About
Gourmet Getaways Is One Year Old!
Oh my! Gourmet Getaways is one year old!
It has been a wonderful journey of discovery. I have enjoyed so many wonderful food area’s, cooking classes and quiet romantic little getaways. I have also come to know what I want from my website. I have found that it is a powerful tool and it can be used for so much good!
Outback Champagne Sunset Tour
But firstly, now is probably a good time to mention how this website came about. You all know that I have a love of food, but I also enjoy photography and travel. Two years ago we set off on a three month adventure driving from Coffs Harbour to the very tip of Cape York. I chronicled our adventures on a website called “This is Where We Are.” Initially the website was to be for friends and family to follow our trip but we gathered a lot of interest along the way, and have continued the site to detail other trips. I discovered at this time how much I enjoyed writing and sharing stories with readers.
Crocodile on the menu is better than face to face with a crocodile in the Proserpine River
Whilst we can’t get away for three months at a time very easily we do travel a lot. The trip to Cape York also showed me how unique each little town can be. The logical progression of photography, food, travel and writing was a website showcasing the great food finds and quaint little towns that we find in our travels and Gourmet Getaways was born.
Cradle Mountain Tasmania
Regional areas don’t tend to have the same consumer traffic afforded to businesses in the cities, as a consequence marketing, service and a great product is essential for a business to survive. I love finding a gorgeous little vineyard, restaurant, micro brewery, coffee plantation, festival art gallery etc and shouting out to the world what a great job they are doing. I like the feeling that perhaps all my lovely city readers will take a second look at some of the gorgeous areas we have either by the sea or in the hinterland. If that results in my readers spending a weekend exploring for themselves then I am very happy.
Greek Hellenic Dancers at the Townsville Greek Festival
I hope that I am also reminding the locals that we live in a great area of the world. I want to encourage everybody to support local events, products and locally owned and operated businesses. So people, experience more of what you love, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Naturally if you are hosting an event or have something you feel I should be telling the world about, I would love to hear from you. Please use the contact page, and if I can assist, I will.
Ferrero Rocher Promotion inspired cheesecakes
So what about the home cooking I do for Gourmet Getaways? Photographing food that I have made at home originally came about because I would see an item on a menu somewhere, and I would want to try to re-create the dish. I have since found it’s helping me to develop a feel for food styling, and keeps my studio photographic skills tested.
Lately I have been sharing favourite recipes of mine or dishes that people have taught me whilst we have been on a food adventure. Our family also host international students so we are privileged at times to receive a very authentic taste of their country of origin, via a home cooking lesson.
Mana & Tomo giving a Japanese Cooking Class
Best of all, this is a record for me of my food and travel adventures with my family and friends.
I love hearing from people who have read my stories. Feedback lets me know that I am loved ;) Please let me know what you think of my recipes, stories and images. I don’t mind if it is just a word or two. My stats let me know that you are visiting, but how about letting me feel the love!
J
Introducing Gourmet Getaways
Gourmet Getaways is part of a lifestyle change which is being made by a photographer/traveller who has a love of food, wine and relaxation. The site is about sharing some great getaway ideas, travel stories, luscious food finds and the like, with readers who also enjoy the finer things in life.
While it is fantastic to travel the globe we have so many gorgeous restaurant, quality vineyards and lovely boutique style accommodation here, that I think we have all the ingredients for some amazing gourmet getaways on our own doorstep.
I will showcase the quaint little towns, beachside hideaways or rural retreats in the area I love, being the coast between Sydney and Brisbane. There are so many hidden gems, which are easily accessible with a quick three hour drive from one of our capital cities. So next time you are after a gourmet getaway or long weekend to relax and recharge have a look at some of my suggestions.
If you can't escape follow a long with me, and let your mind wander. I love providing gorgeous images, and you will always get an honest review, so sit back and enjoy. The blog is all about food and fun.
On our trips I am usually joined by my husband and children, but happily there is also the opportunity for some more romantic gourmet getaways. Hubby is definitely a willing participant in these romantic mini vacations, so I am sure they will feature quite regularly.
When travel is not possible, I do the next best thing, I recreate menus and recipes from our experiences. I am a bit of a gadget queen, and I love finding nifty kitchen products, beautiful servery, crockery or platters for photographing. I am always on the look out for hard to find gourmet ingredients, interesting local produce, or high quality basic ingredients in the area's I visit. I will share all my "finds," the recipes, and much more in the pages beyond.
I would love people to leave lots of comments and suggestions. I would particularly like to here about your special weekend getaways, or suggestions of places you would like me to review. If you have products for me to try send them in or suggest them. If you would like to suggest a great online gourmet ingredient store or homewares shop please share the secret so that everyone may enjoy the shopping experience.
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3 TOURS DEPARTING 2012
Have Your Say
What a lucky little girl to have you as her mother Julie.
Oh my goodness! What an amazing place. I have always wondered what it was like there! :)
Awww what a lovely way to spend quality time together! I love love love all the different types of bananas you got to try! Yayy for fun holidays!
Miss J I wish I could have been there for you today, just know in my heart I was thinking of you. I shed a tear for you and K when I read your post and I can't wait to give you big hugs tomorrow. Xxoo
big hugs to you and your family. memories are meant to be kept and some in drawers and brought out at times. stay strong.
Beautiful post Julie and it brought tears to my eyes because I know from talking to you how much she meant to you. This post just brought it to words beautifully.
What a beautiful way to remember your gorgeous girl! Just reading yours and her story bought back the small number of memories I have about Kaela, the one that is forefront in my mind and always hovers there is the complete and utter joy I saw her showing on your wedding day. I think it was Manny whizzing her round and round in her chair on the sand and she was smiling and laughing so much! Loved it!!
Julie you are an amazing mum, the love you have for all your children is to be admired and emulated by others.
Our thoughts and love to you and yours today and always xx
Dear Julie,
I think that this post is such a beautiful way to remember the life of your daughter. Reading this brought a tear to my eye. I want to go over and give you a big fat hug right now.
NOTHING in this world can ever, ever compare to a Mother's love for her child, just as you've shown Kaela and your other children. I'm sure Kaela was very happy to have YOU as her mother and that in many ways, she was able to show love to others because she was first shown love from you, too. Her life is a true testament of courage and strength and I'm sure each day with her felt like the biggest blessing of all. You should be proud to say that your beautiful daughter, Kaela, has touched more people in her 16 years of life than most of us ever could in our whole lives, even till this day.
I have so much respect for you and other mothers out there who's had the same experience. I've never read such an honest, heartfelt and emotionally raw post and I applaud your courage to share this. I don't think it's fair to say that I understand your pain but I hope you know that your post has really touched me and many others out there right now. Cheers to many more celebrations to commemorate the wonderful life that Kaela has led on earth. It's painful but it's a joyous thing. Take care.
Love,
Winston.
Hey little sister..
Wow, for someone who always has so much to say, I find myself at a lose for words, and wanting to be very quiet.. Lisa and I are both crying on the bed, and I find myself thinking..
Wow has it been so long.. 1991.. Such a bright little star she was..
I remember sitting on your couch holding her, playing with a squeakily toy frog, cause she seemed to like that at Sir Thomas Michelle Rd.
Or Singing her Metallica when she was crying, okay perhaps it was not as effective as Tori, but.. We work with what we have.
Love you very much Little Sister..
That is about all I can say little one, Love you very much..!
T & L
Kaela Elisa is looking down at us as we speak, she was strong and she would like to see her family strong and continue to celebrate the beautiful times you spent with her. We all miss her.
Thanks Donna,
You are a fantastic mum and aunty. I hope you liked my tribute to K
Thank you so much for your thoughts and kind words.
It means so much to be coming from three mums.
You never know exactly how much you are opening your heart up when you choose to have a child.
Even healthy children give mum's so much to worry about, as you would all know!
I am pleased I wrote the story, it was really nice to share :)
...but I would not have had it any other way :)
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