Getaway

The end of last week was kinda crazy – and a blur as I attempted to overdo things in typical BB fashion.  Among the cacophany of events and activities being attempted, it was my husband’s birthday.  Now one thing is for certain – while I have my lazy moments around here at Granite Glen (usually spent blogging) – my hubby has become a bit of a workaholic.  His main problem is that he is so VERY useful – handy at riding, handy at handling cattle, handy at using machinery (and fixing the basic stuff), handy at feeding animals, handy at house stuff, handy with kids.  The poor man never gets a break.  So I decided to treat him.

Well, I decided to treat him IN AMONGST the events I had planned for a particular 24 hour period between Friday morning and Saturday morning.  And this may or may not have included about 1000kms driving and forcing him to sit in on a VERY long meeting.  He MUST love me.

Anyway, the treat was something to do with this…

And this…

This last scary-looking item is a wood-burner in the Bed and Breakfast cabin we stayed in at a vineyard near Kingaroy (in the South Burnett region of Queensland). I made a fairly random last-minute booking here a day earlier and was very lucky to locate a place that could fit us in.  It turned out to be a very lucky phone call.

The wood-burner is one of the cleverest little contraptions I’ve ever seen.  It’s made to look like  ‘Booie Monster’, a legendary creature named for the Booie Ranges .  His mouth opens like a little hinged door to place the timber in – his mouth glows red as it warms the room at night.

Thankfully he was facing away from the bedroom area – and he did a fine job of warming our accomodation!  We arrived late and tired – but were soon revelling in the cheese platter and wine delivered to our door.  While I was still a little queasy in the aftermath of my tummy bug, I delighted in the luxury of having no cooking or washing up to do.

The next morning (waking to a morning that was both bright and brisk, with big frosts reported in the area) we discovered the scenery that had been hinted at as we arrived in the dark the previous night.

A gorgeous sign at the start of the driveway…

A lovely avenue of trees leading visitors into the winery…

A glimpse inside our cabin – understated and with amazing outlooks…

Oh HELLO.  A spot for a spot of breakfast – my appetite had returned!

(Note the little furry ‘waiter’ who welcomed us – hello Merlot!)

How’s this for a setting for breakfast?

And how’s this for a view as one digests their bacon and eggs and real coffee?

Merlot was keen to entertain as well…

Another walk to soak in the vine views – I adore vineyards (having lived in Griffith for some time, I have an appreciation for the intensive work they require, and the special beauty of their manicured rows).

Mmmmm….

There is something ancient and peaceful about grapevines…

The gnarlier, the better…

My husband dreaming up ways to talk me into planting some at Granite Glen.

I think I shall have to remind him of my sad lack of gardening skills again?

Maybe just a vine over a trellis?

It was all inspiring and refreshing.  A much needed break – even if it was a short one!

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

(NB Captain’s Paddock did NOT sponsor this blog post.)