With journey gearing again up, it seems like everybody’s heading abroad in the mean time. We’re nonetheless within the strategy planning stage, however issues are coming collectively.
Within the meantime, we’re getting our itchy toes and journey bug tended to by assembly with some buddies from Memphis and Hawaii tourism boards, and distracting ourselves with visits to native museums we’ve by no means been to.
We additionally had the pleasure of assembly a real-life olympian and the Australian of the Yr (similar particular person really) and having fun with a wine or two with him.
Christina’s additionally been busy up on stage MC-ing like a legend. So it’s all been taking place. Right here’s the entire story.
Take pleasure in this Version! Cheers—Jim & Christina xx
Right this moment we’ve determined to move to Sydney’s Nationwide Maritime Museum. We will nearly see this place from our condo, however for some cause we’ve by no means been right here.
It’s a brilliantly put collectively museum, even in case you’re not into ships, the navy or something like that.
In the principle constructing, there’s an infinite vary of sea-faring artefacts from pre- and post-colonial Australia. There’s even a full-size navy helicopter hanging from the ceiling and even Kay Cottee’s ship she sailed solo world wide.
However there’s additionally an interesting artwork part to the museum that’s undoubtedly value trying out too.
The Maritime Museum continues outdoors on the water. The submarine HMAS Onslow, which was decommissioned in 1999 after serving within the Australian navy for 30 years.
It’s fairly daunting going contained in the submarine. The door hatch is small and the ladder down is steep, nevertheless it’s fairly thrilling all the identical.
Submarines are famously cramped and claustrophobic, however even figuring out that isn’t sufficient preparation for the realisation of simply how squashed in an entire crew have to be to man a ship like this.
Transferring via the submarine, climbing via spherical doorways to every part, we’re met by the volunteer guides who speak us via what we’re seeing.
It’s fascinating simply how a lot is packed into each spare inch of this machine. Think about a Swiss military knife however hole, waterproof and sufficiently big to deal with as much as 69 crew, and the place each compartment, wall house, seat and desk has a number of makes use of and instruments connected.
It’s fairly a aid to get out of the Onslow if we’re sincere. Subsequent we go aboard the impressively named HMAS Vampire, a destroyer that was in service between 1959 and 1986. There’s even a Betamax within the mess to show the purpose.
There’s a lot house on this ship in comparison with the sub that we virtually don’t know what to do with ourselves. It’s so fascinating to have the ability to see what it’s wish to stroll the decks of those battle machines, to assume that this was residence for thus many individuals for thus a few years.
Lastly, we hop throughout the gangplank to the duplicate of the HMB Endeavour, the ship that Prepare dinner famously sailed to Australia and explored the Pacific.
This ship was solely inbuilt 1988, nevertheless it feels identical to you’re aboard the true factor from the 1700s. You possibly can see all of the rigging and masts up shut. You possibly can even go belowdecks to see the place the crew would have slept and ate, and the captain’s cabin on the stern of the ship.
As soon as once more although, there’s not a lot house right here and climbing again out the place you possibly can stand at full peak once more is a pleasure.
This night, we’re catching up with some buddies and people from Memphis Tourism down in one in all Sydney’s basic subterranean speakeasies Sew Bar.
It’s nice to listen to extra about Memphis, Tennessee’s—in reality America’s—residence of music. It’s after all of the birthplace, residence and remaining resting place of Elvis Presley.
We’re catching up with the all-too-cool Chris Ingham to speak all issues Tennessee.
Even higher, Sew Bar is serving us fantastically made Tennessee Bourbon Outdated Fashioneds whereas we chat about Memphis, it’s music scene but additionally the variety of nice inns and the way it’s actually lifting its tourism sport.
Subsequent American metropolis on our listing for certain.
It’s an thrilling day right this moment: Christina has gone for her subsequent jujitsu grading and has handed! She’s now a green-tip belt, which suggests she’s method more durable than me.
Actually impressed together with her and so pleased with how passionate she is about her new-found artwork. She solely joined this dojo just a few months in the past and with out figuring out anybody else there–a frightening second even once you’re a child, however much more so once you’re an grownup!
This afternoon, I’m flying solo at Hawai’i Tourism’s newest grand tour Down Underneath on the lovely Botanic Home in the midst of Sydney’s Botanic Gardens.
Bringing an enormous host of journey suppliers with all of them the way in which from Hawai’i, the board is speaking all issues aloha this lunchtime.
Over lunch, we hear from just a few individuals from Go Hawai’i, studying about a number of the superb locations to remain, issues to do and methods to get round these famously unique and delightful islands.
My new buddy Kelly Strickland from the unbelievable Kahala Resort in Hololulu has me completely bought on this gorgeous residence, the place the likes of the Obamas, George Clooney and Dwayne Johnson come to usually. Can’t wait to cross the Pacific for this place!
As a part of the lunch occasion, the entire Hawai’ian entourage get collectively to sing us a conventional welcome track. It actually units the temper for the remainder of the day, despite the rain that’s began falling proper in the midst of our meal.
I come residence to Christina with so many plans of visiting this island paradise as quickly as we will!
Some fascinating information within the spirits trade: Dubliner Liberties Distillery has launched a brand new whiskey liqueur referred to as Fiery Irish in Australia.
It’s not solely a tongue tornado however a tongue sizzler too, filled with warming flavours of chilli and cinnamon, good for the final couple of chilly Sydney months.
You possibly can choose up a bottle of Fiery Irish from $49.99 RRP at Dan Murphy’s and BWS shops throughout Australia.
I used to be alleged to be on the launch social gathering for this tasty new SKU, however sadly a funeral of an expensive household buddy took precedence.
Tonight, Christina and I are on the wonderful Olio Kensington Road in Chippendale for a wine night to recollect.
Hosted by Grant Burge Wines, who’re starting their newest marketing campaign referred to as ‘Go away Your Mark’, this night is all about celebrating celebrating ambitions, attaining targets and leaving our mark in society.
It’s an idea that ties in properly with this vineyard, which has been making very good wine for 5 generations and continues to take action.
And it’s an all-star forged right here tonight as properly.
MCing the night is none apart from comic, TV and radio presenter, creator and producer Charlie Pickering. He leads proceedings like he’s achieved it earlier than and entertains us with just a few well-chosen yarns.
Now, Charlie’s fairly well-known and it’s fairly spectacular to listen to from him, however he’s not the spotlight of the night.
In addition to listening to from the superb Craig Stansborough–Grant Burge’s Chief Winemaker, who we’ve really met earlier than, there’s another person who’s much more well-known…
However earlier than we do, there’s scrumptious wine to be drunk and meals to be eaten.
The meal kicks off with an enormous dish of luxurious gnocchetti with Sicilian pork sausage , chestnut and beetroot.
With it, two wines to style: the Holy Trinity GSM 2020 that’s balanced and filled with fruity flavours, and the Nebu Cabernet Shiraz 2019. That is my favorite (for the entire night because it seems) with large spicy and savoury notes, darkish cocoa and loads of oak.
Our mains come out subsequent–a big charred wagyu tenderloin with a 9+ marble rating, porcini mushroom soufflé, black truffles and a jus made with Grant Burge wine. It’s a formidable dish expertly executed and exemplary of this glorious restaurant.
Wine for this course is one thing particular too: the notable Filsell Shiraz 2020, which is an iconically Barossan wine, filled with plump fruit and loads of construction. However subsequent to this can be a glass of the Grant Burge flagship wine. The Meshach Shiraz. From the 2018 classic–they usually don’t make this wine yearly, this extremely acclaimed purple is fantastically advanced, brilliantly balanced and resonating with restrained energy.
However again to the true hero of the night, we’re joined by Grant Burge’s new ambassador, two-time Paralympic gold medalist and Australian of the Yr 2022 Dylan Alcott AO.
Dylan talks to his mate Charlie about his life and the way it felt to have so many successes and honours bestowed upon him, and the way they join along with his present function with Grant Burge. And though most of us won’t ever have any of those experiences that Dylan’s labored so onerous to attain, he’s extremely relatable and humble.
Most importantly, this Golden Slam winner launched the Dylan Alcott Basis in 2021, which helps younger Australians with a incapacity obtain their targets within the office, in sport or at college.
Dylan even passes his two Olympic gold medals out for us all to take a look at whereas he and Charlie speak. However quite than him being valuable about them, he simply pulls them out of his pocket saying: “individuals appear to need to see these, so right here you go.”
They’re surprisingly heavy, however in case you ever meet Dylan, don’t inform him that. Apparently, he’s heard that earlier than!
To complete our meal, first some aged pecorino and a glass of the Grant Burge Shadrach Cabernet 2018 land in entrance of us, adopted by a heat ricotta, egg and darkish chocolate tart with cinnamon ice cream served with a 20-year-old Tawny.
Evidently, we’re hale and hearty by the point it’s time to go residence!
It’s been the strangest season of soccer I’ve ever recognized, nevertheless it’s lastly come to an finish. And what an finish. With rain delaying, cancelling and suspending so many matches this yr, it’s superb we even obtained to the end line.
However right here I’m.
Our staff have been valiant, enjoying not simply the 90 minutes of normal time however then one other 20 of golden purpose additional time. When that remaining whistle on our grand remaining sounded and the sport stood at 2-2, there was nothing else to do however watch the Fates open their golden guide.
The penalty shoot-out that adopted broke all our hearts, leaving us with solely silver medals, however medals nonetheless. There’s all the time subsequent season, I’m informed.
On the identical day as my remaining, Christina is way more efficiently scoring targets!
This weekend she’s internet hosting A Little Bit Shaken, A Little Bit Stirred. This a marathon 4 occasions, on stage as MC for Nip of Braveness on the YCK Laneways and Entrance & Centre Competition for Ladies of Australian Distilling.
What does this all imply?
YCK Laneways is a consortium of unbiased hospitality, retail, leisure and company companies within the precinct between the QVB and Wynyard on York, Clarence and Kent Streets.
YCK Laneways is working along with Entrance & Centre, which is a pageant selling feminine and non-binary creatives in a month-long showcase of over 50 occasions.
Certainly one of these occasions, run by Nip of Braveness, the preeminent Australian craft spirit wholesaler, distributor, educator and on-line store, and Ladies of Australian Distilling, is championing the ladies who work within the trade, from blenders and distillers to bar employees and hospos to higher administration and venue homeowners.
There are 4 separate masterclasses inside this two-day occasion, every has two ladies from completely different distilleries, and every has two spirits to style and two cocktails that the viewers learns to combine for themselves.
In fact, Christina is the right host and runs the occasion like a boss.
The primary day sees Christina introduce Celia Wynne from Naught Distilling and Gemma Duff from Poor Toms, then Natalie Ng from Tilde~ Distillery and Door Knock Bar, and Ash Clinton from Grainshaker Vodka.
Day Two–proven right here–has Joey Tai from Anther Distillery and Sarah Wallace from Animus Distillery, then Lisa Truscott from Archie Rose Distillery and Carlie Dyer from Starward.
I don’t like magic exhibits or pantomimes, however that is the type of viewers participation that I may get into! Everybody within the viewers does an awesome job with their cocktails, underneath the cautious steering of Christina and co.
And we’re all stored fed by the devilish pecan pâté on our tables from Claire Von Vuuren–owner-chef on the extraordinary Bloodwood Bar and Restaurant in Newtown.
Pictured: Christina Butcher, Carlie Dyer – Starward, Lisa Truscott, Archie Rose, and Kathleen Davies – founding proprietor of Nip of Braveness and Ladies of Australian Distilling, and professional photobomber
On the finish of the third occasion, we heard some extra thrilling information–an unique within the Australian craft distilling world.
Joey Tai, one of many distillers at Anther, has launched her personal gin. Calling it Moon Cake Gin after the delicacy from her Hong Kong homeland that’s eaten to rejoice mid-autumn and lunar appreciation, this gin is fantastically balanced subtle gin.
It performs with flavours from native Australian botanicals but additionally with notes you’d count on from a gin referred to as Moon Cake: purple date, lotus seeds and rose. It’s a martini ready to occur.
We hope you’ve loved this Version. Have enjoyable and stay properly.
Jim & Christina x
