Christ Church Cathedral-Newcastle

This building is magnificent both on the inside and outside. To me it sits on the hill in Newcastle and guards and protects the people of Newcastle. The workmanship is amazing.

Speer's Point

Speer's Point on Lake Macquarie is a beautiful place. The park there is fantastic. A good place for a picnic, walk and the kids will enjoy the large playground.
Check out the old petrol station with the rusted pumps. This has been there since I was a girl growing up in the area.

Millfield Frost

Looking across from my house to the paddocks. it was white as we had a bad frost.

In all directions it was white.

Ellalong

I went into Cessnock to do some grocery shopping. On the way home I drove through Pelton which only has a few houses and then Ellalong. I often drive through Ellalong when I go to Sydney. It is about 5 minutes down the road from me. It is the next suburb past Paxton. Everything is so green and lush at the moment from all the rain we have been having.
I love learning the names of all the suburbs associated with where one lives. I remember most of them when I used to work at Cessnock high in the 70s.

A few cheeses and dips with our red wine went down well.

Melanie and Ian

Amanda and Melanie

Rose-Anne in red and Rhonda, friends since 1965. 

It is so easy to entertain with friends and family here. These photos were taken the June long weekend and it was a full house all weekend along with 3 grandchildren as well.
Brian and I went to Binnorie Dairy the week before and picked up some great cheeses. They have the best cheese and so tasty.
We went wine tasting early afternoon and back here for wine and nibblies. Then a bar-be-cue dinner at night. The next morning was a hot breakfast.

Millfield Mornings

Some mornings you can see the hills and the paddocks.

Other mornings the hills are hidden.

One never knows what is outside until one looks and discovers what the weather has brought.

Paxton-Congewai

Paxton-showing the view from Millfield towards Paxton. The old coal mine that is for sale and part of Ellalong Lagoon.

The countryside around Congewai.

Living in Congewai from derelict to old and a touch of modern in parts.

From Paxton into Congewai.

The old run down farm house. What a view of the hills.

Billy Cart Derby

During the school holidays the neighbours organised a billy cart derby amongst the residents of our estate. The kids had a ball and so did the adults. Afterwards we had a bar-be-cue at one of the neighbour's places. Brian is already planning a bigger and better billy cart for next year.

Wollombi

Brian, Helen, Roger, Cooper and I went to Wollombi on Sunday to have a look around and we had morning tea in a cafe. Ther eis so much to see here with all the old buildings and cafes. Dr Jurd's Jungle Juice comes from here and the pub is a must to visit and have a lunch break.

Stonehurst Cedar Creek Winery

Stonehurst-Cedar Creek
Check out the website to find out more information about this boutique winery. The scenery is beautiful around this area and the sculptures are very interesting. We stopped here on the way back from Wollombi.

Cooper in the Hunter

Cooper playing in the new Colorado outside Stonehurst Cedar creek Winery. What a load!!!!!

Winter Wonderland In Hunter Valley Gardens

My 3 grandchildren loved going to the snow and iceskating at Hunter Valley Gardens. They could have snow fights that the girls didn't partake in but Cooper did and had a ball. They played in the snow and make snowmen, ice skated and tobogganed but Cooper passed on the last one. We had dinner there and it was so cold late at night. I was pleased I bought the 3 gloves as it was cold.We went with our neighbours and had a lovely night.