Like a Duck to Water

The water is all drying up from the pond near work, but ducklings have still got to learn to swim. 

Building goes on in Woden and public art is overshadowed by the scaffolding behind it. I think this makes for a particularly interesting backdrop as the artist, David Jensz, claims that by interweaving individual threads, he is producing a 'social fabric. As a community we are all connected, our sense of separateness is only a question of degree'.

Culture Fragment by David Jensz

We had some friends round for a tasting of roses that we had collected from the Wines of the West (central west of New South Wales) exhibition that we attended at The Carrington Hotel last month. I made copious comments and doubtless pithy observations, but I have lost my notes, so... here is a picture of some empty bottles.

The Untapped Festival of Beer and Music was fun. It was outdoors but with plenty of seating, and the weather was warm, but there was plenty of shade. It was interesting to be there purely as a punter and without a professional eye to work/ research/ network/ etc. For the first time in years I could just enjoy a festival for what it was; talk to some people if I wanted (or not if I didn't); drink some beer; eat some food; listen to some music; and leave whenever I wanted. So this is how people do these things!

That's a big list of beers, but we did our best to make a dent in them, as it were. My favourites of the day were Digital IPA by Yeastie Boys (supremely bitter with stacks of citrus); Biggie Juice by Feral Brewing Company (big, bold, and hazy hops - citrus but almost creamy); Pash the Magic Dragon by Batch Brewing Company (super beer - it's a benchmark!); India Alpha Papa IPA by Two Heads Brewing (malty and good - tasty); Major Mitchell by Pioneer Brewing Company (it's got good, strong hoppy values); and Bounty Hunter by Tumut River Brewing Company (chocolate and coconut and all the flavours you'd expect - very nice).

Sailors Grave Brewing was a bit of a winner with their Summer Pudding (I can't tell if I really like this or if it's just slightly sour raspberry cordial - edit, I really like it) and the Peach Melba Pavlova Cream Sour (creamy and sour and fruity and tasty - just peachy!)

Peach Melba Pavlova Cream Sour by Sailors Grave Brewing

Bounty Hunter by Tumut River Brewing Company

Another weekend; another walk around Lake Burley Griffin; another picture of the National Carillon

And as the Oscar nominations are announced, it is time to catch up on black and white foreign films with a bottle of wine at a friend's house (he has Netflix: we don't).

Watching Roma

High Country Hops Festival

I embarked upon some further practice with the wide-angle-lens camera and who should be the supreme model but Chester - apparently when you're a silver seal Burmese, you look good from any angle. 

I have had a cold for a few weeks and have been struggling for breath, so it was nice to get out and see the trees - I feel their branches imitate my bronchioles and their discarded oxygen helps me fill my lungs.

Him Outdoors has been away with work and I went to pick him up from the airport, but with an hour to kill after finishing work, I filled it with a swift half at The Durham.

We spent our weekend at Beechworth, which we love anyway, but this weekend it was home to the High Country Hop Festival, which gave it added appeal. When we arrived we went for a bike ride along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail under ominous skies. 

We repaired to Bridge Road where we drank plenty of good beer and met some of the brewers for the festival. The next day it was overcast and damp, with several showers, but we bravely attended the festival where we ate, drank and were merry. It's a lovely low-key festival with lots of families and a relaxed vibe. A band played and people didn't seem to mind the weather. 

 

Apparently Him Outdoors has a secret superhero identity which emerges when he has had beer - he blossoms into the Hop Fairy!

 

And then the sun came out and the band carried on playing and the children jumped in puddles and there was cheese as well as beer and everyone was happy.

Slightly dodgy balloon animal to the right of the picture

 
 

It was dusk as we walked back to our accommodation, and the historic buildings of Beechworth were lit up to perfection.

Beechworth Court House

Beechworth Gold Office and Sub Treasury Building

The next morning we went for a cobweb-clearing bicycle ride around Beechworth Historic Park with its reminders of gold rush heritage and scenic vistas.

And then we had a hearty breakfast before walking around town and stocking up on Beechworth honey so that Him Outdoors can make some more mead.

Where the mead begins

We finished the experience by calling in to The Cellar Door Wine Store, where a range of wines are on offer for tasting, and a pleasant little courtyard features an eclectic collection of chair and sofas to sip and relax beneath the trees. I had a crisp Riesling and found the colours and shapes reminded me of a David Hockney print, so I sort of made one happen.

The Cellar Door Wine Store

Tribute to David Hockney