A Walk down Edgecombe Road

A week ago I had to drop the car off for some work and had to walk home - not much more than 2 kms. Driving a car you miss so much, riding a bike you absorb a little more but walking - yes, that takes in the sights, the sounds, the smells and you take in your surroundings much more.

This day was one of those days - Edgecombe Road is one of those heritage streets of Kyneton. It has many homes that date in the late 1800s. I won't say a great deal more as I don't know a great deal more than I enjoyed the walk and plan to more into the future.

I wonder what hidden delights these driveways to the heritage homes of Edgecombe Road lead to?
Wouldn't you like to see the interiors with I would imagine are some examples of the past.

Our House

Its now getting close - we haven't reported much on the house recently due to it being at lock-up stage. Naturally we can't get in unless with the Building Supervisor but only last Thursday we had a walk-thru to see much had been done since our last viewing. There have been a few minor dramas along the way but those have been rectified rather quickly.

Sue's Kitchen and my Butler's Pantry are just about completed, the electrical and plumbing are finished and its now down to floor coverings and final touch up and clean up. We are hoping for move in within the next three weeks.

Sue's kitchen has double electric ovens with LPG gas cook top. The range-hood sits neatly above the cook top. Behind the cook top will be an easy clean glass splash back. There actually three hanging lights over the huge stone island bench.

There's plenty of storage either side of the ovens and cook top for all of Sue's pots and pans.

This is where I am banished to. The Butler's Pantry has a double sink, dish washer, micro wave on this side.

On the other side is more storage below a stone bench top (still to come). Note all the double power points - 3 in total.
All of Sue's appliances will sit on the bench ready for preparation.

Except for the bedrooms, study and lounge room which will be carpeted, the rest of the house will have this bamboo tongue and groove flooring. The colour really works well with the light grey walls.

The big surprise to us on Thursday was to see the Alfresco area being concreted. This is an L-shaped area and all under cover with 2 fans situated in both areas for air movement on the hot summer nights.

We expect that on Monday, the driveway will concreted. I'm taking this photo from inside the double car garage.

So where are we now. As Christmas is looming, we hope to be moving our belongings into the house "at the latest", second week of December. It will be interesting times over the next three weeks.

Sunkist Abbey

On Wednesdays I meet my fellow cyclists at 9.00 am in the town 15kms down the road from where we currently live in Kyneton. We are fortunate that we are now emerging from one of the coldest and wet winter seasons for some time. The morning sun does the heart good but the mornings are still crisp. As I arrived at our usual Wednesday meeting point, I stopped to take this photo opportunity on my iPhone. 

About 14 of us enjoyed a 95 km ride with two coffee stops along the way.

The ALL FRENCH CAR SHOW

When I was just a child of Primary School age, my father bought a 1937 Citroen Traction Avant. I remember well being in the back seat driving with my Grandfather whom Dad passed the car to. It was a Slough built model with leather, wood and wire wheels. That very early model had a canvas insert to the roof rather than all steel.

When I turned 18, my father helped to buy my first car, a 1960s baby blue Renault Dauphine. My second car was my first Citroen Traction Avant - maybe a 1951 from memory. Another 4 to 5 followed on over the years.

Other cars of French origin followed - Peugeots 505 GTI, 2 307s, and now our very first brand new, out of the showroom Peugeot 2008 SUV. Citroens still take up space with the GS wagon, Celeste, our 49 Traction plus the Xantia and the C4.

A Renault 16 was in there during the late 70s. Both British (MGs/Triumph/Mini) and Italian (Alfa Romeo) cars have at times filled our garage and driveway.

So I guess we've always leaned towards the French cars hence the reason for taking a trip to Williamstown to take in the All French Car Show on Sunday.

I'll share the experience with you with the following photos and short description.

CITROENS

The DS Safari is always a fave of mine as well.

The number plate say's BIG 6H. Its because it was a forerunner of the DS and had self levelling rear suspension.

This Light 15 Citroen was fitted with the DS cross flow motor and 4 speed gearbox.

 RENAULTS

This Renault Caravelle in white was rather gorgeous.

The Renault 16 was the most practical car I have owned. A great cruiser with plenty of space to transport belongings when shifting house.

Never owned a Renault 8 or even the R10 but loved their quirky shape.

Now a Renault 750 would quite easily slip in a corner of the garage.

Renault Gordini, where my first car was the standard Dauphine.

The Alpine is Sue's favourite.

 SIMCA

 DELAGE

 PEUGEOTS

This Peugeot is of the same era as our Citroen Traction Avant, although a bit more modern in shape.

What really did capture my imagination was this beautifully restored Citroen GS Break or wagon.

Hopefully we move on from cars on the next post (but they are a passion of ours) to more about the house build, the local area and food that Sue cooks.

A Very French Day in Trentham

Trentham reminds us of France in many ways - its about the community in a small village maybe. Today was one of those days. We were invited to join in for a gathering of the French Solex motorised bicycles.
Our friends Geoff and Kerrie  opened up their old farm house to their fellow Solex enthusiasts which started with a small ride through the village, out to the Trentham Falls and then to the Pig and Whistle for a pot of Guinness before returning home for lunch in their old milking sheds.

Sue and I drove out in Celeste Citroen to the Trentham market first and then had a breakfast at one (of many) of our favourite local cafes - the Trentham Collective. We then drove off to follow the Solex riders on our lovely country roads.

A great Cafe - one of five to choose from.

We await the riders to catch up to Celeste. 

One of the cute French Solex bicycles 

Can't resist - another photo of Celeste - isn't she lovely 

Not only does Geoff have a couple of Solex bicycles but also this very cute 2CV.
Both our cars are the UK versions built in Slough.

Like us, I fear Geoff has been inflicted with the Francophile bug. He also owns a vintage Amilcar.

A great day was had by all.