I’m time poor at the moment, spending every free moment on the finishing touches to the book, so I don’t have the luxury of a day to wade up the river or hit the lakes, waving my stick in the air in the hope to bag a beautiful healthy Trout. As an alternative I support our local Trout farmers, Tuki that are based on the volcanic Stoney Rises north of Smeaton. Yes not very sporting, but let’s remember that I don’t hunt or fish for ‘sport’ it’s always been about sourcing a meal. Tuki is where we sometimes go with the kids on free weekends to buy some fresh fish and sometimes get the girls behind a rod for fun.
I love this fire place. Always a welcoming sight when we visit Tuki in winter.
A double bonus today was that as I was leaving, my foraging senses took control and I spotted a healthy bunch of fresh stinging nettle just behind some signage. After a good chat with the owner I garnished harvesting approval and went crazy stuffing a full bag with the intention of making more pesto (later in the afternoon I made 7 meals and bagged, tagged and froze them).
The road home was beautiful with isolated spring storms popping up over the volcanic range making for some pretty spectacular scenery, the lighting was full of mood. I love this region. Anyone that poo poo’s the Ballarat area is a fool.
Smeaton is a quaint little town just south of Tuki. It’s a little time capsule.
I remember going there as a kid, loving the fishing but hating the part where I had to kill the fish. Dad wouldn’t do it for us. I remember my poor little brother (a little stick of a thing at the time) hitting the fish with a stick over and over, trying to kill it but not wanting to and feeling sick about it. He was bashing it on the body, when one quick blow to the head would have been much quicker and humane! Poor thing!
I hope your fish is delicious!
Phenomenal shots. Looks like a fantastic day.
That it was my friend!
Great photos buddy! Your absolutely right, there’s nothing wrong with the Ballarat area! And you sure get some awesome storms coming through that part of the state.
Totally agree. Although we always cop flack about where we live, especially from Melburnians!
Dream fireplace.
A bit big for your NY apartment?
great shots man
Thanks Foster!
Beautiful photographs!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful insights through your blog.
Thanks Vanessa, it’s a beautiful sight to see the storms rolling in.
“Anyone that poo poos the Ballarat area is a fool”
There are people out there that do that??
Each time I take my now yearly road trip to your neck of the woods, I find another gem and fall in love with it a little bit more. Last time it was Mt Franklin which I’ll be heading back to next year for a camp. Creswick too was beautiful.
I’ll definitely be adding Clunes and Smeaton to my fairly loose itinery…
Great shots mate.
Phill
Dude totally say hi next time!
Definitely, will do.