19 Oct 2009

Yet another weekend away

I complained about having to go away on the weekend, after all we'd only been home from WA a week. I haven't even told you all about Margaret River yet!

Anyhow, go we must - hubby had a conference - one of those non-negotiable types - and so I begrudgingly organised another weekend's accommodation for Audrey, our beloved family hound, and we piled into the car on Friday to travel to Lancefield, a wine growing region between Melbourne and Bendigo. I wasn't expecting to have a good time.

Of course, we did.

It helped that we were staying here:

There were beautiful ducks on the lake...

...alpacas and long haired cows in the paddocks...

...along with my favourite highland cattle.

Jemimah fell in love with the pet rabbits...

...she investigated the humongous fungi...

...and enjoyed the tingle of the electric fence.

Now all this was good - great even, but wait - there's more...

As Ruby so kindly pointed out last week, I am a 'Book Tragic'. there is nothing that makes me as happy as an independent bookshop. I found four on the weekend. Yes, four. This area of Victoria is a bibliophile's dream!! (Bibliophile is a much nicer term for Book Tragic!)

Woodend Bookshop was best. At this marvellous secondhand bookstore I discovered:
  • Pastures of the Blue Crane by Hesba Brinsmead
  • A lovely illustrated version of Little Lord Fauntleroy by F H Burnett published in 1909
  • The Little Girl at Capernaum by Enid Blyton
  • Sun on the Stubble by Colin Thiele
  • Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes - Poetical works of Adam Lindsay Gordon
  • Around the Boree Log by 'John O'Brien'
  • The Adventurous Four and The Adventurous Four Again, both by Enid Blyton
  • Van Loon's Lives by H W Van Loon.
I also bought a new book. It is called 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. At $65.00 it cost more than all of my secondhand book purchases added together and then some, but it is truly marvellous. I am so excited! Oh, I am such a Book Tragic! To buy books about buying books is truly sick.


We travelled home last night, detouring through Kyneton and visiting the Boggy Creek Mineral Springs on the way, and I couldn't help reflecting on what a wonderful weekend it had been. I may still have suitcases to unpack from WA, but who cares in the long term? It will happen eventually, and that is probably soon enough.

Contented sigh, I love my life.

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful spot, Jeanne. The bookshops were a definate bonus.
    Not only are you a Book Tragic, you are also a Gadabout!
    Have a great week now. Where are you planning to go next?

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  2. Geelong for my nieces' ballet concert on Saturday and church on Sunday; Albury/Wodonga to visit my best friend Kerrie the following weekend...looks like the suitcases'll be out a while longer!

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  3. What a beautiful place to visit! It sounds like you had a great time. Glad to hear you haven't unpacked yet - I hope those suitcases are cluttering up your house a little - that way I don't feel so bad ;-)

    I have a copy of Van Loon's lives too, it looks very interesting, although I think it's a bit beyond my girls yet.

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  4. Hi Jeanne, what beautiful animals! There is a time for everything hey! Nice to hear what you all have been up to. xxx

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  5. Wow, you do get about don't you! You are one busy lady!
    Can I tell you that I picked up Van Loon's lives at an op shop in Victoria for $3 one time!

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  6. Oh that is gorgeous~!! I love your photos.

    Book Tragic - hey? The new term is quite novel. I will try it out some time. :)

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  7. I am glad to learn that you are an Enid Blyton enthusiast and that your arsenal of her books include The Adventurous Four series. I am glad to inform you that I have just published a book on her by the title of The Famous Five:A Personal Anecdotage (www.bbotw.com).

    Stephen Isabirye

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  8. Thanks for dropping by my blog, Stephen! I look forward to seeing a copy of your new book. She was an amazingly prolific author - I would be interested to read more about her life.

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