It was Ian's birthday at the weekend and we were delighted to see Zoe, Gill, Steve, Karen, Rob, Edith, Matt, Imogen and Georgia raising a glass to him, or gravy boat in Rob's case.
It actually poured with rain all day on his birthday, which is very unusual where we are, we get very little rain. So we racked our brains for somewhere to visit that was indoors then remembered we were a bit curious about Tanilba House which is in the next little town to ours, Tanilba Bay.
We had heard that Tanilba Bay had been the place originally chosen for the Prime Minister's country residence (it never happened, they built it in Kirribilli in Sydney instead) and we mistakenly thought Tanilba House had been built for that purpose. It wasn't but it was a splendid place to visit and certainly somewhere we will take our visitors. The house was built in 1834, which is old for a building by Australian standards and the original owners were given several convicts to build the house and tend the vineyards, there was even a little cell for use when a convict misbehaved. The present owner keeps a part of the house open to the public and it is stuffed full of an eclectic mix of bits and bobs, some of which match the history of the house and some don't at all but it is great fun. She shows visitors  around herself then makes them a cup of tea.
We really are living a different life here. I have added a picture of my set up when I do the washing. Our washing machine hasn't arrived yet so I use the laundromat that is down at the marina for the boatees. I cycle down with the laundry in Monty's trailer then sit on the bench reading my book and watching people setting off for a day's fishing. It's a tough life.