Jason's birthday present was a weekend away to the Grampians, which he can't really claim was a surprise because it was
exactly what he asked for. Well, not the Grampians in particular, but the weekend away. And it was lovely.
We stayed in a little two-bedroom house of interesting architecture that I can't show you because we neglected to take a photo of it, but it was great! And quiet, peaceful, there was a wood fire and a well-equipped kitchen. We ate well, and in the morning had a spectacular breakfast involving smoked mackerel, scrambled eggs, fromage frais, grapefruits and possibly other stuff but I don't remember now.
While we ate, a procession of interesting birds pimped themselves for snacks on the deck. Rosellas, crows, magpies and a bunch of unruly cockatoos.
Here they are showing some mafioso attitude. I'm afraid we folded like cards to their threats and tearfully gave them all our french fries and salt and vinegar chips. Swines!
Later we hiked up to the Pinnacle. And ate some chocolate once there.
It's beautiful in the Grampians, I'm sorry we haven't been more often.
The area is still recovering from the terrible fires of January 2006, but there is greenery amongst the charred trunks, and the eucalypts are sprouting new growth from what seems to be nothing. The parks are being rehabilitated and reopened slowly, and there is still much beauty around.
After that very pleasant day, back to the house for roquefort on the deck!
Which was, I think, Jason's favourite part of the whole weekend.
Halloween doesn't coincide with pumpkin season in Australia (nor are Australian pumpkins suitable for jackolanterning, unless you want severe knife wounds), so we did it Melbourne stylee, with a watermelon. Carving was the easy bit. Emptying the watermelon first rather more difficult.
Dracula menaced virginal maidens!
Jennifer Love Hewitt ghost-whispered with Dobby!
Erm... the pirate captain faced Death without fear!
A witch doctor had a nice cup of tea with a little devil and Montreal Canadiens top French goalie, Cristobal Huet... I mean, fearsome slasher Jason Voorhees!
And the pirate's parrot dazzled us all with colour and dancing!
Sadly I have no photos of the scary mummy, swashbuckling first mate or scintillating little pixie, but lack of physical evidence doesn't mean they don't exist.
Mmmmmm... parrot...
