Monday, June 26, 2006

Weekend in Castlemaine

After picking up the MWC at the airport we drove up to Castlemaine. Settled into our upstairs room in the heritage listed Campbell Street Motor Lodge (built in 1886). It's a family run place, welcoming and comfy, one that I'd feel perfectly at ease to stay in by myself. And I may do that too this winter - take the train up, wouldn't need a car, everything of importance within walking distance: restaurants and cafes, the Restorers Barn for browsing an odd collection of secondhand stuff, a number of art galleries, and of course the library. Yes, I will do that!
A bit of indulgence: reading in bed in the morning.













On Saturday evening we ate at Edda's, a small restaurant in what was once a mortuary, built in the art deco style. Yesterday we did a two hour walk on Mt. Alexander, found the track that we had missed the last time we walked on the mountain, worked up an appetite and later had dinner at Saff's, which is also the place to go for coffee and VERY GENEROUS portions of cake. Spent an hour in the library this morning before leaving town. On the way home we made sure we were passing Malmsbury at lunchtime so we could have one of the superb steak and kidney pies you can get at the bakery there. Today the pastry was exceptionally good, you could taste the butter, and it was still flaky. Is food important to us? Oh yes. A nearly 35 year marriage has been built and nurtured on food.

Oh, and today was the first weekday of my retirement!















There's the marker we missed last time when hiking on Mt. Alexander.


End of the walk, the car is just around the bend.

8 comments:

John Cowart said...

Sounds as though your retirement is off to a great start!

Susie said...

We also love the food aspect of our 39 yr marriage. (shopping, cooking, eating out, entertaining) it's all good!
It sounds like it was a perfect start to the next part of your life!
You look positively glowing and wonderful :-)

Val said...

Oh a great "boot" shot! Sounds like a lovely start to a great new future (it was new moon, always a good time for starting new ventures apparently!)

Alice said...

What - not another bakery to visit, is there, for a delicious steak and kidney pie? Now we have to add Malmsbury to Bungendore, Braidwood and Holbrook.

Kali said...

Hi chicky! I've been thinking about you this week...So good to hear that your retirement has started off so well.

Val said...

Uh oh, don't tell the Man Who Cooks about those bakeries, he'll want to drive to New South Wales next!

lindsaylobe said...

take the train up, wouldn't need a car,

Thats sounds appealing val !!

Best wishes

Kerri said...

What fun! Good for you allowing yourself the indulgence of reading in bed.
Love the boots! Glad you didn't miss the marker this time.
Sounds like a perfect way to start your retirement. Mmmm, steak and kidney pie...can't get those around here. Mom used to make a great one.