We have been back from our overseas holiday just over 2 months and our feet have not touched the ground with work, family & new grandchildren. We are waiting for our latest grandchild to be born, due in about 3 weeks or so, that will be the last one for this year. Currently this little one is still breech, here’s hoping he will turn in the next few weeks. So Ian thought this would be an opportune time to steal a long weekend away, or so he thought. Ian did not count on me having approximately 50 analytical essays to finish marking, so he booked a romantic weekend away, also forgetting he was on call. Great stuff, typically male, don’t you just love them. I will say in his defence, I would always have a reason not to go away due to work commitments, he did well.
So away we go to Basildene Manor in Margaret River, a beautiful spot set in our wine making district, with my papers, laptop in toe and Ian with his mobile phone and his laptop. Wow I can see this is going to go well. I did not take much notice of the scenery on the way down to Margaret River; I took this time to continue marking papers. I get great satisfaction from marking a paper that has everything you anticipated it would have in it, one that follows the marking guide and the student endeavours to get it all right, and then I feel I got the message across. Conversely, it is the opposite when the student gets it all wrong, and then there is the student that is right on the line, 50%. I am not sure if that equally means I have not done my job well? I have yet to make a decision on this.
Margaret River is one of our favourite places and we try to stay somewhere different each time we come to this region, we also endeavour to try several different vineyards, of course. Basildene Manor is an old manor which was built around 1902 and owned by the Willmott family.
This is a grand venue, set on 14 acres and has enchanting gardens, luxurious rooms, our room has a king size bed and a spar, sheer bliss for us, mixed with elegance and a taste of old world charm. 
Breakfast was set in the conservatory overlooking the 14 acres of enchanting gardens watching the exotic birds playing in the trees; it really was peaceful and relaxing. We would stroll around the grounds each morning enjoying the surroundings and thankful we live in such a beautiful country.
Cape Lavender holds a special place for us; we just adore the spot and love the wine, hence why we bought two cases– we indulged in afternoon tea – that is lavender tea, lavender scones & cream, sheer decadence and see it was tea we enjoyed, it goes to prove we do drink tea.
Dinner Saturday night was at Leeuwin Estate – what can I say except to say “exquisite” we went back the next day to see the grounds in the daytime to also enjoy the gardens. It is my aim to get to a Leeuwin concert...........
Redgate – wine tasting, you just have to try the white port it is very special, especially with lots of ice and a slice of lemon – it is to die for!
The Knights Inn –was one of the local pubs where we had dinner Sunday night – nothing beats a pub dinner watching the English football - Portsmouth vs Tottenham was playing so my hubby was in his element and I did not mind either, we had a table in front of the wood fire and the big screen what more could you ask for?
Only 20 papers left, the students are doing to badly, it does make a change to sit out in the gardens marking it gives you a different perspective.
Our last day – we visited the Voyager winery, this place has to be seen to be believed, it is just an unbelievable spot. We had lunch there and it was “outstanding”
Now it is time to go home, we feel refreshed the battery is recharged and ready to start again, until the next time, ciao from Margaret River.
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