Sunday, April 17, 2016

The Currant Shed, McLaren Flat



On a beautiful autumn day in the wine region of McLaren Flat we had a great lunch at The Currant Shed.



As the name implies, The Currant Shed is a former currant drying shed. It is over a hundred years old.
The shed harks back to an era when the area was planted out to vegetables and almonds more than it was to vines for wine.





 The homestead was one of the first in the region.


 Very cute citrus trees are planted out the front of the shed.




Before the rush. Today was totally booked out.


 They grow their own vegetables and herbs for the kitchen.



 The quince that accompanied my duck came from this heavily ladened tree.



Amuse Bouche

Foamed brie with corn bark. Warm bread rolls with shiraz salted butter.


Spencer Gulf Prawns, coconut, soybeans and lime. Accompanied by a glass of Shottesbrooke Chardonnay.


Smoked Kingfish, apple, onion, mustard. Accompanied by a glass of Tim Adams Viognier.

Lamb Shoulder, heirloom tomatoes, fetta. Accompanied by a glass of Shottesbrooke Shiraz.

Duck, quince, pear and baby spinach.

Hindmarsh Valley Emme, cherries, honeyed walnuts and sesame lavosh.

Dark Chocolate, Fig, almond cream and soil.


We also stopped in at Parri Estate Winery to stock up on some Grenache, Shiraz and Savagin.  Great wines and owner John Phillips is an outstanding host.  They were also doing a huge trade in wood oven pizzas. Next time!


Friday, April 01, 2016

Dreaming of Living on the Coast #VictorHarbor #EncounterBay #Beach #realestate

Okay, so I haven't posted in a while. Do I have an excuse?  Yes and No.

I am in the throngs of writing my next murder mystery, A Royal Murder. This time the murder takes place during the Australian Women's Open Golf Tournament at the somewhat eccentric Royal Adelaide Golf course - think trains and roads running through the course.

Perhaps in the next post I can share the first draft chapter of the book and you can let me know if you think I'm on the right track????

I have to say that writing my second book now I'm back in my home town of Adelaide has been more difficult than writing it when I was living in Brisbane.  I have so many wonderful attractions/distractions living in Adelaide with friends and family so close by that I am too easily pulled away from my writing.  I feel guilty when I'm not writing my book and hence I haven't even been posting to my blog.

Anyway, today I have decided to end the blog drought. During my Saturday ritual of ogling realestate, I came across a gorgeous property at Encounter Bay (adjacent to Victor Harbor on the South Coast of South Australia) that is for sale.

It is one of those properties that those of us who love a coastal view and a nod to classic taste, drool over.

Dream on.....





While I don't like clutter, perhaps a bigger dining table and a few more chairs?

Rosetta Head Retreat sits on 2,522 square metres of landscaped gardens and lies between two national parks, The Bluff and Petrel Cove.



The ten roomed house was built in 1901 by the Jagger family. The bluestone has been rendered in white but I'm not sure if I wouldn't return it to it's original state?



I get the distinct feeling that the current owners are artists themselves or at the very least, love to collect art.








 To see more photos of the house and garden you can click on the realestate website here








Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Miss Fisher Costume Exhibition #KerryGreenwood #fashion


I finally went along to the Miss Fisher's Costume Exhibition at Ayres House Museum on North Terrace today with a girlfriend.  The Adelaide exhibition closes on Sunday 14th February and heads to Sydney where it will be at Old Government House at Parramatta from March 15th. So you better be quick if you want to see it in Adelaide.

Sorry about the quality of the photos but I forgot my glam camera and had to use the iPhone!



For those of you not familiar with Miss Phyrne Fisher, she is the protagonist in the Phyrne Fisher Murder Series written by Kerry Greenwood and made into a TV series for the ABC.

I discovered Kerry Greenwood about 10 years ago and had read all her books way before her murder mysteries were made into a TV series. Kerry is a wonderful writer of 'light' fiction.  She also writes historical fiction and has another series with baker Corina Chapman as the protagonist.





With the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries set in 1920s Melbourne, the costumes in the TV series  reflect the art deco of the period. Designer Marion Boyce has made some wonderful costumes for the series as indeed she did for that recent great Aussie movie, The Dressmaker. Oscar nomination coming up!
 



And of course Ayres House Museum on North Terrace in the city is a wonderful backdrop for the exhibition. Run by the National Trust, construction of Ayres House began in 1846 for the Premier of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayres.

                                                         Photo via National Trust site.


                                                                  Amazing ceiling


                                                             Accessories to die for.





                                                           Love a good brooch.



                          Hours of work have gone into the fascinators and hair clips.


                                     How about the lacework on this garment?



           
Isn't this coat divine?  It is weighted at the hemline so that it falls beautifully.


                                                    Amazing tennis costumes! 
                                Perhaps I could wear a similar outfit for golf?



                                 Why don't they make bathers like this anymore?



                                                      Maybe not for me???



              Dressmaking table...  reminds me of my mum who was a dressmaking teacher.


                                               Similar to my night attire.


Ever wondered how to iron the fringe on a shawl. Pin it of course!



                             And finally off to the pub for champagne!