On Monday morning April 4 2022 I collected Lillian at Sydenham Station , Sydney .Lillian, Teddy, my well -travelled Cavalier and I then set off our for lunch destination – Café Ballinos in Glenbrook . The café was pet friendly.
The food was wonderful. We organised a takeaway meal to take with us, as we were staying at Bathurst Panorama Caravan Park for the night. It had been a long day, and I did not want to drive around Bathurst trying to find something for dinner.
Tuesday morning, we left before 10am for Orange .The countryside was stunning. We arrived in Orange in time to have an early lunch at the Café, Anything Grows – it is actually a nursery, as well as a pet friendly café. I was told that it is very popular. It was Food Week in Orange, so we knew that the cafes and restaurants would be busy.
After lunch, I paid a quick visit to the Orange Tourist Office to pick up some maps, and honey as a gift for a friend. This office promotes Orange very well. There is also a café here, which is dog friendly. The Art Gallery and Museum are nearby. Very well organised.
We then visited Thomsons Nursery in McLachlan Street, Orange. I was very impressed with the nursery, and complimented them. They had so many beautiful garden statues as well.
Then, we drove about 12kms out of town to the Homestead at Stockmans Ridge Winery. The picturesque driveway into the property had trees edging it .The Homestead was an oasis of peace and quiet, and one morning we were fortunate to see two large kangaroos. Teddy had a fenced yard to use, although he did not seem to like Peanut, the owner’s dash hound, who came for a few visits! Peanut went home on each occasion, rejected by my Teddy!
There were two double beds in the two large bedroom s and two single beds in another bedroom .The front and rear verandahs were long and wide- suitable for a family luncheon. .
Lillian had the bedroom, which looked out to the vineyard. I told her that she could think that she was back in Tuscany in Italy!
On Wednesday morning, I had my hair cut at Gallery 137 in Summer Street, the main street in Orange. Teddy was allowed into the salon, and he was sat next to me when I had my hair cut. Clients regularly bring their dogs with them when they have their hair cut, so no one was bothered. When we arrived, we sat in the waiting area of this very busy salon. A lady came into the waiting area, looked at Teddy and said to me “he comes from a good paddock. “ Lillian and I had a laugh at this country expression.
After the hairdressers, we drove to Millthorpe. Sadly, almost all of the shops were closed in Millthorpe. I noticed a motel in Millthorpe, which would be ideal for weekend exploration. Millthorpe comes alive from Thursday afternoon until Sunday. We stopped at the Millthorpe Providore for coffee and a bun. A group of bike riders stopped also for coffee and a rest.
Then, we drove onto Blayney and onto Carcoar, arriving for our lunch appointment at 1pm, in a private home. After lunch, we visited the stunning old vacant railway station, the main street and the Catholic Church. Carcoar has a population of maybe 200 people. Carcoar has wonderful heritage buildings.
There were some interesting shops in the main street in Carcoar. A farmer had parked his ute with his 3 cattle dogs in the back .Teddy’s appearance in the street set these dogs off barking. The main street of Carcoar no doubt had not seen such a commotion for some time. The owner of The Rustic Flamingo came out to see what was happening! We had a chat with her, and she took some photos of Teddy. She sells retro and vintage goods.
We called into a specialist butcher in Blayney to get some meat (a stir fry and rice) for dinner, as time was moving on. The butcher assured me that I still had some distance to travel to The Homestead at the winery. I looked at the size of the steaks in the butchers shop. I said to the butcher that “only a man with a huge appetite would devour them! “
Thursday morning, we attempted to drive to Mt Canoblas. Unfortunately, it was closed due to the weather. We then went off to town to check a few addresses. We returned to the Homestead for early lunch, as we were to be picked up by Sharon from Country Food Trails for an afternoon tour of three wineries.
Winery No 1 was Dindima. Lee was a former teacher, who retired to run a winery with her husband and son, James. We had a tasting here –Teddy was allowed in and sat and watched the wine tasting. Lee was very informative in relation to the wines. I purchased a rose for my neighbour. All wineries require bookings these days, and some charge for a wine tasting.
Winery No2 was Printhe, which had been dog friendly, but is no longer due to the restaurant. Teddy stayed with Sharon, the tour guide whilst Lillian and I had our wine tasting, which was excellent. They have built a stunning new wine tasting room and restaurant, which had only recently opened – magnificent views. The restaurant is open only for lunch, and was booked each weekend until early May. I fulfilled my wine order from friends, and signed up to Printhe Wines for 12 months.
Winery No 3 was Cargo Road. Teddy was allowed in but decided to stay in the van listening to the dulcet tones of ABC radio and SNORING! Teddy has a definite mind of his own –like his mother. Lillian and I went in, tasted a few wines ad had a cheese platter
Friday morning, I dropped Teddy off at Diesel and Blue, doggy day care in Edward Street, Orange. Lillian and I then went to the Art Gallery, which is located next to the Tourism Office. We met two ladies from Sydney in the Art Gallery. They had been attending a conference in Orange, and stayed at the Mercure Hotel.
Friday lunch, was at Avido Ristorante Italiano in Peisley Street. One of the staff was from Turin in Italy, so Lillian communicated with her in Italian. After lunch, we visited an antique shop and then some other shops in town. I noticed a Katmandu store which would be very important for the cold winter. When I collected Teddy late afternoon, I received a lovely photo of him, and a report card on his days’ activities. He made friends with Molly and Lottie, and played with them. He was tired that night…… Teddy’s eyes were slowly closing.
Saturday morning, we left for Bathurst at 10am. I had pre-arranged a catch up luncheon with a former teaching colleague (English Department 1977-1983) from St George Girls High School , Kogarah at her house . She lives er house not far from Mt Panorama, so sometimes has senior motor racing staff stay at her place when the car racing is on. Another former teacher (1981) attended, as well as a former student from 1990. Another former teacher, who lives at Trunkey Creek, was unable to make it. We had a lovely long lunch.
Lillian, Teddy and I left at after 4pm for Wentworth Falls. It rained and it was foggy, so it was a challenging drive. We finally found where we were meant to be- in a street close to the Conservation Hut. The Conservation Hut was closed on Sunday morning – most likely as a result of the tragic accident in which two people recently lost their lives as a result of a land slide on the walking track.
The next morning, we drove to Leura, where we enjoyed lunch at the popular Red Door, and shopped. Teddy, my Cavalier King Charles received many pats- I think he thought that he was King Charles for the day! Afternoon tea was at Springwood.
Monday morning, we returned to Sydney – our road trip was sadly at an end. Teddy, Lillian and I had a great time.
I will return to Orange to see what I missed on this visit – more wineries , cafes , to photograph some of the wonderful heritage properties , Mt Canoblas, Botanical Gardens , Cook Park , the Museum, and a swim in the Aquatic Centre. And of course, to attend a country race meeting, which is always great fun.
Our next road trip is to Eden later this year .It is to acknowledge ten years of my April 2012 Message in a Bottle Adventure in the Southern Ocean ,SW of Albany Western Australia and its recommital out of Eden on September 30 2012. See You Tube Anne’s Adventure (8 minutes) Check out my previous road trips during 2020, 2021 and early 2022 to Port Macquarie, Karuah and Scone. They are on my website, annefield.net.au –in the blog -some great ideas to support our country friends.
I was a student from 76-81. I have visited Orange often over the years as my brother lives there and my sister in law works in the visitor centre. You may have spoken with her. It’s a gorgeous town, I love it. It’s such an enjoyable road trip through the mountains. I especially love the feeling of space and freedom as you descend into Hartley valley from Mt Victoria. Lovely to see your photos, I was in your General Studies class & Jo Ryan’s English class during my time at St George. You both look well and happy.