Category Archives: Family

Peppers Spicers Peak, Pure Indulgence

Family, Life, Photos, Travel

Saturday just gone saw the Lattimore clan gather at Peppers Spicers Peak to celebrate a belated 70th birthday for George. In attendance, we had the four boys, their respective other halves and two kiddly-winks.

The Peppers Spicers Peak lodge is located approximately one and a half hours drive south west of Brisbane and rests on top of a plateau with beautiful mountain views. The grounds of Spicers Peak are neatly mowed and have cattle casually grazing in near by paddocks. The lodge also features a heated pool and spa, which has a spectacular uninterrupted view thanks to an edgeless pool design. If I had to describe the Peppers Spicers Peak lodge in a few words, it would definitely include relaxing, indulgent & romantic. As a testament to that, within an hour or so of being at Spicers Peak, I felt as though I just wanted to relax on one of the many sofas and simply unwind.

As soon as we arrived at Spicers Peak, everyone had a cold drink in their hand. We spent the next half an hour looking around the beautiful lodge and soaking in its relaxing ambience.
We were then informed by our hostess that lunch was ready as we sat down for one of the finest dining experiences I’ve ever had. The set menu we had included the following dishes:

  • Cod with salmon pearls
  • Tomato gazpacho with goats curd and olive oil
  • Sesame seared tuna and nicoise style salad or;
    marinated veal cutlets with broccolini, polenta cake and tamarillo
  • Chocolate gateau and mandarin ice cream

I hadn’t eaten any of the courses on offer, so it was an awesome experience. The highlights for me include the medium rare veal, the beautiful tuna steaks that Claire ordered and the wonderful dessert! Claire was of course excited to find out that Ben (the chef) had prepared the entire menu gluten free as well! Wine lovers will be happy to know that each course of the meal included a different wine too.

Given that this was my first Peppers experience, I would have to rate them extremely highly after this outing. If the other Peppers properties rate in a similar league as Peppers Spicers Peak; it is no surprise to me that their guests keep coming back time and time again. If you were looking for indulgent accommodation located around the Scenic Rim and the cost of the experience wasn’t really an issue – I would highly recommend you check out Peppers Spicers Peak.

Bitter Sweet

Family, Life

Eric Colls & Claire Lattimore at wedding on 24 September 2005Today was an incredible day, for more than one reason.

Important Reason #1

Claire’s Grandfather, Eric Colls passed away in his sleep at the age of 86 after suffering a stroke a few weeks ago.

Important Reason #2

Claire’s older sister Emily gave birth to a healthy 8lb 8oz baby boy.

Reflection

It is hard for me to begin to explain the emotion we went through today, so I don’t know that I’ll bother trying. What I will say is that Claire’s Grandfather Eric was fantastic. He was sprightly, quick minded and very funny. I always remember him constantly having a joke with us and telling us a yarn. He has lived in the Chinchilla area for most of his life, served our wonderful country in the Australian Army and survived the war. He has an incredible memory for history and can remember most of the people who have passed through the Chinchilla area over the last 50 years, which in my opinion is quite remarkable.

It has been an incredible day which I didn’t expect; then again who would have expected it. The one thing I think is uncanny is that the expression about one door closing and another opening has been fulfilled in this instance. I’d like to leave you with something that I think sums up Eric in many ways, which was presented to him on an award recently by the Returned & Services League:

Your country called
You answered
We salute you

We’ll sure miss you Grand Dad.