Winter

Well winter has arrived and the autumn leaves are all but gone. We now eagerly await the snow and the flurry of excitement that comes with it, I know I will regret saying that by the end of the season. The boys here are busily renovating our group kitchen in preparation for our first school group at the end of the month...there is always so much to do!

Mount Beauty really is a wonderful place to be at this time of year. The nights are now ever so cold but 90% of the time you awake to a crisp morning that unfolds into the most glorious sunny day. Although that doesn't stop me from pulling out the winter woollies and rugging Fergus up for our walks.

Speaking of Fergus, he is now 10 1/2 months old and a very busy little thing. He loves nothing more than to whisked up and taken for a walk around the pond, go to see the goats, chooks and cows and not to mention birdwatching...we have an abundance of cockatoos, kookaburras and parrots here which is a sight to behold at times.

Long Awaited Post

Well after a whirlwind Summer holiday season our feet have finally touched the ground again and I find I the time and inclination to start blogging again. And yes, all of the gentle prods my few followers gave me spurred me on too. In fact three reminders today! Thank you Choc, Janie and Jodi...

The Holiday Park is going really well and again the Christmas crowds had a wonderful stay. The atmosphere created here and the guests we have staying with us is quiet unique. Many feel like extended family members as some stay up to three weeks!

The days have been very long and tiring as we are generally up and on the go from 7am and not retiring until after our last walk around the park at 11pm. As for a Sunday morning sleep in, well they do not exist over summer as it is a Park tradition to host our Pancake Breakfast. A highlight for everyone! I think the record still stands at 18 pancakes in one sitting...hmmm

Mat and Duane hard at work putting in a new speed hump. Educating drivers to slow down in the park for the safety of the children is the bane of our existence when we are full.

The newly laid turf on one of our sites on the river.

Our New Life in the Country

Well we successfully moved!!!

Despite the house being full of boxes (and still somewhat so now...), in the first few weeks we tried to find some normality by starting the day with a morning walk around the pond. Mt Beauty is nestled into the end of the Kiewa Valley and one finds themselves surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Australia. Biased I know!

We love it and Ferg does too...

The Move to Mt Beauty

Well at the end of October Duane, Ferg and I packed up our house in Malvern Road and headed up to the High Country to call Mt Beauty home.

Our departure was met with mixed emotions as we left our little house of the last three years, our wonderful community and all our local stores (Turner & Lane, Third Earth, Tas Ka, the Milk Bar, Pink & Sons, Miguel's, Patrick Davey and not forgetting our miniature Mitre 10). I will miss our walk up to Elizabeth St park and smelling the old world gardens hidden behind camellias that remind me so much of Gran. I will miss the sound of the trams that are so uniquely Melbourne. I will miss our dear friends. I will miss the support of my Mothers Groups and gorgeous new mothers and babies. But most of all I will miss my family.

But as I have said, now many times, we are just up the road. Albeit a very long road, but within reach all the same.

Ferg amazingly slept all the way!

UMG - Kylie's Garden

Our super groovy and talented host, Kylie.

The UMG met again, this time at Kylie's house. We had a glorious lunch in the garden and overdosed on lots of sugary treats!!!

Kylie's cupcakes and Kerrie's meringues were so delicious.

The UMG tribe taking over Kylie's garden.

Don't you love laid back babies...

Mummy, I love this retro rocker! It's just like the one you had. Can I get one, please...maybe I should ask Granny...hmmm

Duane in London

En route home, Duane managed to squeeze in a quick trip to London to visit the Taylors. Here he is with his god son Freddie. Gosh he has grown up since his last visit to Australia!!!

Beautiful Bryony!

Tommy

Bryony wouldn't let Duane leave without teaching the boys how to make Anzacs.

Who doesn't like golden syrup!

The finished product.

The boys then scheduled a play date in the garden and made this super duper water contraption. First animal into the bucket wins!

Phil and one for the ladies!!!

Ferg and I were very envious and will ensure we are in toe next time...

Duane in Austria

The office for the week just outside Innsbruck in the Alps.

Duane was invited by Swarovski to trek the Alps in search of Chamoix. He later discovered that he and his companion were in fact the first Australians to do so. Only 10 invitations are extended each year, so it was quite a unique experience!

Duane and his guide, Manfred.

Glassing the Alps for Chamoix.

Manfred suggests its time for a break, a wee glass of schnapps on the balcony no less. Duane could get used to Austrian tradition I think!

Finally the chamoix!