The Hunter Valley

On our way up to Tamworth last week and for Gill's *actual* birthday, we spent a couple of days in the Hunter Valley, a wine making region a couple of hours north of Sydney.

We stopped for a fish and chips lunch en route at Berowra Waters, a small village in beautiful surrounding bushland on the Hawkesbury River; it's a popular weekend getaway - for those with the money and/or a boat.

(a positive effect of La Nina on the east coast)

In The Hunter we stayed in a lovely wooden cottage in a secluded and quiet setting on the edge of the bush....

Koalas

Within walking distance of where we were staying was a great restaurant with views across the valley....

Some kind of freak tiramisu

Creme brulee

Gill models her birthday present (from herself)

On our second day we went to two wineries; both on recommendation from Gill's parents. The first, and one of the oldest in the region (1866) was Audrey Wilkinson....

Gill dislocates both shoulders....

... but is still working on the full neck dislocation

The second was a cellar-door only winery, Mistletoe Wines, with its own sculpture park....

So after some wine tasting, then some cheese tasting, we retired to our verandah for - yes, wine and cheese....

(oh - and a beer, too)

the locals

Disclaimer: We were given a great new camera at Christmas by a man with a white (goatie) beard; although Gill is claiming all the great photos are a result of her photographic skills.