We visited a few berry farms today, starting with the one that was on our itinerary and yes, it's the same one that announced that they had a busy weekend so they are "closed" for berry picking. I forgotten its name, and the other farm names as well, except for the one where we bought boxes of cherries to smuggle bring back home - as in Malaysia. (Note to EC: please help me here!) Just goes to show how pampered ignorant I am when on holiday... haha...
At the first farm, the lady in charge kindly allowed us in to roam freely amongst the fruit trees eventhough we couldn't pick any fruit as you will see from the pictures that most if not all are still unripened. At the outlet, the kids wanted ice cream, fresh creamy ice cream and I don't know why, but mummy here was being a mean mom and didn't want them to stuff sugar into their guts. Kids persisted and the other adults chipped in too, so I relented... which was a good thing too. *hang head in remorse*
Do enjoy the pictures. The weather was terrific and we couldn't ask for more. God is good, I can't say this enough. So many great pictures and so hard to choose which to post up. I'm a happy girl.
Peaches in season. So many of 'em here.
Beautiful, big yellow roses. Had to remind my boy boy not to pluck flowers for me as he knows I love flowers.
Unripe cherries. We looked a bit and couldn't find ripe cherries. Looks like the weekenders plucked 'em all - merciless!
The difference between these and the ones in Cameron? Bigger, sweeter and fresher! OK, but I didn't pluck to eat though there were ripe ones. It's on the ground, ok?
Father and son in a berry farm
Raspberries!!! Look kids! Raspberries! I'm being so jakun, haha!
Walking back. Love the tall majestic trees in the background against the beautiful clear blue skies.
Bought half a kilo of frozen raspberries to eat in the car. I can't tell you how drunk I am from eating all these raspberries... the girls (Vic and W) didn't eat much... because they preferred the cherries! The boys (William and J) were in Kelvin's car. Hubby nibbled on some only since he was driving. In between stops, I nibbled on these.
At another farm which had no fence parameters, EC and I, together with the girls, hopped off our cars (parked by the side, men waiting) to snap some pictures with real ripe cherries! A lady at the outlet saw us and ran towards us. Hubby sounded the warning, and we hurried the kids
back into the cars, but she arrived too soon and we got told off like teenagers... aiya, we didn't pick any berry mah (ok, just one). Was fun anyway : )
The scenery
Next stop - peach and nectarine farm with a lovely cafeteria inside that served homemade scones. Kelvin and EC did their homework, alright!
Fresh strawberry and cream. GLORIOUS!
It's a million times better than it looks!
Tea, anyone? This is where you learn how to pour tea and take a picture at the same time. That's why God made us with two hands mah!
With permission from the farmer, we took these photos.
The last time the kids took a picture with a truck this big was in Straford upon Avon in the United Kingdom, March 2010. William was not taller than the huge tyres then.
Feminine (notice they are wearing the same color theme?) vs masculine machine!
Kids patting a dog that belonged to the farm.
Our next stop (by the way, I lost count).. the winery! Didn't do any wine tasting, but instead we went upstairs where they have a 360 degree balcony where we can admire the view and enjoy the breeze, maybe with a sip of wine... haha!
Taken outside at the carpark
With W.
Inside these barrels are liquid gold
The view from the balcony
After all the calories, the kids ran off to play
Precious moments! Kisses up on the balcony overlooking the vineyard
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice creamery. Lovely place to hang out
Three big bowls of chocolate chips - take as much as you want, it's all complimentary. You can even bring containers to fill them up!
Kids dug into their pooled treasure - chocolate chips!
We took the last two cups of tiramisu. Good that we shared, because it was very filling too.
Hubby went off to "check out" the ice cream counter... and came back with this - creamy yummy thick ice cream with a big chunk of chocolate to go with. Forget your diet, if you have any.
After a whole day out... EC cooked us this lovely dinner... baked pasta! Yumzz!! She added raspberry juice into the salad which gave it a special taste. Not forgetting homemade mushroom soup from scratch and Riestling to accompany.
Another great day ended... all glory to God for wonderful weather!
Before leaving the house this morning, EC checked the website of the cherry farm we were to visit... and sadly the announcement on the site says that they had a busy weekend before so there will be no cherry picking for the day. Ohh... but EC was quick to add that they'd be other berry farms in the vicinity which we could check out. So, the day was still hopeful! Besides, we had so much to look forward to and so much to do for the day! I'm totally excited!
It was a day off school for J&W so we left in two cars to Yarra Valley. EC again prepared Milo for all of us. The way she cares for us reminds me so much of my own mother, eventhough their age is two decades apart. Just in case anyone of us got hungry on the way to our first destination, she packed chicken and beef pies for us to munch on in the car. I love her for her thoughtfulness!
This post will be mainly pictures, as there were so many taken and pictures says a thousand words, or more!
Our first destination was... CityLife Church. Kelvin and EC brought us to look-see their church.
City Life Church
Along the way...
Great weather for a day out
We stopped at Puffing Billy first but didn't get on the train because it'd take us a whole day, and a whole day free we have not. So much on our itinerary so we stayed no longer than half an hour to admire the place and for William to answer nature's call amongst the old, tall trees... why not, huh?
Then we stopped by the National Rhododendron Gardens which wasn't too far a drive away. We put on the GPS but that was mostly to warn us of any change in speed limit, as Kelvin led the way we had no problem with direction.
The kids had fun looking out for little stone beetles like these... keeps their attention on nature instead of feeling bored
Park of the gardens that we didn't walk through
Red rhododendron
A picture of mummy and princess with pretty flowers
White rhododendron... some flowers are starting to wilt, as they have passed their full blooms now that it's beginning of summer. Flowers here in Melbourne in general, I notice, don't last as long and aren't as varied and many as those in the UK. I may be wrong since I'm just a visitor, but that's just my observation
We didn't stay long here either... and a walk through the park could take a whole day. It's definitely a nice place for a romantic walk or a picnic. Definitely one of my favourite place to hang out if we do have a chance to be back. But... like I said... many more places to go, so this trip would have to be only a sampler. William, unfortunately, didn't like to leave as he was having a good time admiring the flowers, running around, taking in the fresh air, etc.
Interesting place to have a cuppa, and enjoy their multi-awards winning pies, and indulge in their sweet dessert. Good company, or a good book will make the visit perfect! As it is, we had good company in the presence of our good hosts... and part of the joy is to fight for the tab!
The two floors dining area. Today's crowd was "good" as I was informed normally this place would be full house!
Kids get their own table, pies and ipads!
This, my friends... is their French Vanilla cake... superb, glorious, heavenly!! DO NOT SHARE!!
Saw this huge dog with its owner just outside the shop. I asked permission to have William's photo taken with the dog. Forgot the breed.
And then, a stopover at the Tulip Farm which was in full bloom a few months back. Now, there's no more tulips to look at, but it's ok...
This morning we headed over to Clayton Church of Christ located a few suburbs away. We got news of our Sr Pastor being in Melbourne a few days after us, to speak at this church as a guest speaker, so we shared this with Kelvin in case he wants to meet up with Sr Pastor. If this didn't happen, we would have been equally happy to hop over to Kelvin's church City Life Church.
As it is, Kelvin and E Chiin decided to drive a little bit further to Clayton so they could hear Sr Pastor speak and meet up with him. We also self-invited arranged to join a pot luck dinner for all former Malaysian church members which was to be held in that evening at a private residence.
During church celebration, Sr Pastor walked up to our two families to welcome us which was so heart warming. We spoke briefly to Sr Pastor's wife, Aunty Doris after celebrations before rushing off to the city centre. Kelvin and family went separate ways to pick up some grocery before heading home.
We put on the GPS with Queen Victoria Market as our destination. We passed by Pullman Hotel along Albert Park where we stayed with Victoria way back in 2006. I could still remember the place where we walked in the cold but only vaguely remember the hotel and hotel room itself.
We drove into the city, got stuck in the Sunday noon traffic jam because of the route directed by the GPS settings! Oh well... parking was another headache. Now, if we were in Malaysia there would have been ample parking, if you know what I mean. But obviously we weren't and getting a ticket fine with an exchange rate of 3 is no joke.
Flinders Street Station. Passing by this place brought a little bit of memories back, where we walked and places we visited including the buffet dinner at Crown Casino, the pizza or was it hotdog that we bought for little Vic when she cried hunger, and how she chased the birds in front of QV Library.. etc
No parking along the street as it was full and there was an unidentified police car parked after the parking line to check if anyone breaks the law. We found out when we temporary parked there to enquire about parking when a lady walked past hubby and inform him to move his car because the police was somewhere around.
We finally found an open carpark but the security didn't allow us in for whatever reason. Hubby believes he was prejudiced against us Asians because when hubby asked about the empty parking available inside, the security guard answered, "Yea, but that's not for you" so what does that mean?
I hopped off with Vic to start our shopping spree because we didn't have much time left and hubby joined us later with William. Trust my hubs to find another way into the open carpark. ; )
In the first 10 minutes, Vic and I bought 5 pairs of soft sleeping socks and three tee-shirts. Hubs later took the two kids for a late lunch and I immediately bought half a kilo of cherries as my "lunch" so that I can pick on them while shopping. Oh, and did I mention I looooovvveeee cherries? That's an understatement too.
If I recall correctly, these went for AUD16/kg and that was already cheaper than Woolworths 5 days ago, at AUD19.98/kg so I asked for half a kilo. See how fresh they were
In summary, we didn't buy much and also I remembered QVM to be much more vibrant with many more stalls. Maybe I remembered wrongly, or maybe it was a weekend, or maybe the economy did take a slide. We took home the usual souvenirs (William picked a blue boxing kangaroo whilst Vic chose a kangaroo keychain) plus wooden wine holders, plates, soaps, and the rest I honestly cannot remember. But I did recall buying from Malaysian, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Hong Konger, but none from Australian... how ironic!
There is something about Western markets that really attracts me - it could be the relatively odorless atmosphere, or the mounting varieties, the crisp freshness and transparency in price displays that allow guiltless comparisons. What's not to love when there's so much to see, feel and touch even if you're not buying? Now if only there was a flea market or a bazaar to hang out too... : )
I was told that non organic vegetables here are safe to eat even after only one rinse, because of the stringent control of pesticide and insecticide levels. Unlike back home in Malaysia, I have to use an organic vege wash, then rinse multiple times before a final rinse with RO water
Boy's mouth like got another red layer due to lack of water or maybe eat never white mouth
I love mushrooms too! Those white button mushrooms remind me of my days as a uni student cooking in my rented house
Cheese, cheese and more cheese!!! I could be a mouse!
Something that I don't even know how to eat...
More weird food
Aaahhh... now we're talking... look at those handsome hanging sausages!!
Types of olives... so big and fresh!
We were back in Kelvin and EC's home around 5pm-ish. The drive back was a lot quicker as we used the freeway. Kids headed out to the nearby playground with Kelvin. EC was preparing a delish prawn dish for the pot bless later and I was just hanging around. Since I wasn't much help (EC does miracles in the kitchen) I took the opp to just steal learn her recipe, hehe. My reward? I got to test taste the prawns before they were covered and transfered out.
We drove across suburbs to Jerrica's house which is located in a very classy, quiet and very comfortable neighborhood. A yacht was parked at the porch when we arrived. Jerrica's house itself is a big bungalow with an equally big field space at the back and a tennis court. For privacy reasons, I am not able to put up pictures. We had our fellowship with 20-30 other Malaysians who brought a variety of Malaysian food.
Everyone at the gathering were either working in Melbourne or migrated here, and we were the only family who were "visiting"... maybe maybe... But the star of the night was of course Sr Pastor, who spoke to all of us after makan time. He shared about the impending church transition in two years' time, his retirement plans, church planting, and others.
It was a good time of getting to know other Malaysians there, especially for Kelvin and EC. The kids played "It" and other games in the vast back yard and then the living area.
After dinner, it was home to Kelvin's where we chatted over some fruits before calling it a night. The next day... a full day out to Yarra Valley!
I just blew away the thick layer of web from my blog as it has been neglected for weeks now. We have been so busy, in and out, here and there in the month of December, that I haven't got the block of time to sit down and finish off the Melbourne holiday posts. A few blinks and then it's the end of the year, and I'm dreading each day after Christmas, counting down with precious last few days of holiday before the beginning of a new year, new routine and new work in new location awaiting. No, I'm not back to employment, that's for sure.
Let me apologize for the halt in the Melbourne holiday posts to those who were following, and allow me to start with a short note on the year end before the sentiments dissipates away.
Myself
Regrettably or not, I have never really sat down to look back at the year that past, but as a whole, the feelings were good throughout this year. Except for a few times this year all with regards to my black baby - firstly in January, God taught me a painful lesson on humility and forgiveness. Not without footing out a four digit bill as a result too. The second time something happened to my car, I vouched it was NOT my fault but the third and final round was really, REALLY bad due to my careless mistake and misjudgement. By then, I was very sure I am not destined to drive a Benz.
What can I say, "I'm sorry. But I still you my Blackie... mummy didn't mean to hurt you." (Some may think I'm going crazy already... blerrrgghh)
A little more than a year back, I was contemplating whether to change William's kindy class from morning to afternoon session. We had to toy with many what ifs and finally decided that putting both kids in afternoon school will be more beneficial in more than one way. This proved to be one of the better decisions we made because we all got to sleep in a later in the mornings (super happy on this) and therefore we didn't need to stress both parent and child to sleep early... thus we could consider going out for dinners at the mall (you know how time consuming it is just to drive there, find parking, walk to the restaurant, order, wait, walk around, walk back to the carpark, drive home...), running errands at night and spending longer family time after dinner.
Mummy got to enjoy her me-time too after dropping William in school. The only downside was to drive out in the middle of the day under the scorching, hot sun or get caught in the heavy downpour during the monsoon months.
Hubby
I really can't speak on his behalf but I think he did quite well this year, despite having a new job portfolio which require more traveling between regions. God as His helper, I must applaud hubby for continuing to maintaining a faithful walk in Him, prioritizing family time, and allocating time for ministry and Cell. I don't know how he does it, because I am a far cry from his energy level and passion - being the more lukewarm, mundane and passive party between the two of us.
He continues to be the children's Optimus Prime, Hulk and Papa Smurf. Other times, Daddy plays the villain (not by choice but because the kids determines so) and the two kids would pretend kick, climb on top and over, jab and poke, pull and push, topple over and laugh with their Daddy.
The badminton and football games he plays with the kids are precious times everyone enjoys. Cycling is also one of their favourite times together and they'd normally hit the park at the back on free evenings or cycle a short distance in the morning to buy roti.
Victoria
In school, she was nominated as Class Monitor after the May holidays, together with her BFF Kristen as the Assistant. Together they work well as a team, and if I may say, this was a happy year for her because of her BFF. The girls talk of boys like they are some foreign alien, and then they tell of boys teasing them and who is who's boyfriend or girlfriend. For the fun of it, Vic has a boy interested in her by the name of Z.
An impromptu class photo on the last day of school. Her teacher is a gem.
Zachary, Victoria and Kristen
In her co-curriculum, Vic passed two gradings in taekwondo in 2013 and now holds a Yellow Senior belt.
During lesson
In music, she stopped the courses in Yamaha school and we started her on private lessons, beginning from Grade One ABRSM. I'm happy that her sight reading has improved, and she has learnt more in music theory. Practicing still seem to be a chore for her, and she needs to be reminded constantly. On the same note, we bought her a refurbished, second hand piano that now sits proudly in our dining area. To prepare the addition of this new family member, we pulled some wires and placed new lighting and fan, and before the year ended we added photos frames on the piano wall to make it more "homely."
To my princess, I pray you grow more lady-like and take time to meditate on God's words. May the new year be a year of many blessings and improvements and your heart's desires come true! We love you always, and your Doggie and Heh Heh too.
William
He made some good friends in school last year. When he doesn't want to tell or share, he'd play the forgetful game.. getting away with, "Err... I forgotten" followed by a cheeky smile and half wink. When I walk him into class, this boy never fails to hug me good bye and plant kisses on my face much to the amusement of his friends. Some kids can be quite mean when they start laughing at a devoted son showing affection to his mother.
To develop his passion for drawing, we started him and Victoria on art class. He drew many pictures of his favourite character this year, Spiderman but bad mummy has been lazy on taking pictures. I store all these precious drawing in a box for each child, and laminate a hundred (or thereabouts) good ones.
He loves animals - all sorts of them and this picture is taken with a stray dog that joined us at the park. This boy would run and cycle with the dog, and even pat and play with it under mummy's watchful eyes and constant nagging "Be careful boy boy... enough la... "
William is always cheerful and it's hard not to love his smile and cheekiness. Part of me thinking either he will get away with that smile of his or get his bum bum smacked by teacher when he enters Primary School.
To my son, wishing you a year ahead of developing good character, discerning right from wrong, maturing in your words and thoughts, never ceasing in your smile and happiness. You glow from inside, boy boy!
I had a good year, like I said. And this is only because my family have been healthy and well. All glory be to God. Like all previous year ends, I feel nostalgic as if I have not gotten enough of 2013. This is me, so sentimental and slow to let go but time waits for no one. I have my reasons - mainly because the new year brings new routine, and what rocks the norm shakes my confidence. Some days I remind myself to love more, care more, speak more kindly, bitch criticize less and count my blessings.
This song, sung at different times and venue and occasion, gives much meaning and assurance to me.
2nd and 3rd January 2014
Vic started school in another school also within our vicinity. William enters his final year in kindergarten which makes him a... senior?
Aiyooo... see how quiet and discipline the kids are in class? What more, this is without a teacher in class.
My girl looks almost like she's behind bars... she sits beside a kindergarten friend.
First day at school - happy to discover that he has 3 friends from 5yo class and at least 3 others from 4yo class
So this is it... a 2-in-1 year end and first day of school post... a blessed new year ahead to everyone. Now time to get back to past year posts... ; P
