VOYAGE PETITE – SUNDAY AUGUST 16 _MORNING TEA WITH DAME NELLIE MELBA_ This run will provide the opportunity to sample some of the best the Yarra Valley has to offer. We will meet at COOMBE – THE MELBA ESTATE at 9.30a.m. for brunch/morning tea. COOMBE COTTAGE was established in the late 1800’s and was once the home of Australia’s famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. The property is still owned and operated by her descendants, the Vestey family. Located within the restored motor house and historic clock tower, the restaurant caters for brunch, lunch and afternoon tea, 7 days a week with fabulous views of Dame Nellie’s beautiful gardens. It is very reasonably priced and also includes the Melba Gallery (which is definitely worth a look), as well as The Cellar Door. Moving on from COOMBE at about 10.30am, we will visit the YARRA VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET (only 5 MINUTES away from Coombe) in the Historic Barn at YERING STATION where you can experience the most amazing range of local produce undercover. It offers everything from fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables, a wide variety of home- made goodies through to the ever essential beauty products such as hand-creams and body sprays and much, much more. YERING STATION itself was established in 1838 as Victoria’s first vineyard. It is a magnificent property with excellent facilities and ample parking. At about 11.30am, we will then head off for lunch at The TOOLANGI TAVERN (only 25 MINUTES from Yering Station), a classic country venue with an interesting history, great food and a warm, relaxed atmosphere, overlooking the southern tip of the Great Dividing Range. Lunch is arranged for 12PM. Again, the menu is excellent and very reasonably priced. Formerly the home of poet C.J. DENNIS, there is quite a bit to see in Toolangi, i.e. THE KIWIFRUIT WINERY and DAVID WILLIAMS POTTERY to name just two. Both of these are open till 4PM. On the way home, if you choose to go back through Yering, the YARRA VALLEY DAIRY is well worth a visit. They make some absolutely delicious cheeses and local wines to tempt the palate, as well as other local produce and gift items, which are available for purchase. They are open until 5pm. There are also several well established wineries through Dixon’s Creek and Yering if you haven’t had enough by this stage. _I HAVE MADE TENTATIVE BOOKINGS FOR BOTH COOMBE AND TOOLANGI TAVERN FOR ABOUT 20 PEOPLE. NUMBERS CAN BE ADJUSTED IN BOTH INSTANCES SO I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INDICATION OF LIKELY PARTICIPANTS PRIOR TO THE DAY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT. PLEASE EMAIL VAL GIBSON AT __VSGMJK@BIGPOND.COM_ _TO CONFIRM._
