Last Weekend – A Road Trip – Part 1

Last weekend – yes, a week ago – Mick and I had a quick trip down to Victoria.

We left after lunch on Thursday and drove straight down the Hume as far as Benalla.  We did have time to stop for a nice pub tea at Wangaratta on the way.  To accompany my meal,  I partook of a glass of “Dirty Granny” cider – not a bad drop either.  However, that isn’t why I’m telling you.  As we were about to leave I noticed a poster for it and just had to take a photo.  I think they thought I was a bit barmy.

How appropriate is that.  A granny rug advertising “Dirty Granny”.

We got away fairly early on Friday and headed towards Melbourne, followed the GPS as we skirted around the top and then down to an industrial estate at Dandenong.  We were there for half an hour and then headed north again.  The reason for our trip was to pick up a canopy for Mick’s work ute.

Now that our “job” was done we were free to have a leisurely couple of days to get home. Unfortunately, Friday was not the best weather to be playing the tourist.  It was stinking hot, windy and there was a total fire ban.

Our first stop was at Healesville for a yummy lunch.  I loved the bike racks in the street.

From here we followed a route we have previously travelled by motorcycle.  The Black Spur road is a very popular motorcycling route.  Lovely smooth surface and lots of bends.  It was lovely going through a lush, green area on such a hot day, but it wasn’t lovely and cool like it normally is.

I must say that it is easier taking photos on the bike as we ride along than in the car.  Most either had glare from the windscreen reflections or splattered bugs.  This one was OK, though.

We then drove over another range with a narrow, windy road, but not as lush.  We ended up at Powers Lookout overlooking the King Valley wine region.

At the foot of the hill is the little village of Whitfield.  We have camped in the caravan park here some years ago.  This time we were lucky enough to fluke a room at the hotel.  Not a run down old hotel room.  Oh, no.  A lovely motel room aimed at the weekend getaway to the wineries.

In the evening it started to cool down just a little, so we had our dinner in the leafy beer garden.

And a rather tasty dinner it was too.  Confit of Duck for Mick.

Black Mussels with chilli for me.  Yummo.

A nice way to end the day.

What I sent for SSCS

I haven’t had a chance to share what I sent to Berglind for Chooky’s Secret Santa Christmas Swap.  It was fun sending a parcel to Iceland.  Even the lady in the Post Office commented that it was the first mail that she had ever sent there.

Firstly, I made the Christmas decoration using Gail Pan’s great little pattern.

Then I made a table runner similar to one I had made for me a couple of years ago.  I loved it so much and I thought that a similar one would suit Berglind’s home.

It was fun taking photos, as it is such a happy piece.

I also made the sewing case out of Anni Downs’ book “Some Kind of Wonderful” and am pleased with how it turned out.

A fun little parcel to send to the other side of the world.

You must pop over to Berglind’s post as she has taken much better photos than I and you can also see the lovely gift that she made for Cathy.

Stitch-a-Long 2013

Chookyblue is once again co-coordinating a stitch-a-long, this time with smaller projects.

Of course I had to join in.

January’s projects are a thread catcher from Red Home and a shoe bag from Some Kind of Wonderful.  I’ve made a couple of the shoe bags as gifts and I’m looking forward to making one for myself.

Anyway, the thread catcher was a great little introductions to the year’s stitching – nice and quick and easy.  It took under an hour, which including unpacking the sewing machine and all my bits and bobs that had been packed away for Christmas and deciding what fabric to use.

The Parisian fabric fitted the bill nicely, and it is already in use by my machine.

It Must be Hot

1.  There is a stretch of road just near our place that Mick and I affectionately call “Magpie Cutting” for the obvious reason that there always seem to be lots of magpies in that area.

2. There is a telegraph pole in  a wheat paddock near Magpie Cutting.

3. A certain fast food restaurant currently has an ad in which two people and a dog are standing in a row seeking refuge in the meagre shade provided by the advertising sign.

I dare say you can see where this is going.

When I came home yesterday afternoon there was a long line of magpies in the paddock in the shade of the telegraph pole.  However, by the time I could find somewhere to do a u-turn, pulled up, got out the camera and opened the car window about twenty of them flew off, leaving just three.  You may have to zoom in to see them.

It is forecast to be 38 degrees C here today.  Horrible, but nowhere as bad as further west and south.  Here’s hoping we get some relief before too long. 

I’m off to my little stitching group this afternoon and our hostess has air conditioning.  Bring it on.

The Year That Was

When Mick and I were sitting on the verandah on New Year’s Eve we were chatting about what we had done during the past year.  We decided that it had been fairly quiet, with some sadness, no big holidays and a few outings and bike rides; generally a year of being somewhat on hold.

I then had a little read back through my blog posts on New Years Day and informed Mick that we had, in fact, done heaps.  I couldn’t believe how much.  Here is a little summary.

JANUARY

I started the Some Kind of Wonderful quilt, we had a frost, we made a charging station, we had a great day out on Australia Day, we celebrated Dad and Mum’s 50th Wedding Anniversary and I made a phone cover.

FEBRUARY

The Historic Car Club hosted the Swap Meet, I worked away on SKOW, I made a wine carrier bag and we attended the Orange Classic Rally.

MARCH

We had floods, I finally finished the Camper Trailer quilt, I visited the local quilt show and we went to Nundle for Girls Day in the Country.

We also travelled to Mildura for the Ulysses Club AGM.  While there we had a cruise on the Murray River and visited Mungo National Park.

APRIL

I made Mick’s surprise Twister Quilt, we visited the Bathurst Show, we attended Anzac Day with Dad, I visited the Springwood Quilt Show and made a little zipper purse.

MAY

We went on the Dice Run Rally, the autumn leaves were beautiful, we had coffee and cake at our local cafe, we went on an impromptu ride around our local area, I picked the last of the roses and Mick made some shelves for the kitchen.

JUNE

I made some bibs, Mick replaced the verandah railings, I worked away on SKOW, I made an art journal cover, I attended the Darling Harbour Quilt Show, we went to a bonfire and a group of friends went for a bike ride for the Winter Solstice.

JULY

It was cold, I visited the beanie exhibition at the local art gallery, we went to the Mudgee Field Days and took a scenic drive home, more progress on SKOW, we said our last goodbye to our Biggles, we attended the Macquarie Towns Classic Rally.

AUGUST

Big frosts, we had lots of rosellas visit our chooks, I tidied the pantry, I enjoyed afternoon tea with some fellow bloggers, Mick finished the doors on the linen presses, Dad was diagnosed with cancer on Daffodil Day, the garden had some lovely flowers.

SEPTEMBER

I had fun cooking, we visited the Chookshed, I finished the SKOW quilt top, my Dad passed away, we attended the sidecar rally and the wattle was in bloom.

OCTOBER

The orchard came into bloom, we visited Trunkey Creek Show and took the scenic route home, I went and had a look at the Thunderbird cars, a friend and I visited the local open gardens and Mick saw this stunning lizard.

NOVEMBER

We attended the Geoff Martin rally, we had a lovely afternoon at Burraga Dam with Mick’s new kayak, Joey enjoyed soaking up the sun, I finished SKOW just in time for the Blogger get together in town, I sent off my SSCS gift and received one from Norway.

DECEMBER

I had a very quick trip to Queensland, I made some quilted Christmas balls, we had a lovely Christmas, I had a close encounter with a snake, I had a look at all the beautiful old Holdens and Mick and I had  a wonderful, quiet New Year’s Eve.

Now I just wonder what the next year will bring.  I know there will be a little bit of travel and I’ve signed up for Chookyblue’s new Stitch-a-Long, but other than that, we will just have to wait and see.

Close Encounter of the Snake Kind

I’m sure everyone is well aware of my snake phobia.  Well, as a result, you should see me venture over to our garbage bins.  It is really quite comical, due to me having seen a snake in that area about ten years ago.

I skirt the area and then do a recognisance before quickly going in, putting the rubbish in the bin and making a hasty retreat.

Well, I’ve been going through some old paperwork during my holidays and have made several trips to the bins.  Of course, on the one trip that I became complacent I heard a bit of a thrashing behind the bins.

“S N A K E”, was screamed out to Mick. A brown snake had shot behind the bins.  I made a very hasty retreat. 

After a little while I thought it would be long gone and was ready to take the rubbish back and have another go at putting it in the bin. However,  Mick decided to just keep an eye on things in case the snake was still around.

Yep, it poked its head out from under one of the bins. Mick gradually moved each bin away and finally made short work of it.

Yuck!  That is just too close to the house and Mick’s work area.

Of course, I had my good strong snake proof shoes on at the time.  As usual it was me that encountered the snake.  Thank goodness Mick has been at home on each of the many occasions.

Now picture what I will be like when I go to the bins in the future.  It will be really comical…..or maybe I can ask Mick nicely?

Rev Head – Who Me?

In the week between Christmas and New Year Bathurst hosted the FX & FJ Holden National Rally. 

It is held biennially and this year’s was the biggest ever, with over 200 vehicles in attendance from every state and territory other than the Northern Territory.  You get that when things are held in Bathurst.  A certain Mt Panorama is a bit of a draw card.

I had seen a few cars in town on the Friday, but hadn’t planned on going to town in the Saturday.  However, Mick was in town, heading off on a bike ride with some mates, and called me to suggest that I’d better go and have a look.  Good fellow, isn’t he.  Also, it’s a bit back to front, don’t you think, the husband telling the wife she should go and look at a car display?  Anyway, I’m very glad that he did call and that I did go and have a little look.

Some friends were coming to our place for lunch, so I only had a bit over half an hour to have a look around.  However, I kept running into people I knew and got talking – not like me at all, so time was getting away.  I ended up making a phone call to say I’d be late and spending an hour and a half, and could have spent even more time.

So, this is what was on show.  The original Holden was the FX.  It has the long grille. By the way, they weren’t known as an “FX” at the time.

Whereas, the FJ has the shorter grille.   Mick and I very nearly bought a  cream FJ ute, but discovered lots of rust and bog in it before we signed the deal, so it didn’t happen. I must say that it was a lovely thing to ride along in.  I digress……

There were sections for original restored vehicles, slight modifications: (by the way, most of this row were from Tasmania)

Street Custom.

Wild Custom

And finally, Radical Custom.  I bet you’ve never seen an FJ look like these before.

It was truly amazing what people have done. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m glad that all the variations were included, not just those restored to original.

I don’t know anything about engines, but look at this.

An original engine. – lots of room under the bonnet.

One of the many versions of updated engines – no room under the bonnet.  There’s just no comparison.

However, these were my favourites – just call it a girl thing.

Wouldn’t it be fun heading off in one of those for a holiday.

The rally was a wonderful thing for Bathurst.  There were old Holdens around town for a week, which was lovely to see.  Our local Historic Car Club members were out in force having a look as well.  It is a real treat for us to have the opportunity to see so many beautiful cars on our doorstep.

Our New Years Eve

For the first time in I don’t know how many years Mick and I had a quiet New Year’s Eve at home.

After a hot, windy day, we sat out on the verandah as it started to cool down.  The birds came to life and some kangaroos appeared once the sting went out of the heat and the wind died away.  It was so nice just sitting there in the quiet watching and listening to it all.

We decided to have a barbecue dinner as the sun faded away leaving a lovely soft light.

Gradually, all the birds settled for the night and the roos hopped away, leaving everything quiet.

We listened to some nice music while watching as each star started to appear, one by one, until all of a sudden there were too many to count and the saucepan emerged from the dusk.

We are fortunate in that looking from our front verandah to the north we cannot see another house light, only an occasional car light on roads in the far distance.  I spotted two satellites (very rare, it is usually Mick that sees them) and Mick spotted a third, as well as two light planes in the distance.

By now the silence had been replaced by a chorus of many frogs.  We just sat there, taking it all in.

I had originally thought that I may watch the Sydney fireworks on the TV, now that we have one, but nature was putting on a much better show.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s Eve, be it partying or just being quiet like us.  Wishing you a Happy New Year from Mick and I.