Hallam's Hut Strathallan

Clare directs us to pull our caravan into Hallam's Hut yard. Roger gets the caravan set up, and unhitched from our ute. Clare is insistent that we are to make use of their accommodation for a break from our van. No wonder we love this family - so caring and generous for sure. Clare leaves us to settle in, telling us to come over and join her, Mitch and Caitlin for lunch at their home. 15 minutes later we drive the 200m to their house (we've got 2 loads of washing with us!) and get fed with yummy freshly made sourdough (Clare's) and homemade sausage rolls. Clare is quick to get us sorted with our washing too - showing me how to program her washing machine to get our washing happening. While we are enjoying catching up with Clare and 'kids', Muddy arrives home from doing a RSA course to help with their community run hotel. We spend a lovely afternoon chatting and relaxing out on their veranda - while Clare is cooking brisket in the BBQ, and I'm getting our washing done and hanging out on their clothesline. Tea tonight is brisket rolls with gravy, followed by slices Clare has made - mmmm. We return here to get to bed, Roger has a shower first, at around 9.30pm.
30/03/25 Sunday We enjoy a lie in until after 8am. Then Roger gets up and gets organised to cook up our breakfast using the bacon and eggs supplied (yes we are totally spoilt). I get up and do my bit - toasting the sourdough bread and putting on the sauce, avocado and cheese - which then gets Roger's cooked stuff, bacon, egg and mushrooms put on and served with marinated goats cheese. Well no plans today - just want to relax and enjoy this lovely space here. Roger happily works on the ute - sorting some electrical issue, and I enjoy a wonderful catch up call to Sharon. Lunch I just have some fruit as I'm still full from our breakfast, Roger makes up a cheese and vegemite sandwich using Clare's very nice sourdough bread. Continue relaxing at Hallam's Hut - Roger who has gone visiting to the main house, returns with the invite to go to the 'Sunday Sesh' at Clare and Muddy's nearest pub - which is their community run one that they are very involved with. Head off in Clare's vehicle (Ford Everest) just after 3pm. Return in time for tea - just before 6pm. We're having a BBQ here at Hallam's Hut. Clare and Muddy providing all food - chops, sausages, salads. Mitch and Caitlin come over to eat once the food is ready. Lovely evening with this beaut family. They've shown us how to heat the hot tub to use - Rog jumps in it before tea - I wait until after tea, when Hamson's have left us to it. Rog and I have a wonderful soak together. Just as we've finished and come in to go to bed - there is a nice shower of rain. Beaut to go to bed and listen to it on the roof.
31/03/25 Monday I get up before 7am to go for a walk - lovely strolling about Strathallan property - return 8.30am. Roger has had breakfast, so I have mine and then have a shower. We get organised to go out with Clare this morning. Clare is taking us into Lockhart to show us some of it's sights. We head off shortly after 9.30am.
Get back around 12.30pm and have lunch with Clare and Muddy at their place. Lovely leftovers - brisket, chicken, salads with fresh sourdough bread. Then Rog and I return here (we walk) to relax and let Clare and Muddy get on with there day. Roger paints up the portable picnic wine table we just got with our box of wine purchase (Roger had it delivered here), and I update our budget books and travel spend app. Around 5pm we head back to Clare and Muddy's - Roger is cooking up his Prawn and Chorizo Paella at their place tonight. Another lovely evening with their company, Mitchell home as well (day student, Caitlin is a boarder - home for weekends). Dessert is chocolate self saucing pudding - Clare does it in the slow cooker like Rog. After our meal, Rog and I return here to have another hot tub - just great! Next is relax before bed. I'm writing this up, before having a read until ready for sleep.
1/4/25 Tuesday Ohh last day here, Rog has decided we will leave tomorrow. So grateful for the chance of 4 nights here - it has been bliss! We get up after 7.30am. I decided to go for a run - similar route to what I walked yesterday morning. Get back and have my breakfast. Roger has gone over to the main house and sheds area to see what Muddy and family are up to. When he returns he's been 'out and about' learning about grain loading to trucks, around Clare's cattle and having fun on their lawn mower. Next he's tootling around on their Polaris cutting and carting wood. I have a nice relaxing morning - includes a nice catch up call to Barb. On the countdown to our 'in person' catch up at MFSR Bush Festival next week! Lunch today, Roger cooks up sausages (left from BBQ get together the other night) - enjoy with Clare's homemade tomato sauce. Follow with bananas and yoghurt. I get productive and do some 'mending' sewing on a top and my jacket. Roger has a quick 'kip' before getting into his bathers to go and have a swim in the pool (he did this yesterday too). After more relaxing around Hallam's Hut I go and join Roger over at the main house, we sit outside on the veranda again, chatting with Clare - who's got a beef roast happening for us tonight - until Mitch and Caitlin arrive home from school. Caitlin usually boards through the week, but has come home this evening to pack and get organised for her school camp which is happening for the rest of the week (they did say where - uh hum I've forgot). Muddy arrives home shortly after the kids, so we move inside, ready for our tea. Magnificent roast - with roast vegetables and gravy. We don't require dessert tonight!. Roger and I don't stay too long - we're keen to go use the firetub (Rog has it heating) - and want to leave the Hamson family 'to it' - getting Caitlin sorted etc and work and school tomorrow.
Get back to the firetub - it's warm alright 50°+!! We have to add some cold water and calm the fire (shovel out coals to a near by fire pit)- and we're right to enjoy our soak in no time! Another beautiful night. Head inside to bed around 10pm. I read for a while.
2/4/25 Wednesday. Up we get around 7.30am. Breakfast - we both have cereal and cuppas. I have a shower, then get into cleaning mode in the Hut. Roger is already well into tidying out in the shed where the tub and outdoor stuff is. Clare has provided clean bedding this morning - so I can happily 'reset' the Hut, ready for its next guests. We're moved out from Hallam's Hut and heading off just after 10am. We stop at the main house to say our goodbyes to Clare - who presents us with a freshly baked (still cooling off) sourdough loaf. Yes we're so fortunate to be part of this family - so wonderful. Now to travel only 70 odd kms to our next camp - Howlong here we come.Read more