

 

 

ROAD TRIP!

 

 

 

 

We took a drive south to country Victoria on the weekend to attend my mother-in-law's 70th birthday party. It was a gorgeous drive down to the tiny town of Porepunkah near Bright. The boys had a blast exploring the holiday park's woodland and streams with their Aunty Trudy. They got to build a fire and toast marshmallows on sticks and stayed up late to celebrate Nanny's special birthday. We slept in a cabin much to Harry's delight, he has a thing for cute little cabins, and the boys were pretty chuffed about the bunk beds.

 

 

 

 

Sunday brunch was at the Blackbird Cafe & Food Store in beautiful Bright. It had the perfect atmosphere for the last day of Autumn with its roaring fire, huge tables for good conversation and plenty of coffee and comfort food to warm our bellies. The service was superb and I fell head over heels for the interior, especially the giant pendant lampshade, the long low tables, sofas near the fireplace and the kids corner with its blackboard and wicker baskets full of toys. I could have stayed there all day lost in a good book.

 

 

 

 

Alas, staying put for the day was not an option so we rugged up and headed out into the cold to explore a little before heading home.

 

The town of Bright is a foodies mecca with wineries, a brewery, cafes & restaurants and incredible array of fresh produce. It also has some completely gorgeous boutiques, book shops and homewares stores. The playground by the river was a big hit with the boys and I think we'll be back in the warmer months.

 

 

 

We stopped at Yackandandah for a late lunch on the way home, picking up some gorgeous jams, jellies and fresh persimmons from the little museum in the Main Street. I'd love to do another trip with a great deal more time to explore country Victoria. Such pretty towns and landscapes.

 

 

 

A lovely way to lose ourselves.

 

xx Em

 

 

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