On Sat morning, Evan, Ken and Angel came to pick me up. Ot was suppose to be at 7.30am but they were running late so didn't get to Strathfield until after 8am.
We drove to Lynn and Mark's place at Erina Heights (3/459 Puddleduck Lane). Arrived there about 10am, after stopping at Macdonald's for breakfast. (Had a sausage and egg mcmuffin and oj).
it was quite a warm day, the sun was shining and we found out later that it was in the high 30 degrees, which would explain the perspiration and sheen, mostly on Ken's face and head, but we also were feeling the heat. Poor Angel had to endure it in her wedding dress and heavy makeup, but she was a trooper and I heard no complaints from her at all. Ken on the other hand ...
Angel took some time getting dressed in her wedding gown and fixing her makeup and hair. Ken also changed into his suit. I changed into my shorts - it was too hot for jeans. I helped Evan with the lighting and suggested poses. Took most of the photos in the formal rose garden and little alcove, but it was mainly anywhere we could find shade.
Stopped at 1pm for a quick bite. I had the time in the morning to prepare some finger sandwiches (ham and cucumber, ham, tomato and cheese, ham and lettuce and chicken roll, lettuce and mayo.
Lynn and Mark were kind enough to provide us access to the pool house and the fridge stocked full of cool drinks, as well as a packet of honey soy chicken chips.
After lunch, it was back to taking more photos. Angel changed into her red dress. By then it was harder to locate shady places. By the time we had finished it was around 3pm, so we said our good byes to Mark's parents and drove up to the Hunter.
Although we did say we would stop along the way, Evan drove straight on to the Grapeview Country Villas, where we would be spending the night, on Thompsons Road, just pass the Cyprus Lakes Golf Course. Of course we drove straight past it and had to turn back, the sign was old and fading. The villa was nothing fancy, split level with a small kitchenette, combined shower/toilet, 2 bed rooms, 1 with double and 1 with 2 singles, lounge and outside deck area. the pictures they had advertising the place were misleading, with the views, but the beds were comfortable. Taking a shower later on that night was an experience though, inconsistent water pressure made having a shower a hot and cold experience. ($134 plus $5.50 = $139.50 for 4 adults)
We went out again at 5pm looking for places to take photos and found a place just out and down the road to the left of the villas - parking off the side of the road, we took shots in the vineyards with the grape vines, and in the middle of the road using the wooden window frame converted to picture frame. The sun was setting and Evan got quite a number of good photos.
Once the sun had set we set out for Tempus Two to have dinner at their Thai/Japanese restaurant Oishii. We ordered, Thai Green Chicken Curry, Vegetables and Tofu, Pad Thai, and Seafood Fried Rice. Would have come to about $80 (Ken paid, but I gave him back $20). We finished it all and then made our way back to the unit. Evan and I played with taking light pictures in the dark with torch and I made hearts, letters and words.
Although we'd had a busy day, didn't get to bed until 11pm. But at least we could sleep in tomorrow. Angel had had her shower first and retired early. I found a map of the region in a visitors guide and was scounting out where we should go the next day for breakfast. Ken was next, Evan and I stayed up to watch a bit of James Bond before also calling it a night.
I woke up at 6.30am with the birds, looked out the window and it was a brilliant sunrise, but was not bothered getting up when the rest were all still sleeping. So brushed my teeth and jumped back into bed to read a few chapters of my e-book (Game of Thrones). Evan was awake around 7.30am and Ken and Angel slept in until about 8.30 - 9am. I went for a walk to check out the place, but couldn't find any grape covered trellis as pictured on the website. Ken made us tea and coffee and after drinking it was time to load the car and check out.
9.50 am we were on the road to the Olive Centre. It didn't open until 10am, so we took some photos outside. It was also beginning to rain. Lucky for us, the day only had scattered showers and there was only one time were it was pouring, but then it stopped. I bought 2 dipping sauces, one was on special at $10 and the other was around $16. Ken and Angel also bought something there too. While there I asked the lady serving us if she could recommend any places to eat and she suggested Oscars and a place at Lindemans. We ended up going to Oscars at the Hunter Valley Gardens Village. I had the special of Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon for less than $20 and Evan had the big breakfast (two fried eggs, bacon, toast, mushrooms, sausages, hash brown) for $19. Ken and Angel also ordered the same things. We had brunch on the terrace, after which we walked around the shops with Evan taking photos of the couple. I bought a giant peg for $35.95 and a little heart stone with love written on it for $8 (which I'll give as a wedding present or not?).
More photos later we went into the cellars, where Ken bought 3 dozen wine bottles (red/white) mystery boxes as well as a tawny port.
Didn't leave there until after 1pm when we drove back to Tamburlaine to take photos on the fence and across the road. Evan played chicken crossing the road a couple of times to set up group shots. Since we were out the front of Tamburlaine we might as well visit and see what they have. Did some wine testing there and I ended up buying a sparkling wine also discounted to $16, was suppose to be $22.
After Tamburlaine we headed to McGuigans and the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory. Did some taste testing of the cheeses, but didn't buy any as I didn't have a cooler to keep them in. Evan took more photos of Angel and Ken.
Then we drove to the Blue Tongue Brewery. Took photos of the places opposite it, before having an afternoon snack of wedges and pepperoni and mushroom pizza with a tasting paddle of 6 beers. Ken couldn't pass up the free middy and also managed to score another 2 with paddles others had left behind. He drank most of it, as Evan was driving. By then it was 4.30pm. Heading back we stopped in at Petersen's to get a bottle of bubbly. I ended up buying some chocolates ($6.90 each) and mashmallows ($3.40) at the Chocolate shop and a bottle of bubble bath ($18) at Petersen's just cause I liked the bottle.
More photos in the rose garden and then it was time to set off home. Arrived back around 7.30pm after taking a de-tour of Olympic Park.
