Sunday 22 November 2015

Macedon Ranges wine festival

I went to the Macedon Ranges Wine Festival ( http://www.macedonrangeswine.com.au/budburst-festival/ ), and it was great fun! Apart from beautiful views, it allowed me to experience the different types of wine experiences:

1) 'the cellar door' - enjoying wine in the premed is surrounded by the barrels
2) 'the farm view' - drinking wine in some lovely farm gardens
3) 'the mountain view' - picking a lovely spot on the hills to have wine overlooking the city
4) 'the garden view' - like a garden party, with the great atmosphere it attracts as well.

A wine tour is a fun way to experience these, as well as see what tastes you like. A special mention to Holgate Brewhouse ( http://www.holgatebrewhouse.com ) as well, where we went for dinner and was fantastic!

AFL special

So, over September I experienced Aussie rules football, catching the whole finals as well, as well as enjoying my adopted team win the final. Although I still don't quite understand the rules, here's a few thoughts to change things up:

1) Those shorts are just too short. Either make them longer or make them cycling shorts.
2) MULTI-BALL!
3) Double points in the last few minutes - admittedly this be a bit unusual but it's a high scoring game anyway, why not keep people there interested in the result til the end?

That said, the Grand Final week was certainly an experience and people really love it here. I caught the post-match concert which was great fun.

Thursday 1 October 2015

Movie weekend (I-Lived and Umrika)

Last weekend was movie weekend - I decided to try a couple of unusual films and see if I liked them.

I-Lived

Ever had one of those dreams which didn't quite make sense, and then you thought, 'Hey, I'm going to tell everyone about it in a movie?' That's why I thought coming out of I-Lived.

The principle is that the main protagonist an app reviewer. He tries an app called I-Lived which promises to improve your life. You enter your goal and it gives you things to do to achieve it. He gets what he wants and then wants to stop, but then bad things start happening. He realises that 'I-Lived' is 'Devil-I' backwards (not really a spoiler). He realises he's now owned and does the increasingly twisted things. There is a laughable speech at the end.

So there was only 5 people in the cinema for this movie including myself. 2 walked out (I assume because it was so bad). The other 2 guys were saying it was a poor film, but debating the hotness of the girlfriend:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1686536/

Me? Just didnt get the film.

Umrika

This is a Hindi movie about a brother who goes to investigate when his older brother, who has travelled to America, stops sending letters back home to India. It is in Hindi with English subtitles.

I don't really want to go into too much more but it is a great movie - very emotional, and going into family and love. It's less than 2 hours as well! It's one of those movies which does show a lot of beautiful scenery as well. Its a good Sunday afternoon movie, there are some surprises as well so it's not a predictable movie.

I found out after that the actors in the movie had also been in big films such as Life of Pi, Grand Budapest Hotel and Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It does show as a well-acted movie, where the emotion and atmosphere does come through. One thing I didn't realise though until 15 minutes in is that 'Umrika' is Hindi for 'America'. That's my fault though.

NEXT TIME: AFL SPECIAL - a Brits' view on the whole thing. And some suggestions on how to improve the sport.



Sunday 13 September 2015

Battle of the Chess Champions Warehouse Party

http://heyevent.com/event/4gjozgsfzwzhoa/battle-of-the-chess-champions-warehouse-party

Ever thought that a chess/clubbing night would be a good idea? Nope, me neither. However I was willing to give it a shot! However, this definitely goes down under "weird".

Turns out the chess was that each club goer represented a piece. Think wizard chess without the death. Probably just as cool as wizard chess. Unfortunately I missed it because I was out pre-drinking (for the chess, I know).

My other mistake was that the ad said to:
"Dress for the chess and to impress"

Pretty much everyone else had dressed up as a chess piece.

On the plus side, the DJ was pretty cool (Dice FX). And the venue, Scratch Warehouse, is a pretty cool venue for a unique clubbing night.

This appears to be a one-off, however I hope this article inspires other unusual crossover nights. Any ideas, comment below!

A.I.M's Melbourne Magic Night

http://danecertificatemagic.com.au/events/ms-melbourne-magic-night-2015-11-10/

On the evening of Tuesday 8 September, I went to a small venue to experience a magic night. Here's my thoughts.

- Humour and likeability are key in magic nowadays
- Kids can be the harshest critics
- I got asked to be on stage. Then I had to improvise a card trick! Whaaat?
- Certainly was a welcoming night.

So would I go again? Yes!

Final fun ideas from the UK...

As I prepare to leave for Melbourne, here's a days' worth of fun adventures, with a bonus break:

1) Riding House Cafe - http://www.ridinghousecafe.co.uk

A lovely place for a weekend brunch. Or 'linner'. Atmosphere is friendly and food was great. This is not a place to go to if you're in a rush though. When we went they didn't charge for one of the sides which we ordered but sent back, but it did take 15 minutes between asking for the bill and receiving it. You have to book to get a table at the weekend.

2) Upper Street - https://www.upperstreet.com

This is a 'design your own shoes' place. I bought this as a gift and thought it would be fun to join for the experience. I would suggest it is better for a girly adventure - it was interesting with a personal consultant, but quite serious from a guys point of view. I have also experienced a similar type from Australia (https://www.shoesofprey.com) where you could play about with an iPad.

3) Chez Bruce - http://www.chezbruce.co.uk

Michelin starred restaurant and great food - particularly desserts. Around £60 each. Only downside is location which is a little out of the way (Wandsworth Common). Atmosphere is very relaxed.

4) Science Museum Lates - http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/plan_your_visit/lates.aspx

A particular favourite and a fantastic surprise evening for me. Enjoy the Science Museum without the kids. We went to do some stencils, enjoy some ice cream and play about with Lego to design my perfect place (note - Lego therapy works). Oh - and an amazing bubble show where we proved beyond doubt that 3 people can fit inside a bubble.

5) Limewood - http://www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

The New Forest is a great place to get away from it all. And this hotel is charming. With food from Angela Hartnett (she also has a cookery school here) you know you will enjoy the food (it's becoming less of a secret so service has got a little slower, but it's still good). Walking in the forest, cycling, spa, hydropool...lots of relaxing fun.