Otway Escapes Spring Newsletter
 Spring is a time of plenty and promise. As the winter gives way to warm sunny days, see the bright patchwork of yellow canola fields appear, the farmers out mowing their grass and baling their hay and the spring lambs frolicking on a frosty morning.
The first berries appear.
Green shoots can be seen in the vineyards as the vines burst their buds and flowers and spring vegetables appear at farm gate stalls. New release wines can be found at cellar doors.
(The above is an excerpt from the newly formed “Otway Harvest Trail” marketing Documents.
Otway Escapes is delighted to be associated with this unique Tourism initiative, highlighting the produce and amenity of our beautiful Otways.
Please visit www.otwayharvesttrail.org.au
LORNE - EXTENDED ACCOMMODATION SPECIAL OTWAYS NUMBER 105 - VALID UNTIL 30th November 09
Getaway for a weekend or midweek short break and stay in a luxury holiday house, with breathtaking Otways views, designed as a totally romantic couples hideaway retreat.
Enjoy many luxury extras and exclusive use of the secluded Lorne Hinterland 18 acre property.
2 Day Weekend Package (Fri & Sat) - $720 per couple
2 Day Midweek Package (Sun - Thurs) - $720 per couple
Extend your stay when booking and receive a 15% discount for bookings between 3-6 nights - Saving up to $324.00!
 Holidays and Events
- Clyde Park Wine Dinner - at Empire Grill. 9 October. 5 courses with matched wine. $110pp. T: 52232132 to book.
- All Will Be Well Festival - continues in Lorne until 9 October. www.lornecommunityhospital.com.au
- Barwon Park - Family day & market, 11 October. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the introduction of rabbits into the area. T: 5267 2209 for more information.
- Birregurra Weekend Festival - 9-11 October.
- Geelong Cup Public Holiday - Geelong only. 21 October.
- Toast to the Coast - 31 October and 1 November. www.toasttothecoast.com.au
- Gallivantours Open Garden Visits - 24 & 25 October and 6 December. T: 5258 4924 for more info.
- Pettavel Winery and Restaurant presents the Gourmet Chef Series - Frank Camorra of MoVida will join Matt Dempsey for a Spanish feast.12 September. 5 courses with matched wine for $155 pp. T: 5266 1120 to book.
- Queenscliffe Historical Museum - interested in writing and the Myer family. Attend the QHM September meeting to hear from Sue Ebury, commissioned to write Ken Myer's biography. 24 September, 10am at Queenscliff Uniting Church Hall. Members $3, non-members $5.
- Wine dinner at 2 Faces Restaurant - four courses matched with Clyde Park wines. 10 September at 6.30pm. $95 pp. Bookings essential: 5229 4546.
- Geelong Fashion Week at Westfield - 14-20 September. Visit www.westfield.com/geelong
- Victorian School Holidays - 19 September - 4 October.
The Rabbit 150 years on...
 Barwon Park, Winchelsea
The introduction of the rabbit to Australia is being marked with a family day and market at the wonderful Barwon Park historic mansion. If you want to be involved, it’s time to get a hop-along!
The family day and market, to run on Sunday 11 October from 10am-4pm, will focus on all things rabbit and all things local. There will be art exhibitions, displays on the history of rabbits, an animal nursery, face painting and a rabbit shaped jumping castle for the kids.
A barbecue, and refreshments will also be available and the magnificent Mansion will be open to visit.
Barwon Park is inviting prospective market stall holders to hop to it! Home made / home baked style stalls as well as stalls supporting the ‘rabbit’ theme are welcome to register. Contact Trudi Toyne on 52 67 2209 or at barwon.park@bigpond.com
Raptors in Force
We have been privileged to watch the the development of two fledgling wedge tail eagles and two pergrine falcon fledglings causing nervous havoc to every other bird in the sky this summer. The young wedge tail eagles have now mastered the magnificent gliding of the warm air currents but are still awkward and gawky with their landing manoeuvres.
Jan Juc Cliffs have seen the return of the resident perigrines for the fourth season that I have noticed. The other perigrine nest is in an old cypress tree on our farm at Otway Escapes, we were out at dusk, in late January and we were witness to a perigrine soar and capture a magpie in mid air. The whole event seemed so quick and precise that the poor magpie would not have known he was to be the evening meal!
|
