A few quickies for the Drrons..

[drron]

It was past lunch time but the rain was holding off so we continued walking the grounds.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

It is not only flowers that are of interest at the show.We first went in the early naughties and found this fellow who now is into metal statues.

.

.

.
However in the early days it was more water features with glass bowls with surrounding birds on sandstone.The bowl is the same as in this picture-

.
So when I started working in Tasmania we visited his place and bought a water feature with 3 such bowls on varying heights of sandstone.
These looked interesting-

.
I used to get Diggers seeds before retirement and spent a lot more time at home.Might do again when I finally stop working.

.

 

[drron]

Then the competition gardens-

.

.

.
The rain starts again.

.

.

.

.

The rain starts to get heavier so we head for the exits.On the way out I notice this-

.
Is there nothing that Tony Hancock wont have a go at?

 

[drron]

So now Melbourne gave us the finger again.Felt with the rain taxis might be hard to get.However although 2 didn't stop for us we found a taxi rank.Two cabs there.Asked where we were going and they said they were already booked.Then both got out of their cabs and presumably went for lunch.So rang for one.
A little hungry when we got back so shared a club sandwich.This was my half.

.
We had a busy night planned.Now not only do we have 3 grandchildren but we have 4 surrogate grandkids-the children of my partner in the medical practice.They didn't have any grandparents in Australia so we became the fillins for grandparent's day at school.They still look upon us as their grandparents.The youngest daughter has been studying dance in Melbourne.She has just got a contract to perform on the Grandeur of the Seas so we are having dinner with her and her partner.
Whenever we are in Melbourne for a couple of nights we have dinner at Tsindos-a Greek restaurant.We started with a couple of dips-better than before.Then some calamari-very good and octopus-thisc was a large piece and was definitely chewy.
For mains mrsdrron had the lamb cutlets-always good.I had the klefitiko.baked lamb and potatoes.Really good.

.

.
After finishing we dropped in at the Greek pastry shop a couple of doors up to get some delights to take back to the hotel.
But the night wasn't finished.We walked up to the Park Hyatt where we had arranged to have drinks with an American couple who are active on the Silverseas forum on Cruise Critic.Hadn't met them before but we like eah other's style and ended up getting on very well and spent a couple of hours talking.
When we left mrsdrron was surprised to see someone had delivered our car to the Park Hyatt.

.
Problem is neither of us would fit in it.A Mazzanti Evantra.A mere $1.2 million.
So another taxi back to Southbank.
Sunday was just checkout with mrsdrron flying back to Qld and I back to DPO.

 

[drron]

So another quickie for us.I need to qualify SPG plat this year so as to be LTP before the merger.I decided it should be sooner rather than later.So with the opening of the new W in Brisbane we decided it was a good move to see what the W was like whilst still having opening specials,try their restaurant-Three Blue Ducks a Byron Bay favourite-and to let mrsdrron do some shopping especially as she had discovered Peter Shephard had an outlet shop in the Brisbane CBD.The W was only $5 dearer than the Four Points for the Sunday night.
We parked the car at Secure Parking in Elizabeth Street-only $20 for a weekend night-enter after 12 midday and leave before 12 midday the next day.much cheaper than hotel parking and easily booked online.
So we arrived on foot along George street.Hard to notice the W from the street as the building is a construction site at present.but i saw this out of the corner of my eye.

.
Checkin was unusual.A family being checked in and the agent then took them to their room.Their were 2 other agents at reception but they picked up some papers and left.eventually a fellow noticed we were there with no staff.he had a couple of problems with the computer but we were upgraded to a corner room on the highest floor available-20.The lift showed there will be 33 floors.hallways in typical W style and a bit dark but not as bad as some we have stayed at.The room itself was trendy with a few quirky features but was still comfortable for a pair of old dinosaurs.

.

.
The mini bar.

.

.

.

.
The bath was made to look like galvanised sheeting which we christened the horse trough much to the amusement of staff.It was quite high and we just managed to get in and out.

.
The wardrobe was definitely kinky and the hangers also quite high.Short people would find it difficult.

.

.

 

[drron]

Nice wines but quite expensive.

.

.
The views were great.firstly during the day.

.

.

.

.
But colourful at night.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

Dinner in the Three Blue Ducks.A bottle of NZ SB.

.
Shared a dozen tassie oysters-the best in the world.they had a ginger and finger lime dressing which really was perfect with the oysters.

.
We then had the slow cooked lamb shoulder.the menu said for 2 to share.Maybe growing young fellows but probably 4 of our age.it came with a very nice salad of sqash,zuchini,onion,mint and peas.

.

.
The lamb was so tender,moist and tasty.pity we couldn't finish it.We also got sides of the duck's cauliflower cheese and garlic and rosemary roasted chats which were perfect.

.

.

.
There is a balcony with tables.The view again great.

.

.

.
Next will be breakfast.

 

[drron]

Juices,fruit,yoghurts etc.Then various mueslis.

.

.
Asian condiments and bowls of congee and other asian inspired items.

.

.
Cold cuts then bacons and tomato.

.

.
roast pumpkin with honey miso glaze and pomegranate.Pork sausages and chorizo.

.

.
House hot smoked salmon.absolutely delicious.

.
Not pictured hot items with mushrooms,black sausage,baked beans(made fresh) and an egg station with dishes made to order.

,

 

[drron]

Breads.Salads including a very good kimchee and an ultra trendy kale salad.

.

.
A range of milks including coconut milk.another table asked for almond milk and got it.plus some delicious pastries.

.
Looking out of the restaurant towards the function rooms.the restaurant itself,large,airy and bright.

.

.
The lobby bar and sitting area.

.

.
And the area of the entrance.

.

.

Now this was only it's 10th day of operation.It is still ironing ourt some things.Obviously still a construction zone which was no problem on Sunday but very noisy Monday morning.They hope things are completed by June 30.

 

[drron]

So back for a couple more quickies.First was the AFF 12 do in Adelaide.The first we have been able to attend but ironically only because of a cancelled cruise.Otherwise we would still be OS.Some of you have seen mrsdrron's pics on the AFF 12 thread but i am putting them here as some who read this might not have followed the other thread.I can now recommend attendance at these events.A truly enjoyable time and as you will see the crowd were enjoying themselves at the drinks at the Lady Burra brewhouse.

.

.

.
A couple of the sprightly older crew did a good job holding up the bar.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

Some more smiling people.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

Couldn't sleep so another post or two.But first I will go back a few hours.We drove down to BNE and used one of the parking promos.
Flew to ADL on a B717.we quite like sitting together on the 2 seat side in Y.Row 5.But first as 2 newly minted OWEs it was up to the J lounge.I do like the premium security line to the QF lounges.the security staff are good at the job and pro active.As I always do I take my shoes and belt off as I know I will be wanded.After the wanding I was sitting in a chair putting on my shoes when the fellow doing the secondary screening walks over and says can I take a swab seeing you are here.no problems and a great way to do it.doesn't hold anyone up.
Into the J lounge and still no one recognises us.A few of the Brisbane bullets were there.Nothing grand about the brekkie.
Off to the gate before it was called and a short wait before boarding commenced.Once again QF did their poor excuse for priority boarding.Two lines but only 1 gate agent at the head of the non premium lane.Those Y pax didn't think they should give way to us hoity toitys.

After that an uneventful flight.samh004 was on the same flight so we shared a taxi to the IC.At least I have a little status-gold Ambassador. so a river view room on the 15th floor.A funny shaped room.

.

.

.

.
But they did give us a fruit bowl and a bottle of red wine.

.
So a view of the river and a bit of Adelaide oval.Also a view to the Infamous new RAH.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

The IC is also a good spot for plane watching.

.

.
The SQ crew stay at the IC.
Next morning nice reflections in the river plus some fisherpersons.

.

.
From the hallway a better view of Adelaide oval.

.
Dinner on the Friday night was at the drinkies at the Brewhouse.I had ribs and mrsdrron a mushroom pizza.Quite nice.

.

.
Walking back to the hotel after dinner I literally bumped into Jessica Gomes a fashion model.Only recognised her the next morning as she was on the front page of the Advertiser.

 

[drron]

We didn't want 2 early starts in a row so we slept in on saturday morning.Then walked over to the mall and as we were just back from Japan mrsdrron bought 2 cups from a little Japanese pottery shop just off the Adelaide Arcade.Walking back to the hotel ~ 1330 we walked past Jamie's Italian so decided to give it a go.From our table we realised the pasta was freshly made.

.

.
When the water came he asked if we were here for the Prosecco special-err no.So on Saturdays at lunch time there is a special of 2 hours of free pour prosecco along with an appetiser,main and dessert for $50.Seems good value but I doubt good prosecco.
So we just had a glass of wine each.

.
Then shared a salt and pepper squid which was very nice.

.
For mains I went vegetarian and had the portobello mushrooms with polenta and arugala.Mrsdrron had the gnocchi with mushroom and black truffle.It came with chilli.She asked if it could be done without the chilli-no problem except it initially came out with chilli.OK on second go.

.

.
We didn't have desserts.
The place was jumping but largely it was groups of women dining.They certainly got through the prosecco.

.

 

[drron]

Saturday night it was the AFF dinner at Jasmine Indian restaurant.Food was placed in bowls on the table and we all dug in.

.

.
Apart from mrsdrron who doesn't do spice.She told them that she doesn't have chilli or capsicum.So what does her food have on the side?Capsicum.

.

.
Now to the attendees.

.

.
Seems I have lost my title for the wearing of loud clothing!

.
Now see the look on Admin's face.thinking how do I get away from this nutter.

.
Buzz brought the smile back.

.

 

[drron]

Some more smiling faces.

.

.
Now Pushka,it is rude to point.

.

.

.

.
Why wasn't my name drawn out?

.

 

[drron]

Saturday and it was the Buzz wine trip to the Barossa Valley.A fine morning but still a bit nippy when we arrived at Chateau Yaldara.

.

.
Talking about Tassie.

.

.
The roses were beautiful.

.

.

So into the cellars.An import was spotted amongst the fortified casks.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

Onwards we went.

.

.

.

.
Then to the new casks.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

We continued to the area where they have the original 1847 barrels imported from Germany.quite impressive.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

We now made our way to the private tasting.

.

.

.
Unfortunately all those bottles are just for show.Left too long and now full of vinegar.
Past a few little nooks and crannies.

.

.

.
Our room was not this private.

.
Eventually we made it to our tasting room.

.