Saturday, April 30, 2011

Autumn Road Trip

We have had a car since moving to Sydney but with a New Yorker’s mentality we tend to revert mostly to walking and public transportation. We have seriously only filled up our gas tank (or petrol tank, as it is referred to here) four times, which is a little embarrassing. So with a five day national holiday weekend for Easter and Anzac Day (Australia's Memorial Day), Kate and I decided it was time to take the "beast", the name of our car, for a road trip (my first real road trip on the left side of the road).
With Kate’s family in Bright, just south of the New South Wales boarder, a bit inland in the state if Victoria, we thought it a perfect place and time to visit. This charming town/ski village in the “Victorian Alps” is only about an eight hour drive from Sydney through towns with names such as Mittagong, Belangalo, Gundagai, Woomargama, Yackandandah, Porepunkah (Kate gave me a lesson in correct pronunciation along the way). The Australian landscape is definitely unique, not to mention the array of road kill we were confronted with, ranging from kangaroos (we counted about 10; so sad) to wombats (which I have never seen before) to foxes. Very authentic…
It is now “Autumn” here in Australia (my psyche thinks it Spring; very confusing). They don’t call it Fall because no leaves actually fall from the native trees! However, the area surrounding Bright has a very different landscape. It felt like driving through New England in Fall. The trees were turning the brightest shades of yellow and red and the crisp air smelt like Pine Trees. The stars at night were like nothing I have ever seen before. I could see the entire Milky Way.
It was great to see Kate’s family. Our first day in Bright we all went to a local country Australian Rules Football (AFL) game. Kate’s cousin, Regan, plays on the team so we had a bit of an in. I have watched Aussie Rules before and actually really enjoy it (those of you that know me are aware that I am not a sports aficionado). Unlike American football, the players wear absolutely no protection and the clock never stops. It's intense! I had never seen a game in person before. While the players were being rough and physical in the oval (aka the field), I was sipping a beer and eating a meat pie (the Australian equivalent of hot dogs at the ball game) on the sidelines. I felt like a true Aussie.
Amidst a wonderful time with family, Kate and I stole away for the day to drive to a Food and Wine Festival in Milawa, about an hour away. The festival was held at the Brown Brothers vineyard, which is one of our favorite wineries. We tasted wine, took a tour, bought local produce (cheese, mustards, olive oil) and ate good food, my choice a cuttlefish hamburger with roquette (which is actually arugala) and lemon aioli- yum.
The best part of all was that I had no connection on my phone for long parts of the weekend. We were in the country! Good excuse to have a real break (which I have not done for a while). Thanks to the Alexanders for a great time!

3 comments:

  1. Hi Billy, looks like you're doing well in Australia! Great photos btw. I'm still in nyc and jealous that you get to take trips (especially by car).

    Thanks for everything you've helped me with over the years. Take care, and hope to hear from you soon.

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  2. Hi Billy,

    awesome post, looks like you are enjoying life down under! :-)

    Do they really have a town there that is called "Didjabringabeeralong" or did Terry Pratchett make that up for his novels?

    All the best from Berlin for you two,

    Daniel

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  3. Thad- Hope to see you in July. Daniel- it has been ages! I have yet to come across Didjabringabeeralong but will start searching and keep you posted if I make progress...

    Hope you are both well...

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