Dog~Friendly Daylesford Pt 1!

Chocolate Mill

5451 Midland Hwy

Mount Franklin VIC 3461

Dogs and Chocolate are not usually a good mix, but we were able to combine both with pleasure. Of course, the pugs didn't consume any chocolate (it is toxic for dogs) but they certainly loved the rural surrounds of the Chocolate Mill and the humans absolutely enjoyed the chocolate consumption while the pugs explored!

A chocolate box for humans and liver treats for pugs!

There is a huge outdoor area here and dogs on leads are most welcome. We were lucky to visit on a beautiful, sunny day. The pugs enjoyed rummaging in the leaves and sticks. Gypsy even played hide and seek behind a log! 

Chocolate Mill is the perfect place for a sweet morning tea or afternoon tea with chocolates, cakes, ice cream and hot and cold drinks. It is just 7 minutes north of Daylesford on the highway(A300) heading towards Castlemaine. 

Yummy milkshakes and milk chocolate with coffee beans

Gypsy and Poppet enjoying the outdoors at the Chocolate Mill

So much Fun in the Sun! with my new toy from 'Mind Your Pet' in Daylesford

At Chocolate Mill all of their chocolate is made on site and sold exclusively. They use only Callebaut Belgian Couverture chocolate in all their products, made with the finest cocoa beans, natural bourbon vanilla and 100% pure cocoa butter. Best of all, no palm oil! There is a viewing window to see the production as it happens. Chocolate demonstrations happen daily at 11am and 2pm. 

We love the story of The Chocolate Mill....

In 2001, Jennifer Gregory and Chris Weippert moved from Perth into a shed on the property. Here they lived for 28 months, 18 months without power and budgeted for $7 a day for food for the two of them, while building. On November 21st 2003, with $22 in the bank, they opened. Only 4 months later they were featured in Epicure and then The Herald Sun.

If you are not located in Victoria, The Chocolate Mill have an online store:

http://www.chocmill.com.au/


YUM!

Our next post will also feature another great place we visited whilst in Daylesford! Stay tuned!

Seddon Deadly Sins ~ Seddon

148 Victoria Street

Seddon 3011

(03) 9689 3092

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

Yes, in the form of buttermilk pancakes with white chocolate, mascarpone, macadamia ganache and strawberries. My sweet tooth veritably satisfied!

We are guilty as sin of trying other pancake specials here as well.....the special below featured grilled pineapple and was like Tropical North Queensland on a plate! Divine! In a devilish kind of way!

For those more savoury inclined, the Eggs Florentine came with a few extras today. 

Is that sausage for me?!

This was a feature on the infamous specials board at Seddon Deadly Sins. I’m not sure of the last time I ordered off the real menu (which might I add,  the menus are contained within random covers of Golden Books).

Another form of sin ~ not blogging prior to now, about this breakfast ‘institution’ in the heart of Seddon. Some places you just want to keep to yourself you know? But we couldn’t keep this one under wraps any longer. We are prepared to share the love, and wait in future for one of the exclusive front tables, if it means other dog lovers on the Westside get their pooches out and about with them ;)

I love going out for brunch!

Just a few shops up you will find Dog Diversity. We quickly dropped in here to get some doggy treats. The girls had yoghurt and carob tarts so we all gorged on sweets together.

 For more information about Dog Diversity, please visit our post via the link below:

http://gypsyju.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/dog-diversity-seddon.html

Back to Seddon Deadly Sins, this café dares to be different. A memorable meal was on Mother’s Day this year. They served an ‘Elvis Breakfast’ with French toast, peanut butter, banana and I’m sure a trillion other elements which I have long forgotten. But I will never forget trying to finish that meal! It was huge! No wonder Elvis stacked it on!

Speaking of weight, the girls visited the vet on Monday and were given double thumbs up for their ‘weigh in’. How is it, that us humans pile on the weight over winter, yet the pugs have trimmed down?! Is that fair?! Truthfully, they were put on portion control and follow a strict diet away from the café treats. Their daily exercise has also kept them trim and terrific. It is really important we keep their weight down for health reasons. I am so proud of them looking so fit and healthy.

Today, we were all definitely Sinners. It was worth every calorie!

 

Saffron on the Hill

Saffron on the Hill 

We had a lovely time visiting our friends at Saffron on the Hill. Our welcome party included the ever-popular pug try-hard....Liliput!

Last time we saw 'The Put' she was severely obese and dragging her huge self on the deck making very large noises. Karen & her team have done an amazing job with Liliput. Despite giving us all a scare with her recent health problems, we can report that she is looking so happy and healthy in comparison to our last visit. Her personality which conveys well through her digital diary on Saffron's Facebook page is even more charismatic in real life. She is a treasure and truly loves her place on the Hill.

This is one of our favourite happy snaps taken on our visit on the Hill. Armed only with our iphones, we quickly snapped this beautiful shot as Hannah and Liliput were waiting for Karen to come home. A mother's love is unconditional and in return she receives the loyal love and following of these gorgeous rescue dogs. There is only one Liliput, and in Liliput's eyes (and all the rescue dogs on the Hill) ~ there is only one Karen! 

Gypsy loved watching the horse play in the paddock. She must be like her Pop who also loves horses. 

Wasn't the weather intense in Melbourne over the past few days! We were lucky to snuggle up in front of the fireplace. A firm favourite position for all the rescue dogs!

Lily looks like she is resting on a lovely cushion, but it is infact our nobleman Zac in his cute jacket! 

We wondered when Poppet may jump in for the cuddle with her Mum ~ Granny Giggles. After some play time outside in the wet grass, she was happy to retire in a pug pile next to Granny. She enjoyed visiting the Hill and playing with all her pug friends. 

We had a little play outside with Liliput inbetween naps in front of the fireplace :)

Before we sign off,  the pugs would like to remind you that there are two ways you can support the rescue and rehabilitation that happens on the Hill. 

1) Check out Saffron's amazing range of collars, leads and harnesses. Visit their Facebook page and check out the latest ribbon range for these funky, cool dog accessories!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saffron-on-the-Hill/205155356184048

2) Visit Saffron's ebay store and support the rescue dogs by purchasing your dog toys there.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Saffron-on-the-Hill

Remember all profits help the amazing work they do! 

Let the dogs be dogs and live free, love and play ;)

Pug Rescue Parade

The Calabria Club

Bulla

Having given support towards each and every pug rescued in 2011 from appalling conditions in puppy farms - the Pug Club of Victoria agreed to hold a 'Rescued with Love' parade during the lunch break at the 2012 Championship Show held on this day, March 24 2012.

Rescue pugs who attended may have already been adopted, or are still looking for their forever home.

Each rescue pug received a 'Rescued with Love' special medallion from the Pug Club and their photographs and rescue stories featured in the Show catalogue and within the Show hall.

Thank-you to Pugs SOS, Pug Rescue Victoria and our darling friends at Saffron on the Hill who organised past and present rescue pugs to be present at the parade. It was an important event to be present at, to make breeders and members of the public aware of how many pedigree pugs are ending up in puppy farms and rescue shelters.

Our pedigree rescue pug Poppet was very excited to be awarded her very first medal. 

Be sure to check out 'Keeping her Eye on Melbourne' facebook page for more photos. Gypsy was a very busy photographer and even got in a few happy snaps herself ;)