Dear Writer, sounds like your having a great time drinking and drinking and then eating.
But the whole Dear Reader bit is too repetitive, a little constructive criticism for you!!!
Love to you and Nana, teens/trevor and F/S
Hey D,
I need Branko's number for that stuff in the laundry room.
Also a Bill Lister? or Linster called was worried you were not well, can you email him and asure him your fine and on vaca xx
Hi Maggie and Chloe!
Thanks for the positive criticism but "Dear Reader" is a convention that early writers of the novel employed and I like it! Phone number for Branko is in address book on phone under Ragin. Ask him about printing from laptops as I'd like that function to work. Don't know any Bill Linster. Could it be Dempster of Gross? Is message still in voice mail? Also, please ask Bernie, across the hall, if he knows anything about our cheque for $750 for Strata Council. Your Mother put it throught the mail slot in room down hallway from us before we left but cheque has not yet been cleared by bank. Let us know as soon as you can.
Had a wonderful time in the Clare Valley, Dear Reader!
Left Adelaide on Sunday morning, March 25th:
Up at 6:10am to treat myself to a double Nespresso while I recorded yesterday's outing to the Barossa and then last night's dinner. Gang surfaced around 8:00am and proceeded to have cereal and yoghurt and read Sunday papers while I feasted on a steaming bowls of overlefts, a combo of last evening's kartofellage, rice and Skippy, yumsters, zapped by an ever solicitous waitress, Teens, fag stuck in the corner of her mouth, dropping ash on my food! After breakies, showers all around for those not already abluted and then small overnight bags for two night stay.
Waved goodbye to THERMOMIX Woman at a few minutes after 10:00am and guided by Teens' Garmin Goils, on loan for this part of road trip, on to the Main North Road, not far from Fairview Park which will take us almost directly to Clare. Gorgeous day, already 19C, and climbing, a few puffy clouds in an otherwise bright, blue sky. Sarge driving with certainly more than usual concern for posted speed limits. North of turnoff to Gawler, wheat-fields on both sides of the highway. AC on as day is heating up! ETA in Clare about 11:00am. Will stop at first winery or Tourist Centre for a map, given that yesterday's incompetent navigator neglected to bring one we picked up in Adelaide, two days ago. Rest of entourage bit our tongues as Nana Nincompoop shamefacedly offered up an abject apology! Group levied a fine, an expensive bottle of Riesling, (Clare is renowned for this varietal), for dinner tonight! Strict discipline must be enforced otherwise Chaos rears its ugly head, Dear Reader!
Captain Sarge on cruise control as we zipped northward. Little traffic so we should be right on schedule. Pretty rolling hills dotted with stands or wind breaks of gums. Terrain quite similar to approach to Sierra Foothills from Berkeley. About 11:30am we stopped in town as The Goils needed a chemist's and I had to seek out an ATM. Few minutes later, both errands accomplished, (even mailed a number of postcards I'd finished that morning), we made for Jim Barry Wines. Had forgotten exactly where it was, relative to centre of town so had to seek directions at the Clare Country Club. Picked up a wine map there and were soon parking in the shade of the parking lot in front on winery.
Only customers so we had Andrew all to ourselves and he led us through a most pleasant tasting: Lodge Hill 2011 Riesling; Florita 2011 Riesling, Silly Mid On 2010 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, for the whites. I liked both the name and the taste of the latter, (Have seen it occasionally in Vancouver), and then we were on to the reds: Three LIttle Pigs 2010 Cabbage/Shiraz/Malbec; the iconic Cover Drive, 2009 cabbage, (Traditional favourite back home but only $19 here, as opposed to roughly $27-$29 back at Cambie.); Lodge Hill 2010 Shiraz; and then two top-enders, the 2006 McRae Wood Shiraz, $50, and the 2005 "Pb", Jim Barry's "considered personal best for a given year, All the more expensive wines kept in a super duper argon dispenser, the theory being that the inert gas keeps an open bottle of wine from oxidizing and drinkable.
Tasty platter of bread, cheese and olives so the tasting was very agreeable, pater with Andrew convivial. Thanking our knowledgeable and gracious host, after I decided upon the Silly Mid On and two bright orange corkscrews, (Needed at least one in case we ever encountered a cork in this wine land of Stelven caps, Dear Reader!), emblazoned with the winery's name, back to the car to return towards town and stop at Knappstein, another winery we'd first visited in 1991. Again, only tasters and Tony took care of us, pouring two Rieslings, a Chenin Blanc and a number of Cab/Merlot blends and a couple Shirazes. Winery also has a brewery associated with the operation so Sarge picked up a four-pack of the Reserve Lager, 5.6%.I didn't like it as much as the APA from Harcourt Valley but it was pleasant enough. Tony convinced Sarge to take the Insider, 12%, a blend of Riesling and Gewurtztraminer, made especially for export, on sale for $12 as opposed to the one we tasted, 100% Clare Riesling, for $22. (We had it back at our cabin in the Clare Caravan Park, before dinner, and was disappointed as it was a touch too sweet and insipid. You pays yer money and takes yer chances, Dear Reader!
The Sisterhood were feeling peckish after this so we stopped in town and looked for a place for lunch. They rejected what Sarge and I thought was a reasonably acceptable greasy spoon, (not all that many places open for lunch on Sunday afternoon, surprisingly, given the fact that Clare is a very popular tourist spot), for a hotel pub, the Bentley. We ordered our food just before a large group arrived and repaired to the outdoor patio to chat and plan afternoon's tasting while we waited for our food. Sarge had opted for a pizza while the rest of us chose Caesar salads with toppings of choice. Our tasty salads came reasonably quickly but Sarge's fare still hadn't been served by time we were finished! Waitress came by to apologize for delay, claiming "a spot of trouble with oven"! I decided to return to car to work on the Diaries. Had only managed a paragraph or two when my travelling companions returned, Sarge clutching a take-away box. Apparently first pizza was burned and its replacement was undercooked!
We had decided that we would see if we could check into our cabin although it was only 3:00pm and we understood that 5:00pm was time posted when we made reservation. Flamin' went into office when we pulled into CCP, (We had stayed there in 1991 and again in 2000 and had been more than happy with "Budget Accommodation", as phrased in the Clare Valley Visitor Guide, Dear Reader!), returning with two large tote bags, the linen and towels for the single beds, intended for Cora Lee and El Conductore, relegated to the cramped bunk beds in the tiny second closet bedroom, El Capitaine Sarge and his hyperactive First Mate claiming the luxury, sheer luxury, Dear Reader, of the Queen bed in the cavernous bedroom!
We unloaded the car and made Cabin 17 home before we driving back towards town to stop at Kirrihill, but two minutes away. I had picked up a bottle of their 2009 Clare Valley Shiraz, 15.5%, and found it rather good so was keen to actually visit the winery itself. It is situated below a very good restaurant bar and bistro, Artisan's Table, (Coriandre and I had enjoyed a fabulous meal there in 2000, delicious Skippy of some sort!), but the place is closed after lunch on Sunday until Wednesday so we were out of luck in terms of being able to eat there. Nevertheless, the tasting was all that i had hoped it would be. Of the five whites: 2011 Slate Creek Vineyard, Clare Riesling, 12%, 2011 Barton Sprigs Vineyard Adealide Hills Sauvignon Blance, 12.5%, 2010 Serendipity Vineyard Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio, $13% , 2011 Adealide Hills Chardonnay, 12.5% and the 2011 Moscato, 10.6%, (absolutely delightful and refreshing, made from Frontignac), I was very taken with the subtle flavours and crisp minerality of the Riesling, the flagship varietal of the Clare Valley.
The four reds were all rather tasty: 2010 Clare Valley Cabbage, 14.5%, 2010 Clare Valley Shiraz, 14.5%, not as intense as the 2009 expression I alluded to above. However, the Kirrihill SIngle Vineyard Series, 2009 Tullymore Vineyard Clare Valley Shiraz, 14.5% and the 2009 Tullymore Vineyard Clare Cabbage, 14.5%, recently released, were remarkable and priced at $20, simply astounding value for price. We picked up a bottle of each and thanked our friendly pourer. Back to car and up along Wendouree Road to drive by Wendouree Cellars, a boutique winery we'd stumbled upon in 1991. Snce then they have stopped cellar door sales as there is a waiting list to get on their mailing list! I thought that we might be able to taste/buy if anyone was there but not a sign of life so we proceeded to Tim Adams Wines where once again we were sole customers.
Another broad range, three whites: 2011 Riesling, 10%, 2008 Reserve Riesling, 12%, 2011 Pinot Gris, 2009 Semillon, 12% and I was drawn to the latter with its full flavour and lingering finish. The reds were most impressive, inasmuch as they were all at least three or four years old. Apparently Tim Adams, the winemaker, has been working towards this goal, aged releases, ever since he started the winery. Consequently, as a direct result, I'm sure, I found the reds we tasted far more to my liking than on previous visits: 2008 The Fergus, 14.5%; 2008 Reserve Tempranillo 13.5%; 2006 Cabernet Malbec, 14.5%; 2008 Reserve Cabernet Malbec; 2009 Shiraz, 14.5% and the 2009 Aberfeldy Shiraz, 14.5%. I found the Tempranillo a bit on the light side but nonetheless quite pleasant with a pleasing dusty finish. The 2006 Cabbage/Malbec was a stunner and light years ahead, as far as I was concerned of the 2008 RCM, which was still reasonably tannic, as one might expect, but surprisingly didn't have as much fruit as the earlier vintage. The Botrytis Riesling, 10.5% was a delicious sticky. More than happy to take two bottles of the 2006 Cab Malbec before thanking the lady behind the counter and making for the The Last Word, the only place within easy walking distance of the CCP, to book a table for 7:30pm. That done we popped Flamin' back at our cabin as she was feeling a bit tired and wanted to take a nap.
We headed to south towards Skillogalee Wines near Sevenhill. I had not been overly impressed with their wine on any of the visits we'd made so directed Sarge to the next winery down the road, Jeanneret Wines. I do believe Cora Lee and I might have tasted there before but can't be sure as many of the small places start to blend together after awhile, Dear Reader. One of the first times there were actually other people ahead of us. Oliver poured as we chatted with three bikers from the Clare Bone Conference. (We had noted this convention was in town when we stopped at the Clare Country Club for directions.), two Yanks, one from Manhattan, the other from Connecticut, and an Ozzie from Adelaide, all medical researchers, and couple from Sydney, the wife had lived in Kits for a year or so, a teacher. We had a ball with everyone as we made our way through the tasting line-up. Others were ahead of us so they chose their wine and left. Chap from Manhattan insisted that he would not have to pay duty on the wine he brought back as since he had paid tax on it locally, he would not be required to pay again. Sarge and I could not convince him otherwise so we wished him luck and waved goodbye.
Following is array we tasted:
Big Fine Girl 2011 Riesling, 12%, $19
Watervale 2011 Riesling, 12.3%, $25
Big Fine Girl 2009 Riesling, 12.7%, $19
Doozie 2009 Reserve Riesling 12.9%, $40
Oakey Dokey 2007 Chardonnay, 14%, $19
Mosquito 2011 Moscato, 6.5%, $19, delicioso
Dilly Dally 2009 Merlot, 14.6%, $1
Leo's Garden 2009 Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, 14.5%, $23
Rank & File 2009 Shiraz, 15.0%, $23
Denis 2008 Reserve Shiraz, 16.3%, $60
Picked up the Denis for a treat when there are just the four of us!!!Back home to nap/read/shower and then we strolled to the Last Word for dinner. Food was okay but not particularly exciting as I felt it would be when we made booking. No other real options as there are not very many interesting restaurants in Clare, unlike Barossa, surprisingly enough. However, they offered gluten-free pasta so The Sisterhood ordered penne, meat for Coriandre, seafood for Flamin'. I had fish and chips, fried not battered, and Sarge went with the prawns. Pleasant chat with a couple, from Hobart, at next table, in town to deal with a store, (similar chain to Toys R Us, Ozzie quasi-equivalent), that is closing. Apparently owner underwent a sex change, (male to female), shortly after he bought franchise and business, once very profitable, collapsed. We all surmised it had something to do with emotional and physical turmoil associated with gender change.
Back home, our way illuminated by flashlight from Flamin's iPhone app, quite sufficient to make out all the Brown snakes and Red-back spiders waiting to bite her! The night sky was simply breathtaking, the Milky Way a resplendidly beautiful necklace amid all the other stellar gems, magnificent, sparkling diamonds against the inky, velvet black of the southern sky. Home to watch Kenny, a DVD lent to us by Teens. Flamin' and Sarge did not like it at all but Cora Lee and I found it hilarious, sad and touching by turns. The story of a chap who works for a Port-O-Potty company, it shows both his work and family life. Set somewhere in Victoria likely near Geelong by some of the road signs, it features various rock concerts, festivals and the Melbourne Cup, along with a junket to Nashville where Kenny is sent to a "Pumpers" trade show. En route he unstops one of the toilets aboard and becomes friends with a stewardess as a result! A must see as far as we were concerned! Fondestos and Much Warm Love, Dad!
Hi Patrice,
Glad to hear you and the gang are having a good time. Sounds like fun to be
exploring other than the bad navigation issues!.
All is well here, I've been working on a show the last week and a half and
have been busy designing a giant air ratchet as we call it to "yank" a pair
of giant doors off their hinges. It has been good to get back and see some
of the old gang as I had missed a lot of people. I have been getting a bit
of ribbing because I took last Monday off and have been in and out of the
shop on various personal and business errands. I was clear up front that I
would need to do this as I did not intend on letting the progress I have
made on running my fledgling manufacturing business go by the wayside and I
would need to make time for business related activities. I have also a bit
of flack for spending a lot of time on the computer , the reason however
that I have been doing that is that I have designed the air ratchet with my
sophisticated solid works 3D modelling computer program which those knuckle
draggers don't use and are still old school technicians. I have built it on
the computer and am having the various components water jet cut at a nearby
shop, I have told my Neanderthal like co workers that the proof is in the
pudding and come Tuesday the various pre engineered components will arrive
at the shop and can then be assembled quickly and precisely!. Fortunately my
friend and our collective boss has taken the same computer course and likes
my high tech approach .He has the patience and I shall not disappoint him!
The weather here Yesterday today and today is beautiful and feels like
spring is finally here! I haven't been out on the bike for some time so I
think I will try and get out for a run down to the river today as it looks
like the rain returns for a while on Tuesday. I'm taking tomorrow off of the
show so I might find some time to get out then too hopefully. I will be
meeting up with Marcus Aurelius' tomorrow as we are going to transplant a
chestnut tree that Jesse planted in kindergarten and is now about ten feet
tall. they have a new community garden in the works at Windsor school and
this will be it's first addition.
Looks like I will be heading down to Brisbane on April 14th so I'm not sure
but I think you said you were leaving there on the 15th, we may be ships in
the night but hopefully we can connect even if only for a short visit so we
can say we were there together. keep having fun and keep in touch, I will
let you know when I'm coming as i get more info.
Take care, Al
Hi Big Al!
Great to hear from you an know that your new venture is going so well, along with working with former friends. Computer assisted design, etc., is exciting. Great that you are taking advantage of this exciting technology. I trust you'll be the New Millionaires by the time we return. The ShapeOmetre should be in full production by the time we are back in Vancouver!!!
Will let you know our details for Brisbane as soon as I confirm with rest of gang. I think, however, that we may well have enough overlap to get together, depending on your work schedule, of course. Anyway, hope it doees work out. Cheers, Il Conduttore!
Hi Pat,
and thank you so much for the report I read every line of.
As always, you seem to have a strenuous time, roughing it through the
bush of wineries I have never heard of.
For myself, I have to recommend a variety which made Jane ecstatic
with joy yesterday as we took supper in the camper van off the
Sea-to-Sky Highway, enjoying the setting sun: a 2010 unblended Shiraz
from the renowned Gray Fox Vineyards in California; 750 mL, 12,5 %,
CAD 6,49. Very nice picture of a fox on the bottle!
Otherwise everything has been very undramatic around here. We went to
Campbell River ten days ago and had a nice four-day stay with Jane's
sister, Anne, and brother-in-law, Ross. Stayed the first night with a
friend of Jane's in Courtenay, reconnected next day with "our" local
real estate agent, and went for a second tour of orientation.
Celebrated Anne's 55th birthday. Went snow-shoeing up Mount Washington
one day.
Just before we left, one of the "legendary" Swedish kids, Matilda,
came down from the Peruvian mountains and filled Jane's flat with all
kinds of luggage, including a full hockey equipment she had stored at
Jane's dad's place, before taking off to see friends in Vernon and
Calgary. Obviously, she is coming back here by the end of this week,
to go on home to Sweden on 2 April, after four years in Canada and
Latin America replicating her parents' adventures 30 years ago. Her
"boyfriend" Per (who was eventually dumped by Matilda) visited Jane
early December, and then evaporated, leaving not a trace or any
information as to where he was heading. We are just hoping he is OK.
Now, off for a bike ride. First one since we went. Been hiking and
running a few times, but much too seldom.
All the best to you and the other courageous explorers, Kjell (and Jane)
Hi Kjell and Jane!
Pleased to hear you are both well. I take it you are looking at property on Vancouver Island. Is that correct? Never heard of Gray Fox but price is right idf you like it. Funnily enough, we paln to visit a winery in McLarenn Vale called Fox Creek, one of our favourites. Will leave for there tomorrow morning, for two nights befoer making for Mornington Peninsula.
Did just a smidgeon over 3 miles today, 5K. Trevor picked me up at 3:30pm, 29C! Time to change before guests arive. Best wishes form Flamin'/Sarge adn Cora Lee to you both. I guess you will be returning to Sweden shortly. Safe journey. Cheers, Patrizzio!!!
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