Getting Away Before I'm Taken Away

I'm not exaggerating when I say that the last month has been one of the roughest times I've ever had. In the next few blog entries I'll be going into more detail but right now I want to concentrate on one of the nicest things that's ever happened to me.

The Hunter Valley, Australia.

When Life is at it's worse, this place can save your soul. Austalia's oldest wine region the Hunter is an oasis for me. Wine in abundance. Oddly enough, my favorite Aussie wines aren't found here. I'm a worshipper of the Coonawara region Shiraz and will happy walk on a mile of broken glass or listen to my girls sign "Call Me maybe" for the privilege of a glass.

Sadly, that region is too far for me to get to just yet but the Hunter is a mere 90 drive away so Ted and just trekked here a few days ago for some soul-searching and rejuvenating peace. And while my blessed Barrossa Valley Shiraz isn't here...man what's left isn't exactly sloppy seconds.

Pokolbin Brothers still has the best Chardonnay ever bottled. They still have zero interest in marketing and joining the business of high pressure wine selling so most people don't know about it. Good. Stay away, don't take my wine.

Peterson's has some champers (champagne to non Aussies) around and it doesn't hurt the Hunter Valley Chocolate company is next door with a chili chocolate so fabulous I don't mind the hefty $8 fee.

Don't bother looking up Pokolbin Brothers Winery on the Internet now. You wouldn't like it. Stay away.

And I have to mention our accommodation - the Billabong Moon. The first place that Ted and I agreed that want to come back to. In the Hunter there are 100's of places to stay and dozens of them are fabulous. To stand out in that crowd really means something. If you need to disappear for a few days this is the place to go. Billabongmoon.com.au

Check them out but stay way from my Pokolbin Brothers Wines. Mine!!!!

I'm home now and after 4 days of peace and quiet I can listen listen to my daughter play "Where's My Water?" and not want to gouge my ears out. That's high praise indeed.

Thank you Hunter Valley, you've saved a few lives this weekend.