day 1: autumn camp

Good ol' Days; Bertallis Alpine Breads Bakery, 51 Bridge St, Benalla, VIC 3673

Fotoholics's (photography club based at UoM) autumn camp group returned to Melbourne from Bright earlier this week in time for week 9 classes. The camp comprised of 3 days and 2 nights which were jam-packed full of activities and photography time. For me, the best thing about camp was that I felt comfortable carrying my camera around, taking photos and talking about photography without looking like a nerd. During outings, we could go at our own pace, so I felt I wasn't burdening people to wait for me or my friends complaining I was being like a tourist. Which is usually the case when I'm in Melbourne.

The first town stop we made for lunch was in Benalla. There was a lot of bakeries and cafes, so it was pretty hard to choose from. One disappointing thing about Benalla was that we encountered a bunch of teens who were being racist towards us on the streets and the same group at McDonald's...although we did meet a friendly couple in another cafe. 

Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

The last stop for the first day was at Boyntons Winery where the owners and their staff make private label Feathertop wines. Most campers didn't participate in the wine sampling so we hiked up the valley to take photos. Most unfortunate, the grapes had all been harvested so there were none to take photos of and taste.

We stayed at the winery until sunset (for photographs) before heading back to accommodation.

An Autumn Tale; Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

Most of my scenic photos of the winery were pretty crap, but the above photograph was my favourite.

Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

View from the top of the valley; Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

Sunset; Boyntons Winery, Alpine Valleys North East Victoria

tea time snack

With two of my cousins coming over during Easter, my mum made donuts again and filled them with some strawberry jam. Unlike last time when we had them for supper, she prepared them earlier and we had them with some tea.

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I will be leaving for camp in a few days and won't be back until next month. Adios amigos and keep smiling! (Does anyone remember El Nombre?)

it's too bloody hard

 

"Croissants are a pain in the bum to do...The best suggestion I could make about Croissants is to buy them from your baker; don't try to make them yourself. If it's too bloody hard, it's too bloody hard."

Tom O'Toole (founder of Beechworth Bakery) via MORE Secrets of the Beechworth Bakery

Perhaps I should have listened to Tom's advice before venturing out to make my own using a recipe found in Bourke Street Bakery's cookbook. Making it was pretty tiring as it does take a lot of time and effort to get to the finished result. From the hand kneading, 1/2 kilo butter bashing to all the rolling! No recipe posting as I think that most people wouldn't be interested in making their own. Like Tom said, just buy them from your baker!

My parents ought to be worried that I'd rather make croissants rather than study for university...well for that weekend anyway :)

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Photos taken on the Nikon D5000, cross processed on instagr.am