Time to relax, rejuvenate and recharge

 AND the moment you realise you have spelt rejuvenate incorrectly on your artwork (*insert facepalm here) - I should be able to make it an E shoudn't I?  It was just a bit of art therapy for myself so it's all good, all part of artistic licence.....

OK, let's get back to the topic.  I took myself away on a little retreat for the weekend.  By myself.  Just me and my art and craft things.  

IT WAS LOVELY!

There was a big corner spa bath so as soon as I got there on Friday night I soaked in it for an over an hour, despite the actual spa part not being turned on (due to covid I suspect).

I arrived in the dark, and it was raining and there were trees down all on the side of the road from previous stroms, but I made it!  It was a little apartment on the end of someone's house.  I heard them, but never saw them for the whole weekend.

When I got up on Saturday (may or may not have been the afternoon), I opened the curtain and just breathed a big sigh of release (not relief, release).  My window looked straight out onto farm land, but beyond that I could see the Macedon Ranges.  So beautiful.

I was right near a little "town" called Kerrie, and being that is the name of one of my good friends, I decided to visit.... turns out, it is just an area and a little community hall or church.  

Off I went to check out Romsey.  There was a lovely little community store there and they directed me across the road to have lunch at Evan's.  Looking like a traditional pub from the outside, the food was certainly fancier than what you would expect at a pub.

I decided to have the salmon, which I don't usually choose. It was amazing! It was sitting on some fancy way of cooking potatoes and surrounded by cooked cabbage - just the way I like it.

The power went out just as I was finishing up and they were just starting to get busy.  All the storms and trees down in that area have been playing havoc from the sounds of what the staff were saying.

On I went to Lancefield.  What I a little gem of a town that is!  I spent WAY too much money there.

This shop in particular is dangerous! I found some wonderful gifts there and could have found more but I did not go out the back to look at the pots and plants.  I then found a gorgeous little crystal shop called La Bibelot and bought myself a couple of new crystals.

Across the road was the op shop, where I scored 5 little pieces that I can do a makeover on for $2.20.   I have to say though, it reminded me of being back in my own small home town and everyone wanting to know your business.

When I walked in (after scanning the QR code), I was greeted with "we're shutting in 10 minutes", to which I replied that I wouldn't be in there that long.  I walk in the back room and thought - yeah good luck with your 10 minutes love, there were people everywhere going through things 1 by 1 trying to find a bargain.

I found my 5 little treasures and took them to the front desk.  By this time there's another older lady (For my family, imagine a skinny version of Mrs Jessup) standing there and she looks at me and goes, "Oh, here's someone for you that has some things to buy. Are you the sheep lady?" - one of the items I bought was a sheep money box.

Me - "No, I'm not from here."  

The other lady, pointing to the list that people sign in when they don't use their phones -"Oh, where is 3081?"

Me- "No idea, that's not me."

Her - "Didn't you sign in?"

Me - "Yes, I used my phone before I walked in the door" - getting a little bit annoyed now

Her - "Well where are you from"

The first lady that is waiting to serve me - "It doesn't matter anymore, the restrictions have been lifted"

Silently thanking this lady for moving her on for me I start to unpack the things I have.  She then says to me -"oh, I have another sheep here if you're interested" and shows me this ugly hand made clay sculpture of a house with a sheep out the front.  Me - "No, I'm not really into sheep, I'm going to revamp this and sell it", that shut her up.  

I didn't need to be given the third degree, thanks ladies, I'm trying to relax!  Maybe I should have said that I was glad that we have to wear masks because I was on the run.

Anyway, I go next door to another gorgeous little gift shop with lots of fairies and toys and things.  The poor lady there copped me venting about the previous ladies.  I can't remember the name of the shop, but she was so lovely.  

Back to my accomodation I went, tried to say hello to the resident horse, but he only came halfway over before turning around and going back.  So inside for a nap.

I woke up and drew the picture above and also made another little bubble picture for a beautiful lady going through a tough time at the moment.  I'll share that one later.  A little bit of crochet then sleep.

Packed up and got in the car this morning, ready to do some exploring and go mushroom hunting.  

I saw a little place on the map called Cherokee and I thought it would be interesting to check out.  Again, it was just an area, not an actual town BUT I got to drive through some very pretty bushland on backroads.

I was lost, and I didn't even care.   I finally turned onto a road that had a little picnic area and found what I was looking for.

These were in the Barringo Picnic Ground, I wandered around for about half an hour.  There was another guy there collecting wood, he must have wondered what I was doing.

I thought I'd get some lunch in Macedon, but there wasn't really anything open there, and not much but a pub anyway, so onto Gisborne for lunch.

I'm not going to comment on this one, as it was really nothing worth writing about.

So that was my weekend.  Just doing things I wanted to do because I could, and it was so lovely.

There is more to my weekend, but I'm actually going to write a separate blog for that.

HUGS xxx