The last time were at this winery was during the Toast the Coast. That time we were on the grass with the finger food and the music. This time we were in the restaurant which was unusual due to it being a Monday. But all the locals must know this is open on a Monday as the car park is full and most of the tables have people. We can't all be retired, like Franster, Ross ,Mick ,Anna and us. I had the steak and frites very tasty. Around the table there was duck, pasta, fish and vegetables and don't forget wine and the view.
Retiree's Occasional Blog of Time
Monday, 9 February 2026
Weather Watch
I could not figure yesterdays weather. 30's in the morning, storms into the afternoon and back up to high 20's into the evening. Our snorkel may have been better around 6:00pm as the wind and the swell were completely gone with a calm pond effect, although the tide was still coming in then. I need a weather crystal, don't some people lick their finger and hold it up. I got the gopro film unloaded and edited this morning. You might notice spikes in places and I think they may be zip tied plants for extra grip.
Sunday, 8 February 2026
Good Reef
This was Debbie's first snorkel of any sort this Summer, so good job on that. At most it would be 100 m there and again to get back. However if you think conditions are calm it is not until you are waist deep in it will you know and there was a buffeting swell. Also when you include the jellies then it wasn't a straight forward swim. The main observation is that the plants are more numerous and thicker than the last time we were here and I think that might have been two yar back. There is still room to swim between the structures but I did not see any fish, except for jellies. It was 30° at 10:00am and a pleasant way to swim thru the heat. There are meant to be storms with hail any time soon.
Mickey & Minnie
Yes Mickey & Minnie have been travelling back and forth lately so I have drawn up a quick colour in picture to send back as a reminder. Maybe they can be pinned up as a masterpiece. HaHa. We have checked the tide and the temperature just now and all seems good to go and snorkel the reef. There is cloud cover but you can't always get what you want.
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Riding for Travel
We got on the bikes this morning with the idea of calling into the local travel agent to get some last minute bookings happening. Pure Bookkeeping has a product launch in London in June and we will attend the session however the agent website doesn't gel with the sign stuck on the door. Closed on Saturdays! We want to support the local business but this time we are in a hurry and our travel skills are rusty. Our old contacts at FlightCentre are no longer there either so need to move into no phasement mode. We rode across the road to the Zoo Cafe. This is a good leafy garden setting for a coffee but they could do with a bike rack as the fence was littered with treadlies.
Friday, 6 February 2026
Garden Update No 321
The lemon tree is still trying to recover after those poaching possums devoured everything on it. Nearby the new strawberry plants are struggling to bear berries but there are a few green ones to be seen. The tomatoes are scarce and previously we could have held our own tomato festival however this time around there are some green ones showing thru just now. I think I can see a few zuchini or are they cucumber, anyway they are elongated. The large pots are being cleaned out for a Winter planting. I don't like the sound of Winter plantings when we still have three weeks of Summer left.
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Turn the Tern
I am confused about what sort of weather day it is today. I covered up this morning when the rain came driving in, which was not forecast. Just now I got back from a beach throw session, drippingly hot, but it is sheltered from the Southerly down there. The throws are all around the 14 and 15 steps. I would probably do better other than bare feet. I got another bird in the sights and they did not seem too bothered when I came closer. The letterbox was bulging and it seems Estelle has sent me some new bondy bond jockey jocks from the packaging anyway. I'll have to wait to open it though.
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| thong to shot maybe 9m |
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| bondy bonds |
Crested Tern















