A BERRY Lovely Escape
The energy, hours, emotion and heart can be somewhat unrelenting when we launch a new collection. Lucky I’m obsessed with what I do!
My wonderful team and I finally put our newest collection “Grace” to bed last week, anticipating with eagerness and excitement, it’s launch to our Eadie Community on the 9 November (watch this space).
After weeks of working late into the night and most weekends, I decided to get away with my guy (poor bloke, little did he know that becoming my life partner would mean similar working hours.) Glenn is the talented photographer behind many of our beautiful Eadie images and spent weeks working with me on our latest shoot and catalogue design).
Normally, out of habit, we would choose somewhere interstate, probably North, to chase the sun. It used to feel like it was more “holidayish” to get as far away as you could, even in our case, if it was only for 3 days.
But, as we all know (Victorian friends, especially you – we are thinking of you), this isn’t possible. So we did what most others are doing, we embarked on an adventure a few hours away from our home.
Trudie and her partner Glenn
We booked at short notice as the trip was planned at the last minute. Originally wanting to explore the Mudgee region, I was surprised to find that there was absolutely NOTHING available when it came to accommodation. And we weren’t particularly fussy. Camping, Glamping, BnB’s, AirBnB, Hotel, Motel…we really didn’t mind.
So, we decided to change our itinerary and headed south of Sydney to the Berry and Shoal Haven area. I think I probably got the last 3 nights available in the region. Lucky for us, the accommodation we did manage to secure was delightful. We were really lucky.
What really amazed me was how busy, buoyant, positive and energetic the tourism vibe was in regional NSW. It is thriving. Restaurants were book out weeks in advance, accommodation is booked out through to next year and there felt like a real sense of camaraderie amongst other explorers, even though we were strangers.
We explored local markets, bought yummy locally grown produce, tasted wonderful local wines, explored art galleries, retail stores and flea markets. We spent hours walking along beautiful hidden bush tracks and stunning beaches that made us feel we could be in the Mediterranean, or at the very least, the Whitsundays. It was rejuvenating, interesting and wonderful.
The beautiful coastline of Shoal Haven
I have missed travelling. Travel is a big part of my world because not only is it my biggest teacher, but also, it’s a necessity for my job. Having to often go to India, the USA and other faraway places, I had forgotten just how textured and vibrant local adventures can be.
It was a great opportunity to visit some of our wonderful retailers in the towns we passed through. It was so nice to experience the human connection with them again and see their businesses busy and thriving.
The Picnic Shed in Berry
It was also a fabulous chance to test the versatility of our own line of apparel. I always overpack, as I love to have choice when I travel depending on weather, occasion and comfort. Because we were travelling by car, I ditched the suitcase and threw probably 3 weeks’ worth (I am not joking) of clothing into an enormous, gigantic wicker basket; I just piled it in. When we arrived home 4 days later, I have to confess, not ONE piece of clothing had been touched. I left in my Malle dress and kept it on for the entire time. Every. Single. Day. At the risk of sounding like a sales pitch (which it is not) It was so great to refamiliarize myself with our range and remember the reasons I designed it in the first place.
Trudie wearing her Malle Dress
I hope you've enjoyed a few pics of our wonderful time away in Berry and Shoal Haven. Apologies in advance for me appearing in the same dress, in every shot. I promise you it was not planned that way. I think Glenn was very happy to see my Malle dress go into the wash when we got home!
Below are some of the delightful restaurants, accomodation and places we enjoyed, all of which I highly recommend.
Fig Tree Cottage - E: figtreecottageberry@gmail.com
The Willows BnB (Pyree)
Queen Street Eatery
Nourish Kitchen & Lifestyle
Blue Swimmer (Gerroa)
Few & Far ( Berry & Huskisson) – Homewares
Picnic Shed - Homewares/Fashion
Regal on Queen – Fashion
Wax Lyrical – Books
Berry Farmers Markets