Winter is the perfect time to go Enid Blyton-style adventuring around Victoria. In addition to an annual summer holiday by the bay, I always look forward to a couple of misty, winter wonderland adventures in the crisp winter months. After all, Victoria’s got the Yarra Valley, romantic goldfield towns rich with local produce and hotsprings both inland and by the bay. Annually Mr Ruby Assembly and I adventure to Daylesford for a weekend of gastronomic delights sitting by an array of crackling fireplaces. Here’s a few highlights from a latest sojourn (inset above – my girly favorite store Lark in Daylesford – an example of a successful e-commmerce business located in regional Victoria).
Daylesford has a bookstore to end all bookstores – fittingly named Paradise Books – where bibliophiles can while away the hours thumbing through pre-loved classics and new releases. It is full of golden tomes, like this copy of David Marr’s Patrick White biography (pictured far left) and a copy of Robin Boyd’s The Australian Ugliness (a rare find I hooted over audibly when spotted). I loved opening the Patrick White biography and discovering a bookmark in the form of a Zone 1 $1.80 ticket from 1991. The middle image is a balcony view from my favorite accommodation in Hepburn, Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat.
Enjoying a moment of wintry sunshine outside of Lark.
Each time I visit Daylesford I discover something new. My favorite discovery on the latest Daylesford sojourn was Wombat Hill House, located in the Wombat Botanic Gardens. High above Daylesford, the gardens have their very own Sleeping Beauty tower (far left) and lush formal plantings. They’ve also got Alla Wolf-Tasker’s gorgeous Wombat Hill House, a homely casual cafe with charming murals depicting flying fat-bummed wombats, pine trees and more. We enjoyed piping hot carrot soup, rosewater meringues and more – I’ll be back!
Decorations at Wombat Hill House – they had me at hello!
Great photographs Ms Slipper, the warm strong tones say ‘winter’ and warmth and time spent relaxing doing what you love to do. x
I forgot to say, you are Julia Romeriz younger, prettier sister!
Ta! Do you mean – RockWiz Julia Zemiro? She’s a cracker!
I love this outfit – it looks so cute! And i agree with the above, you are a dead ringer for Julia Romirez! Lucky you x
Thanks for your sweet comment Hannah! I had a quick look at your blog, i like that recipe for veal scallopini a great deal. Where do you find this Xanthan Gum? It sounds very sci-fi, but i’m up for sci-fi if it results in tastiness. PS who is Julia Romirez? Maybe…. Julia Zemiro???? x
[…] Slipper. Unfortunately the mountain hasn’t moved past the culinary annalls of twee, unlike Daylesford and the Yarra Valley. Twee can be good though – I’m a fan of campness (Eurovision is one […]