Sunday, August 1, 2010

MARGARET RIVER - PART ONE

Hi from the amazing Margaret River!! I'm writing the blog this week from the rolling hills of Big Valley at Margaret River. With the sheep baa baaing in the background, the sun shining brightly and the smell of fresh air. The kids are off... somewhere... playing with the sheep! Margaret River is about 3hrs south of Perth on the coastline, this is wine country, but it is so much more than that, as we have discovered and had 10 glorious days here.
We had a heads up on where to stay from our friends the Shafers, and Big Valley has certainly been one of the highlights so far. Big Valley is a sheep farm owned by Shelly & Kevin Silverthorne and has nearly 2000 sheep.


This is our backyard at the moment pretty cool huh! There are the cutest baby lambs that the kids feed every day at 5pm and green rolling hills to disappear into. So needless to say the kids want to live on a farm now, they've all put their order in for all the animals they want including guinea pigs????









Well where to start, we were excited to get to Margaret River simply for the wineries and the incredible produce here. And you know Michael and I we love a drink and of course our food. Which by the way I think we have certainly given it a good nudge this week. You really have to get into the spirit of things and immerse yourself in the place and appreciate all it has to offer. Mmmmmm... Thank god I didn't bring the scales on this trip, the belt has been let out a few times!!! What a diverse, magical, inspiring, tantalising place to be. The wineries we've done have been fantastic, alot of them charge for tastings so we did stay away from alot of those, but there are so many wineries here it would take weeks to get through. I must admit though they all accommodate for kids, with massive playgrounds and some really inventive ideas to keep those kiddies busy while you're spending that hard earned money on giving your taste buds a party. I'm not going to go through every winery we went into, don't want to rub it in too much, let's just say, when you get to this region you have to just get lost and try everything. Everything here is so tastefully done to the amazing architecture to the inventive interiors to the inspiring gardens.  The food and fresh local produce here leaves your taste buds tingling.

The Colonial Brewery was a special favourite, they brew their own beer and on a rainy day we got to sit in front of the fire and watch the kids in the playground while having lunch with a local Windows red, ah what a hard life. Annie Brook was also a great place to pick up $8 bottles of Shiraz that were yummy.

The Bootleg Brewery was a great place for a good feed and the kids loved the play area. It's been pretty cold here especially with the rain this week, but when that sun comes out the place just glistens.


It's not all about the wine and beer...well....yes there is the Margaret River Dairy Farm, great cheeses. The Nut and Cereal place, great muesli and spicy nuts, Providore for it's incredible infused garlic olive oil and dukkah dip. Ok ok so your mouth is watering I'll stop...but I can't leave out the Margaret River Chocolate Factory this place was heaven!!!! I'll let the pictures show you what I mean. The Oompa Loompas had a day off when we were there so we had to make another trip out, it was a hard decision!!!!
The Soap Factory was a little bit of indulgence for the senses and the Yahava coffee place was the best coffee we've tasted. Michael has taken the teacher reigns this week and given me a break, I think he is a fantastic relief teacher, he's been cracking the whip. Although the kids said they want Mrs Wood to come back from holidays even though Mr Wood is very thorough.



So they've been real troopers this week and so took them to the Sunflower Animal Farm, every animal known is here, from lamas to pigs to chickens to rabbits. Those rabbits are so fast you should have seen us trying to catch the little buggers. But as you can see we did have a cuddle due to the AMAZING RABBIT CATCHER SPENCER!!! The guinea pigs were also up for a bit of catchy!!!


After a morning of rain we stumbled across The Shearing Shed. This was so much fun, a working sheep farm with 4000 sheep and held tours for $10, best value yet. Spencer got to shear a sheep and the girls got working, putting the bails of wool together and I was put to work sweeping the wool. Michael got the best bit and had the dirty job of cleaning the sheep poo!!! The farmer was a great character and taught us all about running a sheep farm. It was really interesting and much harder than I ever imagined, those amazing sheep dogs and kelpies make the farmers life a lot easier what devoted loyal animals.
So with Part One done as if you haven't had enough of Margaret River there is a Part Two to come. Where we buy a farm, Michael gets a job at the local butcher and I start mixing it with the locals at knitting classes!!!!  The kids have become expert tree climbers and talk about becoming farmers!!!!

4 comments:

  1. Hello Wood Family,
    I have been enjoying your posts and sharing your news with Bailey and Jasmine too. What an amazing trip you are having. What fantastic adventures and life changing experiences for you all! Scarlett seems to be growing up so much, looking more like Phoebe to me. Spencer & Phoebe are looking so well and you all look incredibly happy!! It makes us warm & fuzzy to see your smiles!!
    Life in Jalanga St is much the same - Chris & Gay continue to renovate, Claire & Gary always pruning and pottering in the garden, Jack , Guy & Alex still searching for the ultimate game of tiggy or trampoline warfare. Dilan the dog still sitting out on the driveway keeping an eye on everyone. Sam & Michael's house is up for sale and we are all secretly hoping the renters move out and take their huge american bulldog with them. A scary new street member! Other than that the leopard trees continue to drop leaves, the kids continue to make a lot of noise and life goes on. We will be glad to see you back in a few months and hear all about your travels. Until, then stay safe and happy.
    From Gabbie, Bailey & Jasmine.

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  2. Hi Tamara,
    Really looking forward to meeting you and Michael and the kids when you finally get back to Brisbane. I am finding your regular updates fascinating and you have definitely made me realise what a diverse and interesting country we live in. Now I just need to find a gap in my work and study schedule to take an opportunity to enjoy it! I am sure that Lorena told you, but it is really refreshing to see you relaxing and enjoying life. We spend far too much time and energy worrying about what problems lay around the corner, or what we will wear or drive or live in, and who will see us doing it. Have a glass of red or two or three or ... for me at Margaret River. Hopefully we will get a chance to share one together in the not too distant future.
    Cheers Scott (scott_winks@bigpond.com)

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  3. Hi Scott,
    So nice to hear from you. Yes we are very lucky to be doing this trip and wish you could all come along for the ride. We really do have a beautiful country and some amazing people in it. You can't not feel a changed person on this trip, the time we have spent with the kids will be treasured and Michael and I have had the best fun.Life is too short. Sometimes its nice to enoy the simple things in life. Can't wait to catch up with you and missing Lorena heaps, you have a pretty special partner. Good luck with the house stuff.
    Tam

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  4. Thanks Tamara - life is definitely too short! We are currently stressing about the house move, but Lorena is doing a great job with the packing. Can't wait until September 3. We will be sure to help you to ease back into Brisbane life with a bbq on your return. Keep enjoying it while you can!
    Cheers Scott

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