Mmmmm….Melbourne
In the spirit of Bob’s live Oscarcast, I thought I’d post a minute by minute comment on yetserdays outing. The first one I did on my own. See, I was going horse-riding through Wine country. Now, D doesn’t mind wine (he’s liking it more this trip - Oz Pinot Gris. Mmmm). But horses? No, neigh, never.
So, on to the bus, and off we go.
0940 - We just passed a sign showing the way to Hastings. So very English.
0942 - We’re out in the suburbs now. A little more country than suburbs, really. We just passed a sign offering: “For sale : Fresh Eggs, Live Hens, Fowl Manure,” and I have to ask myself: Is there any other sort?
0950 - “Bobcat & Tipper Rentals.” I like Bobcat & Tipper; they’re my fave Ozzie Cop show.
1000 - We arrive at Spring Creek, and pile out of the bus into dazzling sunshine. I’m on the line for the loo, when one of the stable boys passes, holding two huge slabs of freshly tasted country bread, smeared with butter and a brown paste. “Is that Vegemite?” I ask, and we strike up a conversation, and - just like that - he’s tearing the bread in half and insisting I try the famous Ozzie spread, and I’m sharing his breakfast. People down here are just so totally open and friendly.
Bev and John and their team (ably assisted by Finn, the Australian Bluey Cattle dog - a squat muscular gentle giant of a hound) get us suited and booted, get us to sign the disclaimers (You know the sort of thing: “If I decide to do this trip in the style of Chris Reeves, it’s not your fault.”), and we’re introduced to our mounts.
Which is how I end up on the lovely Shorty. Stop laughing at the back!
And we go off on an hours trek to the beautiful Maritime Estate Winery on the Mornington Peninsula. Fabulous. A 70 year old Wine maker (Joe) is a living breathing advertisement for his product; if consumption of Maritime’s yummy Pinots and Chardonnays can leave you looking this good at that age, I’m signing up for a case a month.
Now, it’s been suggested that I consider writing more on this blog about food and drink, (cos I love it - the consumption of and the writing about), and I’d quite like to do that. Suffice it to say for now, that the wines are great. There’s three pages of tasting notes in my journal, but I’ll keep it for my return.
Back on the horse (with me feeling considerably more nimble after some rather generous tastings of about 8 different wines including a dry Rose with scents of Rose and Patchouli and other Eastern Delights), and on for another trot (with me pleading with Shorty to avoid both the Canter and the Gallop) back to the Creek.
Then, on to the T’Gallant winery for lunch in the Trattoria, sipping local Pinot Noir, muching on rectangles of Pizza served on slabs of wood under an awning with the dappled light coming through, the gentle whoosh of the breeze trough the tops of tall trees, and the scents of Basil and garlic mixing with the fruity wines.
Best pizzas this trip: Thin, crispy, with Gorgonzola, Pear, Rocket, Baby leeks and almost translucent slivers of red onion. Fabulous. Wild mushroom with a salty cheese, garlic and fresh herbs piled on top. Too good for words.
I buy a bottle of Moscato - fantastic huge flavour of Apples, Lemon sherbet, Melons. Can’t wait for the English Summer, a garden party, a cheese board with fruit (pears, grapes, apricots, lychees) and fresh country bread (and maybe a little Vegemite) , or with a sharp gooseberry fool. Low in alcohol (8%) since it’s all sugar, and a lovely frosty sweet treat.
Then, it’s back to the ship, through towns with Masonic Lodges and Mobile Libraries. So very English. You could almost forget you weren’t back at home, if it weren’t for the open, friendly people, the great local wines, the sunshine in February, and the Air Con units on the Mobile Libraries. That, of course, is the real giveaway.
At sea today, then Sydney awaits. Not sure about Inet access there, so apols if I don’t get to y’all before the return.