Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sunny skies

Yesterday the sun was shining and the sky was a briliant blue. The weather couldn't have been better for the annual Swiss Italian Festa in Hepburn Springs. All the schools marched together, with goats, music, colour and happy faces. It was so much fun and is a great celebration of the Swiss Italian culture & the wonderful community we live in.


The Swiss Italians came to the Hepburn area during the goldrush of the 1850's, many of them walking to the goldfields from many miles away.
They opened up the Jim Crow goldfields which later became Daylesford. Some of the names of the families who came from across the seas are still around today, Tinetti, Rodini, Gervasoni and Lucini & many others.

We marched along the sunny streets and then along a back lane, dappled in sunlight, winding our way down to the maket day on the green grasses of Hepburn Reserve, under the huge shady trees.




Then we listened to all the gorgeous children singing Italian songs, each school performed, led by a wonderful group of kids from Daylesford Secondary College. All the local schools and kinders had stalls as fundraisers, ours made frog-in-a-pond's in red, white and green.




It really was a glorious day and lovely to see families enjoying it together. The only downside was that there was a big crowd and it was hard to keep track of the kids. I heard later that two little prep boys took off and couldn't be found. After a long search they were found right up at Daylesford, where they had walked to, several kilometres away! How scary is that? I haven't heard the whole story yet but it goes to show how easily children can wander off without being noticed.



The weather is so lovely this weekend, it really makes you feel good. Creeks are full of water and the grass is green and lush and the fresh air smells of blossoms & springtime.




Jim Crow creek





I'm finding life so busy at the moment, it's important for me to still enjoy the beautiful outdoors, the sky and birds and life going on all around me. To also help ease the stress I'm making lists, planning meals for the week, anything to make things run smoothly. My main concern is making sure the kids are settled and enjoying life without too much distruption. I hope I can do all the things I want to do as well!


Hope you have enjoyed some sunshine and happiness this weekend, see you soon xo

14 comments:

Sue said...

Oh I love the butterfly face painting, so pretty. The little dog is very cute in its stripey top, reminds me of what my sister used to dress our pet dog in. It was beautiful weather yesterday wasnt it. Isabelle and I walked around for about 3 hours enjoying all the lorikeets and galahs flying around.

hester said...

Your part of the world is so beautiful. And it's clear that it's beauty is never wasted on you...you drink it all in and paint a picture for us to enjoy. Thanks, Beck!

Pomona said...

The sun has come out here after a grey week - not as bright as with you. I, too, love the dog in the stripey jumper - he looks very sweet!

Pomona x

Tania said...

Hey there, oh Master Juggler - I am taking a leaf from your book this week and practising some serious organisational techniques. Meal plan, I shall actually abide by you...

Floss said...

What a wonderful weekend, and such a good way to celebrate your area's heritage!

picciolo said...

that sounds like a lovely weekend, and what a lovely butterfly! I've been planning meals for the week today too, I just wish we had some of your sunshine!

Kitty said...

What a glorious day! I can't wait to visit your area again, hopefully soon.
Thanks for finding my blog, I found yours ages ago, I think before you planted your garlic & then lost all my bookmarks. I'm happy to have your blog to read again.
Thanks too for entering my giveaway.
Have a lovely week.

home girl said...

daylesford is such a special spot, rich and i got engaged there more than 10 yrs ago on a springtime daytrip.sounds like a fab weekend xx ps your comment about waiting a week after hearing u were practically halfway thru labour (that's how i would have interpreted it!) would have been touture!!

beachvintage.com said...

OMG white chocolate frogs. I love them. Looks like a fab time was had by all.

Ravenhill said...

This all looks so lovely! What a fun time! The weather looks perfect! Love the pretty butterfly face decoration - she looks so happy!

Miss Prudence said...

viva la victoria! We are so cosmo here I love that I have become a Vic!

My brother in law lives in Switzerland sometimes he shares what is going on with us!

Stomper Girl said...

I love Daylesford and Hepburn, must book myself in a another visit SOON! That is a scary story about the 2 preppies and I'm just glad it had a happy ending. And I love the goat photo, were people just walking the goats like you do dogs?

Waterrose said...

It looks like a lot of fun. But was is a "frog in the pond?" What is that frog made with?

Emily said...

What a wonderful time you had! Looks beautiful there. We're heading into dreary winter. Should be fall here, but it's been really dreary and November like. Ugh! Haven't seen the sun in 5 days...ho hum.