No Drone Zone

Remember that theatre group I mentioned last week? A Slightly Isolated Dog? Well, I went back to see their next show, Jekyll & Hyde, and it was excellent too (same deal with the dodgy photos).

Jekyll & Hyde in a London fog

Evening walks are lit up with fairy lights. I'm not sure whether these are left over from the festive season or whether people just light up their houses all year round.

We're nearly at the end of the football season and there was a lot of pressure riding on Liverpool to finish in the top four so they could qualify for the Champions League next season. Added to the drama, they had to play Burnley in their penultimate game, and they had to win. The tension in our household was palpable, as you can see.

The next day, however, Melantho decided to make things interesting from a kitten perspective, by trying to climb on the range hood. She slid down it and fell off; she's fine with only greasy paws to show for her adventure. Perhaps she was making a comment on my domestic cleaning skills, or lack thereof.

I need sticks for the play I am directing, The Penelopiad, so we collected some on a morning walk. Some people have dogs to carry their sticks for them. I've got Him Outdoors. 

The Eurovision Song Contest has come around again. It is an odd thing, but Australia loves it and even participates in it although they are clearly not in Europe. (Don't ask). We enjoy the kitsch and the camp as much as anyone so we join in with the consumption of edible representatives and wearing of vaguely themed outfits.

Eurovision food

The Lithuanian outfits were all yellow, so...

For this week's stroll with the Walking Crew we visited the National Arboretum on a bright sunny and very cold morning. Canberra is beautiful away from the drones!

Arboretum, Yarra Valley Tasting and Multicultural Festival

I met Little B at the National Arboretum for a coffee and a chat about theatre, and then we went for a wee walk over the hills to look at the views. The Arboretum was created in response to the bushfires of 2001 and 2003, which wiped out much of the city's forests. It features threatened, rare and symbolic trees from around the world, many of them ceremonial trees planted by visiting heads of government and ambassadors.

There are lots of little trees that will grow into big trees and help to reforest the bush capital. The National Bonsai collection is also held here. They won't grow into big trees.

I like the sculpture 'Wide Brown Land' by Marcus Tatton, Futago Design Studios and Chris Viney. It depicts words taken from the poem 'My Country' by Dorothea McKellar, which describes her perception of Australia. The sculpture is based on McKellar's handwriting, and was designed to be large enough to be seen from miles away on Canberra's roadways, while also inspiring visitors to engage with the artwork.

Little B with Wide Brown Land

Canberra panorama

 

 

Wide Brown Land

The Pod Playground looks like a lot of fun. Apparently it is designed to challenge and excite, encouraging children to climb, swing, slide and explore. Giant wooden acorns and banksia seedpods are connected by slides, chutes, net tunnels, climbing frames and ladders.

Little B says it is relatively easy for an adult to get stuck in the chutes. She claims to have this information on good authority.

The pod playground at the National Arboretum

For my work I attended a trade fair for producers of gin, wine and cider from the Yarra Valley. Four Pillars have a new gin called Spiced Negroni, which is inspired by the classic cocktail. It is highly aromatic with spicy characteristics of Tasmanian pepperberry leaf, cinnamon and Grains of paradise (an exotic West African spice with notes of clove and sichuan). It is also distilled with organic blood oranges and ginger. It's spicy, refreshing and intense. I liked it a lot.

Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin

Cheese from Yarra Valley Dairy

Yarra Valley Dairy supplied us all with delicious cheese. The white savourine (white mould goat's milk cheese; robust, tangy and slightly nutty) and black savourine (ashed white mould goat's milk cheese) were subtle yet flavoursome. The Persian fetta, marinated in garlic, fresh thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns and olive oil, was creamy and salty with a big finish, and I particularly enjoyed the Gentle Goat with its creamy citrus texture and flavour.

The Soumah 2013 Single Vineyard Chardonnay was spectacular and my favourite wine of the evening. The tasting notes explain, 'the delicate yet complex bouquet displays a struck match, yeasty brioche character with a fresh and vibrant palate of citrus and cashew with a clean finish of great length.' For once, I agree entirely with the tasting notes. 

Soumah Wines

Mandala Wines

We did a circuit tasting the chardonnays and the bubbles. Mandala (as well as having a glorious Renaissance-inspired label) did a fine Blanc de Blancs (nutty, biscuity notes; aromas of honeysuckle and lemon zest; flavours of golden apple and ripe nectarines) and a peach/pear - lemon-lime style chardonnay in The Compass (2012).

Giant Steps Single Vineyard Wines

At the weekend the Multicultural Festival filled the city centre with colourful costumes, food and drink, and music and dancing. We sat and watched the Indonesian contingent as they returned from the parade. 

 

 

 

 

It's thirsty work watching all these people in costumes on a stinking hot day, but fortunately there were some watering holes.

The Plonksters

Him Outdoors as Handsome Barman

Children ignoring the Peruvian panpipers

 

 

Latin American music, apparently. It sounded a bit like rockabilly to me, which was rather entertaining, but I left when they got out the banjo. No one needs to hear that.

 

National Arboretum

It was freezing cold and very windy when we went for a mountain bike ride around the National Arboretum. After battling the elements we admired the curious collection of bonsai. I must admit, I don't really get these miniature trees, but I appreciate they are an artform in themselves.



The timber floor feature in the visitor's centre



Nest III by Richard Moffat on top of Dairy Farmer's Hill