Daylesford, Victoria - Third anniversary

Day 1
We decided to spend our lunch in the city of Melbourne. Caught up with Mike's friend in Melbourne for coffee. I can't believe how much I miss good coffee after spending 2 weeks in USA.

We checked in at the Barcaldine bed and breakfast. We were greeted by our wonderful hosts. The B&B boasts beautiful European interior situated near the heart of Daylesford.

It has been over 5 years since my last trip to Daylesford. Daylesford is famous for its natural mineral spring also known as Australia spa country town.

We headed to Cosy Corner restaurant for dinner. I ordered the black angus sirloin steak with chips and steam vegs and pepper sauce. It was one of the best steak and pepper sauce I've had for a while! Highly recommended.

Day 2
We enjoyed hot cooked breakfast of bacon, creamy mushroom, tomato and eggs.

Then we headed to Hepburn bathhouse and spa. We spent two hours on the bath, spa and spa couch, salt pool and aroma steam room. It was my first experience of spa couch! It's basically a seat in the middle of the pool connected to a number of spa jets. The salt pool was pretty awesome too. We ended our spa experience with devonshire tea and date scones, splendid.

On the way home, we stopped at Daylesford cidery and tastes three different ciders: dry, medium and sweet. Rather different to the ciders we have tasted, this local cidery does not use persevatives, they also only use organic apple grown in the area. The ciders are not carbonated and it does not contained additional sugar. It's quite easy to drink and it doesn't leave you with that bloated feeling. I love cider

Mike has arranged for a cooking class at the B&B. So we spent our dinner there. We learnt to make the best Napoli sauce, the softest gnochi and coffee panacotta for desert. Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. The gnochi was so soft and it was as good as the gnochi i had at the gnocheria in Italy! Can't wait to be making them at home. We ate so much that we decided to take an early nap. Great way to end the day.

Day 3
We started our morning with scrumptious breakfast. The weather today is not very accommodating. Max 13 degrees and raining! I think it's warmer in Canberra today.

We checked out the farmers market at Daylesford primary school. Interesting stalls, from eggs, live chickens, organic fruit and vegs to local olive oil. We left with a couple of tubs of kalamata olives and olive oil soaps.

We stopped at the Herbal Lore Liqueurs. We tasted 9 different fortified wine distilled and made locally at this distillery. I was really impressed with the port, we walked away with three different liqueurs! And that wont be the last one, thanks to online ordering.

The we drove to the chocolate mill but ended up at taking a wrong turn. We came across the Mill Market, it has to be the biggest antiques market I have ever encountered! We spent almost two hours in there, lots of interesting things, if only we had live in Melbourne. We ended up leaving with two old shears and an antique glassware which I am planning to use as a candle holder in our bathroom.

So we continued our journey to the chocolate mill. Gosh I love that place! We bought a couple of truffles and a bag of milk chocolate bullets. The bullets are the best one I have ever had! Apparently the chocolatier does not use palm oil in their products. Whatever it is, they are pretty yummy! We also ordered a cup of hot chocolates, highly recommended!

I think I have eaten more than I should so I think dinner is skipped tonight.

Day 4
We went to St Erth nursery at Blackwood to check out their heirloom seeds collection. I bought a couple of heirloom tomatoes and silver beet seeds. They have vast collection of dwarf fruit trees, I wish I could buy and carry them home on the plane!

From there we headed to Trentham, about 10 km away from Daylesford. A pickup truck with the number place CRIKEY and a whole heap of animal cast on the back of the ute got our attention. Such a quirky shop, it's worth checking if you happen to be at Trentham. We also found a Redbeard bakery cafe, where we enjoyed our coffee and vanilla slice. Highly recommended!

After Trentham, we headed to a winery called Passing Cloud, in Daylesford. We were greeted by a Kelpie who is convinced that his only existence in this world is to fetch the tennis ball. We headed to the B&B to enjoy chocolates that we bought and a glass of champagne.

We spent our dinner at Sault Restaurant. We ordered an entree each and a main, the Duck Orange is the best one I have ever had!

Tonight is our last night in Victoria, it has been nice and relaxing so far - thank you Daylesford!

RATINGS
Barcaldine Bed & Breakfast, Daylesford: 4.5/5
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, Hepburn Springs: 3.5/5
Daylesford Cidery, Daylesford: 3.5/5
Herbal Lore Liqueur, Daylesford: 4/5
Barcaline Winery, Daylesford: 4/5
Passing Cloud, Daylesford: 3/5
St. Erth Nursery, Blackwood: 4/5
Sault Estate Restaurant, Daylesford: 4/5
Redbeard Bakery, Trentham: 4/5

London, UK - day 6. Goodbye London

So our final day in London. Started with an early morning and a tiring one. Our flight leaves at 9.30pm but we had to check out by 10am. So we left the luggages in hotel and went for a wonder to Chinatown and Soho. Just when you think you've done all the shopping...

So far my experience of London has been a satisfying one. I'm grateful to have this second opportunity to see London again. So much have changed since 4 years ago I was here. There is now a building called the Shard. I saw on Australian online news this morning, it was mentioned under the heading "WTF did someone left an Aria behind". The Shard apparently will be the tallest building in Europe. Another tourist destination there! The traffic is definitely getting worst, it is a little dirtier than how I remembered London. I guess the city is frantically getting things ready for the Olympics. Our exchange rate however, is so much better now. Four years ago, AU$1 = £0.30. Now, it will give you around £0.60. In that respect, our trip has been more affordable.

My summary of London, the GOOD: the historical buildings, the Abbey and medieval Cathedrals are priceless. I don't quite know how to describe it except that if I was born around that era I would have loved to be an architect or stone mason. The Underground lines are quite a mysterious one, I just could not comprehend how human back then minus the technology can achieve SO MUCH! The BAD: the traffic and smokers are a bit unbearable. I am looking forward to be home, to be breathing fresh Canberra air. The UGLY: the weather was not very accommodating! The rain cloud seems to linger for a very long time, now and again it might decide to rain.
Overall I give London 4 out of 5 shooting stars.

London, UK - day 5

We visited Stonehenge and Bath today. Beautiful place! Stonehenge is quite a mysterious place whereas Bath is just full of Roman history and ruins. Quite unique and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had lunch at the Roman Kitchen, I ordered their river muscle and Mike his usual piece of steak. I must say, the muscle is one of the best ones I've tried so far. Highly recommend it!

Then we got stuck in peak hour traffic for over 3 hours. We were meant to catch up with our mate Damien at 7.30 but ended up getting there by 8.15pm. Had a wonderful night though! Great dinner, good company, what a way to end our last night in London.

Goodnight London and God bless the Queen.

London, UK -day 4

We started our morning with hot English breakfast as part of the accommodation. Then we headed to the London Bridge and London Tomb experience. I screamed so loud while being chased by a lunatic with a chainsaw. Pretty scary experience the London Tomb!

Then we went to the Kensington Palace to see Queen Victoria and King William resident. It was a unique palace and the exhibition was rather quirky, reminded me of Alice in the wonderland.

From there we headed to the Goat Tavern, apparently the oldest pub in Kensington. I ordered bangers and mash while Mike had pepper steak.

After lunch we headed back to Kensington Palace, Orangery and ordered afternoon tea, the proper way.

The sky opened up and shine its light, it was a glorious day. So we ended our afternoon with a cruise on the river Thames.

London, UK - day 3

We visited the London eye first thing in the morning and experienced the eye in 4D. The 4D experience is quite spectacular, having the sense of smell and touch.

Then we headed to Hampton Court, we had lunch there. The Court was busy as they were having a flower show, a bit like Floriade but different type of flowers.

The weather wasn't friendly at all so we had to miss on the Thames river cruise yet again. Tomorrow is the last day of our London Pass. Praying for a better weather so Mike can experience the river cruise.

Then we went back to the London Eye after 8PM for the might ride. Unfortunately for us, it is summer here so the sun doesn't set until after 9. So the sky wasn't dark enough to see the whole city at night. I'm quite disappointed. Better planning required next time.

Goodnight London, rest well for a better weather tomorrow - Amen.

London, UK - day 2

Today was a big day! Thank you UK for a great weather, i.e cloudy, shower and windy. Typical!

We started today with a visit to the Westminster Abbey. My second visit here, but first for Mike. I do admire the courage of most of the people burried here, they died serving the Lord and their country. 2 Peter 1: 21 and 22 were quoted in one of the tombs.

We then headed to Churchill Cabinet War Room, second visit for me but first for Mike. What a character Churchill!

From there we headed to Storey wine bar for lunch. Nothing like English beef and ale pie with mash and gravy. Topped with Bulmers original cider equal perfect lunch in my dictionary!

Then we caught he bus to St Paul's Cathedral. My favourite and happened to be Mike's too. I am really impressed with the mosaic arts that depicts the beginning of creation and Tijou's iron gates in the church, absolutely splendid and grand. The church is definitely different to the Roman Catholic churches we have been in Italy. They are equally grand, I could not comprehend the amount of money and time being put to create one of these churches.

From there we headed to Tower of London. We ended our tour by visiting the crown Jewels. My eyes were sore from all the sparkles! Not exagerating either! I think time to rest our legs, then head to the laundromat then dinner.

Checked the weather today, it's not looking promising for the rest of the week. We had to miss out on river cruise today thanks to the weather.

London, UK - day 1

We left Paris from Gare du Nord by Eurorail. The train was full, glad that we spent extra for the first class ticket. The journey only lasted about 1.30 hours and we were served with a light meal. I asked for a shiraz with my meal and received an Australian wine! So far yet so close...

We arrived at St. Pancras station just before 3PM and checked in our hotel. It is a 3 stars hotel but you just cant compare it with 3 stars hotels in other countries. The toilet and shower is so tiny, makes me wonder how other glorious size tourists would fit in there.

First day is rather a relaxing one, we picked up our 3 days London pass from Charing Cross. Then went to the Brewermaster for afternoon drinks and snack.

Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day, today is a time to rest.