The Beach

I love spending the Christmas Holidays at North Burleigh.

I feel at peace when I am by the ocean.

It heals the soul.

Wish I could stay......

Old Hidden Vale

We all need a break every now and then.  Sometimes a weekend getaway is the perfect choice.

Inside our cottage

 For us recently it was a drive into the country with good friends for a trip to Spicers Old Hidden Vale.  http://spicersgroup.com.au/property/spicers-hidden-vale-grandchester-qld

Old Hidden Vale is an historic old cattle station in Grandchester, just west of Brisbane.  Perfect for hiking, mountain bike riding (if you are so inclined), horse riding or just doing nothing & relaxing.  I went for a hike but spent most of my time relaxing......

bougainvillea growing out of an old tree stump

 What a brilliant solution for prettying up an old tree stump.  I was so impressed by this idea & would like to try it one day.

massive & magnificent bougainvillea hedge

 This bougainvillea hedge was stunningly beautiful.  It must have been planted years & years ago, judging by the size of its branches.  I had no idea that you could grow it like this.

This is a great spot for a true Australian country experience.

Are your bags packed yet?

cheeky chook

I absolutely love this archway.......

 Sundrenched countryside.

I fell in love with this print of the old wash bucket & soaps.  Of course I cannot remember who the artist is.

umbrella holder

I want this umbrella holder!

Dining with friends Kath & Rick

How do you like to spend a weekend getaway?

Waiheke Island is a little slice of heaven

Waiheke Island, New Zealand - I could live here.  Seriously.

at Rangihoua

Imagine living on a gorgeous island just off a major city.  A quick ferry ride to work or to indulge in a bit of city life, only to know where you will be returning to at the end of the day!!!!

We only did a day trip and visited two spots on Waiheke but I am hooked.

Rangihoua has the best olive oil I have ever tasted.  Apparently Martina Navratilova orders hers from here - so if it is good enough for Martina, it is good enough for me.  They also make a delectable herb spread.  Yum, yum, yum!

Then it was on to lunch at the Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant.

whitewashed beams with fairy lights

Here I died and went to heaven.

love what they have done to the hydrangeas here

 Mudbrick is perched up high with breathtaking views out to the water.........

Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant

Seriously the best meal I have EVER had in my life.  The flavours were amazing.  Their veges come straight out of their garden.  If you ever visit Waiheke you MUST go here!

I also want their garden.

look at this exquisite garden - filled with edible goodies

As soon as I got home I double balled my potted lilly pillys.  They were in triangles before.

Love this and the wine barrel it is in

As you know I love gardening, and this style of garden is my ideal.

I want my vege garden to look like this

I couldn't go home without some souvenirs.

tea towels

What a clever thing to sell at the cellar door!!  Can you make out what it says?

eye chart

A quick visit to Auckland

I love New Zealand.  We had a mini break there recently sans kids.  If you have ever considered going there maybe I can tempt you.  Here is a snapshot of Auckland from the harbour.

look at the colour of the water!!

I highly recommend staying at the Hilton located at Princes Wharf - we loved it.  Great location as you can just walk into the city.

The Hilton

It kind of looks like a cruise ship which makes a lot of sense considering where it is!  Very clever idea.

our view

There are wonderful restaurants dotted along the waterline, which are worth discovering. 

liquid lunch sweetie

enjoying Euro