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.
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.
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.'
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 The soil had withdrawn from the fence posts leaving me wondering if they would fall in the winds that sucked the air dry of moisture.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?
The w
eather 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.
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.
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.
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.
