Day 315: Heating Goodhope

Tonight was Scott's Bucks do out at Goodhope, we spent the day wakeboarding, ski tubing and then drinking beer. We eventually had a BBQ for dinner and I even brought some veggies to share with the boys. It was just a bunch of asparagus and a 4 pack of corn on the cob from Woolies but they went pretty well on the barbie with the snags & steaks.

After dinner we pretty much sat around the fire drinking more beer and talking, this was interspersed with cutting up a large log with an old and pretty blunt axe so we could stick more on the fire. We also used up what was left of the off cuts from Scott's deck, these didn't cut too well with the axe either.

As far as Bucks Nights go, this was a pretty relaxed and low key one. I think that's what made it as enjoyable as it was.

Day 314: Ahhhh

It's Friday again and this time there's cold beers in the fridge. It isn't always the case but on nights like tonight when there are beers in the fridge I feel compelled to make the most of it. I like beer. I like it a lot. Now I'm going to drink this one. Ahhhh the simple pleasures, they just add that little bit of something special to life don't they?

Day 237: The Convoy

Three vehicles, three trailers and nine bikes all met up at the Eagle Hawk Servo this morning and took off up the highway. We stopped for a counter lunch and a beer or two (for some it was more) at the Taralga pub on the way up and some of us needed to take more 'pit stops' than others along the way to Wallerawang.

We met up with two more guys at 'The Wang' this afternoon giving us a total of eleven riders for our two days of riding. Once we'd arrived we unloaded the bikes, stashed them in the cellar under the Pub and headed in for more beers and another counter meal.

I had every intention of taking it easy and getting an early night for the full days riding ahead of me on Saturday. Funny how it never really works out that way when you get a bunch of guys together in a pub without anyone but the publican to tell them it's time to go to bed. This is even more so the case when you haven't seen some of the guys since last years ride, there's always so much to catch up on. This is bound to be a weekend full of good mates, great riding and copious consumption.

Day 52: Granny Knapp

This mix of beverages is probably not something you'd see on one small table all at the one time very often. Obviously, Henry's was the milk and there's no real surprise that the Knappstein was mine. That only leaves the Dirty Granny which certainly wasn't Jenna's (she had a glass of cordial with dinner), which only leaves Belinda.

The Dirty Granny has become Belinda's beverage of choice since reading an article in Delicious about the Matilda Bay Brewing Company and their aptly name Cider. Once she'd read the article I was sent on an errand to retrieve the Dirty Granny from our local Woolies Liquor. I was impressed that they were there, in stock and already cold. It seems that what our Woolies lacks in range on the grocery front, it makes up for in varieties of booze. They've clearly got the local socioeconomic demographic nailed.

Day 39: The Last Thing I Saw Before Bed

I spent this afternoon driving up to Sydney in with 3 colleagues for a conference that's on tomorrow. The theory was that if we drove up and stayed at the hotel the conferences is being held at the night before, we'd be in far better shape for the conference than if we all had to get up early for the first flight out of Canberra. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Two of my 3 colleagues are quite into their wine so there were 4 bottles of exceptional wine to have with dinner. Of course before drinking wines that are 20 - 30 years old you need to cleanse your palate with a beer or two.

My entree was Pigs Head Terrine, Watercress & Crispy Pigs Ear, which  was delicious despite the name being off putting to those who are a little sensitive. The main of Cape Grim Pasture-Fed Scotch Fillet & Roast Garlic Butter with sides of French Fries and Snow Peas for the table was among the best steaks I've had in a long time.

It's fair to say that these dishes were enhanced with the selection of wines provided by my colleagues and naturally after dinner we went to the pub down stairs for another cleansing ale. Then, sensibly, we decided it was time to go back to the hotel... where the bar was still open so one or two Gin & Tonics were enjoyed before being prompted to retire for the night by the closure of the hotel bar.

So much for an early night. It wasn't long before midnight when I realised that I didn't have a photo for the day, so I snapped the view from my room overlooking Darling Harbour on my iPhone before falling in to the very large and very comfortable bed.

Day 14: McVicar Matrimonials

Belinda and I were privileged to be among the friends and family of Matt & Renee as they exchanged their vows today. Renee was stunning in her gown and Matt cut a pretty fine figure too even though he wasn't allowed to wear his white shoes. The ceremony was beautiful with the Newport Marina forming an a amazing back drop.

Matt is one who appreciates his beer and I have to compliment him on his choice in beers for the reception. He chose a James Squire beer that I hadn't had before, the One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale. I enjoyed many of these throughout the evening and will be hunting them down in my local bottle shop.

We don't get to see Matt & Renee very often but when we do catch up we always have a great time, today was certainly no exception and we're both looking forward to catching up with Mr & Mrs McVicar again soon.

Day 9: "Coffee"

There's a regular gathering of Canberra Riders on Monday afternoons, we call it "Coffee". I like to get along as often as I can to catch up with some of the folk I ride with over a beverage or two and even though we call it Coffee, for me the beverage is usually a beer. Today Coffee was at the Civic Pub which worked quite well for me but not so well for those who actually come to Coffee to drink Coffee, this may have attributed to the smaller than usual numbers.

I'm pretty sure that today was the first time in roughly 2 years of me making semi-regular appearances at Coffee that I actually showed up on a bike! I think some of the 'gang' as Belinda likes to call them were starting to doubt that I even owned a bike...