Bucket List

Do you have a "Bucket List" - you know that list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. Well I do have such a list and yes I am working through it. One of my "Bucket List" entries is to travel around Australia in a Camper Trailer. Shane and I have been planning it for quite a few years, every year we would head off to the "Caravan & Camping Show" and dream over all the tent trailers, camper trailers, motor homes and all the bits and pieces that go with them. But our last "Caravan & Camping Show" was the decision making time - we decided it was time to make our purchase. We bought our new camper trailer but had to wait 6 months to have it built. Yesterday was our day to go and pick it up. It is pretty easy to tow, but as it was brand new and we were in peak hour traffic on the way home we were both a bit nervous. But we got it home and now it's time to really start planning for our "Bucket List Trip". Although it won't be a huge trip for a while yet seeing I am enjoying my "Year In Daylesford" at the moment.

Ouch !!!

Well I had my little skin cancer removed from my shin and unfortunately the skin was to taut to just be sewn together so the Dr's. had to do a skin graft. The process was performed while I had a local anesthetic ( would much rather have been put to sleep) although they did give me something to calm me down so I think I did sleep for a bit of the 40mins it took. I had two Dr's. working on me - one taking the piece of skin from my groin and the other removing the skin lesion. I felt pretty good yesterday after the operation but I think it might have been the drugs I was on because today my leg is quite sore. I have to keep my leg up as much as I can for about 5 days - bit hard when I run a Bed & Breakfast. I am so lucky I have a good friend -Vicki - coming up to Daylesford for a few days to help me out. But at least it is now over and I just have to deal with the next week until I head back to Outpatients and they do whatever they have to do. I am a bit of a wimp so I'm really not thinking of what they have to do.

Even though my poor old leg was hurting my heart was singing while I cuddled Clare - she needed a Granny cuddle as she had her 1st lot of immunisation needles today. She was so good and took it all beautifully.

Sore Leg

This morning in Daylesford it was once again a foggy, drizzly rainy start to Monday. I think I am probably going to experience quite a few of these sorts of mornings as we work our way through Winter. But I don't mind after all it is Winter. I am now back in Eltham tonight because I am having a small skin cancer removed from my shin tomorrow morning. It is only a small spot but as it is on my shin the Dr. may have to do a skin graft if the skin cannot be stretched enough. So this time tomorrow night I will know just how long I will have to keep my leg up. I am a little bit nervous - but all will be OK.

Daybreak in Daylesford

Those out there who have followed my blog know I love the beginning of a day, especially sunrise. When I have guests staying at "Old Chilli" I head down the street early to get the days newspaper and if it's market day I get some freshly baked bread. This morning when I headed down the street I was greeted not with a sunrise but lots of fog and drizzly rain. This didn't put a damper on my day at all - I love when it is foggy, almost as much as a beautiful sunrise. I always have loved fog, as a little girl I used to pretend I was in the middle of nowhere. Even as an adult fog gives me the feeling of being able to hide and it may sound strange but it also makes me feel cosy.

Our Little Bunny

I have just returned back to the country after having a couple of days in the city. The main thing I notice when I get back to Daylesford is just how quiet it is and the amazing show the stars put on when there is no cloud cover. I have had guests every weekend, so I am now quite comfortable getting breakfasts and doing all I have to do. The guests I have had have all been really nice and all comment on just how beautiful "Old Chilli B&B" is. I must say I agree with them, even though it was only built in 2001 it has been designed with lots of older features and there is lots of antique furniture, so you get the feeling it has been here for a lot more than 10 years.
I did have two wonderful days in Eltham looking after our new little angel Clare. She is a very good little lady and at almost 6 weeks she is starting to focus on your face. Here is a photo of her in her little bunny suit.

Olives !!!!!!!

Tonight's post is a request of help from me to you. This beautiful property here in Daylesford has lots of trees and plants I will eventually be able to get food from. Me being a city girl, I know I am going to have to be a bit of googling to find out the what, when and where of what I have. Now as I don't eat olives this produce is an interesting challenge. I have three olive trees and the fruit have now turned dark so I am thinking it it time to harvest and actually do something with them. I am intending on marinating them (don't know how!!) and giving them to my family, who do eat them. That's where I need your help - what do I do with these Olives ??????

My Three Olive Trees

Are these ready to be picked????

Garden Visitors

It is so wonderful going to sleep to the sound of frogs croaking to each other around the pond outside my bedroom window and then waking up of a morning to the sound of the many birds greeting each other good morning. I also have a few Crimson Rosella's that visit the garden and enjoy having a chew on the Quinces.

My Daylesford Family

As well as looking after Old Chilli B&B in Daylesford for the next 12 months I am also looking after "Arch" a very clever Kelpie X and two very beautiful Alpacas "Bilbo" and "Groucho".

Clever Arch

Beautiful Arch

Bilbo

Groucho

Farmers Market

I love markets, whether they be craft markets, fruit & veggie markets, clothes markets, trash & treasure markets or the Daylesford Farmers Market I went to on the weekend.

Daylesford Farmers Market

Beer

Vegetables

Honey

Love Is.........

Mother & Daughter
Rachel Maree Clohesy & Clare Megan Walker

Back In Daylesford

Previously Old Chill B&B had only taken bookings for the weekends as the owners Tim & Brian both had full time jobs. I have continued that system for now but as of June 10th I will open up a few more week days as well. Luckily I am able to open and close days so I can still head back to Eltham if there is anything I need to do in Melbourne.

A Brief History of Daylesford

Gold was the main reason Daylesford was founded, but saw-milling and agriculture played a part after the easily won alluvial gold was exhausted. After 1865 local businessmen approached the Government and the development of Mineral Springs began to play a major part in the growth of the town as a tourist destination. These days Daylesford and the Hepburn Spring area draw many tourists to the area to not only experience the beauty of the area but also pamper themselves with the mineral springs and the many Spas, and massage and pampering businesses. During my time here I fully intend to pamper myself with a few massages too.

Daylesford ca1908

Back In Town

Wow it's Wednesday already - time just travels way to fast. So after my very enjoyable first few days in the country I am back in Eltham for a couple of days. On the morning I left Daylesford it was a very clear but chilly morning but that didn't deter the local ducks. As soon as they found a bit of sunshine they decided to have a feed on the grass.

Daylesford Ducks - Wood Ducks I think??

As I am dealing with food and people I have to get a certificate in food handling. So that what was on the agenda today. The four hour course was quite interesting and really a lot was just common sense. But now I am happy I have that little certificate and I can cross that job of my list. As the course was short and I was in the city, I decided to have a wander and just enjoy the sights and sounds of Melbourne.

Busker in Bourke St Mall

Some of the Buskers Audience

The Old Shot Tour in Melbourne Central

 The best thing about getting home was I get to catch up with my beautiful daughter Rachel and her beautiful daughter Clare.

Clare looks so tiny in the Port a Cot