I don’t hesitate for a moment when my brother Mark emails me while I’m away in Georgia suggesting we meet up in the King Valley for a family weekend with a couple of our Sydney cousins and their spouses. “Here’s my chance to go photograph a few cows”, I recall thinking.
On this occasion, four branches of the greater Musgrave Family gather in two cottages overlooking cow pastures at the rear of a disused winery at Moyhu, and set about trying to get warm!
It’s colder than a witch’s … most of the time, and wet, but that doesn’t stop the fun and laughter. It certainly doesn’t get in the way of discovering the good restaurants and enjoying the wines and local produce of the region. And the ‘girls’ take it in turns to cook breakfast and dinner after visits to the local farmers’ markets and raiding the cottage garden.
We can only hope that Annie and Jennifer’s harvesting of rocket leaves and lemons from the garden to make their peppery, tangy green salad are not as noticeable to the cottage owner as the black furrows in her sodden lawn, after one of our party drove off the gravel and got bogged!
What a fabulous fun weekend we all had. The Musgraves (and spouses) really know how to have a good time and certainly didn’t leave any stone (or grass sod) unturned in our quest to sample the wonderful food and wine (though I think my liver is screaming out for some R&R). I’ll always remember our nights around the blazing fire and especially those lilac ‘jim jams’, Michael!
Contrary to one comment received since posting this video (via old-fashioned telephone conversation), the “Hallelujah” song that is on the soundtrack is not Dolly Parton! At the Milawa produce markets, I recorded a young lady sheltering from the wind and rain on the back of a truck belting our verse after verse of the Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen’s much loved song.
And on a point of clarification in the credits at the start of the video, I omitted to mention my dear sister-in-law Jenny as one of the Musgrave Family spouses, for which I should be caned. Of equal personal concern is my having to recognise that I am not as perfect as I have always been, hitherto-for.
G’day Michael,
Well done. You have caught the mood of the weekend perfectly.
As usual I enjoyed everyone’s company. I was however disappointed that David and Jennifer still won’t reveal the “travel” drugs they are on!!
Before we think of doing this again a certain person needs some driving lessons!!
Love to all..Dennis
It was a memorable 3 days and also lots of fun. I’m still perplexed as to why the owners of the cottages didn’t appreciate Den’s artistic landscaping ability on their lawn! I haven’t had so much fun for a long time, so hope we can do it again. Also, lovely to have Ann (John Musgrave’s daughter) and husband Jason join us for an afternoon. Must add that the food and wines were first class.
Certainly one of the most enjoyable lonnng weekends we have had in a long time.
The companions of cousins, siblings, and spouses proved a very happy blend of personalities.
Just as well there were 2 boy scouts to keep the fires going in the cottages. Thanks David for our cottage-comfort.
Extra special events were the visit to Dalzotto’s for lunch, where there were 4 generations of that Italian family dining in typical Sunday fashion; then, shopping in Beechworth; and most of all the happy happy evenings of talking (not much politics, some religion and no sex a la Connie), singing, some of us dancing (little brother doesn’t need much tempting to sweep his wife off her feet when the music starts); and all of us eating and “quality imbibing” the purchases of the daily tastings.
Where to next, cuzzins?
Well, what a cracker weekend.
We are blessed to be able to enjoy the local food everywhere we went. I particularly appreciated the markets and the home cooked meals in the cottages. It reminded me of the fine dining we had in France cooking the produce from the markets and enjoying it with good company.
The firewood was of top quality which made the heating easier to manage.
We were fortunate to be able to enjoy crafted beer, mulled wine, the local regional wines and the different styles of whiskeys, but not necessarily in that order.
Other moments I enjoyed were the brisk weather aspects and the ever changing skies with the occasional bout of hail, the tall timbers, green fields and a good variety of farm animals. The good thing about enjoying winter is you have to rug up and get out and experience it. Some of the best sailing weather is in winter.
I must say I liked the beautiful country Victorian roads which brings back good memories of my adventures driving my Mini 850 back when I lived in Wodonga as a second year engineering trainee with the foundry.
It was interesting to experience all the conversations mixed up by our individual personalities. I think that’s what gives a “magic” to the famous Musgrave clan. After all, you only get out, what you put in to the event.
Thank you all.
We should make this an annual(joke) event each year.
Well, apology received and acccepted dear Brother-in-law. All good up here in Brisbane, perfect winter’s day and we have just won the Rugby.
Reading the comments has been nearly as much fun as being with you all in the King Valley. It was a quality time which we must repeat. The blog is terrific Michael. It could be a promo for “eat more beef”. Thank you to all the other participants for your company. Aren’t we fortunate to live in the land Down Under. …Think McLaren Vale or Coonawarra for the next Oz event.
love Mark and Jenny
what was the best wine?
Cellar Door tastings are rarely any great shakes, but I have a case of very drinkable dry Rosata from DallZotto
How funny Denny-Do got bogged! Never a dull moment! Great description of the event Michael! x
Michael;
You all know how to enjoy yourselves;Bette and I are
envious.Thanks for the movie we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Love Bette & John
Beautiful, Michaele. Loved the music, too. Photo of bull on hillock reminded me to Taurus signs in Spain. Close ups of faces were special – lots of personalities. Also commentaries getting better. You are putting in more meaning (every word has a feeling attached to it, sourced in the significance of it to author and potentially to the readers). How’s that for a bit of bullshit!
Seeing the lemons, reminded me that I have been dutifully peeing on a lemon tree I bought some six months ago, only to kind out yesterday that it is not a lemon tree at all but an Indian version of an orange. All that indecent exposure for nothing.
Cardinale in Bangalore
watched the blog video. To be frank it is very interesting for the participants of this weekend, but not so much for us poor others ….
One comment to keep in mind: when you show the names of the participants it is impossible to read more than two or three names. You rush over the list.
There are other occasions when I want to read something it is too fast. Probably my old age and poor English!
I am glad you all enjoyed it. I am surprised it took place in the winter with cold and rain.
Regards to Anne and Trevor
L,
Eddy
Michael, You are my favorite Globe trotter , except you are not wearing the gear, you know the old photos depicting the specifically called “”English Globe Trotter “”
Hug MA PS keep them coming and may you go on forever TROTTING
Love that video Micky !!! Nice family pics … Charles