Maroondah Reservoir Park
0 Comments Published by Kevin Broken Scar on Monday, January 03, 2011 at 1:29 PM.
Hanging out at Maroondah Reservoir Park on New Year's Day with a couple of my best buddies over an amazing picnic spread (we were so hungry we devoured all the food without taking any photos at all) and a little bit of a walk to explore the park. There is so much the Yarra Valley has to offer!
The dam wall. Believe it or not, we tried running up the wall. It looked doable from afar but it sure was steep up close. I only managed to run up about half my height. The scariest part was turning around and realising how vertical I was. If I had tripped and fallen, I would have gone face first into the ground.
Looking down from the top of the dam wall.
There was a waterfall on the other end of the dam where the spillage was channeled to the other dams around the area. That's really smart, not wasting any water at all. It was great to see the dam full to the brim. Thank you God for the rain!
Just happy to listen to the sound of rushing water.
The dam wall. Believe it or not, we tried running up the wall. It looked doable from afar but it sure was steep up close. I only managed to run up about half my height. The scariest part was turning around and realising how vertical I was. If I had tripped and fallen, I would have gone face first into the ground.
Looking down from the top of the dam wall.
There was a waterfall on the other end of the dam where the spillage was channeled to the other dams around the area. That's really smart, not wasting any water at all. It was great to see the dam full to the brim. Thank you God for the rain!
Just happy to listen to the sound of rushing water.
Serenity.
It was awesome spending New Year's Day in the great outdoors, enjoying God's creation. It would have been foolish if I had asked for more.
______________________________________________________
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
It was awesome spending New Year's Day in the great outdoors, enjoying God's creation. It would have been foolish if I had asked for more.
______________________________________________________
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
Labels: Eastern Adventures, Maroondah Reservoir, Yarra Valley
Adding one more winery restaurant to the Yarra Valley list. The drive to Balgownie Estate was a beauty! The photos are no where near doing the view justice. Balgownie is located in Yarra Glen, a route that I have not taken before this. It was such a refreshing change of scenery, not that I am bored of the usual routes that I take, of course. I never want to take all this for granted.
On the way to the restaurant.
The view from Rae's Restaurant @ Balgownie Estate. The resort was beautiful. I totally forgot to take some photos until we settled down at the restaurant.
The wife had the flounder. The scallops were super fresh too.
I had the duck with some lovely caramelised shallots. Had a glass of their Shiraz to match this dish. I must say, the Shiraz was delicious! I would have preferred a more generous pour though.
On the way to the restaurant.
The view from Rae's Restaurant @ Balgownie Estate. The resort was beautiful. I totally forgot to take some photos until we settled down at the restaurant.
The wife had the flounder. The scallops were super fresh too.
I had the duck with some lovely caramelised shallots. Had a glass of their Shiraz to match this dish. I must say, the Shiraz was delicious! I would have preferred a more generous pour though.
I know it doesn't look like much in the photo, but this chocolate pyramid mousse was amazing!
Despite the awesome view and delicious food, the attention was on catching up with our good friends who were visiting from Perth. Simply lovely!
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
Despite the awesome view and delicious food, the attention was on catching up with our good friends who were visiting from Perth. Simply lovely!
To visit the Yarra Valley and Balgownie check out
https://www.winecompass.com.au
______________________________________________________https://www.winecompass.com.au
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
Labels: Balgownie Estate, Eastern Adventures, Yarra Valley
It wasn't the perfect day to take a drive out to the Yarra Valley as it was really cloudy in the photo below, but there's just something about the Valley that somehow manages to find a way to surprise you when you least expect it. Oh, this was a few weekends ago by the way. Delayed post.
Tokar Estate Winery & Restaurant was one of those pleasant surprises.
Come to think of it, the weather wasn't half as bad as I thought it would have been. There was still sunshine after all.
We were busy chatting away and didn't even realise that the food was taking a while to arrive but this platter of dips was sent to us on the house, for the wait, without even asking for it. Now this was impressive! Definitely appreciate the gesture.
My steak went really well with a glass Tokar Estate's Shiraz. Yum! I should have bought a bottle home. Next time perhaps.
The wife had grilled salmon on mash potatoes which was grilled to perfection.
and desserts to top off this excellent meal. I can't remember what this was that I had, but I know I loved it!
I'm can't wait to pay them another visit. Looking at the photos now just made my stomach growl.
______________________________________________________
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
Tokar Estate Winery & Restaurant was one of those pleasant surprises.
Come to think of it, the weather wasn't half as bad as I thought it would have been. There was still sunshine after all.
We were busy chatting away and didn't even realise that the food was taking a while to arrive but this platter of dips was sent to us on the house, for the wait, without even asking for it. Now this was impressive! Definitely appreciate the gesture.
My steak went really well with a glass Tokar Estate's Shiraz. Yum! I should have bought a bottle home. Next time perhaps.
The wife had grilled salmon on mash potatoes which was grilled to perfection.
and desserts to top off this excellent meal. I can't remember what this was that I had, but I know I loved it!
I'm can't wait to pay them another visit. Looking at the photos now just made my stomach growl.
______________________________________________________
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
Labels: Eastern Adventures, Tokar Estate, Yarra Valley
Lunch at Vines Restaurant @ Helen's Hill, Yarra Valley. The food, wine and service at Vines were amazing and I am looking forward to visiting again for another meal. The best part about this lunch was the company I had, eating, drinking and laughing away while we enjoyed the breathtaking scenery.
Vines Yarra Valley Platter for starters
Zucchini Flowers and Hapuka Fish. I've been wanting to try stuffed Zucchini flowers every since I saw them appear on Masterchef and I must say, I love em!
The platter close up. The platter was out of the ordinary. It's definitely a must. I was expecting some antipasto-like platter but this came as a pleasant surprise and a great start to the meal.
Oven Roasted Chicken
I had the Wagyu Steak. It was really tasty, but I would have preferred it a little more rare. I asked for a medium rare but what was laid in front of me was more medium than medium rare.
Chocolate Pudding. I'm definitely having this the next time I go back there.
I can't remember what this dessert was called. It might have been an apple tart. I've got a pretty sweet tooth, but this was a little too sweet for my liking.
The vines
The view from the restaurant. I really liked how green the grass was. It rained a bit in the morning so I guess the water helped bring out the colour.
If I had a dog, it'll be this one (the one I am patting in the photo). Absolutely lovable. There were two of them, both of them equally cool!
Vines Yarra Valley Platter for starters
Zucchini Flowers and Hapuka Fish. I've been wanting to try stuffed Zucchini flowers every since I saw them appear on Masterchef and I must say, I love em!
The platter close up. The platter was out of the ordinary. It's definitely a must. I was expecting some antipasto-like platter but this came as a pleasant surprise and a great start to the meal.
Oven Roasted Chicken
I had the Wagyu Steak. It was really tasty, but I would have preferred it a little more rare. I asked for a medium rare but what was laid in front of me was more medium than medium rare.
Chocolate Pudding. I'm definitely having this the next time I go back there.
I can't remember what this dessert was called. It might have been an apple tart. I've got a pretty sweet tooth, but this was a little too sweet for my liking.
The vines
The view from the restaurant. I really liked how green the grass was. It rained a bit in the morning so I guess the water helped bring out the colour.
If I had a dog, it'll be this one (the one I am patting in the photo). Absolutely lovable. There were two of them, both of them equally cool!
One for the road. Till the next visit to Vines!
*All photos taken by Tam Tran. Thanks for the awesome photos Tam!
______________________________________________________
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
*All photos taken by Tam Tran. Thanks for the awesome photos Tam!
______________________________________________________
All Broken Scar's music is available on www.reverbnation.com/brokenscar
Labels: Australia, Eastern Adventures, Vines Restaurant, Yarra Valley
