"Ausome" Auckland

I was very excited about this trip to the "City of Sails" which is a very apt reference as I have never seen so many yachts in one place. It surely has to be one of the biggest marinas in the world.

 

I remember seeing a Michael Palin programme set in Auckland and noting how beautiful it was.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the chance to visit.

Once again it was on my Dad's list and once again I felt he was with me perched on my shoulder.

Hubster has got quite used to me muttering to myself as we see the sights, he knows I'm talking to Dad.

We stayed in the Hilton which has the best location of any hotel in the City. We had a harbour view room with a huge balcony, it was perfect.

I love this city because it is real. As well as the swanky bars, harbour side restaurants and real estate there is a very active working port. Among the luxury sails are tug boats, freight and cargo ships toing and froing busily.

The weather was a very pleasant 25 degrees and as usual we packed a lot into our weekend. The sky tower gave us incredible views over the City but I wasn't brave enough to stand on the glass floor - it's a long way down!

 

As ever we enjoyed some fabulous seafood and delicious wines not to mention some of the most plump and juicy oysters I've ever had.

We took a ferry out to the surrounding Islands of Devenport and Waiheke and were stunned by their beauty.

Waiheke was breathtaking boasting no less than 30 vineyards nestled in its undulating landscape. The wine tasting was sublime.

 

I love these little voyages of discovery that we share together. It gives me so much pleasure to see my Hubster relax and kick back and I just love hanging out with my best friend. We laugh and talk, we tease each other, well actually Hubster teases me relentlessly and I treasure these carefree times just for "us".

 

 

It was a truly magical weekend and our love affair with New Zealand is in full throes and on our last evening we were presented with this beautiful sunset.

 

 

PSSST.... I'm saving the best till last. We ONLY saw a Kiwi, in the scrub on Waiheke Island. These birds are so shy and elusive and mostly nocturnal that even New Zealanders admit to only ever seeing one in a zoo. How special was that? I admit to having tears!

It's a paradox!

"I've been here 16 years now" she said "and I still haven't got used to it"

It's true. When you have been conditioned all your life to the traditions of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose (or is it toes? Both no doubt), it really messes with your head when it's 35 degrees and you are doing battle with the air conditioning.

But this day I was determined to head into the City and see what Melbourne had to offer to convince me of signing up as a fully fledged supporter of Christmas in the sun.

It was 35 degrees. Sunblocked up, loose cotton dress and flip flops on I set out on my mission.

By the time I walked the 7 minutes to the train station the lining of my dress was sticking to my legs and I was willing the train with its air con carriages to arrive.

I alighted and wandered along the river bank seeking the shade of the trees and as I took the steps up onto the bridge I could see the heat rising like shimmering steam off the pavements.

Nope. No jingle bells or dashing through the snow inklings for me yet but lets be optimistic and crack on I thought.

The sight of children visiting Santa in shorts and sundresses was quite challenging as was the thought of Santa passing out through heat exhaustion and dehydration!

The tree was lovely however and I imagine quite spectacular at night......

..... and the Elf seemed to be enjoying her job.

 

Sun or snow, the magic of Christmas is still clear to see looking at the children gazing into the department store windows (shorts and sundresses - whatever).

 

 

Regardless, for us it will be different, we will make the best of it because that's what we do but we will certainly be missing this lot this year along with our many other friends and family!

.........oh and mum's roasties and Christmas Pud! (weep!)

 

Not just about the wine and the vine

There is far more to the Yarra Valley than just fine wine.

As you can very well see.

As well as a merry one, it will be a bountiful one too.

Homeward bound and the boot is full.
 

The Yarra Revisited

We had only just moved into our home and Radders was still in quarantine when we made our first trip to the Yarra Valley last April.

The beautiful wine growing region of Victoria warranted another visit. Christmas is approaching and it is a wonderful time of year in the vineyards.

It is also an amazing time for the delicious produce made and  grown here but that's the subject of the next blog.

Spoilt for choice you stumble over winery after winery. All fabulous.

Our favourite however by miles is this one.

Yering Farm. It's rustic, simple and uncomplicated and the wine is to die for.

"Can you do us a deal?"

"Of course mate"

"Are you serving lunch platters?"

"yes mate we will get one rustled up for you no worries"

We had no idea what this consisted of but went with the flow, trusting it would be delicious.

"Enjoy your platter, think about what you want and I'll give you the best deal I can"

Small, independent. family run, supplying the public and selected restaurants only. Lovely.

You won't find these wines in Dan Murphy's (Dan Murphy's is the biggest franchised booze retailer in Oz).

Here we believe we have found the most sublime Chardonnay on the whole planet.

Tasting it again, we rolled our eyes, looked at each other with complicit approval and a huge "yes, yes" nod of the head.

The lunch platter was lovely too. Made even lovelier when they said it was on the house.

We obviously bought alot of wine but that's the kind of customer service that will bring us back time after time and for Yering Farm yields the best advertising in the world - word of mouth!

As for the bottle of wine you see with our lunch, we shared a little glass between us. We were driving after all and in spite of the temptation, we enjoyed it even more in the comfort of our own home.

Yering Farm we salute you!

Stunning views overlooking the Yering Farm Vineyards

Tasting is a serious business!

 

Sauv blanc, Marsanne, Chardy, Rose, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cab Sav

 

Load her up boys!

I think it will be a very "merry" Christmas and New Year and a jolly Easter too!

So here's to our motto, "one life, live it"

Tis the Season

...................... to be jolly!

Well I admit up until now I have been a bit of a grinch and a humbug.

Being so far from your loved ones at Christmas and trying to get your head around the fact that it is Summer has left me feeling far from festive.

I skyped with my brother this morning, his home looked beautiful, cosy and twinkly. I recognised the garlands I had given him as we were not allowed to bring any decorations with us at all.

I don't know what happened.

I wasn't expecting it but as soon as I logged off. Huge, great big fat tears rolled down my face and would not stop.

This happens from time to time, the want and need to be close to someone you love but know you can't be is overwhelming.

No I am not complaining, I am just saying how it is for me and for every ex-pat on occasion- we all experience it and often when unguarded.

I realised for the first time in my entire life, I will NOT be spending any time with him over the Christmas season.

I went straight to my default position and called the Hubster.

As ever, he reminds me why I love him so much.

"Come on you, you love Christmas, it's normal to feel the way you do but lets be positive now" he soothed.

"Get yourself to the shops, buy a tree and decs and bring Christmas to our home, just like you do every year".

So I did.

It will be different.

But we can make it into a Christmas to remember for all the right reasons, no more humbug and a lot more fa la la la la!

You are not far away really because you are right here in my heart.

 

 

 

 

Gastronomic Poles

The standard and variety of the cuisine in Melbourne restaurants is quite incredible.

We are currently hooked on Asian Fusion which encourages lots of sharing plates which we love doing!

On Saturday we discovered Circa in St Kilda.

Wow, wow and wowsers!

The pictures are not great, I try to take pics as discreetly as possible and the lighting is often not right but I assure you the food was amazing.

Don't be alarmed the dishes are not as big as they look in the pictures. We easily polished this lot off and cycled home!

Seared Tuna with Spring Pickles, Wasabi foam and Sriracha*

(*A Thai-style hot sauce, made from sun-ripened chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt)

 



LA style Korean inspired Beef Taco with Napa cabbage slaw with pickles, satay and garlic chutneys

 

 

Rice Cracker crusted spicy Calamari with Sesame and Seaweed Aioli

 

 

Somen Noodles with wood fire BBQ Ocean Trout and cleansing Dashi Broth

 

 

Hainanese Chicken with Gingered Rice, Green Onion & Crispy Skin

 

 

Salted Caramel Delice with Black Sapote* Sorbet and Macadamia Crumble

*Also known as the chocolate pudding fruit, it is a black persimmon native to Mexico and Central America

 

 

I hardly ever eat pudding but I tucked into this one with Hubster with equal gusto!

 

Then going from one pole to another................ sometimes the simplest of things turn out to be just as satisfying and delicious and you can't beat throwing a few "snags" (bangers) and onions on the BBQ.

 

 

 

 

Now it's definitely back to the gym for me!