Stolen dessert recipe, a movie and wine ...

What more could a girl want? On the Saturday night of an election when every media channel realised that no one would be watching anything other than the results. My alternative? Wine was poured. Strawberries, kiwi fruit and banana were sliced. The sliced fruit and was plated in a waffle cone. Blueberries were added for colour and texture. Cointreau and custard gently bathed the fruit. To finish; a serve of Limoncello-yoghurt on the side and a dusting of icing sugar. A recipe borrowed or perhaps stolen, from Lillino's Trattoria.

Tarraleah in September

Green greetings as we pulled into reception. The lawns were cropped and edged with garden beds. Sprays of daffodils splashed their yellow heads between the pristine gardens and rows of trees. Cottages painted in the subtle hues lined the road leading to The Lodge on the hill. We made our way to our room past paintings, ceramics and even kaleidoscopes. Kaleidoscopes of every shape and design were dotted throughout the Lodge. They must be discovered, each for their individuality and cleverly crafted timbers. Smooth, polished and poised on unique mounts. Our room, number nine, was located at the end of a corridor.  Styled and dressed in contemporary decor and fabrics room nine was impressive. Its bathroom featured a roof mounted jet stream of water that filled the bath for a relaxing soak after a day's travel to the high country and Tarraleah.  To celebrate the occasion, High Tea was served in the lounge area. An area with views to the cliff face opposite and its neighbouring valleys. Savoury and sweet delicacies a most welcome fare to spoil the weary traveller.

Sunrise at Home

Waking early has its advantages. Beautiful sunrise. Not to be missed. Just me and the view from the pergola. Windswept clouds overhead and a tree-lined drive stand to attention as the sun rises from the distant, morning cloud. Soon the sun will heat the morning air and drive the clouds to seek shelter elsewhere. It was going to be a hot one today. Vegetation awaits and will feel the full force of the thermometer.

Russell Falls

Russell Falls is a location, not a place. When you park the car you have no glimpse of the walk ahead. It is an easy and relaxed stroll to the falls. Along the way camera shutters and bird sounds greet the tourist. As you wind your way to the approach of the falls the river flowing from the base of the rock-face invites lush undergrowth. Ferns, lichen and mosses of every shape and colour dot the route. Overhead, beside and across the swiftly flowing water, fallen timbers enhance the vegetation's reclamation and ownership of the space. It is likened to entering a secret and ancient wood where one is welcome to visit and quietly enjoy the vista.

Emma's of Lovedale - Cafe Restaurant

Saturday lunch and a change of pace. Stephen and I discover Emma's Cafe restaurant. It is located on Wilderness Road at Lovedale. It is a cellar door, gallery of art and a restaurant all under the one roof. It is surprising how often one can drive a road and not really see what is there. Car parking, easy as; no problems with plenty of available spaces. A short walk through a rose garden and over a decorative bridge delivers us, the tourist, to the entrance. Wine tasting is offered and the gallery walk is pleasant. Vibrant colours and lively themes filled with energy, grace the walls. Textured paints on canvas reveal the painter's affinity with floral and nautical themes. Blooms, boats, beaches and harbours harness a passion and excitement before I am seated and handed a menu. Extensive menu options and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, lunchtime beckons so I start with a simple Breschetta for two. This I follow with a light spinach and fetta. Finally, crepes for dessert.

Relaxing

Sitting on the lounge and enjoying the morning's serenity. Somewhere, in the  distance, I can hear King Parrots calling, but much closer, the chatter of tiny finches. Our garden is a haven for so much bird and wildlife. Last week a giant roo stood at our front gate seeking entry to the back yard and the paddocks beyond. Yesterday, I spotted a kitten making its first journey from its burrow beneath the tall conifer out the front. Not sure how many other rabbits are secreted beneath its branches. Some consider them pests. Different needs bring various perspectives to that notion. As I don't earn a living from my garden I am content to allow them to nibble the grass on the lawn. Their unexpected appearance during the day has its own appeal. The big black butterflies are too fast for me to capture in the camera's lens. Did the parrot hear me typing and wonder what I was writing about today?

Finishing Touches - Pool Room Finito

Time to tick another box on that checklist of 'to do's.' Just need to purchase a fan to replace the somewhat jaded one that currently hangs above the pool table. Fans and pool cues, what were we thinking? However, since no one has played pool for eons there should be no risk to safety. Strange that when the children played, there was never an issue. When playing pool the fan was not to be used. Simple and it worked for all who visited and pocketed those balls. Given its purpose one wonders when we actually used the fan. When not playing there was no need for the fan. The space was originally designed as a room where the children watched television and also before the installation of ducted air conditioning. Now the room has both systems. Should we have considered removing the fan and patching the ceiling prior to the painting of the final top coat? The answer is, a resounding yes, but, too late now. I just want to pack up the brushes, rollers along with the drop sheets and start on my next project; the garden and pool area. No rest for the wicked. I must have been really wicked. A personal challenge as I try to remember an era when I actually had time to be wicked. Imagine time lapse please. Finito. Artwork hung. Memories of Verona, Sete and Chambord.