With journey gearing again up, it appears like everybody’s heading abroad in the intervening time. We’re nonetheless within the strategy planning stage, however issues are coming collectively.
In the meantime, we’re getting our itchy ft and journey bug tended to by assembly with some pals 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 Year (similar particular person truly) 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. Here’s the entire story.
Enjoy this Edition! Cheers—Jim & Christina xx
Today we’ve determined to move to Sydney’s National Maritime Museum. We can nearly see this place from our house, however for some cause we’ve by no means been right here.
It’s a brilliantly put collectively museum, even for those who’re not into ships, the navy or something like that.
In the primary constructing, there’s an unlimited 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 around the globe.
But there’s additionally an enchanting artwork part to the museum that’s positively value testing too.
The Maritime Museum continues exterior 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, but it surely’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 should be to man a ship like this.
Moving by way of the submarine, climbing by way of spherical doorways to every part, we’re met by the volunteer guides who speak us by way of what we’re seeing.
It’s fascinating simply how a lot is packed into each spare inch of this machine. Imagine a Swiss military knife however hole, waterproof and large enough to deal with as much as 69 crew, and the place each compartment, wall area, seat and desk has a number of makes use of and instruments connected.
It’s fairly a reduction to get out of the Onslow if we’re sincere. Next 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 area on this ship in comparison with the sub that we nearly don’t know what to do with ourselves. It’s so fascinating to have the ability to see what it’s prefer to stroll the decks of those conflict machines, to assume that this was dwelling for thus many individuals for thus a few years.
Finally, we hop throughout the gangplank to the duplicate of the HMB Endeavour, the ship that Cook famously sailed to Australia and explored the Pacific.
This ship was solely in-built 1988, but it surely feels similar to you’re aboard the actual factor from the 1700s. You can see all of the rigging and masts up shut. You may 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.
Once once more although, there’s not a lot area right here and climbing again out the place you may stand at full peak once more is a pleasure.
This night, we’re catching up with some pals and people from Memphis Tourism down in one among Sydney’s traditional subterranean speakeasies Stitch Bar.
It’s nice to listen to extra about Memphis, Tennessee’s—actually America’s—dwelling of music. It is after all of the birthplace, dwelling and last resting place of Elvis Presley.
We’re catching up with the all-too-cool Chris Ingham to speak all issues Tennessee.
Even higher, Stitch Bar is serving us superbly made Tennessee Bourbon Old Fashioneds whereas we chat about Memphis, it’s music scene but in addition the variety of nice accommodations and the way it’s actually lifting its tourism sport.
Next American metropolis on our checklist for certain.
It’s an thrilling day immediately: Christina has gone for her subsequent jujitsu grading and has handed! She’s now a green-tip belt, which suggests she’s approach harder than me.
Really impressed together with her and so pleased with how passionate she is about her new-found artwork. She solely joined this dojo a number of months in the past and with out figuring out anybody else there–a frightening second even whenever you’re a child, however much more so whenever you’re an grownup!
This afternoon, I’m flying solo at Hawai’i Tourism’s newest grand tour Down Under on the lovely Botanic House in the midst of Sydney’s Botanic Gardens.
Bringing an enormous host of journey suppliers with all of them the best way from Hawai’i, the board is speaking all issues aloha this lunchtime.
Over lunch, we hear from a number of individuals from Go Hawai’i, studying about a number of the wonderful locations to remain, issues to do and methods to get round these famously unique and exquisite islands.
My new good friend 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 commonly. 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 standard welcome tune. 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 dwelling 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 can decide up a bottle of Fiery Irish from $49.99 RRP at Dan Murphy’s and BWS shops throughout Australia.
I used to be presupposed to be on the launch occasion for this tasty new SKU, however sadly a funeral of a pricey household good friend took precedence.
Tonight, Christina and I are on the wonderful Olio Kensington Street in Chippendale for a wine night to recollect.
Hosted by Grant Burge Wines, who’re starting their newest marketing campaign referred to as ‘Leave Your Mark’, this night is all about celebrating celebrating ambitions, reaching objectives 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 solid right here tonight as properly.
MCing the night is none aside from comic, TV and radio presenter, creator and producer Charlie Pickering. He leads proceedings like he’s performed it earlier than and entertains us with a number of 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.
As properly as listening to from the wonderful Craig Stansborough–Grant Burge’s Chief Winemaker, who we’ve truly met earlier than, there’s another person who’s much more well-known…
But 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. This is my favorite (for the entire night because it seems) with huge 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. But subsequent to it is 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 superbly complicated, brilliantly balanced and resonating with restrained energy.
But again to the actual hero of the night, we’re joined by Grant Burge’s new ambassador, two-time Paralympic gold medalist and Australian of the Year 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 together 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 laborious to attain, he’s extremely relatable and humble.
Most considerably, this Golden Slam winner launched the Dylan Alcott Foundation in 2021, which helps younger Australians with a incapacity obtain their objectives within the office, in sport or at college.
Dylan even passes his two Olympic gold medals out for us all to have a look at whereas he and Charlie speak. But somewhat than him being treasured about them, he simply pulls them out of his pocket saying: “people seem to want to see these, so here you go.”
They’re surprisingly heavy, however for those who ever meet Dylan, don’t inform him that. Apparently, he’s heard that earlier than!
To end 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.
Needless to say, we’re hale and hearty by the point it’s time to go dwelling!
It’s been the strangest season of soccer I’ve ever recognized, but it surely’s lastly come to an finish. And what an finish. With rain delaying, cancelling and suspending so many matches this 12 months, it’s wonderful we even received to the end line.
But right here I’m.
Our staff have been valiant, taking part in not simply the 90 minutes of ordinary time however then one other 20 of golden objective additional time. When that last whistle on our grand last sounded and the sport stood at 2-2, there was nothing else to do however watch the Fates open their golden e-book.
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 last, Christina is way more efficiently scoring objectives!
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 Courage on the YCK Laneways and Front & Centre Festival for Women of Australian Distilling.
What does this all imply?
YCK Laneways is a consortium of impartial 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 Front & Centre, which is a pageant selling feminine and non-binary creatives in a month-long showcase of over 50 occasions.
One of those occasions, run by Nip of Courage, the preeminent Australian craft spirit wholesaler, distributor, educator and on-line store, and Women of Australian Distilling, is championing the ladies who work within the trade, from blenders and distillers to bar workers 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.
Of course, Christina is the right host and runs the occasion like a boss.
The first 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 reveals or pantomimes, however that is the form of viewers participation that I might get into! Everyone within the viewers does an incredible 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 Courage and Women of Australian Distilling, and professional photobomber
At the top 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 superbly balanced subtle gin.
It performs with flavours from native Australian botanicals but in addition with notes you’d anticipate 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 Edition. Have enjoyable and dwell properly.
Jim & Christina x