Last weekend, our little crew of eight adults and three kids went road trippin’ overnight up to the Hunter Valley. Why only one night? Because we hadn’t been away with the kids before and now that we know what champs they all can be (no tantrums, no crying, heavenly!) we’re planning a longer trip away!
Hunter Valley is located in New South Wales’ Hunter wine region. Dotted with beautiful boutique and commercial wineries, Hunter Valley is the perfect winter destination, where you can stock up on wine and enjoy them by a big open fire. Oh, and the cheese and chocolates aren’t bad either.
We shared a four bedroom house, Cracklewood Country Accommodation, which was perfect but a tad creepy for us city slickers because at night time? It is like, really dark and really really quiet.
the girls and wiggly baby Eric, outside Cracklewood Country Accommodation
lunch at Bistro Vinden: chorizo and garlic prawns
lunch at Bistro Vinden: Pokolbin pie
lunch at Bistro Vinden: grilled zucchini with pine nuts, currants and feta
We spent the afternoon winery hopping but we only got to six. Much time was spent tasting and buying so you know, at least we were successful 🙂 We visited Piggs Peake, Tintilla Estate, Glandore Estate, Hungerford Hill, McGuigan’s and Tempus Two.
And I didn’t take any photos of any wines. But hey, I’m a new big fan of Piggs Peake!
Panu and his Piggs Peake sangiovese
My friends Maz and Gene with their boys, Valentin and Eric. Ah, the next generation.
cheese from McGuigan’s: pre-dinner snack
My amazing friend, Ita, cooked up a feast on Saturday night! Two HUGE roast pork belly (with crackling to die for), roasted fennel, peppers and onions, with mashed sweet potato and a big salad. We also had brownies for dessert made by the brownie queen, Zera, and Krispy Kreme ice cream sandwiches! FUCK YEAH. Obviously, I contributed the most unhealthy option.
And as you would expect, we sat around and drank and talked and ate and drank. Until everyone passed out.
Sunday morning, sunnies on. We headed out to Hunter Valley Gardens in search of breakfast and coffee. We ate at Taste of the Country in HVG, and coffee was at Bliss Coffee.
Gene’s daughter Keira photo bombed my eggs benedict pic!
she even photo bombed this one, can you see her finger stealing some hollandaise?
pancakes with chantilly cream and berry compote
bacon & eggs with a side of beans
happy with his scrambled eggs and bacon
how cute is this little man? Heart breaker in the making.
This was the first of my three weekends away in a row. Crazy, I know. When the heck am I gonna do laundry?! I’ll try not to worry about that for now. This Thursday, we’re off to Townsville for a long weekend to visit my brother, sis-in-law and baby niece. And next weekend, I’m in Melbourne (well, for the Saturday anyway).
Have a great week everyone!
Looks like a great weekend – awesome that you had fun travelling with the littlies.
I know! It’s always a risk when travelling with littlies but these ones were all superstars 🙂
ooh havent been to hunter valley in ages, looks like you had an amazing time!
Wow you travelled with 3 kids and they were so well behaved? That’s amazing! Seems like a wonderful weekend with friends and the kiddies hehe wish my nephew was this well behaved 😛
Keira is SOOOOO CUTEEEE 🙂
I wouldn’t mind a weekend in the Hunter Valley. All that food and wine and greenery!
chocolatesuze: It was very fun and relaxing. We could have stayed another day easily!
Daisy: Yeah they are all little angels. Not always though haha.
Libby: Definitely! In fact some of us city peeps were allergic to the country air hahaha.
Thanks so much for calling into Taste of the Country for breakfast. Please call back next time you are in the Hunter Valley. Cheers Louise