Queens birthday weekend Saturday 6 - Monday 8 June 2015

Good thing that we've got a big house, as there were potentially hordes of people coming up this weekend.

Although on Thursday, it looked like it would just be me, by Thursday night it was me and Alex, and later on Thursday night it was me, Alex, Fliss, Phil, Chloe, & Freya, with Clare, Ceski & Victor coming across for Sunday lunch.  And on Friday it was all of the above, plus Sarah and potentially Zac & Curtis.

Justin was up in Sydney/Jervis Bay having a boy's weekend, and  Mad and Fraser were in back Melbourne "studying" for exams.

I dropped Justin off at Tullamarine on the Saturday morning, and then continued onto the Calder via Bulla.

Arrived in Inglewood just after 11am, and stocked up at the butchers.

Although it had apparently gotten sunny in Melbourne during the afternoon - it was dull and overcast all day (and most of the weekend) in Inglewood.

dull day in Inglewood

However, I guess because of the cloud cover, it didn't get "too" cold.

Started cooking some beef brisket in the slow cooker, in preparation for lunch tomorrow. (didn't end up eating though, took it back to Melbourne as we had plenty of other food)

Alex arrived after 4pm, and Sarah called saying that Fliss et al were no longer coming, Freya had been sick, and a 2 hour drive wouldn't help matters.

In the late afternoon Alex suggested that he go and buy some gin and tonic water - as it is a favourite. He came back with some Tanqueray, tonic, a couple of dips and some crackers.

So of course we retired to the veranda - and watched the sun go down

me - enjoying a gin & tonic

  Off to the pub for dinner - and this time a pizza each.  And we took the remainder back home

Left over pizza

Alex at the pub

Back to the dining and a roaring fire (Alex complimented me on my fire building skills).

roaring fire

Sat and read the paper, listened to music, chatted, all very companionable.  Alex suggested some more gin and tonics so we had some of those too.

Alex and blanky

Alex and blanky and gin & tonic

tonic, gin and tonic

Had a relatively late night, - bed around 12.30. So I was pleased that I slept in till around 8am. Although both Clare and Sarah said they were bringing up food for lunch, I also needed to contribute. I'd done the beef yesterday, so shredded it, and added seasoning and spices.

shredded beef

I then used the cooking liquid as a base for a potato and caramelised onion soup - which I started preparing after breakfast.

potato & caramelised onion soup

At about 9.45 I jumped in the car to drive up to Terry's, as we were meeting up with Arlene and Jan to discuss the upcoming Mexican food night with the movie of Like Water for Chocolate.  It was one of my many suggestions - which is why I was at this planning meeting.

But first, there was another meeting in which to discuss a proposed fire pit at the Village Green. Placement was an issue.  Purpose was not, as it was proposed to be used for slow cooking meat on a bed of coals, or on a spit.  I thought that it sounded like a splendid idea.  Walked across to the Village Green and met some of the others there.  I suggested a good spot could be where the defunct Glenalbyn Winery sign was.  This was apparently a popular though doomed view, as the owner wants to keep it up in case they want to re-open the winery.  Not likely.  I argued that people would follow the sign to the winery, and be annoyed that it was no longer there.  They all furiously agreed with me, but apparently nothing can be done.

Anyway, we marked a spot for the fire pit, and moved back to Terry's.  Arlene and I basically devised the menu as per below.  We will be making our own chorizos which I think is pretty good!

 The Meal

Mexican Meal (BYO drinks)

       On arrival, dips on tables

 Entrée:   Chorizo sausage with tomato and corn salsa           

 Main:     Champandongo (beef and pork), refried beans and warm corn salad

      After the movie

  Dessert: Pumpkin pie drizzled with chocolate and butterscotch sauce

                  Mexican cake with chocolate sauce          

Left for Inglewood around 11.20, as I didn't know what time the guests would be coming.  Passed Alex running up towards Kingower. Clare, Victor and Ceski arrived first with quiches, bread, olives, smoked salmon, pea and ham soup,  wine and other goodies. Sarah and Zac arrived soon afterwards with more bread, chips, prosecco, cheese, chocolate etc.

The day was fining up, but still cold, so we elected to sit out in the sun to warm up, rather than in the dining room.

Sarah pouring us some prosecco

A smiling Alex

Clare washing some lettuce

some of the food

our lunch table

Sarah brought some Vegemite chocolate

Ceski #1

Ceski #2

Had a leisurely lunch, and then onto Blanche Barkly, as both Clare and Victor had depleted their cellars, and needed some more wine.  I bought 1/2 dozen of the 2006 Mary Eileen, and Clare bought some too.

2006 Mary Eileen

 And then onto to Water Wheel in Bridgewater.

Slightly held up by the police as they breath tested Alex in his car, Clare in hers, and Zac in his, just near the gold club.  All passed with flying colours.  However, unfortunately the winery was closed, so the others continued onto Melbourne and Woodend, while Alex and I went back to the house.

Sarah had said it was a pity she hadn't been able to take a photo of Zac in his 1st breath test (Zero tolerance for p platers),  So I took a photo of them at Water Wheel

Zac and Sarah

Had a leisurely late afternoon/evening.  Weren't really hungry, due to our big lunch so just had a bit soup for dinner.  Had another fire in the dining room, and read and chatted some more.

Monday morning, and the sun was streaming into the dining room.  Very nice for reading the papers/ipads.

keeping informed

I was also keen to start up the dishwasher for the 1st time

inaugural dishwasher load

It certainly worked a treat!

But, although I had suggested playing golf, a bike ride, or other leisure activities, I decided to do some weeding, as what with all the  rain, the weeds had started to come up again.

I set my sights on the weeds around the fruit trees.  I strangely find something very satisfying about weeding.  You can certainly see what you've accomplished, and its rather peaceful, unless you're grappling with couch grass, which although not as evil as Bindy eyes, has its own nefarious root system which is devilish to get out.  My fingers and hands have lots of small cuts and abrasions now as I don't think that I can weed effectively with gloves on, so end up with broken nails and scratched fingers.  Oh well, its worth it, the fruit trees are happy.

Job half done around one of the figs

 

Job now fully done

Alex donned some overalls and helped also

Alex weeding

And he took some photos of me, and some galahs

me weeding #1

me weeding #2

galahs in the hoop pine

Had rolls for lunch, and I got Alex to go in the cellar and check out the salted ham.  Justin had told Alex how he thought it was off, but Alex thought it looked and smelled just fine.  Good on him!

ham again

After the weeding I walked down the street, and got some eggs from David, and dropped in on Steve and Denise.  Denise gave me some more of her fab lemons, and also told me that the Royal has been sold and will reopen again in 4 weeks.  Was bought by a bloke who has a couple of pubs in Maryborough, and a beer micro brewery.  Sounds promising.

I also saw a notice from the Bendigo Bank inviting applications for Community grants.  I might try our luck for a new fence, given that we had opened up the house for heritage day etc.

Community Grants

Alex left around 3, and I stayed til 5.30 or so, as I was picking Justin up at Tullamarine on the way back