Tiles, Shingles and the Hunter

While Murray copes with shingles, Merrie and I cope with our addiction to tiles (mah-jong on the computer).

And while Murray is thinking he is having nicotine withdrawal symptoms-unwell since last Tuesday-on our way to the Hunter Valley for a night with Doug and Merrie. Murray remained off colour while the rest of us enjoyed wine tasting and consuming home cooked breakfasts.



Corn fritter stack



Big breakfast



We booked our accommodation via last minute.com-The Tusconny Villa/Resort. Not exactly 4 star-with a huge crack on the wall and stained mouldy carpet, but perhaps this is what you get when paying  $115.00 per night. So pleased we didn’t pay the rack rate of $250 per night!

The Hunter Valley is NSW’s = of Margaret River-vineyards, galleries, food and accommodation.

Greener than Margaret River but not as friendly-no cheese or crackers to compliment wine tasting, Murray found it more commercial than MR.  Small samples at the Lovedale Smokehouse were removed after only one sample-yet we still managed to buy smoked cheddar cheese, smoked pork sausage and pate.

The Smelly Cheese Factory provided the biggest array of cheeses I have ever seen. We bought the Rocqfort french cheese-that we had seen being made in the caves of Southern France.

We will remain with our friends – Doug and Merrie at Chittaway Point until Murray recovers. It is lovely here on the shores of Lake Tuggerah…..