A busy week of “Grandmum Le Chic ” duties has left little time for blogging (our daughter, La Chic Maman, has also been away at a wedding this weekend!). However there has been just a hint of spring although it’s still cool for the time of year. Following on with my #justanotherdayinwa theme (see here for last week’s post), I’d like to share some photos from a lovely day out at Carilley Estate for Monsieur Le Chic’s birthday the other weekend.
The beautiful Swan Valley is only half an hour or so’s drive from the centre of Perth and our home on the coast, yet you feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside. Nestling at the foot of the Darling Escarpment, the valley’s fertile soil is especially conducive to wine growing. The happy consequence of this setting is that there is an abundance of wineries, cafes and restaurants. We visited Carilley Estate (just outside Herne Hill) at the suggestion of La Chic Maman, who is vegetarian and always likes to check out her options first! It proved an inspired choice not just for her but the rest of us – pork, lamb and fish dishes all featured with wonderful vegetable accompaniments. We started off with a superb tasting platter of local cheeses, home-made pate and chutneys. There was also a good choice of dishes on the kids’ menu for the two little “Petites”. Plus the grown ups sampled some of the estate’s excellent wines!
With a lovely terrace and grounds sloping gently down to a pretty little brook, Carilley is a popular wedding venue. It is quite small and intimate and you definitely need to book a table in advance. After lunch “les Petites” played happily in the garden and on the equipment in the children’s play area. It wasn’t quite warm enough for us to sit outside for lunch but, by mid afternoon, a few people were enjoying drinks and platters out on the terrace. It is the sort of place where for just a couple of hours or so time stands still and you feel truly relaxed. The Swan Valley has a lovely country feel and it’s always a treat to drive out there for a lazy lunch!
Copyright © 2016 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved
Le Chic En Rose 
What a beautiful setting, soon you will be basking in brilliant hot sun! Some of my favourite wines in the world are Australian, not so easy to get here in France!!!
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Thank you! Yes it is just starting to feel a bit warmer – we have had such a cold winter by our standards and still in winter clothes now as the wind is chilly! We are so lucky here – the Australian wines are wonderful. We have some fantastic ones in our corner of South West WA – the area round Margaret River has more than a shade of France about it! 🙂
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Looks like the perfect spot for any sort of celebration Rosemary, just gorgeous!! Places like that where the little ones can play as well always make for a more relaxed time for the adults – just perfect.
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It was a perfect spot Joy – so well set up for adults and kids alike and I felt very relaxed even though we were supervising 2 very active little girls!! The gardens and grounds were so pretty and we were very lucky with the weather as it had poured down the previous day! 🙂
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It looks lovely. How I envy you all those vineyards to visit 🙂
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This is another gorgeous spot in the Swan Valley Jude just off the Great Northern Highway. We found it very kid friendly – hopefully you’ll get out here for another visit before too long! 🙂
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There are so many Australia vineyards and just not enough time to sample them all. This one looks and sounds like a gem, Rosemary.
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I know Ruth if only one had the time to go round them all! Carilley was a new one for us and definitely a real gem! 🙂
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Glad you had a lovely time, busy lady 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Jo! Yes it was a lovely day out – always seem to be on the go at present tomorrow we are off to the zoo for the day with the little ones! Hope you have a lovely weekend! 🙂
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Take time to enjoy! 🙂 I’m a little slow this weekend as I jumped into a ditch on the Moors yesterday and twisted an ankle. Just call me Hop-a-long 🙂
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Oh no sorry to hear that Jo – wishing you a speedy recovery! Take care X
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Autumn is slowly coming here, as you can see the leaves starting to fall down. So it’s good timing that spring is on its way for you. It looks like a very peaceful place and I can understand why some people would choose that as a wedding venue. Looks very intimate.
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Sounds like you’ve had some really good weather recently though – a proper summer! Spring is coming slowly here – it’s been really cold by Perth standards! Have lit the wood fire again tonight and in thick jumpers! Carilley is a lovely peaceful place – must be a lovely wedding venue 🙂
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