Van Loon's Nursery

Located right here on the Bellarine is a wide range of plants, gifts, homewares and more, all in the one place - and that place is Van Loon’s garden nursery! The nursery and gift shop are accompanied by a homely cafe filled with unique, delicious treats for you to enjoy!

Before entering, you will notice a welcoming display of seasonal flowers at the front entrance. As you first walk in, you will be standing amongst a large selection of items that are available to purchase. 

After perusing the gift shop, you will flow through to the garden nursery, finding yourself walking through a trail of assorted windchimes, leading you to an array of fruit, vegetable and flower plants.

But it’s not just plants...

Moving forward, you will find a large, outdoor area, purely dedicated to pots! They come in many different shapes and sizes, as well as some very unique, quirky designs, which I'm sure you will spend some extra time looking through them all.

Take a break, sit down, and enjoy one of the many tantalizing treats available at the cafe. There are so many to choose from, and they change them up frequently! 

My personal favourite is the scones with jam and cream. 

Make sure you look carefully around, and you will be sure to spot their adorable, friendly resident cat, Lucy!

Overall, Van Loon’s Nursery has a wide range of gift items, a beautiful lush nursery, super friendly staff, plus so much more... 

I would definitely recommend visiting.

You can find Van Loon's Nursery at:

405 Grubb Road, Wallington, VIC 3222

Click here to visit the Van Loon's Nursery Facebook Page.

This Blog article was proudly written by our special guest writer:

Miss Vickie C - aged 11

Wallington's Local Pantry on The Bellarine

Like many people on The Bellarine, I drive past Wallington's WRG (Water Rural Garden) on Grubb Road, several times, curious as to what is to be found inside this rather large building, beyond the obvious outdoor teasers to be seen on its premises such as garden soil, pavers, pots, statues and more.

Who/what are Wallington's WRG you might ask?

Established by the Corless family, Wallington's is an Australian owned and operated family business which since 2004 has been supplying products to Geelong, Bellarine and surrounding areas, and continues to remain locally owned and operated. 

What a great peace of mind and satisfying feeling it is to know that you are supporting local don't you agree?

Those that know me, know that not only am I a passionate photographer and blogger, but also an avid foodie! 

I'm always on the lookout for more diverse and exciting foods, spices, condiments, and healthy ingredients to add to my pantry, as I enjoy cooking and creating not only new, but personal old favorite recipes in the kitchen, when I'm not out and about photographing our most beautiful and stunning surrounds.

After having seen a few tantalising social media posts, it was obvious that I needed to go and see for myself what was on offer at Wallington's Local Pantry.

Housed inside Wallington's WRG just inside in the front of the premises, you will find Wallington's Local Pantry, which proudly stocks a fine collection of our region's locally grown and made produce.

Upon entry, the friendly, welcoming gentleman near the entrance certainly made my day with his warm welcome and abundance of smiles, asking if I needed assistance.  This was refreshing to see, as I am one to certainly appreciate sincere customer service.

Have you seen what it looks like inside Wallington's Pantry? 

It certainly is impressive with its size, layout, organisation and variety. There is so much to explore in a not so extensive area.

I started to slowly survey all the items on the shelves to get an insight as to what items were available. Few familiar, and many not so familiar brands and labels are to be found. I was in foodie heaven with all the diverse selections of olive oils, vinegars/balsamics, chutneys, jams, relishes, sauces, dressings, salts, herbs and spices - all the things that I enjoy perusing closely, exploring the plethora of tantalising flavour combinations.

What other produce did I catch sight of whilst browsing? 

Without telling you too much, I can share that you will discover many more store provisions such as milk, cheeses, smallgoods, local honey, flours, grain infusions, seeds and nuts, teas and coffees, and a pleasant variety of fresh fruit and vegetables amid more nourishing eatables.

In conclusion, I couldn't possibly tell you everything that is available at Wallington's Local Pantry. My recommendation is to set aside some time to stop in and visit the Pantry in person, and be sure to take your time exploring all the tremendous stock to be found therein. 

The location is convenient, and a big plus is that it has ample carparking.

So what did I purchase upon my visit?

I had to deeply contain myself as there was so much I wanted to bring home to try! It was a huge effort on my behalf to limit this particular visit to just a few selected items. 

Unfortunately the only downside I felt needs a mention is that there is no sampling or taste testing, which I would have been thrilled to see, as then I would not have hesitated to purchase more. You never know in the future, it just might be introduced, and then my paypass card will definitely get a workout! 

Going back to my enticing purchases on this particular day... 

* Smoky Pomodoro Rub

* Middle Eastern Za'atar

* Chilli Oil Mix

* Balsamic Reduction

* Garlic Infused Extra Virgin Oil

* One Very Fresh Eggplant (I had already previously done my Fruit & Veg shopping, otherwise I would have brought more)

YES! I will definitely be stopping by regularly to try more tempting products, and who knows? I might just see you there! 

Location:

370 Grubb Rd, Wallington VIC, 3222 (Housed inside Wallington's WRG)

Click here to visit Wallington's Local Pantry Facebook Page.

Thank-you for reading and I always look forward to putting together more articles related to our Beautiful Bellarine.

Esther - Life On the Bellarine

Artisans of Australia Gallery - a hub of creativity in Drysdale Victoria

One thing I love about living on The Bellarine is that you can never be bored. There is always something to do, or something to see. From its natural spectacular scenery, amazing beaches, plethora of markets, tantalizing bakeries, wineries, eateries and more, to the diverse creativity of its own local artists.

Signage Artwork by Cinnamon Stevens from Eagles Nest Fine Art Gallery at Aireys Inlet.

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh

The above quote is the one I think of when writing about Artisans of Australia. The proud owner and curator Helen Meikle with her contagious passion, dream and vision of bringing artists together in one space on The Beautiful Bellarine to present and showcase their work.  

I've known Helen Meikle for some time now, and remember when she opened her first gallery in Drysdale back in 2019, just a humble little tin shed, transformed after a lot of sweat and tears into Artisans of Australia Gallery. 

With all the support behind her, her vision got a whole lot bigger and moved on to her current new bigger and better premises. Nestled in the back of 33 Murradoc Road Drysdale, it's well worth the effort to head down the long driveway until you reach the hidden gem of Drysdale. 

The iron work on the windows is the first thing that grabs your attention. You know straight away that this is a creative space worth entering. As soon as you walk in you are greeted with warm smiles at the front counter, and someone is always ready to show you around the gallery and answer any questions you may have about the pieces on offer. 

Your senses are engaged on the wonderful display of local art pieces for sale and the aroma of the newly opened cafe. 

The Gallery hosts monthly exhibitions from local and national artists, from paintings to sculptures, glass works to textiles, and so much more! There is a small onsite shop, again full of beautiful artworks and collectables, handcrafted by artists from around the region. 

The classrooms are used for jewellery, painting, drawing and kids classes, as well as offering local artists a space to conduct workshops or teach from.

In addition to this, a small cafe area has been added where you can meet Kylie, the on-site Barista and enjoy a hot or cold beverage and perhaps a locally made treat. All the products at the gallery are Made in Australia, right down to the coffee and tea. The coffee is supplied by Zentvelds a family owned and operated business in NSW. It is is a smooth blend grown in the fertile volcanic soil of the hills behind Byron Bay, and naturally free of pests and diseases. It fits in well with Helen's support of Australian farmers and businesses in all things related to the gallery.

Be sure to visit, take a look at everything that is on offer and enjoy the ambience...

Artisans of Australia gallery is located at 33 Muradoc Road Drysdale and is open seven days a week. From 10:00am to 5:00pm Sunday to Friday and Saturdays 9:00am to 7:00pm.

Click here to visit Artisans of Australia Facebook Page

Click here to visit Zentvelds Coffee Facebook Page.

Once again thank-you for stopping by  - Esther

*Don't forget to click "follow" here on the Life On The Bellarine Blog to stay updated on all our future articles.

Click here to visit Life On the Bellarine Facebook page.

Lincoln's Place - Yesteryear echoes and Timeless memories.

Old Lincoln’s Place - a Historical Farm in Portarlington On The Bellarine Peninsula. 

Sadly this old Australian Pioneer farm has now been demolished, but the photos and memories will live on! It was a true example and reminder of living history, and humble yet challenging farm life before the increasingly evident progress and development that we see now in modern times.

Lincoln's Place carries with it a great story! A story of  an incredible woman - a strong survivor!

Mrs Lincoln arrived on the Bellarine when she was just fifteen years old, and later married at the age of twenty-two. A while later, Lincoln's Place became their home, and they were blessed with six children. It was truly unfortunate that her husband died young and she was left to look after their six children and maintain the massive daily tasks of Lincoln's Place. So much hardship was endured, including living through The Great Depression which brought a burden of longer hours, less rewards, and desperate times.  Indeed it was a mammoth burden for a widow. 

 

The farm remained a fully functioning dairy farm until the 1950’s. Sadly, it stood through time in ruins and could only be viewed from the road.

Driving past on regular occasions, and seizing available opportunities to take photos had me highly intrigued to say the least! Upon internet perusal, I was delighted to find that a book had been written about this intriguing property, and a copy for myself was hard to come by. It was certainly joyous ordering and receiving my own copy of the book: "Lincoln's Place - The Story of an Australian Pioneer Farm" by Colin Thiele, and the paintings of Robert Ingpen.

I would like to share with you a paragraph I have selected from the book which shares the warmth of what once was...

Sunshine and shadow work strangely at Lincoln's Place. In spring and early summer the light fairly dances. Gables and edges gleam, the ochre face of the loft lifts and glows, the yellow lichen on the old mulberry tree turns to gold, the rusty remnants of tools and odd lengths of ancient chain hanging from hooks or branches take on vigour and clarity of form. In sheds and stables the doorways and dark apertures seem to deepen against the glow outside. Niches and crevices retreat. The world shines.

 

After hearing whispers that the Old Lincoln Farm was being demolished, I knew I had to go and see for myself, as I was feeling somewhat shocked and in disbelief. Upon arrival, I witnessed it with my own eyes and captured many images. I had feelings of sadness, and disappointment as I stood there photographing, witnessing an end to a part of local history.

A short video that I put together on Lincoln's Place.        

Thank-you for stopping by and reading my latest Blog.
Until next time...

Esther - Life on The Bellarine 

The Fig Tree Store - a taste of The Mediterranean at St Leonards

The Fig Tree Store boasts a Mediterranean charm in both its ambience and menu. What better location than seaside St Leonards, where you can certainly view the water and pier from its front door, or perhaps inhale the fresh air with its outdoor street seating, and feel the seaside vibe.

After seeing a few tantalising photos shared on social media by The Fig Tree Store, I knew that I wanted to make the time to stop in to try it for myself. On this particular day we were meeting up with a couple of friends, so I it was the perfect opportunity to head over there.

Upon entering, you could feel the sense of an inviting, and relaxing atmosphere, with its homely touches and decor. As this was my first time here, I was drawn to walk around the café and look at their decorative items and of course their delicious food display. Oh the deliberation... to sit on a comfy looking couch, or table and chairs...

Ordering was easy, I knew what I was going to indulge in, even before coming here. I opted for Greek traditional and ordered the Spanakopita along with a medium-sweet Frappe. When the waitress brought my selection to the table, they looked perfect! How did they taste?
Even though for me personally, I would have liked the spanakopita to be a bit warmer, it tasted wonderful. Very authentic in it's texture and flavours, just like my mama would make at home. As for the frappe, it was perfect! It took me back to my last visit to Greece just over three years ago, where ordering frappe became a daily ritual, whilst out and about visiting cafes, eateries, and exploring the majestic ruins and scenery... Aaaah the memories!

The Staff were indeed welcoming, hospitable and friendly. We were treated to a taste of their baklava, which was a lovely touch and much appreciated.

Overall I definitely recommend The Fig Tree Store, and will be visiting again as I am keen to try more of their delicious array of sweets and traditional menu items.

The Fig Tree Store is located at 1370 Murradoc Road, St Leonards Victoria

Click here to visit The Fig Tree Store facebook page.

Metamorphosis Exhibition by local Artist Michelle Boland

The Bellarine Peninsula boasts a plethora of many talented local artists, and it is always a pleasure for me to meet many of them in my travels.
On this wonderful occasion I was invited to visit the Artisans of Australia Gallery in Drysdale for Local Artist Michelle Boland's Debut Solo Exhibition: Metamorphosis.

 

Michelle in her 30's, is a Bellarine Local and has lived here all her life.
She is a single mother with 5 children and diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) but has not let this stop her in the pursuit of her dreams.
Even during her most challenging times, and moments of self-doubt, she pushes through and takes her own advice to keep going.

Michelle, a painter of just two and a half years, dug deep for her inspiration to start. As a teenager, she always liked to sketch, and enjoyed being creative.
After separating, she took Art Classes and went from there, growing her experience and education. Michelle has completed a Diploma of Visual Arts and was excited to share her news with me that she has been accepted into Deakin University to complete 3 years of full time study for her Bachelor of Creative Arts.

Michelle came across the Artisans of Australia Gallery when she saw a post on Facebook by Gallery owner Helen Meikle. She messaged Helen and after discussions it was evident that Michelle aligned with Helen's vision for her great hub for creative minds, and thus had no hesitation in booking a permanent bay at the Gallery.
To take it a step further, Michelle approached Helen Meikle to conduct a solo exhibition.
She wanted to increase momentum in the hope of people attending to enjoy her Art, which is a Celebration of years of study, portraying a snapshot and evolvement of all her learning, and thus her Metamorphosis Exhibition came into fruition.

Michelle loves bringing her surrounds to life, and the majority of these scenes come from photographs she has taken herself. She brings emotions and feelings of the day into her work, with the use of colour, light and movement into the paintings.
She can never keep up with her endless flow of ideas. Her passion for what she does is always evolving and even though she has not found her niche yet, her strengths are Acrylic paintings, specifically seascapes and landscapes.

Michelle's advice for all who are thinking about starting or pursuing a direction in art: 

"Give it a go - everyone is artistic in their own mind. Use your creativity to keep expanding, and associate with other Creatives. Stick with it, all good things take time, and your abilities will catch up with your mind, as you continue to evolve."

Michelle's hope for the future is to exhibit more and establish herself as an artist whilst she continues to evolve her work.

Click here to visit Michelle Boland's "Arty Chelle's Corner" Facebook page.

Artisans of Australia Gallery is located at 40 Murradoc Road Drysdale.
Click here to visit Artisans of Austalia Facebook page.