Letter No.
277
Dear all,
🎉 The Birthday Festival of Katie: Champagne,
Tiaras & Reunions
On the 5th of July, Katie launched
what can only be described as her Birthday Festival—a month-long
extravaganza of celebration, sparkle, and yes... a lot of champagne.
It all kicked off with eight of her
closest girlfriends arriving at our house at 4:30pm, champagne in hand and
bearing gifts. The main present? A very large glamorous silver champagne bucket
—clearly not something you want to lug through the city on a night out. The
ladies headed off to the chic City restaurant, Supernormal, with Katie
wearing a Birthday Girl sash and tiara, while the seven accompanying partners
made their way to Breakfast Creek Hotel’s Spanish Garden, a Brisbane
institution and perfect spot for a juicy steak.
Later in the evening, both groups
rendezvoused at Brooklyn Standard, a lively venue pulsing with live
music. It was quiet when we arrived, but the atmosphere quickly turned
electric. The band fired up, the crowd swelled, and the champagne flowed
generously—especially for Katie. Each of the men bought her a glass, potentially
helping her surpass her long-standing personal record of 14 glasses, famously
set with Liz Redfern back in the '90s. The latter half of the night remains...
fuzzy.
In one memorable moment, a trio of
tiara-wearing birthday girls met on the dance floor. One of them exclaimed to
Katie, “It’s my birthday—I’m 24!” Katie replied, dry as ever, “I’m not.”
Priceless.
The next day, Katie remained
triumphantly in her pyjamas—no regrets. Meanwhile, I took a trip to the airport
to greet Jessica, fresh from a three-week whirlwind through Hong Kong, Vietnam,
Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. She’d reunited with her brother Matthew for a
nostalgic few days in Hong Kong, even recreating baby photos at Ocean Park.
Their emotional farewell was short-lived—they bumped into each other just three
weeks later in Bangkok for a spontaneous breakfast that turned into a long
lunch.
11th July brought champagne lunch with Uni mates Cassie
and Alex, followed the next day by Pilates and more bubbles with Rowie and
Angela. At lunch we had a FaceTime call with Matthew in China, and Jessica in
Milton while Katie opened her gifts. That evening we went to a a French dinner
at Boucher in our village with our friends the Biddles and Rassmussens,
complete with pre-dinner canapés and, naturally, more champagne.
By Sunday, we shifted gears. My sister
Lisa and her family visited for morning tea. I was thoroughly champagned out,
so we opted for coffee and birthday cake instead. Later that afternoon, I
popped over to Ipswich to check on Dad in hospital—just making sure he was
playing nice with the nurses.
On
Friday 18th July, we reunited with our friends Nick and Roz Swarbrick from
Bowdon Church School in Manchester, who were visiting Brisbane to see the
British and Irish Lions take on the Wallabies. We kicked off the weekend with
cocktails at Mr Percival’s at Howard Smith Wharves—though a rainy
evening kept the sunset hidden behind clouds. Spirits weren’t dampened though.
We moved on to Felons Brewing for pizza, surrounded by a sea of red
jerseys—probably 75% of the crowd were Lions supporters, including Nick and
Roz! It was genuinely heartwarming to catch up after so long.
Saturday
brought game day. Roz and Nick headed to Suncorp Stadium, while Katie
and I watched from home, curled up on the sofa. Let's just say—some of us were
thrilled with the result. I wasn't. 😅 On Sunday, Roz
and Nick came over for lunch and stayed the night. Katie outdid herself with a
classic Aussie surf and turf: Moreton Bay Bugs and lamb grilled on the BBQ, and
a long, relaxed lunch. Later, we walked the dogs and finished the evening with
tapas at Botellon in the village. A lovely way to end a long-overdue
reunion.
Katie’s
birthday celebrations continued on 26th July with an afternoon concert
from Collectivo, a Brisbane-based chamber music collective led by Tania
Frazer OAM—our sister-in-law, sort of! The performance was magical, and
Katie had a chance to chat with Tania afterwards, along with several members of
my brother-in-law Andrew’s family. I joined the group at 5:00pm and we headed
to Layla, a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant at the Thomas Dixon
Centre. Tucked inside a heritage war bunker, Layla served up bold flavours
in a warm, velvet-cloaked atmosphere. It was a perfect evening to celebrate
with friends.
The
next morning brought a milestone: Katie played tennis without any concern or
worry from her knee whatsoever – the first time since her horrific skiing
accident in 2023. She confidently pivoted and chased shots across the
court. It was brilliant to see her moving with ease again. That afternoon, we
joined Paul Pincus for a BBQ and travel planning session for our upcoming
boating trip in France in September. It was a relaxed afternoon with all twelve
of us who are boating.
🍷 A Weekend of Flavour, History & Winosaurs
Fun in the South Burnett
On
1st August we rounded out the month with our annual Winosaurs
wine tour, this time to Kingaroy. Katie and I joined 23 neighbours from our
street for a weekend of wine, laughs, and countryside cheer. We dropped the
dogs off at Mum and Dad’s before hitting the road on Friday morning which was
also my sister Lisa’s birthday.
Our
first stop was at the Blackbutt Bakery, where we indulged in some of the
most delicious pies ever tasted. The bakery's warm and inviting atmosphere made
it the perfect place to start our day and we met quite a few of the Winosaurs
wandering around the town en-route to Kingaroy. Next, a brief stop at the Roy
Emerson Museum, a tribute to the legendary tennis player who hails from
this region. The museum was filled with fascinating exhibits that showcased Roy
Emerson's illustrious career and his contributions to the sport. It was
inspiring to learn about his achievements and see the memorabilia that
celebrated his legacy.
Our
journey continued to the Kingaroy Heritage Museum and Art Gallery. This
stop was a treasure trove of local history and artistic expression. The
museum's exhibits provided a deep dive into the town's past, while the art
gallery featured works by talented local artists. It was a wonderful blend of
history and creativity, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Across the
road were the Kingaroy Peanut Silos, an iconic landmark that stands as a
testament to the town's rich agricultural heritage. The towering silos were an
impressive sight, and we learned about the important role peanuts play in the
local economy. It was fascinating to see how these humble legumes are processed
and stored.
We
then went to the Kingaroy Peanut Van, where we had the chance to sample
a variety of peanut products. From roasted peanuts to peanut brittle, the van
offered a delightful array of treats. We then drove another 30minutes to the
Dusty Hill Estate where we had a fabulous cottage with a lake view we were
sharing with our friends the Whittles.
That
evening we had a short bus ride (with 23 Winosaurs) from Dusty Hill to the charming Clovely
Estate, where we were treated to an evening of sensory delights. Since 1997,
Clovely has been crafting small-batch wines and aromatic gins that speak to the
soul of the South Burnett. We arrived around 4:30pm and dove straight into a Gin
Tasting Experience—four distinct Clovely gins, each paired with elegant
canapés designed to elevate every sip. The estate’s passion for local
ingredients shone through in every bite and pour. Dinner was a relaxed affair
under the stars: grazing platters, wood-fired pizzas, and sides, all complemented
by Clovely’s award-winning wines. Laughter flowed as freely as the Shiraz, and
by 8:30pm we were back at Dusty Hill, full and content.
Saturday 2 August was a day of discovery,
art & wine. We boarded the bus at 8:30am, ready for a full day of exploring
the South Burnett’s hidden gems. Our first stop was Wondai, a town whose
name comes from the Wakka Wakka word for “dingo” and is known for its proud
timber heritage. We wandered through the South Burnett Region Timber
Industry Museum, marveling at its impressive timber architecture and the
iconic bullocky sculpture.
Next door, the Wondai Regional Art
Gallery showcased vibrant works from local and regional artists—one of the
finest galleries in Kingaroy! Before leaving, we popped into Dimities
Cottage Restaurant & Tea Rooms for a taste of their famous pumpkin
scones, made with Goomeri-grown pumpkins and a nod to Florence
Bjelke-Petersen’s legacy.
At 11am, we arrived at Nuova Scuola
Wines for a guided vineyard tour. With bubbles in hand, we strolled through
the vines learning about wine-making at the grass-roots level, before settling
in for a cellar door tasting paired with Italian charcuterie. The fusion
of European tradition and Aussie terroir was unforgettable.
Lunch which was served at D’Vine
Restaurant, nestled within Moffatdale Ridge Winery. A two-course
feast awaited us—alternate drop beef and chicken mains followed by a decadent
dessert – each dish matched with a glass of Moffatdale Semillon or Shiraz,
showcasing the region’s rich produce and winemaking prowess. The day’s
highlight came at 2:30pm with a private visit to Barambah Station, where
the 1840s homestead is one of Queensland’s oldest and most storied properties.
Normally closed to the public, we were honoured with a vertical Semillon
tasting featuring six vintages, followed by a Shiraz flight.
We returned to Dusty Hill by 4:30pm,
with time to relax, browse the gift shop, or admire the rally cars from the Fraser
Coast Dunga Derby—a four-day adventure full of colour and character that
were staying at Dusty Hill that night. There were around 280 rally drivers,
cars and support staff so the place was buzzing. At 7pm, we gathered at Prendergast’s
Irish Tavern on the Dusty Hill Estate for a hearty dinner. The tavern’s
warm atmosphere—complete with leather lounges, pool tables, and a roaring
fireplace—was the perfect setting for our final evening. We retired to our
cottage and had a nightcap in front of the open fireplace.
One Sunday, we made our way slowly
home, with a couple of brief stops en route. At the Pottique Lavender Farm & Shop
we were greeted by the soothing aroma of lavender. The farm was a picturesque
sight, with rows of lavender plants swaying gently in the breeze. We explored
the shop, which offered a variety of lavender products and beautiful homewares.
Next, we visited the Whipbird Café, a cozy spot nestled in the
countryside. The café's rustic charm and tranquil setting made it the perfect
place to relax and have a coffee. We decided to skip lunch that day after our
day of feasting the day before.
Our final stop was to pick up the dogs
from Mum and Dad. It was heartwarming to see our furry friends again, and they
were just as excited to see us.
Cheers from Derek, Katie, Matt, Jessie, Molly & Pippa
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