Completely Charmed & Made with Heart

Some places ask you to get out and explore, but not this deluxe weatherboard cottage in the heart of Bacchus Marsh! Man, she was deeeeevine! The moment we arrived, there was no reason to leave. It was exactly the kind of R&R we both needed after living such busy lives.

No detail had been overlooked when it came to guest comfort. Welcome croissants, raspberry and white chocolate muffins, a coffee station, a breakfast spread with every jam imaginable and champagne waiting in the fridge. And THAT, my friends, was just the kitchen!

Every room held another surprise. Little welcome chocolate hearts on the beds, neatly rolled fluffy towels, luxe linen that looked impossible to climb out of, a makeup remover station in the bathroom and... wait for it... a liquor cabinet in the lounge! Holy moly. This place was an absolute livin' daydream.

After I picked Baillie's jaw up off the floor, the only responsible thing we could think to do was celebrate our beautiful lives with a bottle of champagne on the front porch. I did the classic "don't look... but definitely look" dance while waiting for the cork to launch into orbit. Thankfully it behaved itself, unlike the two of us. We toasted to the stargazers and life livers as the sun disappeared, while I admired Baillie's willingness to give champagne a crack... although it's definitely not his cuppa tea.

We ordered Thai delivery, making full use of the suburban location and the fact we didn't have to leave to be fed. It was exactly the kind of Friday night we both needed. Warm, cosy, dinner for two, David Attenborough on the TV and the crackling fire keeping us toasty into the night.

We slept in like the two beauties we are and woke up fresh as daisies. The morning unfolded exactly how we wanted. No rushing. No schedules. Just coffee, brunch and conversations about photography, ghosts and who decided blue was the colour blue.

The rest of the day followed much the same. I found myself doing something I rarely have time for, cooking simply because I wanted to. The kitchen was beautifully equipped, making it easy to prepare a hearty roast with wickedly crispy potatoes. The smell drifted through every room, somehow making the cottage feel even cosier than before.

No peas for Mr B. I happily claimed his share, especially once they'd been tossed through mint butter. If loving peas is wrong, I don't want to be right. Ha!

Our final morning mirrored the first. Piping hot showers, sourdough toast and double espressos as the neighbourhood slowly came to life around us. Neither of us was quite ready to head home, so we ventured out to nearby Lerderderg Gorge. The winter sunshine had tempted plenty of people outdoors, but once we stepped onto the walking track, the birdsong and fresh country air quickly reminded us why we're always drawn back to nature.

Looking back, it wasn't just the beautiful styling or thoughtful extras that stayed with me. It was how this little cottage gently encouraged us to stop measuring our days by how much we accomplished and instead by how present we felt.

We arrived carrying busy minds and overflowing calendars. We left feeling rested, connected and wonderfully human again.

Sometimes the most memorable escapes aren't about chasing the next adventure. Sometimes they're about finding a place that wraps around you like your favourite blanket, quietly fills your cup and reminds you that slowing down isn't time wasted. It's exactly what we needed.

After all, we're human BEings, not human DOings.