A real day off

It's taken me a few days to blog about it but I had a real day off on Australia day. Mum and dad minded the boys for the day (from about 9am-5pm) and Adriaan and I had a whole day together. It's definately been well over a year ago that we had that much time together. We ended up driving around the Hawkesbury region which proved to be very enjoyable.

We first drove out to Bowen Mountain and did a short walk in the Blue Mountains National Park to a small trickling waterfall. The drive in tested the suburu's 4WD capabilities and the walk itself was lovely and alive with birdlife. We admired the structure and colour of the Angophora costata (Sydney Red Gum) and just enjoyed walking with no children in tow! It was so nice to be able to hold hands!! (No prams and no children to carry or hold hands with).

We then made our way to the Grose River at Yarramundi for our picnic lunch, which turned out to be a big mistake. As it was Australia day, any popular swimming spot was packed out. After doing a very tight u-turn in the carpark we ended up eating by the Hawkesbury at North Richmond, which was very pleasant and quiet.

After a yummy lunch of very large tiger prawns we did something very appropriate on Australia day. We went and visited Ebenezer Church (at Ebenezer, nth of Windsor). It is the oldest church building in Australia. It was built in 1809. It was built as a Presbyterian church but now the Uniting church have ownership. You can also view the oldest school house in Australia on the same grounds. Check out the steep staircase below. Also located on the river, the property is beautiful and the buildings are really well cared for.

We then headed off to see and taste one of Australia's oldest wineries; Tizzana Winery in Ebenezer. It was built in 1887 and the current owners have been running it fo 40 years. This was also an enjoyable experience and came home with a delightful Rosé. We headed towards Windsor for a late afternoon coffee and then off to pick up the boys.

All in all we had a delightful day. It did seem to go too fast. I am hoping within the next few months Elisha might be at the point where we could leave him for a whole night!! Thanks mum and dad and Aunty Jem for making it possible.