Year's End, and Beginning

A trip out to Gold Creek on New Year's Eve plunged me into the world of heritage nostalgia. There's the miniature village, the dinosaur museum, the walk-in aviary and the reptile zoo, none of which I visited. 

More in my line are the galleries, cafes, restaurants and pubs. There are also boutiques selling fashion, home-wares, old-fashioned sweets, toys, and health and well-being products for those who prefer that sort of thing. 

I don't know whom to credit for this fantastic sculpture of emaciated horses and riders, but I love their recycled pioneering spirit.

 

 

 

It was a very hot day, so I felt the need for an ice-cream. Fortunately, Stripey Sundae was there to assist. I combined the flavours of Christmas Pudding with Mojito Sorbet; surely that's the perfect combination for the end and the start of the year?

Inside the Stripey Sundae

We had a New Year's Eve party with cocktails. It was actually surprisingly civilised considering the sheer amount of booze on offer.

Fluffy Duck

Mojito

Mind bender

Calamity Sue with Pimms

Purple Lady with Fluffy Duck

  

Him Outdoors taking a break from bar-tending duties with a Manhattan

Serious discussions in the drawing room interrupted by a photo-bombing blanket boy.

 

 

And sensible cups of tea in a Winnie-the-Pooh mug.

Morning after clean-up not too bad...

An hour-long jog with Him Outdoors in Woodstock Nature Reserve.

Followed by a lovely afternoon at Four Winds Vineyard, Murrumbateman with friends.

New Year's Eve

Him Outdoors had to go to Bateman's Bay for a job on New Year's Eve. He thought it would be a couple of hours' work so I tagged along. It turned out to be a job that took all day, but I wandered about and amused myself as best I could.

This picture is specifically for Hoggy who mentioned that he had found very few nativity scenes in Australia. This one was outside the supermarket in the shopping mall, but a pretty cute diorama.

Alright then, if I must...

Clyde River Bridge

New Year's Eve dinner