This little trip to the country offered some much needed R&R.
We travelled to Bright, Victoria and stayed in a cosy little eco-studio on the hills above the township. On arrival we were met by a pair of kangaroos who seem to hang around the bush that surrounds the studios. Our studio included a slow combustion fireplace at the end of the bed which we had going for the entirety of our stay. The tin roof and corrugated iron interior added to the ambiance.
Half our luck; there was an excellent live band playing at the Bright Brewery, where we had dinner and some specialty beers. We sat outdoors with a backdrop of yellow and red-toned trees, offering a constant reminder of autumn, despite the relatively warm weather. The Belgian Witbier had me back in Germany, eating bratwurst at a farmer’s market. While it was light and easy-drinking, it had some serious flavour with the capacity to uncover beautiful memories.
Having done a quick trip through town the day before, I had already made my mind up to have breakfast at the quaint-looking Ginger Baker. Here we chose a seat at one of the beautiful wooden-slab tables, almost surrounded by stacked firewood and some carefully selected tunes. Above us hung an array of pendant lights made of mason jars. Breakfast was of a high standard, similar to the quality you would expect in the trendy Melbourne cafes. The experience was made all the better with the relaxed, personable service from the owner who recommended a day trip to Mt Buffalo.
Considering the beautiful autumn weather and the fact that we had a 2006 vintage pinot noir from our wedding day just waiting to be enjoyed, we headed for the hills. We stopped off early on at a few of the waterfalls, but pressed on to the rugged top – The Horn. After 45 minutes of winding roads and terrifying gradients, we were committed to a picnic with a view – despite the wind suggesting otherwise. After consuming about half of the produce and wine we had packed, our fingers were ready to snap off and we were tired of grabbing at our wine glasses to prevent the wind from taking them over the viewing edge. A picnic in the boot of the car was the solution, and a very effective one at that. We could now enjoy the vista of the Victorian Alpine Ranges before us.
Heading back down Mt Buffalo, we stopped off near the Historic Chalet where we discovered even better views, and on this side of the mountain, the weather was also more forgiving. Fortunately there was a lick of wine left, and we enjoyed this as the sun set over the valley.
On our return trip, we took a detour to Beechworth, on the recommendation of a dear friend who loves the Beechworth Bakery. The sheets of rain made for a somewhat anxiety inducing trip, however upon arrival at this little historic town, the detour was certainly BeechWORTH it. Not to mention the ‘country chicken pie’ that I ordered at the bakery. If ever you need a pie-fix, you should definitely drive all the way to Beechworth just for that alone. The pastries that we tried were also delicious. They weren’t your typical pink iced-bun or glaze-laden danish that are common of country bakeries. The ‘beesting’ was so good that it might just drive me to attempt making one at home, once I start experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
After this taste of Bright and surrounds, I will definitely go back for seconds.
mélange of me 