I smell the roses ...

Even though we've been having cool, cloudy and windy conditions lately, we've also had some truly spring-y days. And there are so many places to stroll to and savour the balmy weather. For instance, I always enjoy my walk to the library, and it's wonderful when all the flowers are blooming. With my backpack full of books hoisted over my shoulders I set off down Matthew Flinders Drive. Lots of spectacular gardens to ogle, with roses leading the way.

On this particular day I had my camera with me so did some more experimenting with the macro lens.

I love it when I come to the Inman River. I'm nearly at the library now.

Just around this bend and then I'm there. 

I always make a point of coming back via the estuary where the river enters the sea.

I dream of sailing away ...

Out with the camera again to capture some of the seaside plants.

Back on the path, with some competition from a group of tourists...

...and a duck.

Time for a couple more garden shots ...













... then one last chance to smell the roses and I am home again.

Get thee to a ginnery

Well, it was certainly better than a nunnery, that's for sure.
On Saturday, we set off with our good friends Di and Pete and dog Goldie for Encounter Coast Spirits, a boutique distillery specialising in gin, vodka and liqueurs, with a sideline in chutneys, dressings and sauces. It was nestled in hill country not far from home.

It was a lovely drive there: rolling green hills, a big sky with sweeping clouds, black-faced Suffolk sheep gambolling in the fields, a few other farmlets scattered about. The sun was shining and we were looking forward to the visit.

The property was clearly signposted.

The property's front gate and drive

It's a very small business - in fact, here is the entire distilling operation.

 

 The owner was very welcoming and took us through a range of different types of gin, explaining the process (juniper berries must account for two-thirds of the final product), and the various types of herbs, berries and fruits that can be added at the distiller's discretion.

Of course, we tasted...

 ... and tasted.

Here I am making sure I savour the last drop!!!!

I loved the different mixers used; along with the usual tonic water, we had one with blood orange - absolutely fabulous. We were marking the ones we tasted and liked, and the Fortune Teller gin got a big thumbs up from us.

Then it was on to the liqueurs. We had an apricot liqueur, a strawberry & juniper liqueur (great for mixing with champagne), my favourite, Fortunecello, a lemony, velvety liqueur we just loved, and a spiced honey & wattle liquor which was a bit too spicy for me.

Out came the spoons and it was into the condiments branded with the 'Irreverent Kitchen' name. These are all made here from local ingredients, native botanicals and fruits. We had a taste of each one.

We tasted

• Apricot Brandy Jam with Wattleseed (ok)
• Strawberry and Boobialla Jam (tasty)
• Plum Brandy Sauce (delicious)
• Brandied Apple Chutney (yummy)
• Bloody Mary Chutney (not really to my taste) 

and the final two which we loved and bought:

• Honey Mustard & Lemon Myrtle Dressing 
• Peach Kasundi with Honey & Wattleseed.

Then we had to make the decision on what to buy.

It was a fun morning and we had learnt so much.
How wonderful that it is a mere 10 minutes from home. We'll be back.