Saturday 27 April 2024

A Weekend Away!

Mr P.'s birthday has swung around again!  I won't even mention how quickly that happened :=)  So off we went for the weekend, to the Southern Darling Downs and New England areas, a few hours west of Brisbane.  It is such a change from the sub-tropics where we live, to the Granite Belt where the climate and geography are completely different.  It even snows on occasion!

The township of Stanthorpe is the main town in the area; it started off as a tin mining town in the 19th century, but became an agricultural hub when tin prices fell.  Now the area is famous for grapes and apples and vineyards.  I bought a few of the local varieties including one called Envy!  They were crisp and sweet and delicious.  

You can walk off the wine tastings, and climb the rocks at the nearby Girraween National Park if you feel energetic.  We have climbed them all in our younger days!  But nowadays we just relax, eat and read.  Sadly the olive farm that we always used to visit has been ripped out and turned into a tomato farm.  What the??!!  All those beautiful olive trees... 

Anyway my friends, here's a quick photographic journey for you of our brief trip:


we stopped off for tasty treats at Aratula Bakery

and checked out the historical cemetery
behind the old Lutheran church, now a private home
 
we checked out the cheesery
The figures represent soldiers and sailors, as this area was a major resettlement area for those suffering from mustard gas exposure after WW1.  Many of the streets are named after battles and place names in Western Europe.  There is a historical cemetery in the area, listing those who left to fight in the war, and did not return.


and found (Jersey) cows on a roof - she looks so real :=)

we stayed in a cottage at Cypress Ridge Garlic Farm

and Mr P. kept the fire going at night

we had lunch at a cosy pub in Tenterfield NSW
 - The Commercial Boutique Hotel, restored to its Art Deco glory

the rainy day courtyard for another time

I ate panko-coated fish and chips - see, salad!

while the fella had a beef burger with chips

gotta love a country café sign
 - mum used to make us rissoles when we were kids

look at these fabulous old 44 gallon drums cut down for seating!

there were hilarious hay bales

and cranky cows

and a Mr P. in the wild

and a drop dunny in the mist - spooky!

and a glorious sunset after the rain - that cloud looks like a fish!

We had a lovely time away, enjoying the misty rain and the cool weather.  Mr P. ended up with a big splinter in his finger after hauling in big bits of wood for the fire - ah the sacrifices ...  It was almost a full moon, and the moonlight shone in through our bedroom window all night.  Our wee break was so peaceful, and rejuvenating for the spirit.  Can't wait till our next getaway!


36 comments:

  1. Happy Belated Birthday to Mr P. It looks and sounds like my kind of getaway. The food looks amazing, the scenery is gorgeous and that does look like one very cranky cow. I'm glad you had a lovely trip.

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    1. thanks Lori. Oh yes she was a cranky cow and mooed loudly at us!

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  2. First of all, happy birthday to Mr. P! It looks like such a fun excursion and I love seeing photos of places I'll probably never see in person. The food you enjoyed looks wonderful, too! I love those clever hay bales and Mr. P is looking very handsome!

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    1. Thank you. We had a fun break. There were heaps of those hay bales around from the Easter fair. so cute.

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  3. Awesome that you two had a great time! Happy Birthday to Mr. P.

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  4. Looks like a great getaway - your cottage looks fabulous! Happy Birthday Mr P and he really took one for the team with that splinter! Thanks for letting me virtually tag along on your adventures x

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    1. thanks Sammie. Will pass on your birthday wishes.

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  5. The hay bales are so cute. It sounds like a wonderful get-away!

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  6. Oh how beautiful! That Jersey cow I really thought was real!!! Happy Birthday to the Mister.

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    1. I know. It looked so real:) She was a beauty. Will tell Mr P.

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  7. Nice, low-key getaway — I especially appreciate your photos and description because Australia has so many high points that if I ever do get back there, I’ll never see the cozy, obscure places like that. (My two trips to Australia were many years ago.)

    best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh yes so many beaut places to see here Mae.

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  8. Looks like a great getaway. I had to laugh at you having the fish and chips and your husband the burger - exactly like me and my husband.

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    1. I am definitely a creature of habit as is Mr P. :)

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  9. It looks amazing. I cannot imagine why one would rip out olive trees either.
    Tandy | Lavender and Lime https://tandysinclair.com

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    1. Yes it was pretty shocking about the olive trees and they had been growing for years!

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  10. It looks and sounds like Mr. P had a nice away birthday. We like to relax, eat and read as well when we travel. Karen (Back Road Journal)

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    1. Yes he had a fine time:) Lovely to get away, esp. to a cooler climate.

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  11. Happiest of birthdays to Mr P 🎂what a fun weekend, with the exception of the splinter eek

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    1. Mr P. always toughs such things out so he didn't even tell me when it happened :)

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  12. It sounds like a lovely weekend, cozy and quiet with good food. Perfect. Happy birthday belatedly Mr. P.

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  13. What a great weekend getaway. WE. definitely need these short trips away to reset and rejuvenate. As always, Sherry thanks for sharing your journey with us.

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    1. thanks Velva. Always nice to get out of Dodge :=)

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  14. What a wonderful time.Those hay bales are funny and all the food looks so good.

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  15. Those treats from the bakery definitely look tasty! Glad you had a chance to get away!

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    1. yes it was great to get out of town Deb.

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  16. Well this sounds like the perfect getaway! The treats from Aratula Bakery look fantastic, and that pub is the kind of place I could spend an entire evening. Happy Birthday (belated) to Mr. P!

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    1. That pub is great. We have stayed there before overnight and it was wonderful.

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  17. What a charming getaway adventure! It sounds like you had the perfect blend of exploration, relaxation, and indulgence.

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  18. I love a good getaway — and yours looked marvelous! Although I’m so sad about the olive trees…. Maybe they got a bought and had to be cut down? Seems less heartless… Happy birthday to Mr. P! David (C&L)

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    1. thanks david. We did have a great time but I'm still sad about those olive trees. I think it was just a commercial decision by the new owners to whack in tomatoes!

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