Cider Factory, Meadery and Winery

We made a stop at the Elephants Rock Cider Factory.  We had an unforgettable experience tasting various ciders at Denmark’s first cider factory – Apple & Pear, Pear, Apple, Sweet Apple, Strawberry, Apple Ginger and Oaked Scrumpy.  We had to try them all.  The cider factory is also home to the toffee factory, ‘bit on the side’ (which is a range of gourmet sauces, preserves, chutneys) and a ½ kilo ice cream cone.  We had to try it all.  We bought some pickled garlic, asparagus chutney and some mayo’s.  Of course we also took home a selection of ciders.

We then headed off to the Bartholomew’s Meadery where Dad tasted Mead for the very first time.  They also have a range of different flavours of honey including chocolate and hazelnut.

Forrest Hill Winery was our stop for lunch.  Forrest Hill is family-owned boutique winery. Dad had seafood chowder and Becki & I shared a tasting platter and we drank a bottle of Forrest Hill Riesling. Then it was downstairs into the cellar to taste the wines. 

Chatting with the chef about using salt in the chowder

Our spoils of the day

Wine Tasting at Forrest Hill Winery

'Bit on the Side' tasting table

OK...what will it be-oh lets try them all

If we would have had lunch Dad would have tried one of these.
They looked good

Ummmm not bad!!

Please do not use the flash!!

All the different wines made from honey.
We took home the spiced wine which when heated is divine!!

Our bottle of wine

Dad's seafood chowder with a marron for garnish

Tasting plate

A shared dessert

Stirling Ranges and Porongurups

Wow look how busy these ants have been

The canopy of the Karri Trees

This tree is growing out of a rock

Bluff Knoll...Height 1,095 meters and a 6km round trip

Awesome colours of the wild flowers

Walking along the trail to Bluff Knoll

Wild Orchids

'The Lily' where they used to serve Dutch Croquettes

Spring Rolls

The Stirling Range National Park is about 80 kms north of Albany.  The ranges rise abruptly from the lowlands which have been mostly cleared for farming. The ranges stretch for more than 65 kms, there are barren cliff faces, awesome views and brilliant coloured wildflowers.  We walked along the Bluff Knoll Trail.

We then drove to ‘The Lily’. This is a working windmill which grinds flour.  All the internal parts were imported from Holland.  Last time we were there it was a restaurant serving Dutch food.  We thought that sounded good for lunch.  It closed in December 2007!! Oh well...of to Maleeya’s Thai Cafe where we enjoyed Fresh Thai food cooked with their home grown Asian herbs.  We shared  King Prawns with Turmeric and a green Thai Chicken Curry. 

After lunch we did some wine tasting at Jingalla Winery  and then walked along the Bolongup Trail and saw a tree growing out of a rock.

Dad is fascinated by our Jarrah, Karri, Marri and Karri Oak trees.  He also saw a big ant nest and claimed it was the biggest one he had touched.

Mount Barker Community College's Tradition

Enjoying a Curry Pie from the Mount Barker Bakery

Meeting the girls in the Office

Firies on Duty

Let the Mud Run/Wrestle begin

Mouth to Mouth by a Fire Brigade Officer on a Teddy Bear

On the last day of Term 3 Mount Barker Community College holds its annual traditional 'Mud Run'. Despite all the concerns about Occupational Health and Safety the person who tries to ban this tradition would be a very brave person indeed. As part of a good behaviour standing certain students are given the opportunity to participate. They get dressed up and run about 1.5 km to the mud pit at the back of the farm. Teachers are in the mud pit and the students aim is get them into the mud. As the winter has been quite dry the fire brigade filled it up with water. Dad thought it was a 'riot'. He wore a Mount Barker Rugby Top and fit right in.

Time Out Today!!

It was time out for Dad today. He slept late and passed on the gourmet breakfast being served this morning. He made his own mix and enjoyed it with fresh fruit and coffee. He did his devotions on the swing while watching the cows and kangaroos. Dad then walked to the beach and watched the whales playing in the water. He spent the afternoon on the couch with CalvinKlein and his book. We made Sardinian Pork and Salami Pasta, Garlic Bread and Salad for dinner.

Sprung Festival - Albany 2010

Dad enjoying the Canapés of Bouverie smoked trout on rounds of toasted brioche

Chatting with Murray Gomm from Oranje Tractor Wines

Albany Oysters 3 ways and herbed palmiers

Charcuterie plat of chicken liver pate. pate encroute and rabbit rillets served on a platter with pickled oranje tractor grapes, pickled cherries and cornichons, accompanied by breads

Salad of wilted local asparagus, pea shoots, snow peas and Ringwould goats blanc cheese

Beef Bourgogne & roasted Jerusalem artichokes served on a mash of local potatoes with a hint of truffle

Vernne of local raspberries & yoghurt mousse served with butter biscuits

Gateau Basque a la poire et framboise served with Ravenhill thick cream

As a special treat I bought Becki and Dad tickets to Sprung 2010 Literary Lunch with French Pastry Chef Emmanuel Mollois. Neither of them have managed to move far from the couch since they got home. Emmanuel Mollois is a French pastry chef, cafe owner, cook book writer and television presenter. Born in France, Emmanuel owns and runs the Choux Café in Swanbourne – a small patisserie which was recently crowned ‘best in the west’ by the Sunday Times. He is a regular on ‘Poh’s Kitchen’ on ABC Television and the author of Et Voila: French Pastries from Choux Café (Fremantle Press). His second book Et Encore is scheduled for release in September 2011. The lunch was held at Oranje Tractor Winery and catered by Lousie from the Gardner's Kitchen. The menu was pretty impressive with Canapés of Bouverie Smoked Trout, Albany Oysters, chicken liver pate, rabbit, chicken and beef. To finish the traditional platter of French cheese and then to finish some very special looking desserts.

Day 1 in Albany Western Australia

Comfy Slippers that will leave quiet footsteps on the upstairs floor!!

Trying on hats at Icky Finks

'You call this a BBQ???' Traditional Aussie Fundraising 'Sausage Sizzle'

Exchanging American Greenbacks for the colourful Aussie Dollars

Whale Watching at Middleton Beach

Wood Chipping at Albany Port

The protest sock fence on the old Albany Esplanade Site.

Not quite sure what the socks represent though

How do you use this thing!!

Whale Watching at Middleton Beach

Old Pine Trees at Middleton Beach

Vegemite??? You Aussies eat this stuff??

After a HideAway Breakfast, including Aussie Vegemite on Toast, Dad was ready to hit the town. Jet lag...never heard of it. Becki gave him detailed instructions on how to walk down the beach...that was the easy part. Finding the front door was the hard part. Enjoyed a Lamb Roast with roasted vegies for dinner.