Cocktails and Beer Tasting

Before moving house and country, we need to rid ourselves of some extraneous clutter, such as all these spirits we seem to have accumulated. So, what better way to do so than to invite our friends round to try out some experimental cocktails?

An anabolic steroid



The evil cocktail genius



The Fudge Princess with something green



Mr Faulkner 'enjoys' his tequila sunrise



Bad Fairy does sophistication

Him Outdoors has also been trying his hand at homebrew. He has made a rather palatable porter, so he suggested a blind tasting of his beer against four others. Not afraid of top-class competition, he pitted himself against Three Boys, Emerson's, Harrington's and Renaissance. As you can see, it was serious business.

Some interesting conclusions were that the girls liked Spaz's beer more than the boys did. Some of the lads suggested it was not as complex as the others, whereas my female friends appreciated the fact that it 'tasted the same all the way through'. A pro for the women was that it had a soft mouthfeel and no bitter aftertaste, while a con for the men was that it lacked hop flavour and lingering finish.

Next time you come to visit us try it and see for  yourself whether it really is an old wives' ale.

Kerrey and Paul's Wedding

Last weekend we were honoured to be invited to the wedding of Kerrey Lewis and Paul Garvie at Gantleys Restaurant. It was a gorgeous wedding and the rain held off until later. Everyone looked happy and the bride was beautiful - she wore an amazing dress that even had pockets! There was a piper and many men in kilts; the food was excellent; there was plenty of bubbles; topped off with dancing and much  merriment.

CJD - among the wedding guests

Mr Faulkner

 

Alan Alan Al and Him Outdoors look shifty



What to wear when you're not sure to go full hat or not...

  

To tree or not to tree... Sonya is undecided

Family portrait

Morgan the Mad Frenchman

Waiting, waiting...

No, that's not her...

Jane, the 'best woman'



Here she comes!



Leading them back down the aisle

The happy (just-married) couple



'I've pulled!'

And then the boys played some tunes as the photos were taken and the official stuff was done.



The running, drumming Simon Green



Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon

Another of Adrian Bailey's events, the Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon was on last weekend. Him Outdoors ran it, and I took photos and manned a drink station at the halfway point. This meant I got driven through some of the most beautiful scenery to Ben Lomond Lodge where we spent the night and were treated to some fabulous hospitality from the wonderful Foster Family.

John Foster on the barbecue, cooking up the 'most expensive sausages you'll ever eat' - made from pure merino sheep!

Him Outdoors 'entertains' Mr Faulkner and CJD

Talking about the route...

It was an early start the next morning as the competitors were taken to the start of the race by helicopter.

And then the runners started to arrive...

Martin Cox, the eventual winner

Runners emerging at the top of the ridge

CJD looking sexy

Him Outdoors hopes that his calf holds up to the terrain...

...and wonders if beer is considered a performance drink

Runners arriving thick and fast...

Louisa Andrew - 2nd lady (I missed the first one)

Mr Faulkner

Harald Ulriksen

Wasting way too much energy!

It's not like Cairns, apparently

Bringing us sunshine...

...the Born to Runners

Is this the finish? Yes, of the first half!

Look at all these clearly mental people, still smiling. Haven't they seen a map of the course? It's all uphill from here!



Polly Buchanan

Aha, someone knows what's in store...

Him Outdoors and CJD skip across the finish line after five and a half hours - okay, maybe not skip as such!