As a 'reward' for finishing his study for the year, I took J away last weekend to Daylesford. I think everyone knows Daylesford, but in brief, it is a small town in the spa district of western Victoria. The best thing about Daylesford is the food and wine that is sold there and throughout the surrounding areas. We stayed in a lovely cottage called the 'Acorn' which was particularly romantic due to the enormous spa bath right in the middle of the lounge room! very decadent.

Luckily it didn't take us long to find a suitable place to ponder our predicament. A new establishment presented itself very close to our accommodation - lucky us! The place is a wine bar called 'The Perfect Drop', the proprieters are a young couple (and their two dogs) who specialise in local wine and beer (but also make a mean Coffee Vodka Martini). The feeling is casual, seating in the outdoor front courtyard is at reclaimed timber trestle tables and reclaimed St Kilda Primary School chairs!



On Saturday we ate a breakfast that had been provided by the cottage - Bacon, Eggs, Toast, Bircher Muesli with Yogurt and fruit, and coffee. Then we set out for a day of local foodie pleasures.

First stop was the Tuki Trout farm where as well as farming trout, they make beautiful take-away items including Whole Smoked Trout, Trout Pate, and various other bits and pieces. Of course you are also able to catch your own trout which they will expertly clean, fillet, and pack for you to take home. They also grow a special breed of sheep called a 'Tukidale' which is mainly used as a carpet wool sheep but which we found also tastes really good in a lamb pie (available at Tuki Trout Farm).

After Tuki we headed on to the old gold town of Clunes. On approaching the town, we at first thought that the entire town had been abducted by aliens or struck down by a 'Day of the Triffids' type incident - then we saw the sign, it was Show Day. Unfortunately the entry fee of $12 per adult did not manage to entice us in - we only had half an hour to spare.
After Clunes we headed back to Daylesford and up to the Convent Gallery. We had received a 2-for-1 entry coupon with our accommodation, so we went and had a look at the art galleries and the museum. My favourite part of the galleries was the old infirmary room right up in the top of the Convent - not sure how they got sick old nuns up there, but I'm pretty sure they never came down under their own steam again. After the tour we sat outside in the lovely bar courtyard and had a nice drink in the sun, and being entertained by the view of a wedding party who were arriving and preening close by.


On Sunday morning after packing and returning the key, we headed up to Cliffy's, a cafe/providore a few minutes outside of Daylesford. Cliffy's had been recommended by our new best friends at The Perfect Drop, so we knew we couldn't go far wrong. On our first approach there were no tables available outside, but after a quick turn around the adjacent Daylesford Markets, a table opened up and we grabbed it. There is quite a limited menu, but what is done is done really well. I had the Baked Eggs and Beans (I ate it so fast I forgot to take a picture until after I was finished...), while J had the 'Surprise Me Breakfast' which consisted of most everything you could ask for on a big-breakfast plate.



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