Emma's of Lovedale - Cafe Restaurant

Saturday lunch and a change of pace. Stephen and I discover Emma's Cafe restaurant. It is located on Wilderness Road at Lovedale. It is a cellar door, gallery of art and a restaurant all under the one roof. It is surprising how often one can drive a road and not really see what is there. Car parking, easy as; no problems with plenty of available spaces. A short walk through a rose garden and over a decorative bridge delivers us, the tourist, to the entrance. Wine tasting is offered and the gallery walk is pleasant. Vibrant colours and lively themes filled with energy, grace the walls. Textured paints on canvas reveal the painter's affinity with floral and nautical themes. Blooms, boats, beaches and harbours harness a passion and excitement before I am seated and handed a menu. Extensive menu options and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, lunchtime beckons so I start with a simple Breschetta for two. This I follow with a light spinach and fetta. Finally, crepes for dessert.

Relaxing

Sitting on the lounge and enjoying the morning's serenity. Somewhere, in the  distance, I can hear King Parrots calling, but much closer, the chatter of tiny finches. Our garden is a haven for so much bird and wildlife. Last week a giant roo stood at our front gate seeking entry to the back yard and the paddocks beyond. Yesterday, I spotted a kitten making its first journey from its burrow beneath the tall conifer out the front. Not sure how many other rabbits are secreted beneath its branches. Some consider them pests. Different needs bring various perspectives to that notion. As I don't earn a living from my garden I am content to allow them to nibble the grass on the lawn. Their unexpected appearance during the day has its own appeal. The big black butterflies are too fast for me to capture in the camera's lens. Did the parrot hear me typing and wonder what I was writing about today?

Finishing Touches - Pool Room Finito

Time to tick another box on that checklist of 'to do's.' Just need to purchase a fan to replace the somewhat jaded one that currently hangs above the pool table. Fans and pool cues, what were we thinking? However, since no one has played pool for eons there should be no risk to safety. Strange that when the children played, there was never an issue. When playing pool the fan was not to be used. Simple and it worked for all who visited and pocketed those balls. Given its purpose one wonders when we actually used the fan. When not playing there was no need for the fan. The space was originally designed as a room where the children watched television and also before the installation of ducted air conditioning. Now the room has both systems. Should we have considered removing the fan and patching the ceiling prior to the painting of the final top coat? The answer is, a resounding yes, but, too late now. I just want to pack up the brushes, rollers along with the drop sheets and start on my next project; the garden and pool area. No rest for the wicked. I must have been really wicked. A personal challenge as I try to remember an era when I actually had time to be wicked. Imagine time lapse please. Finito. Artwork hung. Memories of Verona, Sete and Chambord.

Renovations, Painting again

Painting again. Some time ago Stephen and I embarked on a radical project to renovate most of the rooms in the house. To track and monitor the plethora of tasks we designed a spreadsheet to identify every job. Today almost a year and a half later we have started the final chapter; the pool room. It was long overdue with its sagging, gyprock ceiling and cracked cornices. Delighted to be almost there but not confronting the new challenge. Do we keep the poolroom as it is or should we use this opportunity to change its character. No one has used the table is so long that I can't recall when it was last challenging players to shoot pool. Now a dilemma confronts. What is the best use of this space? Table stays or table goes? All suggestions are welcome.

St Clements Estate - Hunter Valley

Two new whites have been added to the wine list at St Clements. I am sure that the traditional Italian style will be enjoyed by many who dine at the Trattoria. Be one of the first to tell Luigi which you prefer. 

Mothers' Day

I accepted an invitation for a  Mothers' Day, High Tea. The fog cleared and the sun shone as the TR7 pulled into the drive at Kate's. I was greeted by tiers of delicately laden cake platters. Platters that had been arranged with the greatest of care. Home made savoury and sweet treats that had been baked, prepped, sliced and cut to impress. I was impressed, by the variety, that everyone had some part in delivering to the table. Comfy seating encouraged a casual and relaxed morning where some sipped cider, some tea and others bubbles. A wonderful Mothers' Day. Exceptional!

My Birthday

Thank you for your company, your kind words, sharing a meal and your gifts. Birthdays are special because of the people who share them with you.

Thank you

At Lillino's I've developed a passion for the many traditional, Sardinian recipes. If it's not the gnocchi or the homemade pasta. then it's the panacotta that invites me back each week. In the warmer months I favour the Insalata Mista or the bruschetta to begin the dining experience. As the nights have grown cooler it's the pasta or risotto that I prefer. I usually follow with a chalkboard special. Sometimes the fish of the day but on Thursday evening my preference was definitely the veal. The finest slices of veal bathed in  a sauce featuring slivers of fresh mushrooms; so tasty. However, last night was also tinged with a little sadness, for a very familiar personality packs his bags and heads home. Talga Road had been his home away from home for many months. Rome now beckons and he must go. He left a parting legacy for a few fortunate customers. Wonder who will the last to savour the pasta that he made prior to his departure. Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you. Ciao.

Flute case not needed for this wombat

3:00am - I woke to banging and crashing noises that sounded like they were coming from inside the house. Wide awake. Was it a prowler? A home invasion? Rapid breathing, heart racing I plucked up the courage to investigate; but, I was in bed. No weapons, nothing. Wait. I remember a flute case under the bedside table. I grab that and head to the kitchen. I expect to clobber the noise source. My two hands grip the flute case. It's raised overhead. I crept to the kitchen. Lights spring to my aid. Stephen checks doors and windows and I the porch. Was it the florist delivering my flowers that were supposed to be delivered for Mothers' Day? Was the florist so busy that my floral arrangement was being delivered a day late? No. No flowers. No florist stumbling in the dark. Nothing obvious amiss. Back to bed. Door firmly locked should the intruder or noise source, miraculously appear. Surprisingly, sleep came. 5:00am and I was up. A little fragile and feeling like I had imagined the whole 3:00am thing. Soon daylight would bring relief. I needed to investigate beyond the porch. A glimpse of my new outdoor setting piqued my interest. Tumbled and strewn cushions on the porch. The cover slip grounded. How? Who had done this to my brand new setting? Fear forgotten and my stride determined. The glass doors flung open. I made for those cushions. Scattered candles and pots lay on the ground. Now I was angry. What vandal had visited by place of relaxation? Bending to pick up the candles and pots, I saw it. I think that I saw it. A huge hairy rump had squeezed itself onto the coffee table's shelf. First thought. Wow. That's one big bush rat! Back-up. Full throttle. Processing now. Light-bulb moment. Stephen! Walter is back! From the kitchen his roaring laugh released the tension that had been building since 3:00am. Walter had gate crashed the coffee table and believed that he was safely hidden from prying eyes. The sun was up and it was, after-all, his bedtime.

Everyone knows that he likes to sleep during the day. I slid the flute case back where it belonged. Until next time. Walter is back ....

Just what I always wanted ...

Have you ever wanted something but seriously thought that it would not be? This week I realised that you just need to be patient. Good things come to those who wait. I have waited a few years and never really expected that I would be fortunate enough to have an outdoor lounge setting. Now that my wish has been granted I feel totally decadent as I recline on the lounge. The lounge that allows me to sit within a few feet of the garden and to watch the valley and hills across the way. A perfect ending to a day of pampering. Mothers' Day. Flowers, chocolates and lounges. Such luxury. Thank you everyone.

Out and About - Leogate ... Hunter Valley

As you enter Leogate's Cellar Door you are immediately struck by the calm elegance.  Stunning overhead lighting, a large open fire, leather seating and striking drapery that gently puddles at each window, welcomes the visitor. Large, display cabinets of fine jewellery invite closer inspection. Then I remember that I have ventured past roadworks and large machines to taste the wines offered at the bar. The bar unabashedly dressed in panels of silver now beckons. I am handed a glass of the sparkling Chardonnay that I sip as I stroll to take in the other elements in the room. Shelves stocked with produce arranged in jars and bottles designed to tempt the palate, to make a purchase. Sarah, cites the qualities of each wine that follows. We continue to taste. We make purchases. In the near future I look forward to returning and tasting from the restaurant's tables.

Surprise ... It's Finished!

It has taken far too long but it is finally finished. I do hope Anne likes it. Everything was recovered and awaiting assembly; just four, little brass screws was all that was needed, or so I thought. Stephen tried to slip the chair's back into the frame. He realised that it simply did not fit. Gentle force, still not going to fit. All of the fabric and my beautifully straight line of staples were never going back into that newly stained and lacquered frame. What to do? Back to the beginning. We stripped everything we had done right back to the original, felt of the backrest. It's age now exposed and its pock marked timber too. There were in fact two layers of old green fabric beneath the new cream upholstery. What a surprise! Screwdrivers and pincers savaged and wrestled the myriad of tacks that were secreted underneath. Finished and Anne had the privilege of being the first to sit on her mother's old chair.

A work in progress ...

A chair belonging to the mother of my best friend sat in my garage for too many months. It was a restoration job that required immediate and urgent attention. Covers removed so long ago that I couldn't recall the date of the chair's deconstruction. Worn covers designed to act as templates for the new look chair. Tragically, enthusiasm didn't compensate for the requisite skills required for such an undertaking. Skills which I simply didn't have to restore the chair to its original state. Several visits to stores seeking the best products to complete the task were most frustrating. Rusted springs, sanded timber, wood stain, staple gun, scissors, clear lacquer and sponges combined in such a way as to further confuse the restoration efforts. Blog entry made whilst lacquer, top coat dried. Final challenge - reconstructing the actual seat, since its original felt base had disintegrated some time during the chair's historic life. Watch this space for the final chapter.

Defiance Sculpture Park - Gallery Gate Wollombi

Something about holidays that makes one turn their thoughts to culture. Artistic moments beckoned. What inspirational and artistic location could I unearth without passing on the highways travelled by Steamfest enthusiasts? I have no qualms about steam and its devotees I merely did not wish to compete for road space and queue at round-abouts. Where to? Somewhere I recalled reading about sculptures in a garden gallery. Googled a few key words and presto, Wollombi appeared on my screen. As a destination for a Sunday drive, most pleasant. Not a trek but a sedate and scenic connection with the valley. We passed through sleepy, rural, villages and crossed many bridges before arriving at the Gallery Gate at Wollombi. Mown lawn hosted more than a dozen sculptures in the garden gallery. Bold sculptures fashioned from the imagination and hewn by hand dominated the landscape. Steel strained to its limits piqued my interest. Seemingly casual in style, yet very much in control of its plinth, stood my favourite. Many other fascinating sculptures invite comment; well worth the visit.

Family

Family members have come to visit from Queensland for they will soon be on their way to Tasmania. No more 'wet season' and the now regular pattern of being flooded in or out of their home. Something to celebrate! Tarraleah is where they'll soon be living. Boxes to pack, friends to fare well and shipping containers to book. It's not long now. Last looks at Newcastle's foreshore, St Clement's Estate and the Muse Restaurant. Other family members rally for an evening with an Italian style menu. Michael creates homemade gnocchi. Stephen bakes lasagne while I assemble the salads. One pear and the other mixed leaves with

avocado, asparagus and cherry tomatoes over which I'll pour a generous serve of our newly sourced dressing. The crusty bread to be purchased at the Saturday morning Harvest Markets at Maitland. A busy time ahead.

Tuscan grew and he keeps growing ...

Isabella, the cellar door dog at St Clement's Estate, had her first litter. Isabella delivered a litter of fluffy, Maremma, sheep dogs. Tuscan was one of the litter chosen for our daughter and her husband, Sam. In a few months Tuscan has grown. The little ball of curious fluff has developed more quickly than we could have imagined. Tuscan has some favourite toys and some locally sourced items that we had not considered might be of interest to him too. Palm fronds from the compost pile and even a thong that must have rested in the garden for more than a dozen years are gnawed with great passion. When Tuscan comes to visit bones are essential for he likes to sit and crunch them until they are unrecognisable shadows of themselves. He is still considered a puppy. I can't wait until he is all grown up. How much more will he grow? A recent weigh in saw him close to 35 kilo's.

Bella Wind Gathering

Last night long time friends sat down to a typical Aussie barbecue. Butterfly pork fillets that had been marinated in plum sauce were accompanied by side dishes, a salad and oven  roasted potatoes. The peach, crumbled feta, macadamia and mixed leaf salad was drizzled with sweet Balsamic vinegar, just prior to serving. A large bowl of potatoes soft and fluffy on the inside with a crispy outer layer provided the balance of textures and flavours. Dessert, a combination of berry filled cupcakes topped with maple syrup; the perfect finish to the dining experience. Casual and relaxed candle lit conversation. Happy Easter, Bella Wind. The first of many to come.

John's 60th

Major's Lane was a fitting location for a major birthday. Over one hundred people travelled to celebrate March 14th and John's 60th. Under the canopy people struggled with John's Name The Date Test. Testing it was. John had collated many pictures revealing memories spent, either with his family, or friends and colleagues. Many shared answers, some borrowed dates and a few guests actually identified the elusive years. Conversation flowed like the water features. Speeches were made and cakes cut. John shared his date of birth with many VIP's. To name but a few; Albert Einstein - John and he, both men of wisdom. Then there was Michael Caine - Men of many roles. John a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a friend, a mentor and a colleague. Next, there was Billy Crystal - Both men known for their fine sense of humour and a clever whit. Hank Ketcham, who created Dennis The Menace and like John had an affinity to work with children. Finally, Frank Borman, the astronaut lead the first men to circle the moon and who, like John, encouraged people to reach for the stars. The list is endless. Happy Birthday John and thakn you for the invite. An honour to share this occasion.

Cellar Restaurant - Hunter Valley

Times are changing and so too menus. The new, rustic, Mediterranean style menu at the Cellar Restaurant in Pokolbin is a winner. How pleasing to sample some of the dishes now featured. My entree was the sweet potato and pinenut salad. Crisp and fresh. Thence, for mains, my choice was the duck. Fellow diners chose sides to accompany their mains. I found the portions to be most generous leaving no need for dessert on this occasion. Thanks to John for a lovely evening where we caught up and savoured the new menu. 

Before The Rain Came

Love my job but after a busy day at work we headed for Lillino's. No cooking. Yay! Great idea. Fresh figs were listed as a chalkboard special. Love fresh figs. Perfect entree for a very hot day. Pesce of the day, swordfish. Another perfect choice for the intense summery weather. How does one finish the dining experience? Hint; another chalkboard special designed especially to mirror seasonal produce. Mango sorbet was my final decision of the day. No more decisions just Shiraz '05. Do as Clint Eastwood once said, 'Make my day.' 

How green is my world?

It has been raining for so long that my world has greened. Just a few weeks ago the ground was brown and crusted. The yard was reduced to a series of deep cracks. Cracks that stretched in a crazed-like pattern from fence to fence. The soil had withdrawn from the fence posts leaving me wondering if they would fall in the winds that sucked the air dry of moisture. Underfoot the remnant weeds and grass crackled and turned to dust. Wind blew and it seemed that rain would never come. Much social banter targeted the incessant cycle of weather. 'It must rain soon', was repeated over and over again as we all struggled in the heat. How fast life changes. Puddles have formed and grown into creeks. Creeks have flowed across roads and then streets, past homes and into them. Drenched plants and trees have sprouted new shoots. Cracks have slowly healed. Grass shoots once stubble have risen to green my world. How refreshing to walk that same yard; to tread carefully in my thongs. Oozing mud squelched around the pink of my thongs. Newly planted fruit trees grateful for the change stood stronger today. How green is my world?

Time Out at Tulloch's -Hunter Valley

The weather had cooled sufficiently to safely and happily step beyond the air conditioning so we set off for Tulloch's. Family members had not ventured to the tasting rooms so it was somewhat of a novelty. Mid week timing provided exceptional access to the member's tasting lounge. As we were the only people there our hostess was able to give us her full attention. The commentary and explanation for each variety tasted was professional without being intense. Several sips later we'd made a box load of purchases before our 1 o'clock lunch booking at the Muse Cafe.

MONA - Tasmania

Mindful of the recent bushfires we decided that it was prudent to stay in Hobart for the last three days of our holiday. Day one, we made our way, by ferry, to MONA. A thirty minute trip upstream landed visitors at a jetty with ninety plus steps that led to the museum's entrance. Architecture of a robust and almost fortress-like style dominated our approach. Eyes were focused on MONA's steel battlements that topped sloping, rust glazed, walls. Walls that rose high above the surrounding river demanded everyone's attention. Upon entry, visitors were briefed, re the technology provided and its navigation. Technology provided access to print and or audio descriptions of exhibits and displays. Once inside the individual galleries, at the press of a button the headset technology provided detailed summaries of artworks. MONA had been sited deep into the sandstone and its walls within were unmistakably pyramid-like in stature. Corridors and hanging walkways further supported this notion. Galleries were calm and serene as visitors sought to understand their surrounds. In some places chambers unfolded as they do in the Louvre. The central glass lift, round in shape, delivered tourists quickly and efficiently between chambers. The enormity of MONA, its overwhelming architecture and its vast range of artworks should be afforded a day or more if one is to sample all of its features. I am pleased that we had pre-booked and purchased tickets prior to our arrival as it expedited our entry with pleasing efficiency. In a carpark I noted the sense of humour of our host and reflected on his contributions to art. 

You Call This A Park!

From the river cruise it was but a short distance to the City Park. What a park! The Launceston City Park must surely be able to boast a point of interest for every tourist. A cafe, a conservatory, wide open grassed areas, a larger than life outside, chess arena, a monkey enclosure, water features, rotundas, statues, extensive pathways, permanent gardens, blooms and flower beds. One could literally spend several hours taking in all of the sights that City Park offered. Having visited the park we understood why, earlier in the day, that we had seen so many people in the surrounding streets carrying picnic hampers and associated paraphernalia. I played with my app on my Ipad to reshape the beautiful tree my the pond. The tree with its outstretched limbs welcomed every visitor.