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Published: February 11th 2023
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Oakridge Winery
Beautiful setting in Yarra Valley Australia is very similar to Canada but there are a few nuances. On some freeways, bicycles are allowed. We haven’t seen anyone biking on these roads and it’s hard to imagine it would be enjoyable. Something like a bike outing on the QEW! Also, the Weather Network actually issues a storm warning targeted specifically at sheep farmers. Of course all that wool, if it gets wet, could really be a disastrous stink.
There are also a couple of famous sayings that give the Aussies an endearing characteristic. ”G-day mate” and ”no worries” are used ubiquitously and reflect a friendly, easy going nature. Most of the people we’ve met so far exhibit those traits.
Another train trip into Melbourne to visit the National Art Gallery and a Dim Sum lunch. The Gallery is a large facility with numerous themed rooms. There were a few works from famous artists like Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh etc and a very large selection of British art. A little “window shopping” finished the outing before returning home. It was a new record for covering the number of windows/hour.
The weather in the past few days has been cool overcast with rainy conditions. We were
Chocolatier and Creamery.
A huge selection of products. Chocolate was very good. Certainly up to Ganong standards able to find another hiking trail at Werribee Gorge Park and with one of us being directionally challenged ( any guesses which one), managed to turn a 2 1/2 hour trek into a 4 hour adventure. A nice area which deserves a return visit. Next day, a trip to the Yarra Valley was a more relaxing outing. The area is about 1 1/2 hours drive north east of Melbourne and is another wine region. There’s quite a large craft market in Healesville and after a yummy breakfast sandwich and coffee, more speed shopping.
The Yarra Valley, being a cooler region, is noted for a lighter Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Two of the wineries we visited, “Innocent Bystander” and Oakridge featured that taste profile. They were okay but expensive. We also visited Tarrawara Winery which had an Art Museum attached. Nice facilities. The Museum featured artist Peter Booth, an Australian with an unusual style. On the return drive, in the middle of nowhere, there was this amazing Chocolatier that was jammed pack with families on a Sunday afternoon outing. It featured, a large showroom, restaurant, a small chocolate production viewing facility and ice cream stands. The chocolate was very good
Craft Market in Healesville
Similar to the Eumundi Market outside of Noosa Head where we stayed a few years ago. and provided us with the comfort food needed as the drive through Melbourne, even on late Sunday afternoon, was stop and go.
Our established weekly routine now includes Monday and Thursday as golf days, weather dependent. We also devote one day for a Melbourne city adventure which this week included a visit to the Immigration Museum and a free Tchaikovsky themed concert performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The venue was the Sydney Myer Music Bowl and the outdoor amphitheater was full to capacity with 2000 under the roof and another 8,000 sitting on blankets in the surrounding lawn area. It was a beautiful night, a lot of people brought picnic baskets and the performance by the 50 piece Orchestra was magical and memorable.
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Rick Noble
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Keep up the good work.
Enjoy reading about your latest adventure! We are looking forward to visiting the area.