West of the mountains.

We hadn't been away for the week-end for a while so we were excited to set off on Friday to go visit our friends Kris and Lian in Bathurst, a regional centre west of the Blue Mountains and about three hours from Sydney.

The drive there was long and we got stuck in traffic a few times. We made it across the mountains and were sitting in front of a delicious risotto by about 7:30pm. Hugo sat on my lap for a bit of dinner, we skipped his bath and got him into bed around 9pm. Then, we were able to sit back, relax and catch up for a couple of hours before our tired bones climbed into bed as well.

Kris and Lian moved to the village of Peel, about 10 minutes out of town, just after Christmas and are renting the kind of house we used to hire for week-ends away. Expecting a baby due at the end of June, they are living a blessed existence out of the city.

The house itself is quirky and fun but also peaceful and warm, built over a long period by an inspired woman. Windows, beams, railings, doors and just about everything else is recycled, up-cycled and re-used in some way. Far from a "dog's breakfast", this one works with separate sleeping areas organised around a large but cosy double-storey living space with a painting mezzanine above.

The house is surrounded by a garden that is designed in the same way as the house: a clear vision with plenty of room for the unexpected too. Some parts of the house and garden have a special pull and we often found ourselves playing, relaxing or chatting in these: the wide veranda that surrounds the living areas, the rug by a large picture window facing the garden, and of course, as these week-ends go, the kitchen/dining area.

We also spent quite a bit of time playing music for Hugo. Kris and Lian are both talented musicians and seem to fill the spaces they inhabit with music and instruments. We played the piano and guitar, with some guest appearances by a drum and a harmonica. Hugo tried his hands at all of them with the guitar and piano being clear favourites.

Bathurst itself is lovely. Having experienced a gold rush sometime towards the end of the 19th century, the town boasts quite a few beautiful old sandstone or brick buildings. It is a fair bit smaller than Newcastle and I didn't feel the trendy edge that has become familiar to us here but the balance of a country lifestyle so close to a reasonable centre could certainly be attractive. In the end, what does one need besides a few cafes, an art gallery, a nice park with ducks to feed, and in their case, a music shop?

It was exciting visiting them there and of course, I can't wait to visit again, most likely when their baby has come to join their beautiful and peaceful haven, just in time for a snuggly winter by the fireplace.

We drove home through the Hunter Valley rather than the mountains. It took more or less the same amount of time but was much more scenic and enjoyable. We went through isolated rural land, lush, green and hilly, perfect grazing territory where I think a lot of Angus beef is bred. Hugo travelled reasonably well and we made it home in time for a quick dip in the ocean and a nice dinner.