Seen from above, somewhere like Mt Coot-tha lookout, they give Brissy
a lovely purpleish hue.
I read a story that they are very common as they were given to
discharged mothers in the 1930's. Maybe I'll plant one in February.
Each year in early September, Brisbane hosts something called Riverfire. Part of a week long celebration of the Brisbane River called Riverfest, Riverfire is the most publicly anticipated part of Riverfire and culminates in a 30 minute choreographed firework display.
Another element of the Riverfire is the "dump and burn" performed by RAAF F-111s. This spectacle goes somewhat against my green principles, but appeals to the boy in me.
Basically the jets "dump" a large amount of their full payload and turn up to point their afterburners into the fuel, setting it alight. the effect is rather spectacular.
This year we shall be at a BBQ at some friends who have a fancy dan boys pad which has convenient city views. That's if my work finishes in a convenient timescale that is.
In essence this means I have failed to uphold my commitment to
maintain some regular blog activity. I will try and summarize some key
activities:
1) The Health Service: choice is confusing. The Doris is with child,
we don't have top level healthcare, but aren't so poor that we can't
consider it. The NHS is fantastic. You don't have to think - quite a
boon when poorly - and effectively get told the level of healthcare
you'll receive. This is a good thing. I speak both from someone who
has had a major procedure totally private and as an expectant father
who mixes and matches.
2) Taxation is confusing. Anyone who understands FBT is justified in
charging exhorbitant sums for their services.
3) The Ashes: what Ashes? You'd never know theyve taken place. Still
it was fun wearing my cricket jersey on the cycle to work!
4) Even Winter is hot. 30 degrees the other day - but pleasantly so.
The Doris may struggle in Summer proper -or the air con will come on
and drive the leccy prices up.
5) Cyclists are arrogant. When on the road, road rules don't apply to
them. When on the pavement neither do rules for pedestrians. If you
are another cyclist in front, you are just an impediment and will be
overtaken.
6) Petrol is a right, not a privilege.
7) Wine is magnificent. The more I taste, read and learn never ceases
to amaze me about this wonderful industry. And I believe that
Australia is the best in the world on the whole. That may upset some
Francophiles!
8) I love bridges. I have never before taken such an interest in the
development of two new bridges.
9) New things: grown up car; season ticket for the Brisbane Roar,
working weekends (not necs good, but the outcomes are rewarding); and
impending fatherhood.
10) Breakfast out. Love it.
On Cardiff hosting the first Ashes test and quoted in todays
Australian newspaper:
"How Cardiff gets the first test match in the Ashes is a disgrace"
Ponting hissed.
I'm sure the good people of Wales will really be inclined to cheer on
the Strines now.
Quite possibly my favourite drinking establishment in Brisbane is the
Getman Club. In existence since the late nighteenth century, and
established as a meeting place for early settlers of German origin,
the GC is a fine watering hole.
Yes the beer may be on the pricey side - $8.50 for a Weihenstephaner -
but this is quality imported German brew, brewed in accordance to the
Reinheitsgeboot (Sp?) and is for half a litre.
Opposite the 'Gabba, it also offers a convenient pre game meeting
place. Shunning the decor of trendy bars, and foresaking thumping
tunes for the Bavarian influenced delights of 'Andrew', the GC is a
good venue for some like minded fellows to get together and discuss
football, bridges and 'Allo 'Allo. I for one love it!
Have had a great weekend in Brisbane.
After a wee little virus knocked me to the boundary earlier in the
week, I lay off the grog as I had a weekend of wine ahead of me!
First up was the Brisbane Fine Wine Festival held at the Mercure
hotel. Over 60 exhibitors from mainly Australia were in hand to share
their wares. Starting out with the whites and then moving on to Reds,
there were a number if stand outs in the latter category.
Then in the Sunday I went to a Masterclass: Shiraz, Sunshine in a
Glass. The panel was quite distinguished with Brothers in Arms,
Heartland and Peter Lehmann all represented. The 04 Stonewell Shiraz
was a particular standout for me!
Yumm.....
They are damn good though. These were consumed hastily at bills in
Darlinghurst. Bill doesn't do capitalisation or punctuation.
I wrote the other day of a desire to get out more and see some things
in and around Brissy that I hadn't as yet. The first of those things
was my first Broncos (rugby league) match.
It didn't disappoint. Not being a huge league fan I couldn't tell if
the game was good, but it entertained and it was good to see Suncorp
with a good crowd of 45,000. The Broncos managed to prevail by a
single point courtesy of a drop goal.
I also made my first visit to the Wine Emporium. And managed to
mebarass myself suitably. There was a tasting going on of Dog Point
(a Marlborough vineyard) so I thought I would partake. When it came
to the last, the Pinot Noir, the girl was happy for me to pur for
myself - instinctively I started to pour a glass rather than, well a
pour. Suffice to say I was suitably embarassed at this. Nonetheless
we picked up a few bottles of wine. Nothing outrageously special,
just some nice gluggers.
Saturday evening was back to Suncorp to see the Reds play the Natal
Sharks. The redsw are playing some mighty attractive at the minute
and prevailed over the Sharks 25-13. The Sharks were coming into the
game havign won 4 out of four in the start to the campaign and a line
up featuring a number of Springboks had the game taken to them. They
are a young exciting side and I hope the progress is maintained.
So a good weekend all round. Bring on the next!
As Em and I approach our two year anniversary of being In Oz and our
third In marriage, I wanted to share some of my thoughts (maybe with
just myself) on life here.
Things I Love
1 the city cat: surely the most civilized way of travel.
2 going to the farmers' market
3 the cycle way
4 sporting events being accessible and relatively cheap
5 coffee...and good coffee shops (this doesn't mean starbucks)
Things I Don't
1 Queensland drivers/ driving
2 the blinkered view of commentators and presenters
3 24 month phone contracts being the default
4 the new bank charges ($2 for withdrawing my own money? I think not$
5 lack of online shopping by retailers of all sizes (may be a size/
geography thing)
What I Want to Do More Of
1 get out, go to the beach (I've still yet to go to either Byron or
the Gold Coast)
2 eat out more, even just for brekkie
3 drink more wine
4 see more gigs
5 see people more.....
I might even let you know how I get on.
Having recently returned from holiday with our great friends Toby and Kathryn, one of the things we took to doing was photographing the next morning the previous nights wine consumption.
What follows is, hopefully, the full chronological list of the wines (full bottles only, not covering tastings) consumed on Darkinsons 2009 (Darkinsons is the collective name given to Darkins/ Robinson holidays):
Katoomba, NSW - Monday 16th February (Order of Preference, not tasting)
1. Two Churches, Barossa Valley Rose, 2007
2. Banrock Station, Sparkling White Shiraz, NV
3. Penfolds, Thomas Hyland Shiraz, 2006
4. Phillip, Mount Pleasant Shiraz. 2006
5. Dalfarras, Shiraz Viognier, 2004
6. d'Arenberg, "d'Arry's Original" Shiraz Grenache, 2006
7. d'Arenberg, "Laughing Magpie" Shiraz Viognier, 2006
Apollo Bay, VIC - Thursday 19th February
1. Shadowfax, Riesling, 2008
2. Shadowfax, Werribee Shiraz, 2005
3. Shadowfax, Heathcote "One Eye" Shiraz, 2005
4. Yering Station, Shiraz Viognier, 2006
Robe, SA - Saturday 21st February
1. Balnaves, Sparkling Cabernet, NV
2. Sahdowfax, Sauvingnon Blanc, 2008
3. Balnaves, "Cheeky Red", 2008
4. di Giorgio, "Sterita" Shiraz, 2005
McLaren Vale, SA - Sunday 22nd February
1. Katnook Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
2. Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Coonawarra Riesling, 2008
3. Bannockburn Geelong, Shiraz, 2004
4. Wynns Coonawarra Estate, "Black Label" Shiraz, 2006
McLaren Vale, SA - Monday 23rd February
1. Gemtree, "Cadenzia" Grenache Tempranillo Shiraz, 2007
2. Red Heads. The Back Shed Shiraz Grenache, 2006
3. Tapestry. "Cadenzia" Old Vine Grenache, 2007
4. d'Arenberg, "Sticks & Stones" Tempranillo Grenache Shiraz. 2005
5. d'Arenberg, "The Last Ditch" Viognier, 2008
Barossa Valley, SA - Tuesday 24th February
1. Red Heads, "Lazy Ballerina" Shiraz Viognier, 2006
2. Red Heads, "The Back Shed" Shiraz Grenache, 2006
3. Wirra Wirra, "Sparrow's Lodge" Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006
Appelation Restaurant, Barossa Valley, SA Wednesday 25th February
1. Pelorus, Sparkling, NV
2. Radford Dale, Eden Valley Riesling, 2007
3. Cooper Burns, Barossa Valley Grenache, 2006
4. Deisen, Barossa Shiraz, 2005
Bay of Shoals, KI - Thursday 26th February
1. Wirra Wirra "Scrubby Rise" Unwooded Chardonnay, 2008
2. d'Arenberg, "The Stump Jump" Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, Viognier, Chardonnay, 2007
3. Hardy's, Oomoo Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre, 2006
4. Pertaringa, "Over The Top" Shiraz, 2006
Bay of Shoals, KI - Friday 27th February
1. Majella, "Melody" Rose, 2008
2. Bannockburn Geelong, Pinot Noir, 2005
3. Gemtree, "Obsidian" Shiraz, 2005
4. Peter Lehmann, "Clancy's" Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (Magnum), 2004
5. d'arenberg, "The Noble Mod Pie", Viognier Pinot Gris Marsanne, 2008
Bay of Shoals, KI - Saturday 28th February
1. Two Hands, Gnarly Dudes Shiraz, 2007
2. Turkey Flat, Rose, 2008
3. Pertaringa, "Scarecrow" Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
4. Woop Woop, Verdelho, 2008
5. Katnook Estate, Chardonnay Brut Blanc de Blancs, 2007
6. Chateau Tanunda, Terroirs Ebenezer Shiraz, 200?
7. Kaesler, "Reid's Rasp" Shiraz, 2008
8. Wynn's, Samuel Port, NV
Brisbane, QLD - Sunday 1st March
1. Langmeil, "Fifth Wave" Grenache, 2006
2. Langmeil, "Orphan Bank" Shiraz, 2006
Brisbane, QLD - Monday 2nd March
1. Isabel, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
2. Turkey Flat, Rose, 2008
3. The Black Chook, Sparkling Shiraz, NV
4. Two Hands, Bella's Garden Shiraz, 2006
5. Red Heads, "Yard Dog" Petit Verdot merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006
6. Wirra Wirra, "Catapult" Shiraz Viognier, 2006
7. Langmeil, Fortified Shiraz
8. Wynns, Samuel Port
I have resolved to resume blogging. Now complete with Web2.0 phone [don't really know what that means, just sounds fancy],
this is a test.
Tomorrow the wine list from my recent holiday.
