It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

(Apologies to Mr Dickens)

The last week has held some real highlights and some major lowlights.

With a family trip planned to Ballarat to visit some lovely stitchy friends for a picnic, and then some good old family fun at historic Sovereign Hill ... what could possibly go wrong?

Well to start with, Mr Patch Andi came down with tonsillitis and couldn't come along.
But we pushed ahead with our adventure, leaving the Mr to get a couple of days of much needed rest.

We (my kids, my parents and I) arrived in Ballarat at chez Ric Rac late on Tuesday morning where Jodie and her son Connor were the hosts with the most.

Jodie had even 'made' bikkies for the kids.

We were soon joined by Kate and her girls, Rachel and her Maya and Lizzie. We all wondered off to the local park for a picnic.

Here are a few more shots. (Check out all the quilts we bought to use as picnic rugs)

Annie joined us a bit late as she was rather busy finishing her latest creation!!!

There was even some impromptu creating going on ...

After the delightful picnic, I sent my parents and kids off to check in to our accommodation while the girls took me to visit a local icon.

Oh the pretty fabric ....

I was seeing spots!

(These pretties came home with me along with a few other delicious selections!!)

Thanks Emma for being so very hospitable.

SUCH a very lovely afternoon! Thank you to everyone for coming along and playing with us city folk!!

Soon after leaving Ballarat Patchwork, I got a grumpy call from my dad wondering when I would be resuming my parenting responsibilities. Oops!!

A happy family dinner followed, then back to the hotel to rest up for a fun day of gold panning and ye-olden-days-lolly-eating the next day.

Unfortunately, my Ella woke up with a tummy bug so she and I went straight home, leaving my parents to take Jake around Sovereign Hill. They had a lovely day.

We'll get back there one day .... all of us!!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Andi xx