Beechworth by the river
Releasing the child in us liberating.
Santa gave nine of us, including one child, boogie boards for Christmas.
We were far from the sea, (but) staying with my sister beside one of Mansfield's rivers.
For four days our boards created a flotilla of gigglers gently floating down the river.
They are far more manageable and transportable than lilos.
At early evening we would then set up our picnic tables and chairs in the river where we ate our barbecue, or Christmas leftovers, with the cooling water flowing underneath us. Bliss.
Since Christmas the boogie boards have stayed in the boot “just in case” they are needed.
They were put to use last week on a perfect part of Reedy Creek above Eldorado.
Beechworth had received four inches of rain in one day, so the creek was flowing beautifully.
This area is accessed by a dirt road from Woolshed Falls.
It is well worth putting up with the dust because of the interesting billboards that tell the history of the area including the gold and Ned Kelly connections.
The 12 boards are small, so you have to look hard to spot them.
A tip for being in north-east rivers: I read somewhere that there can be leeches and an easy remedy is to use salt. is
Fortunately we have not had to put it to the test, but always carry salt just in case.
Our day trip to Beechworth did not start out as a river experience, but rather to have lunch and then pick our own strawberries to have with dinner.
There are two options for picking your own berries.
One is near Stanley, but we were headed for the other, past the Woolshed Falls turn off on Chiltern Rd.
Another tip that we learnt from friends in England who grow strawberries for Wimbledon is to sprinkle fresh strawberries with icing sugar and cracked black pepper to bring out the flavour.
I am not a cook, but for me it is a proven good tip.
Now back to lunch that prompted the whole day trip to Beechworth in the first place.
As there were four of us including our four-year-old we headed for Indigo Winery because its new large sign says it has pizzas and platters.
We did not need a fancy or expensive lunch. It was a perfect choice.
We sat outside under shady umbrellas in a good old-fashioned winery setting surrounded by lush vines.
It reminded us of being in France and Italy. Who needs to fly all that way for the same atmosphere and experience?
The vines were planted in 1999, today Indigo attributes their wine success to location, location, location and their prior extensive wine experience.
Their lovely wine was attested to by a keen NSW visitor who extolled his excitement about tasting and buying many cases of their Chardonnay.
We did not do a formal wine tasting, but enjoyed the Pinot Gris we had with lunch.
We shared the Harrietville Trout Pate and two pizzas, which was perfect.
The slow-braised Indigo lamb pizza with rosemary, garlic and fetta is the special pizza because they slow cook meat from their own Dorper sheep that under graze their vines.
They supply the only Beechworth butcher with their lamb.
After lunch we decided to investigate Glenbosch Winery on the opposite side of the road as advance reconnaissance for another day trip.
We will definitely plan to go there because not only do they have wine tastings, but also tastings of their three special gins.
The new owners since 2019 are South African and have put their own spin on the established vines and winery.
The dining area has spectacular views and the a la carte menu also has a definite South African influence. It will need to be planned for as a special destination lunch.
You may have gathered that we love day trips to Beechworth because of its mix of atmospheres and things to do and see.
You can pretend you are anywhere in the world having travelled less than an hour from home.
— Suzie Pearce