Guildford

It was a bit of a trip down memory lane today.  It was Mauzee’s birthday and we decided we would take a drive to Guildford and the Swan Valley, one of the earliest settlements in regional WA.  Swan Valley was also the first area where grapes were grown.  I wanted to take Mauzee to the old Houghton’s Winery, the second one established in the area in 1836.  I have such vivid memories of driving out there with my Nanna and Grandad on occasions when Grandad would happily invest in a flagon of their sherry in those days.  We’d head off in their Morris Minor and it was a real adventure.  Driving out in the country and down a long country lane to the winery.  Another company has bought Houghton’s out now, but happily have retained the old cellars where we used to visit.  We loved Guildford and had a great lunch at Padbury’s, just opposite the old Rose and Crown Hotel and spent a lovely time browsing through all of the old second hand shops in the village.  We had a very joyful day in more ways than one - Hope you had a very “Happy Birthday” Mauzee :)