Friday 9th October 2008

Another hugely busy week but a very pleasant one.

On Friday 3rd was a golf garden day where Des & Yvonne Wilson helped me to break up and replant the rest of the orchids that had been donated to the club. We placed them in individual gardens in the shady area of the 14th tee so they should grow there quite well. The ones that we planted in the 18th tee garden are settling well.

We farewelled nephew Andrew who was moving on to his next venture.

Saturday 4th was a catch up day at home getting ready for our few days away next week.

Sunday 5th was a golf day and round one of the Gosford City Club. Our playing partners on the day were Ray & Norma Presdee & we had a good fun day and it was a pity about the golf scores. As we had three days of golf coming up on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday we opted out of the second round that was played on the Monday.

Monday the 6th we went over to the club for the presentation of The Gosford City Cup which was being presented by our Mayor Chris Holstein. The cup was won by Ian Witt and the Associates cup was won by Rhonda Robertson.

We decided that we should help Rhonda celebrate her win by going to the Thai Restaurant at Kariong for dinner & that was followed by a nightcap at the Foster's Arms (George & Vicki Fosters home).

Tuesday 7th we headed off to the Hunter Valley to play golf at the Crowne Plaza Golf Resort. It was a beautiful course - very well designed and in really good condition. It rained heavily in the Hunter Valley the day before & there was quite a lot of water on the course. I loved it there & would like to go back for a play & stay deal as the resort itself looks lovely.

After golf we made our way to our accommodation which was "Rothbury Escape" . It is in a very convenient position in the wine country not far off Lovedale Road. It has eight units with a common lounge/kitchen area which was great for us as we had a three day '500' card tournament between our group as well as the golf. Each unit had a good size room with kitchenette, TV and big bathroom. Inclusive was a continental breakfast supplied each day and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Tuesday night we found that all the main restaurants were booked out so we went to the Lochinvar Pub for dinner. It was a surprisingly good meal & great service and we were back in time to have round 1 of our card tournament.

Wednesday 8th the boys played the Vintage Golf Course and the girls did a late morning tour of the Chocolate Factory and the Butterfly Gallery before meeting the boys after golf. Then we had a wine tasting at the Bimbadgen Estate which was not too hard to take.

We decided to take advantage of the BBQ facility at the Rothbury Escape and earlier in the day we had purchased some steak & salads at Branxton during our morning tour. This allowed us plenty of time for Round 2 of the card tournament.

Thursday 9th we all played golf at the Cypress Lakes Golf Resort which we found to be a difficult course to play. There were a lot of hidden hazards & I am sure it is the type of course that we will play better next time when we are more familiar with the layout. It was very picturesque with a lot of water and ugly bunkers where you would least want them.

After golf we visited the Hunter Valley Gardens which were nearby. They are not yet 10 years old and the work that has been put into them is amazing. It is all work in progress and is improving all the time. I was dissapointed that the roses were not in flower. There were heaps of buds & the roses were very robust and healthy. I would love to have time to be there in about three weeks or so when they will all be in full bloom.

For dinner we went to Branxton & had dinner at the Royal Federal Hotel Bistro as they had $10 schnitzel special night. The meal was really very good so we thought it was a good deal.

After dinner it was the final round of the card tournament which was rather daunting for me as I am not a card player & all the rest are. At the end of the night I came in 3rd out of eight so I was happy with that. By the time I get to play again I will have forgotten all the rules and it will be back to square one.

Friday 10th October we travelled home well & were back in time to get the washing out & have a catch up day at home.

We were very lucky that we had perfect weather the whole time we were away which added to the enjoyment of the trip. For a full report of the Hunter Valley trip & photos visit my travel blog www.janmartinstravelblog.blogspot.com You will need to click on 'older posts' to view the early part of the trip.

Images attached: One of the new orchid gardens on the 14th; With our Sunday playing partners Ray & Norma Presdee; the new Board of Directors; The Gosford City Cup winner Ian Witt with the Mayor Chris Holstein; the Assoicates cup won by Rhonda Robertson; at the Thai Restaurant at Kariong after the match; the Foster's Arms for a nightcap; Crown Plaza Hunter Valley course; our accommodation - the Rothbury Escape; The Branxton pub where we had dinner; the Chocolate Factory; The Butterfly Gallery; The Vintage course; Bimbadgen Winery; part of the group at wine tasting; Cypress Lakes Golf Resort; the Hunter Valley gardens.