And so the year ends... and a new one begins

 A cliché I know, but the years do seem to be flying past at a faster rate lately. Perhaps it's because I want to fill these days with as much adventure, fun, reading, gardening, travel and keeping in touch with friends as I can. How on earth did I manage to really live before retirement? Having said all that, it's been a quiet year, although we did get the 'adventure' and 'travel' part in when we went to New Caledonia in June.

But now, with a few days left of 2023, we're still having weird weather with the sun being extremely petulant. Lately, we've had thunderstorms, fierce winds, gloomy skies and rain. One glorious day actually happened a few days ago much to everyone's surprise and became the talk of the town with strangers at the checkout commenting on the 'lovely day', people passing me on my daily walk nodding and saying 'Lovely day', and neighbours chatting across the garden saying 'Lovely day'.You see, the sun came out and there was nary a cloud in the sky.  To make the most of it we drove to Waitpinga Beach not far from home. Here, the endless stretch of sand, sky and surf infused with the warmth of the sun was a balm to the soul. Such peace and quiet (apart from the hammering of the foamy, frothy surf) and a feeling of 'all's right with the world'. 

Christmas Eve was celebrated with a Moscow Mule, courtesy of the Chambord (raspberry) liqueur Kate gave us.

Christmas Day was full of presents, prawns and pavlova, all enjoyed with equal enthusiasm. 

One must never decide that a particular present is 'the best' but it was hard to go past the wonderful surprise of receiving the catalogue from the Clarice Beckett art exhibition of 2021. I wanted to buy it after seeing the exhibition but it was too expensive. Fast forward to Christmas Day and there it was. Steve had bought it but 'misplaced' it for a while. It is a gorgeous reminder of the beautiful paintings I saw and admired. The cover is especially appealing as it resembles one of her framed paintings. 

Here's our annual Christmas photo.

And I've popped this one in to show the lovely top Steve gave me. Sadly, our very cool weather prohibits me from wearing it at the moment. 

And so to my birthday, a wonderful day peppered with emails, texts and phone calls from friends near and far - a phone call from Sharon in Perth and FaceTime with Kate in Melbourne. Then it was off to the Forktree Brewery, a fabulous country restaurant about an hour or so north of us. The food was generous and yummy (especially the dessert of which I enthusiastically partook) washed down with a local sparkling wine. Friends Petra and Gary came with us  to make it even more enjoyable. I tried to look colourful and cheery despite the cold weather.

The last two days of the year were spent marketing - Port Elliot on Saturday and a twilight market on the Victor Harbor foreshore on Sunday. New Years Eve was spent devouring a magnificently calorific trifle, sipping French wine and watching a Doris Day movie. Long gone are the days (and I remember this one particularly well) when I crept home at 5:00 am after a night of eating, drinking and dancing with friends. I mentioned this to someone recently and then realised I was talking of a New Years Eve 55 years ago!

This morning - and it is now 2024 - I woke at sunrise and walked along the bay, meeting no-one, savouring the peace and quiet, and contemplating on what this new year holds in store for us. 

In praise of Vegemite

 Of course Steve's reaction when he first tasted Vegemite was typical of non-believers: 'Tastes like the scrapings from the inside of a sewage pipe', he declared. Ouch. And his opinion hasn't changed in 40 years. I admit it's not for everyone, but many Australians have been eating it for a very long time. And that's the reason I am writing about Vegemite - this iconic food is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Wikipedia describes it quite well:

'Vegemite is a thick, dark brown Australian food spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. It was developed by Cyril Callister in Melbourne, Victoria, and it first hit stores on 25 October 1923.'

In the beginning: How did it come about? Following the First World War, British imports to Australia were disrupted and chemist Callister was given the task to make a similar product to the now-unavailable spread from England called Marmite. He did this by using the yeast being dumped by breweries, turned it into a clear liquid extract and added salt, celery and onion to form a sticky black paste. (I guess it does sound awful but I've always enjoyed the salty taste and really did miss it when we went on holidays overseas.)

Hmm ... not an overnight success: A competition provided a name - Vegemite. It was initially marketed as beneficial for children's health but was not immediately successful. In fact, it took years. They tried a name change but that didn't work and it was not until 1935 that things started to change for the good. 

Success at last: The company Callister worked for had merged with the American firm Kraft in 1926. Almost 10 years passed with Vegemite still flying under the radar. Then, in 1935 they decided to use Vegemite to promote Kraft cheddar cheese. I loved their promotional gambits. They gave away Vegemite coupons with cheese products; they had limerick competitions with American Pontiac cars as prizes; a promotional song was developed. Vegemite was eventually endorsed by medical authorities as being rich in Vitamin B and was given to World War II troops in their army rations! Yay - Vegemite was finally getting its day.

A bit of Vegemite trivia: In April 1984, a jar of Vegemite was the first product in Australia to be electronically scanned at a checkout. 

My role as a jar of Vegemite: When we lived in Tasmania, my boss celebrated getting her Australian citizenship with an Australiana party. What to go as? I decided a jar of Vegemite would be appropriate. A local disposal store provided me with everything I needed - rubber underlay for the body (the added bonus was that the soft rubber allowed me to sit down when I got tired);  cardboard for the top; material for the label.  A friend of Kate's designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Steve, while I added the waves on his blue shirt. What a couple.

There's always a jar of Vegemite in my pantry, though I'm afraid I still can't entice Steve to have another taste. 

And finally: Not forgetting Men at Work's 'Vegemite sandwich' reference in their song 'Down Under', other authors have also penned their allegiance to the product. In a book I've just read the main character says, 'Let's go and have some lunch. I'm starving. Have you got any Vegemite?' to which her mother replies 'I think we can do better than Vegemite'. The main character replies, 'Wash your mouth out. There is nothing better than Vegemite'.  

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We visit the Currency Creek Arboretum

I always thought an arboretum was a forest of different trees planted for our pleasure. But I now know I was misinformed, and an arboretum is actually a place where trees are grown for scientific and educational purposes.  After recently visiting the Currency Creek Eucalypt Arboretum on one of its occasional open days, I also learnt a whole lot more about the many eucalypt species we have in Australia and just what happens at this particular arboretum.

To put you in the picture, I'll summarise the information on the sign erected at our meeting spot.

The arboretum is a specialist eucalypt arboretum and is privately owned, self-funded and managed by Dean Nicolle and his partner Annett Boerner. Its main purpose is research into Australia's eucalypts (genera Angophora, Eucalyptus and Corymbia).  It has the largest collection of eucalypt species in the world, with over 900 species. There are over 8,000 individual trees  planted on the site. 

A substantial crowd had turned up. Dean introduced himself and set about explaining the purpose of the arboretum. He was a wonderful guide, explaining scientific information clearly, showing us examples, and giving us time to ask questions - and also warning us to be careful if we spotted a snake. Eek! 

As it's a research site, it's not carefully manicured nor are there signs or labels on the trees (except for the ones he's placed purely for us on this open day).We learnt that all the plants have been grown from seed collected from wild populations all over Australia. Eight seeds from an individual tree are taken, with four preserved as seed and the other four nursed into seedlings then planted in the arboretum. Dean explained that, unlike many arboretum which usually only plant one tree of a kind, planting multiple plants from each seed gives a more accurate representation of the tree's genetic makeup. They are also planted together in a row to make it easy to check growth patterns, flowering, health, diseases, and a host of other information that is painstakingly recorded. 

Here are two images showing the rows of trees. 

Dean took us to trees with signage so we could learn more about a particular genera - indicating where the seed had been sourced, when it had been planted, growing habits, flowering and who had named it.

One tree flowering at this time of the year had gorgeous bright yellow flowers.

I was intrigued to find out how the trees would grow if they weren't in their 'natural habitat', that is, alpine species or desert lovers. Evidently, the site at Currency Creek has low rainfall so many desert species can be grown, while irrigation assists higher rainfall-needing species. The soil is well drained and is a sandy loam free from limestone which is apparently 'a good thing' as Dean explained, helping him grow a wider range of eucalypts. Crucially, another benefit that arises from this arboretum is the ability to maintain a seed bank of endangered species, trees wiped out in ferocious bushfires or affected by global warming. 

On we wandered, looking and learning how the seeds were regenerated by fire, birds, wind and water or gravity.

The painstaking research provides information of the potential of the trees for various uses. In particular, Dean advises local councils on what eucalptys are appropriate as street trees or in parks, and what are suitable types for the home gardener. This valuable information is becoming crucial with global warming changing the growing requirements of these trees. 

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute (especially as we didn't spot any snakes) and learnt so much about an arboretum. Here are some final photos showing the variety of eucalypts we saw.

History alert

And for those who love word origins: A eucalypt sample was collected on Cook's 1777 voyage on Bruny Island (Tasmania) and taken to the British Museum where a French botanist working there - Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle - named it Eucalyptus, coining the generic name from the Greek roots eu ('good' or 'well') and kalypto ('covered or concealed'), referring to the bud cap which protects the flower parts as the flower develops. (Source: Wikipedia)

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More Spring Frolics

When in Melbourne, I always make a point of going to the National Gallery of Victoria. This time I wandered up and down the different levels, visiting familiar haunts: 19th century European art,  modern art, glassware, pottery, Mayan artefacts. Here's a sample.

Kate and I always loved seeing these ancient items.

I loved the juxtoposition of these two men.

What a smorgasbord!

And who could resist thinking 'Elizabeth Bennet' while studying this dress coat.

I found this enormous chandelier fascinating. Evidently there were two of them, gracing each side of the stage at, I think, the Regent Theatre. (I may have got this wrong, but some theatre in Melbourne.) They were made in France. 

And I'll finish off my tour with a Corot, a Cezanne and a painting I really loved in muted shades of green - but had never heard of the artist - Samuel Palmer. Check out the little cottage in the valley.

I had another fabulous day with my friend Kim who drove us along the Mornington Peninsula to Sorrento, and ending up at Portsea and Point Nepean. We had a wonderful time. The town of Sorrento was pure glamour and glitz with lovely shops decorated in beachside charm. We wandered and browsed, marvelling at the price tags. Kim had thoughtfully packed a scrumptious picnic lunch, so we headed to a nearby park - much more our flavour.

And then it was off to the beach. Grassy sand dunes tumbling to the shore. Surging surf relentlessly ebbing and flowing. An endless sky. A barely-there warmth.

We climbed the steps to the lookout.

There was a lovely view half-way up...

... and an expansive view of sand, sea and sky when we reached the top. 

A lovely day out. Thank you Kim! 

One last stop on my itinerary - a trip to Fitzroy to visit Casa Iberica for some Portuguese custard tarts, to T2 for French Earl Grey tea, to Babkas for lunch and a shoo-fly bun, and a final glimpse of our former home.

And so ended my 10 days. We had a yummy roast lamb and veges as a fabulous farewell dinner (though Kim's famous omelette the night before came a close second).

I'll miss my bedside companions.

The train trip back to South Australia was, thankfully, uneventful and on time, and Steve was at the station to spirit me back home. 

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Spring Frolics

 Spring Flowers

A burst of spring weather had us heading for Cox Scrub Conservation Park where the wildflowers were in full bloom. The colours were gorgeous, ranging in shades of purples, blues, and pinks, to yellow, white and all shades in between. Here's a brief selection. 

At one stage, it looked as if we were walking though a garden.

How lovely is  this? 

Occasionally we had views over the surrounding hills - and spotted a vineyard.
A satisfying day out for both of us.

Spring Friends
It's so lovely when friends come to stay, and Maggie arrived with her usual good humour plus a jar of rhubarb chutney, some yummy tea and a pile of freshly harvested grapefruit. Our itinerary was packed as time was short, so no time for lots of photos. We did manage a stroll around the nearby wetlands and were lucky to spot a swan sitting on its nest - a sight which elicited excited gasps from us.  

And we loved the little bird house we saw.

We had lunch at the Port Elliot Hotel as usual which was delicious, then another day tripped over to Goolwa to the Thai restaurant we love.

And now to the Great Cheese Incident. Before Maggie arrived I had decided that we would visit the Alexandrina Cheese Company in Mount Compass (about 20 minutes drive along the road to Adelaide), as I know Maggie loves her cheeses and even once did a cheese-making course. However, these plans were scuppered when Rebeckah from the company told me they would be at the Royal Show that week and thus closed. However, we could place an order and pick it up between 11:00am and 1:00pm.  Again my plans were thwarted because pick-up time did not suit us as we would be driving back from a day in McLaren Vale. But once again plans were disrupted when cold and rainy weather made me cancel the McLaren Vale trip. Meanwhile Maggie decided to add some cheeses of her own to my list and, after many texts and phone calls to discuss arrangements and online purchasing, it was finally agreed that Tanya, who looks after the company's alpacas, would place our order in an esky for us outside the closed shop for us to pick up later in the afternoon. And so it came to pass and the cheeses were ours.  This photo shows Maggie desperate to see whether our order would be there! 

And there they were. I dived in to retrieve the goods. 

That evening, Maggie accompanied Steve and me to the community radio station where I did a show as a fill-in for a presenter who was away. Lots of 50s to 70s music. Some dancing in the studio. And definitely some singing. Here I am discussing my program with Steve. 

All too soon, after many cups of tea, a cocktail or two and a raspberry meringue dessert... 

... there was time only for a quick inspection of the garden ...

... and then, goodbye. A brief but wonderful time.

Spring Fun - Part 1

More springtime fun for me when I took myself off to Melbourne, ostensibly for Kate's 50th birthday, but also for some book buying, eating, exploring and catching up with friends. It was a fabulous 10 days of overeating - and generally overdoing everything.

Good old Luna Park still makes me smile.

And I renewed my friendship with Buster.

Kate had an appointment with her tattoo artist on Wednesday morning so 7 o'clock saw us heading for the station, bound for Castlemaine. It was a pleasant journey with gentle glimpses of farmland, bush and villages passing by. All too soon we arrived.

After a cup of tea and a fruit slice it was off to explore.

Gold was discovered here in 1851 and the nearby Forest Creek field yielded many tonnes of the ore, resulting in the substantial public buildings that are still standing today. I took the Historic Town Walk brochure from the Information Centre and, while Kate was occupied in the tattooist's chair, set off.

What a restorer's dream.

This was the town market where vendors would display their goods in arched stalls. 

The arches are still there. 

This 1862 building reflected the presence of the Chinese on the goldfields.

The Art Gallery in all its Art Deco glory - unfortunately closed on Wednesdays. 

A lovely lunch in a quiet cafe, more exploring and then off to catch the train. The two of us were pretty tired by the time we got back home. It had been a long day.

The main reason for the trip was to celebrate Kate's birthday and a few nights later we did this at a gorgeous French bistro. The food was delicious, the sparkling wine refreshing and the creme bruleé simply magnificent.

More Melbourne adventure with friends to come...