This past week saw us take off on an early ‘summer’ holiday. Early, because we like to go on holidays when school kids are still in school, so holiday venues and tourist spots are not crowded. And ‘summer’ there is in quotes because the night before we left, I checked weather forecasts, unpacked most of the summer gear and replaced it with winter clothing. Because we saw this weather most of the time we were away:
The drive there had lots of this:
DeeW has turned six and her birthday was on the second day of our holiday. A couple of days before we’d ordered a cake from Mister Nice Guy’s Bake Shop and ate it with family and packed the leftovers. Delicious!
We received some discount specials on accommodation in Inverloch and Phillip Island so when we booked them over a month ago, we assumed we’d have some nice warm weather and hang out at the beach swimming. Ha! Regardless, they’re both great holiday spots. Here was our view from our fancy pants (as in, we got a big fat discount) cabin in Inverloch:
The cabin, before we messed it up. I took care to enjoy this one, because our cabin in Phillip Island was kinda divey in comparison:
We walked along the beaches admiring shells and rock formations:
We went to the shell museum which had a fantastic collection and good information for kids and adults alike:
Pretty green shells!
I found a store called Green Heart Organics. Although not vegan, there were a lot of products you’d find in many vegan kitchens such as my own:
Nearby were these tile mosaics:
We drove up to Korumburra to visit Coal Creek Community Park and Museum, which showcases life from the 1870s to the 1920s after coal was discovered in the region. Not everything was open (we missed out on a train ride) but there was still much to see and learn. Most of the staff are volunteers. Photo time!
The spinners room. I felt a bit embarrassed taking a photo of the two women in period costume because I was talking to them and felt awkward doing the whole “say, can I take a photo?” thing, even though they have a million photos taken:
I wanted to steal this dear little housey:
Shoes!
Truly vintage hair styling tools:
The music school:
The general store, where I had a lovely conversation with the woman there. She was very complimentary of the homeschool kids that come in which was fantastic to hear. Too often we get a lot of silly comments, so when people in an education role are very positive and tell you how much they enjoy working with the home ed kids, it’s very special:
DeeW made a friend:
Inside the Pig and Whistle Cafe (no vegan options unfortunately, but I didn’t expect anything different as such places rarely have vegan food):
As usual, I walk around taking photos of doors, wood paneling and windows:
From Inverloch, we drove to Phillip Island. Phillip Island is famous for the penguin parade, motor sports events, Australia’s largest fur seal colony as well as beaches and being a great holiday spot in general. We only had two days there,which is hardly any time at all. We did go to the penguin parade which was pretty good, though you are not allowed to take any photos, flash or not, so unfortunately I don’t have any to share with you. Here’s an image from the official Phillip Island tourism website (clicking on the image will take you there):
We walked along the beaches, though it was quite cold so we didn’t stay there long:
Amaze’n Things has a maze, mini golf, puzzles, vertical drop slide and whacky zany rooms. There was the anti gravity room, which had a warning sign about possibly feeling nauseous. I felt nauseous alright. I had to get out of there as I get motion sickness easily. Arthur and DeeW liked the big tap outside. I would quite happily put something like this on my house, but more so if it was a teapot pouring:
Arthur and DeeW said their favourite place was the Phillip Island Panny Chocolate Factory. What’s not to love about free samples, and printing out squiggles of (non-vegan) chocolate that you can eat? Husband liked it too. Me, I tend to be pretty mehhh about these kinds of places but had to admit it was better than I expected. These games, where you could win these wooden balls then exchange them for chocolate, were pretty addictive:
Not to be outdone, I bought myself vegan dark peppermint chocolate:
Some old advertisements for chocolate. The photos are larger so you can read the print. Even if you can’t be bothered, just remember that MOTHER IS THE QUARTERMASTER– THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OVER RATIONS:
On the way back to Melbourne, we stopped off at the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine and went on the underground tour. This was really interesting, just when you think you know all about the horrible conditions miners had to work in, you learn some new information that makes you realise it was worse than you previously thought:
We visited Cobber the pit pony, who hadn’t done a day’s work in his life apparently:
Before we left home, I had prepared a lot of meals for myself in anticipation of zero vegan dining options. Here’s a selection of What I Ate.
Beefy Asparagus Stir Fry from Isa Does It. I used salt-and-peppered soy chunks:
Also from Isa Does It, the Roasted Vegetable Romesco Sandwich:
Pasta with walnut mince made with walnuts, olive oil, tamari and oregano, mixed in with some tofu bacon and the leftover romesco sauce:
I brought along a supply of muffins made with kamut flour and some biscuits:
I took my blender along so I could keep a smoothie in the car during the day. I only made two smoothies. Next time, no blender:
I had made some blueberry waffles at home and frozen them for the holiday:
In Inverloch we had pizza dinner for DeeW’s birthday. The pizza bases were vegan so I got myself a vegie-minus-cheese pizza. Vegan pizzas like this from standard pizza joints tend to be bland, but this pizza joint on A’Beckett Steet (it might have been called The Pizza Pasta Place, with a large eat-in area) poured some minced garlic over the top which was a tasty touch:
Sausage sizzle, vegan style:
I made myself a Fry’s burger with some kale and roasted red peppers:
In Phillip Island I was happy to find Cowes Indian restaurant, located at 134 Thompson Avenue in Cowes. I went in and asked if their vegetarian dishes were vegan and the friendly fellow there said they could make up whatever I liked. I got the Baingan Masala (eggplant cooked with, peas, onions and tomatoes) with a serving of coconut rice and plain roti. The leftovers were eaten for breakfast:
My meal was lovely, I ate there on my own while Husband, Arthur and DeeW sat across the road in the pizza parlour. Bliss!
I found some gelato that appeared vegan when I checked the ingredients list:
I also had another vegan pizza from Jessie’s Pizza. The chap at the counter was very friendly and told me what the bases were made from and he would use different gloves to make my pizza. When he brought it out to me he said he used a new pizza cutter. That’s big to me, lots of places don’t understand why you don’t want hands or cutters that have touched animal products to touch your food:
One big thing I realised on this family holiday was that Mum wasn’t really on a holiday. Mum often still has to wash up, cook, clean, deal with arguing children, make sure everyone has jackets and water bottles and so on. Arthur, DeeW and Husband are very forgetful about such things. I knew there were some op shops in Cowes so I said to Husband see you all later, I’m going to the op shops. From the Rotary op shop I bought some old glass jars, a round silicone cake tin and some books:
I found this tennis set in an antiques and collectables store and bought it for my brother in law for Christmas. He likes tea with biscuits and cake so I think this will suit him fine:
For myself, I bought this magazine rack from another collectables store. I think I’ll put my library books in there:
I bought this carnival glass bowl in a lovely collectables shop in Korumburra which unfortunately is closing down. All stock was discounted. There was soooo much I wanted but I knew I really wanted a new fruit bowl so this is what I chose:
As nice as it is to get away on a short break, I am really happy to be home! I have about six loads of washing to get done and I am determined more than ever that we will follow the One Bag approach to travelling light when we go on our big dream trip– you only pack one carry on bag. No checked luggage! We took a big suitcase on this holiday and I said to Husband there is NO WAY I am taking suitcases on an overseas holiday. My sister and brother in law went on a ten week Europe/US adventure following One Bag advice and they said it was the best thing ever and will never go back to checked luggage. These days, with easy dry crease free travel clothing and garments by companies like ScottEVest, it’s not difficult.
Okay, speaking of all that washing, I best get to it. I have all this washing and folding plus all the other travel bits and pieces to put away. Which often involves sorting through brochures I picked up, wondering why on earth I grabbed them in the first place!
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