Where has this little birdie been ?????

I have started a long awaited 5 week

break from my 9-5 grind.

Each year I try to save up my leave hours

so that I can have a long break from work

and really enjoy having that escapism.

I find that I can never really relax on 1 or 2 weeks off.

I have decided to jam pack my holidays this

year with both things to do at home and

small trips to local surrounding districts.

To mark the start of my holidays,

I had a lovely long weekend with my parents

up in the Atherton Tablelands.

What I love the most is that it's full of rolling hill vistas!!

As far as the eye can see is red dirt, green pastures, and blue sky.

It's just so peaceful and picturesque.

Everywhere you look there is some sort of wildlife or pastured animal.

It truly is one of my favourite places to escape to.

A few years ago I decided to move there but was unable

to break into the housing market at the time.

So I ended up spending a year working at the

Atherton Hospital to fund my extended day dream.

It was definitely one of my most favourite years!!! 

One of the main attractions is the Yungaburra markets

(4th Saturday of each month).

It is packed with local produce, specialty plant growers,

hand crafted homewares and art pieces, skallywags,

and much, much more!!!

As per usual in Atherton we were greeted with a wet morning.

It wasn't quite rain, but was heavier than mist.

Sort of  in between mist and drizzle.

So I decided to name it "Mizzle", which was

adopted by the family for the duration of our stay :)

One of the MUST DO'S at the Yungaburra markets

is to have a "Nick's Hotdog".

I ALWAYS get a bratwurst with sauerkraut, mustard and tomato sauce.

THEY ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!

Last time we went up there Nick's van wasn't there......

I nearly cried............TRUE!!!!

Very close to the markets is a small detour

to the majestic and mammoth strangler fig.

It's branches are full of crows nests, stags, and elkhorn ferns.

Truly lovely, if not a bit sad for the original host tree.

One of my other usual stops is to the "Roseburra" Rose Farm.

Usually you can drive around the back to the farm house door

and purchase fresh luxuriant bunches of roses for very cheap!!!!!!!

Thank god the cold room that you go to to select

your bunches is soooo cold that you can't comfortably

procrastinate on your choices because they are all

sooo beautiful that I am usually at serious risk

of freezing to death!!!!

Sadly this trip we noticed they were closed.

I was devastated to read that this local family run farm is up for auction.

It wasn't that long ago that I heard on the grape-vine that

 there were bullying issues with a large conglomerate company.

Very sad indeed that this family has been pushed

out of business by short sighted, greedy, inconsiderate, corporate pigs.

I really wish the family all best for the future.

Across from the market field is the Lake Eacham Hotel,

which I've always called the "Yungaburra Pub".

Well, it is smack bang in the middle of the Yungaburra township!!!!

Go figure......

It wasn't until we were driving past it and Mum asked

"Where's the Yungaburra Hotel?"

I thought she was going daft!!!!

We were right in front of it!!!!!!!!

UNTIL......I read it off the sign myself.

Oooops! I lived up there for a year,

and everyone called it the Yungaburra pub!!

I don't think I ever read the sign! LOL!

The Yungaburra pub is one of the best places to get
well portioned, mouth drooling meals around!!!

The other place is about 8 minutes around
the corner called the Peeramon Pub.
Peeramon was built around 1911 and has an
incredible part in local district history.

 After cyclone Larry savaged the area,
the Peeramon pub required a face lift.
Now it has a great outdoor dining area and
open plan event hall that you can see on the left.
I recommend that if you plan on eating at either of these pubs,
that you eat your main meal before ordering desert !!!!!
Because after you have achieved eating your main meal.......
the mere sight of your desert
may make you feel sick!!!

On the other side of Atherton is Tolga!

After a short drive through a tunnel of rainforest,

there is "The Humpy".

It's got lots of goodies and local produce,

including heaps of different flavoured nuts!

A real treat for the taste buds!!

My favourites are "Chilli Lime Peanuts" &

"Sour Cream & Chives, Wondaree Macadamia nuts"

Mmmmm..........

Another attraction in Tolga is the "Tolga Wood Works"

It's full of hand made wood art pieces and

also full of wonderful wooden gift ideas.

On Our way home we stopped in at

the sweet Milla Milla Falls.

Not swimming weather just yet,

but still a lovely environment!

Every where you look up here are the gorgeous

tree ferns that tower over the setting,

like natures own umbrellas.

I hope you enjoy the sights as much as I do.

PS: Some of these photos have been borrowed

from the internet because I was having too much of 

 good time to remember to take photos!!!!

Hope you forgive me, ha ha ha!

Now.........Where to next.......

Hugs N Kisses

Barb :)