And there goes the first week of February! It’s not the first time (and it probably won’t be the last) that I’ve wondered where the start of this year’s gone – or how fast the rest will go either.
I suppose the lesson we’re going to have to learn pretty quickly is to enjoy 2016 as much as we can. It won’t be here for long!
I don’t mean this to be one of those maudlin miserable ‘life message’ type posts. Not one bit. In fact, Mrs Romance and I are pretty happy with all that’s happened so far this year. Not to mention this week just gone, which has been quite a cracker. Hope yours has been good too!
Here’s our latest Instagram Diary – A Nat Geo expedition, An edible biography and an afternoon with the Hardys.
It’s the start of the week and what a belter of a way to do it! We’ve met up with our mate Jess for a bite to eat. She’s is in the Navy and is being stationed long term in WA. To my glee, we’ve come to Ribs & Burgers for dinner. This is their wagyu burger, and yes that’s a pile of onion rings on top of the burger!
It’s delicious – if you haven’t tried Ribs & Burgers, you probably should!
This afternoon, we’re meeting up with Alix Hardy. She’s a 6th generation Hardy of the famous wine family. She’s in town to showcase some amazing new wines in the Hardys range. Their latest campaign – #HardysHero. It’s a line of wines that will only be available from the Heinemann duty free shop in Sydney Airport.
Travellers can taste and buy these exclusive wines, and be in the running to win some pretty cool prizes – including a trip to the Hardys vineyard in Clare Valley, South Australia to experience the family’s hospitality for themselves. Check out the HardysHero.com website for more details.
Meanwhile, we’re in the newly done up Palisades Hotel in the Rocks in Sydney. The top of the hotel has been decked out with amazing views out over the harbour – even when it’s grey and rainy outside. I must say though, the glass of Hardys sparkling is helping!
This evening I’ve left Mrs Romance at home and have ventured out with my mate Anton. We’re at the first ever edible biography – a story of the renowned brewer and villain James Squire. We’re learning – through eating and drinking – all about his life of colonial recidivism, brewing notoriety and public affection.
This is in the National Art School in Darlinghurst – the Cell Block Theatre to be exact. The precinct the school uses now used to be the old Sydney gaol. The rough sections of the wall you can see are where the walls used to be for each of the tiny cells of the three-story prison.
The evening looks like it’s going to be amazing – especially as we’ll be sampling the best James Squire has to offer!
Today on MMR, we’re talking about our time on the National Geographic exploration ship Orion. Last year, we travelled to Broome in Australia’s northwest to board the Orion and sail the coastline of the Kimberley all the way up to Darwin in the Northern Territory.
The ship was quite something, and here’s what we’ve got to say about it. Check out what it’s like to be on board a National Geographic expedition ship.
Apart from travelling on the Orion and her Zodiac tenders around the Kimberley, we also got the chance to fly in a helicopter to Mitchell Falls – one of the Kimberley’s most beautiful landmarks.
Here are some other things we got up to with Nat Geo in Western Australia.
This morning we’re out with our friends and their little boys in The Greens North Sydney. Their breakfast and lunch menus are almost as good as their views. From here we can see all the way down to the harbour and Sydney Opera House.
Mrs Romance has ordered the smoked trout and labneh salad, while I couldn’t go past the breakfast burger. It’s full of smoky bacon, egg, pickles and a delicious pimento sauce.
This morning, the weather looked like it was going to ruin our Sunday. But just after lunch we’ve arrived at Coogee Beach and the sun’s put up quite a show. The sea pool here is just stunning!
Coogee Beach itself is quite busy, but that’s not going to put us off. It’s a great day to spend at the beach!
How was your weekend? Did you have any great meals you want to tell us about? How about the week? Did you get up to much? Tell us in the comments!
