Rhodium Castle - Oaks Final - 15 April 2011

Rhodium Castle put in a valiant effort on 15 April to finish 2nd in the Vic Oaks final. She beat everything apart from star Kiwi filly 'Better cover lover'. Many of the Race-a-pacer owners were there to welcome her back to the stables, giving her lots of pats! She is a really special and pretty horse indeed.

Lunch at the Press Club - April 2011

Well I know what I am going to do next time.... take my good camera and take photos of my friends! I think I was so excited at seeing Natalie and Loredana that I forgot what I was doing and just grabbed a few quick pics of our lunch together, somehow forgot about us though, which was rather silly as the three of us were all looking just fabulous! Next time I shall!

Entree

Entree

Main

Main

Dessert

A day in the Yarra Valley - 6 March 2011

We met Loredana and Paul up at the Yarra Valley for an afternoon of wine and food. Unfortunately Natalie and Kieran were unable to make it. Lunch was enjoyed at Domaine Chandon - followed by a delicious tasting. I think the photos say it all!

Devonport, New Zealand

On Sunday we made a trip across to Devonport, Auckland. To get there we caught a ferry which was a lovely way to relax and take in the views of the city.

Angela

Peter - waiting to take off

Pulling out of Auckland Harbour

Devonport is a sleepy little village, not much to see, just a seaside resort, I can imagine it would be packed on a hot summer day.

Main street Devonport

Devonport

Devonport foreshore - had a lovely walk along here

Angela

Peter

Harbour

View of Auckland from the Devonport foreshore walk

There were some lovely houses along the foreshore at Devonport....

Peter

Angela

Auckland Food!

We ate at two lovely restaurants when we were in Auckland. The first was at Kermadec Seafood Brasserie.

Entree: Calamari

Entree: Whitebait Omelette

Main: Hepuka

Main: Yellow tail kingfish

Dessert: Semifreddo with hazelnut and apricots

Dessert: Pavalova

On Sunday afternoon before we headed to the airport we had a late lunch at The Foodstore.

Angela enjoying the atmosphere

View to the open kitchen, complete with tv screens showing work in progress!

From Kiwi Global Baker Dean Brettschneider's boutique bakery, sourdough bread served with New Zealand butter, Paul Holmes Leccino extra virgin olive oil & local balsamic vinegar

Main: Grass fed Hawke's Bay eye fillet with potato gratin, quail eggs and roast tomatoes

Main: Ages NZ sirloin with crispy onion rings on button mushrooms

Side: green apple salad with Monteiths Ale dressing

Dessert: Classic Kiwi pavlova with fresh fruit, passionfruit curd and vanilla yoghurt

Dessert: Chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream and pistachio