The Gabba and cricket

13/04/201820/07/2019

Affectionately known as the GABBA, the Brisbane Cricket ground, home to the Brisbane Lions… is an iconic sporting field in Australia.

On this night, my son and I are venturing to watch a short, newly introduced, cricket game.

It’s called twenty twenty cricket (20 overs each team), or the BIG BASH LEAGUE. It is like speed cricket. Really good if you like seeing a result in sport. It’s especially good in a sport like cricket, which has BIG history as a sport but it typically played over 5 days. Even one-day games require a whole day.

The 20-20 big bash is a perfect family sport. Hard hitting, big knocking, smacking a hard red ball around a BIG part. The Gabba is perfect for the fun, action packed game.

Kids love it and as a parent it is pretty awesome too.

The Gabba (affectionately nick-named after Wooloongabbba – the suburb which is in located in) is a Queensland icon. It is very central to the city – a little too so. Fortunately free public transport moves people in, and out really quickly.

The food is average. I find a cafe/coffee house that had a salad which was pretty good value and reasonably priced. The “other food” is rubbish. Hot dogs, chips, pies RUBBISH! I do struggle to understand the blatant opportunity of sporting venues to drive home how important nutrition is to our youth… but now I sound like a wailing nutritionist who cares…

There is beer on hand, wine is much harder to find. Which suits me as it is a coffee and salad night for me with my son.

We decided to stay at Southbank, and I would love to recommend the hotel, but I can’t. There are plenty though, and for those of us who don’t live in Brisbane, coming in the after noon, going to the art gallery , walking along Southbank, then the Gabba, makes for a great day!

The game of 20-20 cricket is excellent.

Great entertainment with lots happening.

The pitch (where the sporting action happens) is non stop.

The crowd there for a good time which means an electric atmosphere.

The facilities, views, and access to toilets, exits etc exceptional.

I like the Gabba. It has a really good vibe!

Rainbow Bay Surf Club

29/06/201729/06/2017

Surf Life Saving Clubs are an iconic landmark scattered around the Australian coast line.

In Queensland some of the best locations to eat over looking the surf are in surf clubs.

By far my favourite is Rainbow Bay Surf Club which over looks the infamous Snapper Rocks. Snapper, as it is known by locals, hosts the annual World Surf League Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro.

The QuickSilver Pro has been drawing the world’s best surfers for years, and my all time fav Kelly Slater carves up the waves only meters in front of you! Definitely worth going down to watch if you are around Late February, early March.

At other times of the year, it is still worth drifting down to the southern end of the Gold Coast to have lunch at the Rainbow Bay Surf Club.

The food at this surf club is OK. It’s a kin to a good counter meal. Most the surf clubs are similar. Rainbow does offer lunch time specials so for a reasonable price you can grab a beer and feed, or wine and feed overlooking one of Australia’s most amazing ocean views from which to eat above.

These are “clubs” but visitors are welcome. You will be asked to sign in on arrival or join, which is a nominal fee of around $5.

Taronga Zoo

04/03/201606/03/2016

Taronga Zoo, Sydney!

What an incredible place and experience.

incredible Sydney for Nature and Bubbles — Quintessential Sydney

It was my birthday and I had been pondering the “ideal” birthday present.

I brainstormed fond memories from my childhood and then it hit me… Taronga Zoo.

I knew the perfect people to share it with.. my children.

SMH Nature and Bubbles — Photo shoot for Sydney Morning Herald

I made the booking last week and we flew down on Wednesday.

Co-incidentally, I was asked to do an interview for the Sydney Morning Herald on the Tuesday beforehand. On the Wednesday in Sydney we arranged to do the family photo shoot. It was the BEST birthday present.

opera house nature and bubbles — The iconic Sydney Opera House

After the photo shoot, we caught the ferry from Pier 2 at Circular Quay to Taronga zoo. We passed by some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks; The Opera House; Sydney Harbour Bridge and the incredible bays of the harbour.

Sydney Harbour — Bay near Taronga Park Zoo Sydney

I love Taronga Zoo! I hadn’t been there for years but it was the same breath-taking experience it always has been.

My favs are the giraffes.

This year we find more amazing animals. The chimpanzees….

The three flippered (rescued) turtle.

The hippo

AND MORE.

I loved traveling to the zoo by ferry – the bays on the way are inspiring and traveling west into the Sydney setting sun is stunning.

Asian style food — Opera Kitchen – great views, food OK

A picturesque meal at the Opera House tops off the most perfect birthday ever imaginable.

Minyon Falls, Mullum and dragon lizards

12/02/201612/02/2016

Well some days nature just calls and today was one of those days.

A few clients shuffled around their appointments this morning and (like a silent but LOUD alarm) I knew I need a dose of mother nature.

I didn’t really bargain on the BIG dose of mother nature at Poinciana Cafe – a funky outdoors healthy eats place in Mullumbimby!

David Bowie’s soft melodic tunes hum away in the back ground and the weather blows, stops, rains and shines! Very Melbourne but quite nice being rained upon and awesome listening to some random tunes!.

Yellow Sword Fish from Poinciana Cafe Mullumbimby

The Poinciana has a good vibe… and lots of lizards. I think the chardonnay helps with the phobia but seriously I need more convincing.

Today I order the Yellow Fin Sword Fish and it is delicious… and the lizards become less of an issue until one pounces on my toes (I dropped a crumb) which sends me into a tail spin and I bolt off to the bush. (I don’t “do” lizards well).

Minyon Falls is a little off the beaten track but the drive there is so sublime. Yellow-green fields, fresh country air and exitement! I love the northern rivers of NSW. It’s wholesome and complete and close to civilisation yet so far away.

Minyon falls are incredible. Some of the tallest falls I have experienced in a long time and I get a little giddy.

The lovely creek that feeds into Minyon Falls

After a few kilometres into my bush walk, I also get giddy from thinking about snakes, so this time decide to abort and come back on a cooler day! Some days snakes don’t bother me, but after my frazzled ending to Nepal and the heat of the day, I know I will encounter a snake and I doubt I will be cool-calm-and-collected, so opt to bail before greeting my demons.

A light swim at Clarkes in Byron Bay on the way home rounds the day off nicely and a stressless drive home.

Back to the bay

20/12/201525/12/2015

Byron Bay twice in the same week seems a pure indulgence.

My favorite beach in Australia, Wategos.

Pig belly, views, Byron’s blue water and space.

Loads of space… air… you know the stuff that seems limited in cities and in massive abundance in the country. I even breathe deeper here.

I’ve slipped away for another interlude with Byron, a love affair that started many moons ago when I first used to drive here from Melbourne and Sydney. It was the Mecca of the Northern NSW coast back then and still is.

I will write many blogs on Byron no doubt. Like Bali, each time is a different journey, visit and lesson.

It is a cross roads for all walks of life, all cultures, all travelers, all religions, all ideas. It is essentially Byron.

It’s pure colour alone is incredible.

byron Bay — Passing Perfection Byron Bay

This time around I am staying in a TENT on my own. It’s a first.

No boyfriend, no one else, just me, my rusty hammer and my new tent.

My new tent that blew over defiantly after I erected it last time. Fortunately we seem to have a better understanding this time around and it could be a lot to do with the hammer.

I recall why I am here. I have unfinished business this week!

byron Sights — Funny sights of Byron- the abandoned undies!

Unfinished business with myself actually. I have had a big week in business. Not so much trade but behind the scenes, making some big decisions, business planning for the new year and the like. It’s not stressful but very masculine in energy.

While I don’t mind being a “business man” from time to time, I have found I need to mix it up with green light activities (surfing, walking, swimming, art, journally etc) as these are the things that actually keep happy, relaxed and fulfilled long term.

I need time away to refeminize, regroup and generally digest it all. And Byron is the best wet nurse for me.

I find myself at the same place as Tuesday for lunch. The Byron Cafe.

It’s special feature is it’s views.

I booked the other day because the only way to go is to sit over looking the bay. I have been coming to this cafe for years…. 1994!… when it used to be a burger bar. I used to come her with my boyfriend after a surf and grab a burger and a smoothie. FUN days. Still are.

Now days, the Byron Cafe is more up-market with its food; Pork Belly, crab meat spaghetti, snapper etc… ALL delicious selections. I really like the food. It’s the second time this week I am eating here and no surprises, I go for the pork belly again. Maybe not the healthiest on the menu but the naughtiest and yummiest.

I order the pork belly. I can’t help it. The concept of eating another animals belly fat is abhorant but I LOVE IT.

The apple sauce, the gravy, the potato remind me of Prague and pig knuckles which are some of my fondest eating moments. MMMMM

I am looking forward to venture back again real soon and until then Byron, Mi Amor.

Heston who? Frogmore Creek surpasses all!

02/05/201528/12/2015

The Tassie black pepper is still exploding on my tongue as I pass through the “hugs now” security check at the Hobart Airport. But nothing, can compare with the magic afternoon of pure taste delight I have been privvie to at Frogmore’s Creek.

vineyards — The vines at Frogmores Tasmania

What an experience – what a delight – what a treat.

Ruben Kopens the head chef is a rival for World Famous chef Heston Blumenthal made famous by his TV shows and eclectic food creations.

Ruben, friends with infamous Heston, will exceed your expectations. That self limiting belief line where one’s internal chatter says “I am not worthy of such grand fan fare”, well sit down sista, you are!

Born in Holland he understands the EXPRESSION of food as an experience, a place in time … a memory.

If you have ever fantasized about how YOU can become a Heston excipient, then look no further, come to Frogmore and be treated to a world class dining experience.

Frogmore Creek Wines and it’s restaurant are located outside of Hobart between the towns of Cambridge and Richmond. The winery offers a few labels, many with awards. Personally I have always loved their Meadowbank Mardi , and their 2007 Frogmore Creek Evermore Pinot Noir is a must for any cellar.

Today, however, I am here for the degustation experience by Ruben and his staff. It is to be a special Sunday afternoon.

Between each course, one is tantilised with palate cleansers, taste experiences and art pieces.

Today’s fare was as follows:

Frogmore's Creek Tasmania — Delicious pre-dinner apertif

Prawn crackers with miso sprinkles and wasabi mayo

Then a morsel of panna cotta cauliflower jus and noodle, and olive tapenade just because.

To be served the best venison, followed by Whisky froth and desert.

Frogmore's Creek — Whisky infused meat. YUM

Desert what can I say… an experience, an adventure, a food orgasm.

Frogmore's desserts — Unbelievably decadent

What can I say. It is by far the BEST eclectic meal I have part taken in.

The wines : Frogmore Creek pinot noir, then reisling and I would highly recommend the desert.

I look forward to visiting this enclave of elegance and fine dining not surpassed anywhere else in this grand land again.

Accolades Ruben and team (noteably Tristan and Meredith) – fine star dining at its TRUE best. Merci