Melbourne and Windsor

Parliament House, Melbourne

Looking for a mini-break we decided to visit an old favourite, Melbourne, Victoria. It's been over 6 years since our last visit so it was time to familiarise ourselves with this lively city once again. I love Melbourne, I love its friendly hospitality and its lane-ways and arcades. I love the people, passionate and confident and noisy. The city is busy and vibrant, I love the trams and nowhere in Australia can equal the dining experiences.

We had booked a package to stay at The Windsor, an establishment that cannot be described as simply "an hotel". This old-world hotel oozes charm, character and history. The corridors and stairs squeak and groan and the ancient lift takes an age to transit floors. All of this enhances the true experience of a stay here. The staff are formal but not stuffy, helpful and friendly. The rooms clean and old-fashioned, chintzy, cosy and delightful. If you travel to Melbourne, don't turn down an opportunity to experience The Windsor!

I confess we were spoiled, we were upgraded from our pre-booked Junior Suite to a Windsor Suite, on the top floor our huge corner suite overlooked Parliament House and there was no shortage of space, from the huge lounge, to the even larger bedroom and the walk in robe! Heaven!

Before we unpacked, a knock on the door brought a complimentary bottle of Yarra Valley wine, ahhhhhh, it was nice!

This wasn't our first stay at The Windsor, but it was the best and I guarantee it won't be the last!

It didn't take long for us to settle in and set off for a short walk. Lots of restaurants nearby and we soon found our afternoon favourite haunt, the delightful Wine Bar in Little Bourke Street, just around the corner, with a delicious cheese platter consisting of Pyengana Cheddar and Brillat Savarin, an exquisite accompaniment to a bottle of perfectly chilled wine.  Ideal to put you on until dinner!

Having arrived mid afternoon and checked out the locality, a short glamour nap was followed by dinner at Bamboo House! Yes, ok, I do love Chinese food, along with Thai it is a personal favourite.

Peking duck wraps, possibly the best ever, spicy dishes, mouth watering! As I write this, I am already planning my next trip!

I know my friend @2aussietravellers will be so envious!

We spent the next few days exploring the lane-ways and shopping, checking out the architecture in the Melbourne shopping malls. Our stay too short and a trip to the Yarra Valley, wine tasting was fun!

China Town, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

All too soon, it was time to head home ... our few days in Melbourne and The Windsor, just awesome! In the catchphrase best associated with Arnie, I'll be back!

THREE Weeks and Counting....

Dear Diary.... This is IT... nearly there... three weeks and counting....

Hair's not looking good though... two more weeks to the hairdresser's and then what? Should I go for blue? Pink?  Short?  Keep it longer?

Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhhhh!!!

Too many decisions....

So once again... nothing done... falling behind... time is going too fast......

gotta go.... things to do......



photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynkelwoohoo/8259912580/">Lynn Kelley Author</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

Down to the Nitty Gritty!

So.... here we are, Easter and just 5 weeks away.... no turning back now.... its booked, planes, trains and automobiles..... cottages, villas and hotels.... excitement building... told the family... see you there!!!!

So booking a special dinner from 10,000 miles away?  Easy?  Nah!  Where to go, that's sorted at least, Brook Meadow Hotel, Childer Thornton - that was the easy bit!

Who to invite, who not to invite? Worse than organising a wedding!

How about a family exclusive event?  That's easy surely?  Nope.... this ones here that day, not another.. this one is a Vegan... that's the local Steakhouse out the picture then.... aaarrrrgghhh!!!!!!

Hairdressers booked! Planning the packing... hmmm!!! These shoes?  Yes... what about those?... and I will need those boots!

Weather not looking great... better take two pair of boots...

Looks like the cold has set in for the year... better pack my woolly knickers!

So many places to go and see... looking forward to visiting a few old haunts and seeing lots of new ones...

Here are a few old favourites to whet your appetite....

How about we pop in to Chester first?   A very pretty city, on the river Dee....

....... steeped in history and still retaining its original Roman walls built circa 70AD.

As cities go, its pretty cool with a beautiful cathedral and shop till you drop!

Hungry yet?  Let's head to Conway for the best fish and chips on the planet! 

Well, OK - its been a while since 2007 but I am sure they are still good!

So how about the afternoon?  What about Llangollen? Pretty as a picture ....

.... even the wildlife is friendly....

.... always happy to help with directions....

How about heading up to the Lake District, Keswick's a pretty spot....  and by the time you return to base, you might even be ready for a little apple crumble and custard, with ice cream.... all on the same plate... that will be three serves thank you!

mmmm.... well... perhaps not... but it was seriously funny at the time and a perfect example of two people talking the same language but saying such different things......

How hard can it be?

So dates locked in... May 2013..... annual leave booked and confirmed!  FIVE WEEKS!  YAY!

Destination sorted... UK for a couple of weeks, home visit then over to France ... oh joy.....

So how hard can it be?

Quite hard apparently.... planes.... trains..... accommodation...... which to book first.... why don't the train and plane times line up ever? sigh..... let's not argue... I am sure it will come right in the end....

But finally..... details sorted.... we have an itinerary....

Inside Lane Cottages, Tarvin

Brisbane to Manchester...... stay in our favourite holiday cottages in Tarvin, Cheshire for a couple of weeks....

Lane Cottages, Tarvin

 .... visit friends and family... then catch the train from Chester

High Street, Chester

to London...

Shopping anyone?

London Bridge

spend a couple of nights in London.... stay at The Landmark Hotel


catch a show in the West End - The Audience, with Helen Mirren in the lead role,


hop on the Eurostar to Lille,
...... transfer to the TGV down to Avignon and spend a couple of weeks in a villa in Provence before a last splash in a swish hotel in Aix en Provence before

...sigh.....

........ catching those flights and heading back to Brisbane .....

Sounds like bliss.....

Change of heart....

Then I remembered... its been a while.... as ex pat's living in Australia... we haven't done a home visit... not in a long while... 6 years in fact... and well... 2013?  Its Mum's 70th.... K's 60th... our 20th anniversary.... my niece's 18th.... hmmmm... can we afford both?  No... so which is it?

In the end its a no brainer, but devastatingly disappointed.... I was so looking forward to Thailand... don't worry dear... your hours and hours of research won't got to waste... we will go in 2014 instead.... well maybe...

So... let's start researching a European trip for May 2013... how hard can that be? ....  "I fancy throwing in a France trip while we are over there".... and there it is again.... Research Heaven....