As it happened, a friend of mine was going to get married on Sunday 4th July, near Ballarat. So Ulf and I decided to book a B&B for a couple of nights up there, to celebrate our wedding anniversary at the same time. And as it happened, the wedding was cancelled and brought forward, leaving Ulf and I with a paid B &B booking in Daylesford, 2.5 hours from our home in Melbourne. We still wanted to celebrate, so we went anyway and had a really lovely time together!
We stayed in a cosy little cottage in someone's backyard, complete with wood fire and spa bath! And it was freezing there!!! The first night we just relaxed and enjoyed the spa, watched a movie, etc. The second day we went touring around, seeing some of the sights... Above: In the centre of Daylesford is a botantical gardens on a hilltop, complete with lookout tower. The gardens are full of huge old cypress pines and many other varieties, which block the view!
Above: Here's Ulf in the Bell Tower of the old Convent, now an art gallery. The very top floor has been left in its direlict state, full of character and history.
Above and below: Ulf and I tasting the natural spring water at the Central Springs in Daylesford. It's naturally carbonated and full of sulphur and other minerals. The springs were first discovered in 1836, and many more were uncovered during the gold mining exploits of the 1850s and '60s.
Above: Some yummy treats that we enjoyed in the spa!
On our last day we relaxed at the Hepburn Bathhouse in Hepburn Springs, which was first built in 1894. After a couple of hours soaking, we felt refreshed and rejuvenated. Above: This bridge spans a deep gorge, allowing pedestrians access to the Bathhouse and springs in the valley beyond it.
On the way home, we stopped by the Creswick Woolen Mill, which is the last operating coloured wool mill in the southern hemisphere. In the photo above, you can see the wool moving down over the conveyer belts. After we left the mill, our little red car died! We got as far as the other edge of town and it just wouldn't go anymore. Upon walking back to town, we discovered a mechanic's workshop in the middle of the main street, in amongst groovy cafes, galleries and gift shops! God is so good! The mechanic went and rescued our little car, and after a couple of hours he had found and fixed the problem - the ignition coil was kaputt! Through the whole ordeal we were calm. I just felt that God was with us, and I knew in my heart that whatever would happen, everything would be okay. God gave me peace that He would take care of us and I'm so thankful.
It was so nice just to get away from the everyday routine of life at home and spend some quality time together. We had some great times just sharing our hearts with each other, our desires for the future, and encouraging each other. We really feel closer as a result.
