Monday, May 13, 2013

A Golden Weekend

I was completely spoiled yesterday. First, by Flynn who conveniently organised his morning feed to coincide with the most amazing Sunrise viewed from the comfort of my bed.


And then by the outpouring of love from the other 4 Kidlets as they climbed into bed for cuddles and to shower me with their handmade cards and gifts for Mother's Day.



I must have been a bit sadder than I thought about losing "Rose", one of my Indian Runner Ducks in the nasty events I wrote about in my last Post...


Because when I saw this wooden Indian Runner Duck I simply had to have her, as a gift to myself for Mother's Day. Isn't she sweet?


Remy has taken a fancy to her too. Or maybe his fetish for all things wooden is about to start up again. 


Either way, I think "Rose" will be safer up on the mantle.


I was further spoiled because we had our dear friends from Sydney staying with us over the weekend. It was absolutely wonderful spending time with them again after almost 18 months. Their boys are the same age as our Kids and went to School together so they had the best weekend spending time with their old mates, picking up where they left off, just as us adults did. 

We decided to spend Mother's Day in Richmond. The golden colours of Autumn put on spectacular display as we strolled along the river.




This is me and my lovely friend Alison.


And these are our offspring, minus baby Flynn who has not yet started to rock-climb.

The Kids enjoyed feeding the ducks, with one little boy unable to wait any longer for lunch so started feasting on stale duck bread.


It's tricky finding a nice spot to relax with 8 children but halfway between our home and Richmond, Puddleduck Vineyard ticks all of the boxes.




They have a "Reverse BYO" policy where you bring your own food but they supply the wine. They have a dedicated area specifically for Kids complete with toys and beanbags. 


Our cheese platter was meticulously shared between 7 kids and 4 adults making it more of a Tasting Plate but it was delicious all the same.



 As far as weekends go, this one was pure gold.



28 comments :

  1. The last photo is just beautiful Mel xo

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  2. What a lovely day you had ... very well deserved too!

    Love Claire xx

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  3. I agree, the last photo is just gorgeous! Its a keeper!!
    Glad you had a wonderful Mothers Day x

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  4. I agree x3. Wonderful photo. And amazing sunrise.

    Happy Mother's Day.

    Leanne xx

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  5. Happy mothers day! Latvians celebrate "family day", so the day served double duty, but in the end mother's day is all about family anyways, isn't it? From your pictures it looks like the children had a wonderful time, duck bread snack included!

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  6. Looks like you had a lovely Mother's Day. I love little rose sure adorable!!

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  7. It sounds like it was was a wonderful weekend! I love the cards your children made for you. I have similar cards tucked away safely in a drawer, made when my children were that age. That sunset picture is spectacular! The scenery is every bit as beautiful where you live as it is here in Canada where I live. :-)

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  8. This is so so so beautiful! Happy Mother's Day. xo

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  9. What an absolutely gorgeous way to spend Mothers Day. So glad you were spoiled with love Mel by your gorgeous brood. And I didnt really your youngest is called Flynn too. Snap! Great name XX

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  10. Love that last photo! What a precious Mother's Day photo. Sounds like a beautiful day... and I just love your new wooden duck xx

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  11. A great way to spend your Mother's Day weekend. Such a pretty spot beside the river, and a pretty portrait of you and your kids. Wendy

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  12. What a wonderful Mother's Day you had, very well deserved! :) x

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  13. oh how lovely!! all of it mel, beginning with that gorgeous sunrise! i was so happy to see the photo of you with your children, all five, that is so important i think. and at least in my case becomes more and more difficult to achieve as time goes by! so happy you had such a special day! and i love your wooden duck!

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  14. I dream of having Indian Running Ducks one day... I have a little wooden duck too ' Sidney'... lovely last image... Cx

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    1. They are the BEST pets ever! I hope you get your Indian Runner one day :-)

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  15. What a perfect mother's day. Gorgeous sunrise photos. I'm so glad you had a good time, that vineyard sounds brilliant, and I love the last picture of you and your kids. x

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  16. Beautiful photos ... glad you had a lovely Mother's Day ... love the last photo ... Bee xx

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  17. Beautiful photos Mel...you look radiant! What a magical way to spend mother's day x

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  18. Very sorry to hear about your animals Mel. Our pets are considered family members so I would be very upset. Are you going to get any more Indian Runners?
    Wasn't the weather just beautiful in Hobart last weekend? I was just commenting to my husband that the perfect weather was the icing on the cake for my Mother's Day weekend! Beautiful river pics, I do love the 'Englishness' of Tassie!

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    1. Thanks Stella. Yes, I will definitely be getting more Indian Runners, at least a girlfriend for poor Cecil who is moping around on his own :-( It sure was lovely weather last weekend....not sure how long it will last though :-) Mel x

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  19. What a wonderful way to spend the day! You look especially fabulous in that hat I must say. So sorry to hear about your beloved animals. The mantle does seem the way to go for sure. Hope the council sorts out those rouge dogs and soon. xx

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  20. That sounds like my kind of picnic! Looks like a fabulous day Mel :)

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  21. Such awesome photos Mel, especially the first one! I've got to have some more kids so that I'm forced to get up for more sunrises!! PS: I love Puddle Duck!

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  22. What a fantastic day you had with your gang Mel and I love your indian runner duck, she is beautiful. mel x

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  23. Oh sweet Mel. No wonder you are looking so radiant. Sublime. Can't wait to see you soon. J x

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  24. Oh so beautiful Mel. I LOVE your photos in this post. That sunrise is absolutely spectacular, almost unreal it looks that good. So lovely to spend such quality time on such a special day, with wonderful friends. You're all truly blessed to have each other. Glad you were spoilt too, you certainly deserve to be xoxo

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  25. Gosh! That first picture is totally amazing. I still wake with the dawn chorus after nursing three babes over the years - secretly I still love it!

    Nina x

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  26. Mel, what a absolutely beautiful photo that last one is. I love all the smiles. The sunrise is amazing!

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