DIY Weekend

There's a thing doing the rounds on Facebook at the moment, where each day for ten days you post a picture of the cover of one of your favourite albums ('Albums that really made an impact and are still on your playlists, even if only now and then. Post the cover, no need to explain') and nominate someone else to do the same. I was nominated, but rather than do ten different posts, I just did one of all ten and didn't nominate anyone else. If you would like to play along, feel free to post in the comments.

On Saturday it was International Homebrew Day and the good folk at Capital Brewery were celebrating, hosting the Canberra Brewers to show the public how it's done. There were two recipes to choose from (a honey lager and an Irish stout) and they were brewed on different set-ups in the beer garden. I have had a stinking cold all week, but it was sunny down there so I went along for a couple of hours to catch up with some friends and to soak up some Vitamin D. Also, hops are medicinal, right?

Canberra Brewers Past and Present (if not necessarily correct)

As their beer obviously won't be ready for some time, I had a pint of one that had been prepared earlier. The Royal Brew NEIPA is the one made with Royal Blood for Groovin the Moo and drunk from a shoe by Mike Kerr, as in my previous post. There is lots of juicy orange hop flavours and very little bitterness in this concoction of hazy goodness - surely plenty of Vitamin C as well as D? 

Royal Brew by Capital Brewing Co

I do like the idea of using the empty cans as planters (particularly for herbs), even if some of them are more successful than others, and some look a lot like Beaker from The Muppets.

For our Sunday Night Film we had the Lovely Bonkers round to watch The Greatest Showman, and I photographed the various viewers' reactions: as expected Him Outdoors was less than impressed, and Chester has begun doing facial feline reviews. I think he thought there was far too much caterwauling.

Calamity Sue (she has bubbles so all is well)

Deep concentration from General Philosopher

'Nuff said

Moo make me feel like dancing

On Anzac Day we went for a walk through the Murrumbidgee Corridor. It was peaceful and glorious.

The Murrumbidgee

These pickled onions made me laugh.

Here is the latest in the series of Nailed It (or not). See if you can tell the difference between my version of roast cauliflower, chickpea and paneer curry, and the official photographed recipe version.

I know; they're practically identical, right?

And speaking of curry, this is the Rogan Josh brewed by Him Outdoors and the Stutchbury Farmer for Wignall Brewery. It is going to GABS as a Festival Beer. We are very excited by this.

I was very lucky to be given a free ticket to Groovin the Moo, which is apparently a music festival for young people. It was dark by the time I got there after work, so I had no concern at all over being older than almost everyone else present. And I can dance and enjoy the music just the same. There was a pretty good vibe - I suspect all the drunken eejits had already passed out. I danced and sang along to my favourites and discovered an appreciation for some new stuff. 

Claptone had a great laser light display in the main 'Moolin Rogue' tent. He's a techno dj from Germany who wears a beaked mask and projects pictures of shamanic figures onto the large screens behind the decks. I don't care who he is; I just love the sound of house piano wafting out across a field.

Claptone

The 'slightly older' contingent

Royal Blood were excellent. I've been vaguely aware of them, but never really listened before - I will be from now on. They put out a whole lot of noise for just two people: Ben Thatcher on drums and Mike Kerr on guitar(s) - he played at least half a dozen different guitars during the 50-minute set. They were full of energy and attitude with the ability to have a bit of a laugh as well. 

Capital Brewing have put out a special Royal Brew Blood Orange IPA in their honour, which was on sale at the festival (although it had all sold out by the time I got there). Mike Kerr was encouraged to drink one by the crowd who yelled out for him to do a shoey - when he remarked that he hadn't got a shoe, he was helpfully supplied with one form the moshpit. So very rock and roll.

Royal Blood: a whole lot of music from two musicians

Ball Park Music are infectious. Their jolly jangly pop-tastic tunes belie a darker edge, but it's hard not to be happy when they open a set with It's Nice to be Alive and follow up with numbers such as Exactly How You Are. Everything is Shit Except My Friendship with You, She Only Loves Me when I'm There and The Perfect Life Does Not Exist were also very well received, while the confetti cannons and giant beach balls added to the party atmosphere and overall good mood. 

Everybody's happy with Ball Park Music

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.