Something I love about where I live in Melbourne is how close I am to the Dandenong Ranges.
Yesterday I had a bonus day off, so I decided to head up to one of my favourite spots in Sassafrass and enjoy some lunch.
Proserpina Bakehouse has THE most epic pizzas and pastries. I was introduced to this gorgeous Bakehouse by some dear friends and it’s now one of my go-to destinations for delicious food and coffee in the hills.
While I waited for my pizza, I grabbed my sketchbook and doodled some trees, sitting outside on a cushion lined bench. The weather was a little gloomy, which I kind of love. It makes the hills seem extra atmospheric, there was a definite hint of autumn in the air.
When I am up in what I call “yonder hills” I feel SO at home. There’s something about all those towering trees and luscious ferns that I find so peaceful and grounding.
As I finished my pizza, a little boy and his mum arrived at the cafe, parked his bike at the bench next to mine and headed towards the door to order their lunches.
On the way in, he spotted something on the ground, and crouched down to pick it up “Look mama!” he said, holding his treasure up to show her.
It was a gorgeous green acorn, a little jewel nobody had noticed. His mum told him it was an acorn and he repeated the new word, an acorn. It was such a sweet moment.
After trying to capture his beautiful blonde curls in a sketch, I headed into the cafe to warm up and select a pastry.
When in Sassafrass, right?
Heaven on a plate.
Enjoyed every bite with a second coffee, did some more sketching, and admired the huge not-red-yet-not-burgundy bunch of dahlias in the centre of the table.
Have you ever seen a dog sitting in a highchair in a cafe? I hadn’t until yesterday. It was quite something.
As I drove back down the gently winding road towards home I felt quietly revived.
Spending time under a canopy of greenery is one of my favourite things to do.
I know I am super lucky to have such a special place so close to home.
Where do you feel revived? Have you eaten any incredible pizza lately or seen a pet in an unusual place? Tell me all about it.
Annette x
I Give You The Verbs 
Sounds lovely Annette.
I lived in Melbourne for 3 and a half years in the early 90’s and loved it.
I have a few vague memories of exploring the beautiful Victorian countryside and will be heading down in April with a friend for my 50th – a road trip adventure, including a 4 day cycling tour and squeezing in places like Walhalla, Hanging Rock and maybe Sassafras! Would love to meet up if we can wing it…and if you would like to. 😊
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A trip to Melbourne for your birthday sounds perfect! Let’s see if we can squeeze in a coffee catch up.
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First that pastry 🥰 how yum does it look.
Second I’ve been thinking about where/what leaves me feeling refreshed and I have to say it’s the beach, a special walking track that follows a local river up stream across the bridge then back down stream, all through bush, or a place I get to much less often the temperate rainforest. So I think for me it mostly involves water but also being away from people. All of these places leave me feeling so much more refreshed when I don’t have to share them with too many others.
Cheers Kate.
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Nature and a bit of space from others works for me too, and yes, that pastry was sooooo delicious!!
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