On Friday morning, my parents and I bade a temporary farewell to Canberra and began the five-hour drive to Rutherglen, where we would meet my brother and his girlfriend for a weekend of wine, wine, funtimes, and more wine.
En route, we paused twice to Stop, Revive, Survive. In our family, we interpret “revive” as “eat”, and thus we descended upon Long Track Pantry in Jugiong for morning tea and the Submarine Café in Holbrook for lunch.
Holiday escapes should always begin with something sweet. (Continue with, conclude with, and be remembered with.) To accompany our much-needed coffees, my parents and I shared the Date, Chocolate, and Almond Torte. This torte skewed to the very chocolate-y and, while it was certainly a pleasant counter to my long black, I much prefer my own chewy-crispy-nutty chocolate, date, and almond meringue torte.
Anyone for a labelled dishwasher powder container?
After driving for another hour with me controlling our trip’s soundtrack via my mother’s iPod (Brick, The Wings of an Eagle, Mad World, It’s Only a Paper Moon, Rocky Raccoon, Hallelujah I Love Her So, my version of Send In The Clowns, Eagle Rock, and Respect, just to name a few), we arrived at Holbrook’s submarine.
It had to be done.
Apparently the other thing that had to be done was appearing all out of proportion. Seriously, what the what? My foot really is trying to claim all attention in my life again.
At Holbrook’s Submarine Café, I found myself attacked by far more bacon than I’m capable of dealing with, but intrigued by the grilled-cheese croutons and freshness of the Caesar Salad itself. A few more hours in the car saw us arrive at Rutherglen, where Miss Gulch clearly stores her spare bicycles. (Dun-dun-ah-dun-nah-nah!)
At the Motel Woongarra, we met up with my brother and his gorgeous and lovely American girlfriend. She very generously brought me much chocolate from the U.S., and thereby won a spot in my heart forever. We wandered over to the Tuileries Wine Bar, at which point I learnt that drinking a full glass of sparkling wine when you’re on antibiotics and usually become tipsy on half a glass anyway is a quick path to much, much giggliness.
Dear Tuileries Café Waiter: I apologise for spending so much time trying to make you understand how deeply I love vegetables. I knew not what I spoke.
We ended the night with several epic Boggle matches back at the hotel which, for the first time in history, I didn’t win. Because I’m such a gracious loser, I congratulated the winners by mentioning my antibiotics and alcohol intake and proclaiming:
“You drugged me so you could beat me!”
Here’s hoping no one outside our hotel room heard me say that.
Next up: Day Two, in all its sweet and fluffy glory.
Uggs, bless. Comfiest things ever.
I have been to that submarine, and yes, I did the same thing
For a moment, I was embarrassed to be fighting for submarine space with five-year-olds, but then I figured I was bigger and had right of way.
I could seriously just park myself in front of that plate of dressings and marmalades and devour a whole loaf of crusty bread with all of it. It’s gonna need some cheese to make it truly respectable though.
Cheese! You’re right! That’s what was needed indeed. The Long Track Pantry needs to hire you, clearly.
You didn’t say who won though! Great Part 1 report Hannah ….
We all know that it’s not who wins, it’s how you play the game.
Sure … when you’re not winning!!
Looks like such a fun little getaway
Fun times! For the record, I HATE those new “retro” containers for things that have what you’re meant to put in them printed on the outside. And yeah, hate’s a strong word I know. You gonna tell us about the wine, right? x
I know, such containers bring out my inner petulant five-year-old and make me want to do things like throw jellybeans inside and yell “Yeah? DISHWASHER THAT!”
Um… I already can’t remember the name of the wine I had on Friday night. And, in truth, could barely drink any all weekend because of the antibiotics. Boo boo boo!
Good to see you having such fun relaxed times! I think I would’ve enjoyed eavesdropping on your conversation with the Tuileries waiter.
Oh and Boggle… it’s been far too long since I last played that. Memories!
Boggle is the BEST. And oh heavens, I wish no one had heard my conversation with the waiter. I fear for the first impression I left on my brother’s girlfriend!
This post delights me on so many levels and in so many ways
Those photos of you on the submarine deserve to be profile pictures or some similarly important shots, and the weekend sounds like everything I was hoping it would be for you. I can’t wait for part 2!
I’m fairly certain that your hopes helped fuel the loveliness
I can’t believe I’m already sitting back home on my bed. Where did the days go?! I’ll try to write part 2 soon so you don’t have to wait long 
who can resist a submarine – though wouldn’t it b so much better if the cafe was IN the submarine (oh this is probably because I saw the amazing interior to the submarine in the league of extraordinary gentlemen lately.) – all looks like lots of fun – look forward to hearing more
I actually thought the cafe was in the submarine when Mum said we’d be lunching “in the submarine cafe”. I was sorely disappointed. Harrumph!
I just love staying away from the main roads and taking the roads less traveled that take you to these little towns that are dotted all over Australia. And it’s great that your family is happy to stop (my father just didn’t have time!) and relax and look around and experience the country. What a great trip xx
My parents are the opposite of not-stopping. They are the king and queen of pausing to eat, potter, and take photos. But hey, it helps give me things to blog about, and I don’t mind as long as I get to control the music!
Five hour drive?!! At least you were in good company and you had some great stops!
Your reaction to five hours makes me laugh hysterically when I think about the thirty hours of travelling I have ahead of me in order to get to New York.
And then I cry a little bit.
Tears of joy though, yeah?
You’re just lovely Emma. You’re right. When I’m 15 hours in and looking at another 15 to go, I’ll forget all about the urge to shriek and instead smile with glee
You made the most of such a long drive – great food, stops and awesome sites to pose that
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I wanna do road trips with your family! Stops for morning tea AND lunch AND you get to play in the park.
Teehee, I’m sure we’d love to have you! The more people willing to engage in cake at 10am, the better!
Hannah for P.M. based on this: “Holiday escapes should always begin with something sweet.” Amen!!
Dear heavens, I’d surely run this country into the ground if I was elected P.M. “Let them eat cake!”
Your family sound utterly awesome. Food, fun times and Boggle. What’s not to love?
Can you pack me into your bag next time you go on a road trip?
It looks like you had the best time! 
LOVE those photos of you on the submarine 
Oh absolutely! I’ll even sneak you bites of cake so you don’t starve in the boot
“You just really need to know how much I love vegetables. Cause you see, I love vegetables. It’s probably because I love vegetables” Is that how it went?
Creepy creepy Miss Gulch! She still frightens me. Although I also feel a bit sad for her.
Hannah: “I’ll have the steak, please, but can I have lots of salad instead of potatoes? I really like vegetables. I really really like vegetables.”
The Waiter: “The potatoes are really good though, they’re sauteed and delicious.”
Dad: “If you get the potatoes, then I’m sure *someone* at the table will eat them…”
Hannah: “I really like vegetables I REALLY LIKE VEGETABLES. A lot a lot. Lots of salad! All the salad!”
More like that. Except I can’t really remember, because I was still a little bit tipsy on the ONE GLASS OF SPARKLING WINE at that point.
Emma, dear heavens I love you. I love that I can always trust you to pick up on and comment on the obscure references/comments that no one else gets.
I bet the waiter enjoyed you. I hope he did, anyway. Sounds like you have a potato-thieving father! xo
I need to take a road trip soon… out of Sydney and into Canberra… but when it is warmer
Canberra is actually gorgeous right now! Sunny too
Come!
There is nothing wrong with too much bacon!
Ahhh I need to get outta town for a weekend, maybe get my Titanic stance on too
But only the beginning of Titanic, m’kay?
zomg yes.
Glad you had fun!
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LOL I love all the pictures of you Hannah so much energy
I really wish I wasn’t at work right now hehe ~
Aw, thank you Daisy! Happiness is wonderful for energy
And yep, can’t say I’m not enjoying having all-free non-work days right now 
Those submarine photos are excellent. Also really enjoy the word Woongarra.
ps. Of course I adore those flying bicycles!! Reminds me a bit of Grapefruit Moon in Toronto (which you should visit if at all possible). http://www.flickr.com/photos/zlight/2617835657/
Australia has the best “W” names. Wagga Wagga, Woomera, Wodonga, Wongawallan…
Upside-down flying bikes! That’s even better!
Was there sugar on that salad? There was, wasn’t there? Don’t lie to me. :p
Look at all that bacon, Agnes! So much bacon! I don’t lie; my nose is big enough as it is.
But I totally wished I’d bought a Magnum ice cream instead. I found a honeycomb Magnum in the freezer cabinet afterwards! HONEYCOMB! I was gypped.
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