Spring is coming

Over the past week or so the puffy jackets have been staying in the cupboard (during the day anyway) and the wattles and willows are telling us that the first signs of Spring are emerging.

It's also the season for "Sculpture on Clyde" which gave us a perfect excuse to spend the day at the South Coast on Friday (and deliver Maxie's "Swimmer" for exhibition and competition).

We chose the perfect lunch spot - on the Clyde River - on this perfect August day.

 At this farmgate oyster shed we ate fresh Sydney Rock Oysters, caught and shucked that morning from beds located only a short distance from where we ate them.

 Ah ah ah ah oyster PERFECTION!

 Our oyster feast was a perfect entree to main course: handmade locally sourced seafood chowder served in crusty sourdough cob loafs - yummy - and in the perfect setting.

 There are quite a few family birthdays in August too - but today we celebrated Jody's. .....at Poacher's Pantry, at a beautiful vineyard and charcuterie on the Nanimo Road a few kilometres from Hall Village.

 Another beautiful day - and another beautiful meal .........

 This is the only girl I know who orders a full serve of marinaded olives as her entrée. Her favourites are the Sicilians!

 Both girls are serious about their food, and very appreciative. They're great dining companions.

But in a classic Abi move she still finds opportunities to do things with food that no one else would think of (This is her "palm tree" - made from a chip and some rocket!) 

I am so happy with this photo of this beautiful pair - looking so happy on Jody's birthday ....... Happy Birthday dear girl!!

 Between us we tried lots of lovely things on the menu: confit of pork belly, smoked lamb rack, ocean trout, smoked chicken - everything beautifully prepared and presented and locally sourced.  I admired this girl choosing the saffron custard cream with mascapone and caramel wafers for dessert.

 Poacher's Pantry is part of a much bigger country property - with plenty of room for Abi to explore and look for frogs and other wildlife. She found these cute little Spring lambs very appealing.

 But Ella is always happiest when she can find something to climb or swing from.