MT HOTHAM

THE DRIVE UP - i decided to do it in two days and stayed at Euroa at the lovely Seven Creeks Hotel, built in 1901 and pretty much original inside, lots of big rooms, wood panelling, verandahs all around, half of them built in to create lovely rooms with large couches and books.  Great dinner and a crazy bed!

breakfast in a great little cafe and a chat to a local about her 

10 pound pom experience

THRU BEAUTIFUL MYRTLEFORD and up the mountain, a combination of amazing autumn colour then the stunning panoramas of the mountains, those blues and purples are breathtaking  - at the same time the winding climb is pretty tense, i had to call in to harrietville to hire chains to carry in case of snow on the road.  

I'm really hoping it's fine for the trip down because i'm not really confident of being able to take the chains off when the snow stops.  quite a hairy

drive really

THE MOUNTAINS - the camera just can't capture the vastness

i was surprised by these striking scenes of dead white trees, like fragile pinfeathers covering the slopes. it would be easy to run off the road just being sidetracked by the landscape

VERY HAPPY TO ARRIVE - the chalet is huge, room after room, a kitchen that would accommodate multiple cooks,  a dozen chopping boards, scores of saucepans - in fact, whatever you need it's there by the dozen 

Isobelle's as gorgeous and welcoming as ever, only one other person, Karen when i arrived but by dinner time there were five other writers.  We all had a wonderful dinner thanks to Isobelle and Karen, and spent the evening by the fire.

DAY TWO  we awoke to a dusting of snow which gradually increased throughout the morning until you would have to call it a snowfall - windy and snowing.  the scenery outside the chalet has changed completely to almost monochrome except for the fabulous trunks of the snowgums, something i've always wanted to see.  it's hard to believe they're natural, the patterns and colours are truly incredible.

we rugged up in the afternoon and trudged up to the general store/bar for a mulled wine - perfect! everything looks pristine, snow clinging to the trunks and leaves of the trees, the ground covered, my little car under a white blanket

lovely reflections at night in the living room