Lovely Lavendula

Lavendula is a Swiss Italian farm just a few minutes drive from Daylesford.  I've visited a few times over the last ten years, and have always been drawn to the ambience of the place.

The golden sandstone buildings were built in the 1860s. The farm was owned by the same family for over 150 years before the current owner restored the buildings and created a European garden.

The complex contains several garden areas, including a pattern garden, lavender field, vineyard, and olive grove. You can sit in the cobbled courtyard, play pentaque, eat indoors or out, and buy various home and body products.

The barn is the first building you see.

Jonquils -  a sign of spring.

Jonquils.

Bluebells.

The original farmhouse.

There were lovely spring floral arrangements everywhere.

Daffodils.

A table on the verandah of the farmhouse.

A window in the old farmhouse.

Grace on the verandah of the farmhouse.

You can eat outdoors in the ash grove.

Checking out the farm animals.

Some of the geese.

The donkey.

La Trattoria.

Neil pushed Charlotte when she got tired.

An old wagon.

I would have taken photos of the kitchen garden, but I was busy using the camera as a shield to protect my head from a swooping magpie!

Grace and Charlotte on the lawn.

Charlotte.

Grace.

Charlotte sitting in the lavender field.

The girls frolicking in the lavender field.

We shared a serve of lavender scones.

A view of the European garden.

Another garden view.

Neil got a photo with the girls, in almost the same spot we took a photo of him and his mother quite a few years ago when we visited. How things change!

Neil & Iris - 2005

Neil & Grace, Charlotte & Lucinda - 2012

If ever you're in the area, Lavendula is well worth a visit. I'd love to go back again during one of the festivals.