Ashling Cottage - Hepburn Springs - Victoria

Well I have just spent a delightful long weekend away, despite the weather,

We went with Miss Le Coiffure and her partner.

This had been planned since Easter.

We wanted a house with 2 bathrooms which makes it a lot easier for getting ready, also it helps with the toilet situation.

I found Ashling Cottage in Hepburn Springs on the hill above the Day Spa.

Is wasn't very expensive and it had everything we wanted, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms a large kitchen and a lounge room. It also came with a veranda wrapped 2/3's of the way around the house.

In better weather we could have had a BBQ on the veranda because they also supply a Webber Q electric BBQ.

The back veranda.

Many a slice of bread was put our here during our stay for the very well feed cockatoos.

A view of the lounge room, looking through to the back veranda and the kitchen.

The main bathroom.

Isn't that the biggest spa bath and I did use it and had a lovely time soaking.






http://www.dayget.com.au/SearchResults.aspx

Lake Daylesford Apartments - Daylesford - Victoria

When we went away last weekend for my Birthday, we stayed at the Lake Daylesford Apartments. We had originally booked the ground floor garden spa apartment, but after Mr CLI invited Miss Le Coiffure and her partner , we upgraded to the 2 bedroom Penthouse, which is on the 2nd floor.

As I have said the other day we could hear the lake but not see it. It was very peaceful environment no traffic noise, only the noise of people walking around the lake.

The apartments are in a building that I think would have been built in the 1930's, but the apartment have been renovated to a high standard.

The bedrooms were quite large, but for some reason they didn't put in wardrobes. which is strange because most people staying in an apartment would be there for a few days and would like to hang their clothes up.

The kitchen dining room, which is also part of the open plan lounge.

The lounge.

The bathroom which was roomy, but a problem having the toilet in there and 4 people staying. lol

The view from the back verandah.










http://www.dabs.com.au/accommodation/lake-daylesford-apartments-ph

Daylesford and Surrounding Areas

Well I am back, after a very busy weekend. It was originally going to be only Mr CLI and myself going away for a weekend, but Mr CLI invited Miss Le Coiffure and her partner.

So I had to hurriedly change the accomodation from a ground spa apartment to the "Penthouse" upstairs. We were right on the lake at Daylesford and could hear the people walking around the lake but we couldn't see much due to 2 very large trees blocking our view. I was of the opinion the a little tree trimming was in order so I could see the lake.

The other were horrified and suggested jokingly that why don't I get a cannon and blow the tops off the trees.

The last laugh was on them because what did we see later in the day at an antiques shop, not one but three cannons. Ha ! I bet they would have done a good job of taking the tops off the offending trees lol

With of without the trees the weather put on a spectacular weekend bright and sunny days but still cool at night so we could sleep well all snuggled up in bed.

It was lovely sitting on the back verandah watching the rosellas, kookaburras and magpies all flying about and sitting in the trees.




I will blog further about our trip this week, plenty to talk about and we are planning another longer trip. Because our daughters partner couldn't get Friday off work they didn't get to Daylesford till night so they actually missed out on a day of the trip.

Till tomorrow.

Oh What a Long Weekend

Well we're did the time go since since last Friday. Mr CLI and on the spur of the moment went away overnight to Geelong, on Saturday. We were sitting in our dressing gowns and having a morning cuppa, Miss Fish was in respite, Mr CLI lamented that's it's such nice weather he would love to go for a motorcycle ride.

I suggested if we could find some cheap accommodation in Geelong we could go there and visit friends, then come home the next day.

Well after much searching we finally found a Motel that had a vacancy so we booked it. The Aristocrat in Waurn Ponds.

http://www.aristocratmotel.com.au/

Now you would think that hopping on a motorcycle and leaving would be a quick thing, oh no. Mr CLI had to get the bikes ready, I had to pack, then you have to get all your bike gear on. Think the Michelan Man, but in black.

Then Mr CLI remembered he had left his wallet at work an the bikes needed petrol. Ok I thought simple we will go get petrol at the servo across the road from his work he will then get his wallet and of we would. Simple !

It would have been if he had his credit card in is wallet, so back home we went to get that. So as a consequence of all these comings and goings we didn't get n the road till nearly midday.

After a stop for lunch we finally got to the accommodation at 3.45 pm. Time to unpack have a cuppa then leave again.

On the Sunday Mr CLI decided it would be nice to ride thought the Brisbane ranges then on too Ballarat, where we had lunch at our favorite Chinese Restaurant , the Golden Mountain.

I even thought ahead and got extra for tea that night, clever thinking 99.

After finally getting home late in the afternoon on Sunday, the great bike wash began.

Mr CLI doesn't believe in putting the bikes away without washing the bugs off. So I sat and talked to him while he did that with special washing liquid. To say Mr CLI is fastidious with the bikes is an understatement.

So when I got to Monday I completely forgot that it was a day for a blog, then yesterday I was so busy catching up with the washing that yesterdays blog slipped by as well.

So I hope everyone had a safe and fun long weekend.

Chatby Lane - Lorne - VIC

Well we are back from our little trip away to Lorne. For those of you that don't know Lorne it is on the Great Ocean Road between Anglesea and Torquay.

The weather unfortunately wasn't to kind to us, we had rain and cold winds, which tend to make it a bit miserable when you are riding a motorcycle.

The comforting thought on these rides is that we would be coming back to very nice B & B accommodation in the form of Chatby Lane it is set on a hill looking towards the sea. Like most of Lorne all the buildings are set into or on top of hills, not an easy place to ride a motorcycle.

We have stayed here before and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had the room with the 2 person spa, which wasn't a luxury when you need to defrost and sooth aching bodies.

The room has a kitchenette, table and 2 chairs a 2 seater lounge and a very comfortable queen size bed. The owners Doug & Karen can't do enough for you.

So if you are ever heading along the Great Ocean Road give Chatby Lane a thought.

http://www.chatbylane.com.au/

Adelaide Terraced Apartments - SA

Now we have had many trips to Adelaide over the years and stayed in both Glenelg and Adelaide CBD.

Now Adelaide is a City that I do stay in the CBD for a holiday, forget it if it is more than 1 night in Melbourne or Sydney for that matter.

Some people might say that Adelaide is a bit slow or backward, not I. I love the vibe from the different restaurants, is has true multi cultural vibe when you are looking for a restaurant to eat in.

If we could we would probably shift to Adelaide, but at the moment we are tied to Victoria.

Now on one of our trips to Adelaide Mr CLI, Miss Fish & I stayed at the Adelaide Terraced Apartments in Sturt St Adelaide.

Now for those of you that love nothing better than taking yourself to a food market and wandering this is a terrific place to stay, because you only have a leisurely 10 minute walk and you are at the Adelaide Central Market.

The Adelaide Central Market backs onto Gouger Street, which is one of the main streets for restaurants. so you can even walk to have a meal imbibe in a vino or 2 then walk back to your accommodation.

The accommodation we had was on the second floor and was 2 story, with the kitchen dining area in the front, which led onto a large terraced area that has PVC blinds to protect you from the sun, rain and wind. You washing line is also out here.

In the other half of the ground floor was the lounge room

.

Up the stairs was the 2 bedrooms and the main bathroom, both bedrooms were roomy. One had a queen sized bed, while the other had 2 single beds.

Now if you are interested in being able to walk to a terrific food market, wander as leisure to a wonderful restaurant and room to move in your accommodation, I would suggest you give the Adelaide Terraced Apartments a go.

One of the websites it is featured on.

http://au.totaltravel.yahoo.com/listing/529502/australia/sa/adelaidearea/inneradelaide/terraced-apartments/

Begonia City Motor Inn - Ballarat

Well my husband and I have been away for a short break, he thought he needed a break while painting the kitchen, as he has been working up to it for 2 years I can't understand the need. But never mind we went away for 2 nights.

On the second night we stayed in Ballarat at the Begonia City Motor Inn, we had never stayed there before and as it was on the road out of town, which would make it easier for me to navigate my motorbike home we selected it.

Well I can't speak highly enough of Michael who booked us in or the standard of the room. We had a deal which included breakfast, we selected the cooked breakfast, both of us choosing the bacon and eggs.

At the appointed time for breakfast we received a phone call to say that breakfast was on its way. We got 2 beautifully poached eggs and four rashers of middle bacon on 2 slices of toast. I valiantly ate it all. Thank goodness I was riding, not travelling in the car, as I would have been asleep not long after leaving.

So if you need somewhere to stay in Ballarat consider the Begonia City Motor Inn.

http://www.bcmi.com.au/