We have just had a perfect weekend - unexpectedly so. Will had management training with 4 members of his team on Friday at a conference retreat called Stonelea. It's 2 hours north east of Melbourne. Families were invited to join them for dinner and stay overnight.
I had fogotten what a beautiful part of the country this area is. It is so green and lush, with beautiful big trees everywhere.

I picked the boys up from school and drove straight there. We arrived in time for a pre dinner swim, before a BBQ on the lawn. Here's Henri heading out for a pre-dinner stroll.

The next morning Max and I went horseriding (Max's first time and he loved it). Then we spent a lazy afternoon around a beautiful pool.
We left late Saturday afternoon and decided to stop for dinner with another family on the way back. We stumbled upon a fantastic wine bar/cafe called Innocent Bystander in Healesville.
It was big and noisy - a great place to take 8 children. A sign above the bar read, "Unattended children will be given double espresso and made wild promises about what Santa is bringing them."
We had a great meal and then adjourned across the road to a lovely park. It was the perfect February evening - warm and dry - the sort of weather that makes you want to stay out all night. Families were enjoying picnic dinners under the trees. It was perfect.