The chaMperones

11/02/2026

What you consume is how you feel. This article advised how to make healthier drink choices...

No M! Not that kind of piccolo. However, if it's after midday then yes, this is the piccolo you go with!! Patrick of Coonawarra

10/01/2026

The Oxford Dictionary word of the year for 2025? Rage Bait - reflecting the year’s discussions around social unrest and online content manipulation. Or you may prefer the Merriam-Webster Dictionary word, Slop - low-quality digital content produced by Artificial Intelligence. Given Brain Rot was Oxford’s word last year, I’m sensing a trend…

The only reason I’ve seen in the new year in the past few years is because I’ve been ubering M around… but this year I had an offer too good to refuse to join F in Port Fairy. With all field bins home and only reaping here at home left to do my contribution to on-farm work was done (not that I do much really!)

As M headed north to Booleroo, and F's advice she was departing the Snowy Mountains, I figured I best cease flaffing about and pack the car. I eventually headed off undecided which way I’d go and only the slightest idea of where Port Fairy actually was… and with HO’s advice to avoid the Princes Highway as it will be a car park both ways and a bit of a sh*t show.

It was the BOM advice I was more mindful of given my POT is 25 degrees (prime operating temperature.) My life is generally rather orchestrated and planned, so the idea of not having any real itinerary or direction was me living on the edge!

Taking the Princes Highway (HO was of course right, but how else was I to try out the waffles at Coonalpine!) Not realising just how big the waffles were, I had to break one of my life rules to ‘never eat anything bigger than your head.’ Sitting tackling my waffle and fighting to keep my hair out of it, I checked google maps and recalculated my route to include, in addition to RnR, some RbR (red bubbles research) in the Coonawarra. Tip: Purchasing without tasting (I was driving after all) is an efficient way to move between cellar doors, and give yourself something to look forward to later!

Arriving in PF about an hour after F, we started our break with a Shut the Gate Wines Mr Nobody NV Sparkling Rouge – cooled via a brief stint in the car fridge on loan from F’s mum as there was no fridge in the holiday house. This led to some tough calls made re food v wine due to limited cooling capacity. Unfortunately half of the bubbles exploded on opening leaving the kitchen looking like a crime scene (and F’s shoes exhibit A in any enquiry) which was not a bad thing given how tired we both were, and how well it was going down. Early night – tick.

Also joining us was LM, who’s ETA was late afternoon NYE. She answered F’s early morning SOS call to bring a (large) esky please, which left F and me to spend NYE day exploring the fabulous PF shops without worrying about the cooling tension between wine v food!

Awaiting LM upon her arrival was a divine Di Giorgio Family Wines Pinot Noir Chardonnay I’d picked up in the Coonawarra the day before. The intel was that Port Fairy’s NYE pageant was not to be missed, so we left the Balnaves of Coonawarra Sparkling Cabernet NV chilling and walked around the corner into town to watch the pageant. Reflecting on our day over Bird In Hand Winery Sparkling I asked F to remind me where it was I had bought my exquisite earrings (on sale, couldn’t decide between the two so I bought both – that’s how girl maths works). It’s called Snog and Move On was the reply. No, F, I think you mean ‘Pash + Evolve’ and that’s enough bubbles for you! To which the reply was, ‘Let’s go back to the pub and watch the fireworks.’ So we did.

Clearly PF on NYE is THE place to be as all pubs jam packed – no one knows us so it was on - singing, dancing and fireworks to ring in the new year! Given we were half an hour ahead of SA, I was surprised HO didn’t respond to my Happy New Year text… M did, ‘though – I knew she and J would still be up!

A memorable and perfect start to the new year thanks to a Patrick of Coonawarra Chardonnay Pinot Noir. Divine, divine, divine. My grab and go Coonawarra cellar door experience on the way over will be the gift that keeps on giving for sure!

After 3 days of RnR with F and LM, I packed up the car excited about the next 3 days with #1 son albeit questioning why I was leaving 20 degree days to head inland knowing an oppressive 38 degrees would greet me as I stepped out of the car 7 hours later! C spoilt me with a delicious Pad See Ew (who knew he cooked such delights!) which paired beautifully with the Best's Wines - Great Western Blanc de Noir cuvee I had picked up as I’d passed through western Victoria.

Given I am conditioned to 22 degrees all year round, and my POT, the BOM is the highest used app on my phone, so it was thanks to BOM we came to spend 2 fabulous days together watching the cricket and movies, reading and just generally lollying about in C’s orbit, topped off with a river cruise on what turned out to be a stunning evening.

It really was 6 days of Lagom – not too much, not too little but ‘just the right amount of’ everything. I’m calling it now - Lagom is my word of the year for 2026.

30/12/2025

Who knew there was another reindeer named Olive?

In the lead up to Christmas, not only have I learnt about Olive, the other reindeer, I’ve also learnt a couple of new words… mondegreens (no you don’t put it in your salad, but it does explain Olive) and swag gaps (we all have one, and mine and HOs are different…)

Christmas Eve is H’s birthday and for me it was a day experiencing joy and pride in him being able to drive on his own, sadness that he didn't need me to drive him anywhere anymore, and then back to joy that I have an uber on demand should the need arise!

M and I celebrated with an exquisite Anvers Winery Adelaide Hills Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay, and saw #1 son C home from interstate in time for a celebratory toblerone cheesecake!

I'd been patiently waiting for Christmas Day to open the Bleasdale Vineyards new sparkling cabernet sauvignon... and snuck a glass whilst creaming the pavlova, making strawberry santas and a cheeky little piece of cheesecake from the night before...

M doesn't do sparkling red, so it was a Leconfield Coonawarra Syn and cause to celebrate the good news the Aida rescheduled dates were locked in (my gift for M). Maybe I'll 'regift' the tickets to her for Christmas 2026!

Which brings me to swag gaps... (ok, technically that's 2 words) apparently it's where one partner's style, charisma or overall vibe outshines the other... hmmmm I can't wait to get HO's views on that one! No swag gaps in our house, hey darls? 😜

29/12/2025

“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness, how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon.” Dr Seuss

Sitting here in the coolness of a quiet house, the good Dr. has me reflecting on where the year went… the annual November return of F for Handpicked Festival (and HO’s birthday) signalled the year was almost done! I don’t know why we take our event chairs to Handpicked – we don’t spend much time in them – they really are just a holding space for our Lake Breeze Wines Blanc de Blanc.

F had not long been back from a work trip to Italy, and had brought her pasta machine with her so the Sunday after Handpicked afternoon saw me pasta making with F and SH, and then a divine dinner perfectly paired with a Kimbolton Wines Sparkling Bella. When HO and H eventually came inside they found themselves in their very own episode of My Kitchen (my) Rules!

M invited me again to play in the Ham and Turkey hAmbrose competition and given I hadn’t swung a club with any seriousness since last year’s Ham and Turkey day, M came out the evening before to give me some tips. It was the perfect chance to try out the picnic table our talented H had made me at school! We also tried out the Dolly Parton Wines I’d discovered at Dan’s… (I am a Dolly tragic) it didn’t help my golf the next day, but gosh M and I (as in me) had so much fun playing with PG and MK. I’d well and truly earnt my glass of bubbles on the 19th hole some 5 hours after teeing off at 9am! I still can’t quite work out how my handicap was 30 and M’s was 45! (well, actually there were some signs on the day…)

07/12/2025

At a networking function the other night I was listening to a group swapping Melbourne Cup Day stories. I was there in what technically was a professional capacity, so kept my Cup experience to myself. However, I thought I’d share here how our day panned out.

M headed off down south with the golf ladies, with my gentle reminder that it was her choice to drive and not to call me for a pick up at some ridiculous hour because the answer would be no.

Given how much fun we had last year taking the day off for the Cup, N and I decided to do it again. K couldn’t make it, but had offered to ensure we made it home safely if needed.

If we’re taking the day off we may as well make the most of it by starting the day at the hairdressers. The fancy bit fell off my fascinator and being the only blue millinery piece I own, some sewing (not what I’m known for) was required whilst N was frocking up.

We weren’t trackside this year, but we did venture to N’s local as it was within walking distance and we could leave the car having decided to drive so as not to mess up our hair. (of course!)

A glass of bubbles on arrival, ladies? Yes, thank you, but please also just bring us a bottle of the The Lane Vineyard Lois and we won't trouble you for a while.

As the race approached, and not withstanding we’d been there for a couple of hours, it dawned on us that whilst our table for 2 was beautifully positioned under a window, we couldn’t see the big screen! With all other tables made up of groups, that left a spare table for 2 in prime viewing position, so relocate we did.

The complimentary sweep was in the form of a scratchie. Not only did N again rock the rizz factor, she also scratched her way to victory in the sweep! Another Lois ladies to celebrate? I looked at N, N looked at me, we both looked at the waitress… and everyone was smiling as I handed over my card. No judgement. My bias for yes knew no bounds by that point! Poor choice #1.

With the dining room closing, we made the call to K, and headed to the bar to await uber K who subsequently found us grappling with - and to the casual observer what may have looked like - an existential crisis manifesting as emotional extremes (one can only laugh so much before tears come) as we were both exhibiting what could have been described as addictive and compulsive behaviour triggered by the belief that one is perhaps past one’s peak in life. OK maybe not quite that bad (but perhaps we are too old to behave like this during the day on a week day) but it was a fact neither of us felt like going home but did feel like playing 8-ball, and cranking up the record player.

The shortest route to K’s car meant a walk through the drive through (poor choice #2), and by then we’d talked ourselves into heading back to the farm (poor choice #3), where K dropped us off and left us in a cloud of dust. I am convinced her speedy retreat was an act of self-preservation! (Good choice #1).

Our decision making didn’t get any better… Behind door #1: HO’s delicious tea waiting for us.
Behind door #2: the pool room for jatz, dip, some old fashioned hustling, and tunes.

Standing outside between the shed and the house, N looked at me. I looked at N. And so it was that the divine aroma of HO’s spaghetti bolognese and garlic bread wafting out the front door just was not strong enough to get us in the house. Door #2 it was and straight to the pool room we went. (Poor choice #4).

HO saved the day with a directive at 9.30pm that he was heading into town to pick H up from the gym in half an hour and it would be a very long walk home for N if we hadn’t wrapped it up by then. On that very sound advice, we finally made our first good choice for the day…

With N safely buckled in the 'town' car, as I watched the tail lights disappear into the darkness, I thought to myself, "I don’t think we’ve peaked just yet..."

03/12/2025

Rounding out the month of October was World Champagne Day on the 24th – the planets miraculously aligned to:
1. place me in Adelaide for a work forum that day,
2. coincide with dates that also landed 2 of my school buddies from the mid-north and Spencer Gulf in the city, and
3. the ABBA tribute show!

MM had sorted accommodation and logistics, LN in charge of comms, and me, well, as is my standard MO, I was in charge of the FU in fun. (Those of you following me will know that’s Fika Unlimited, and not what is generally accepted as defining FU!)

Being World Champagne Day I was obliged to drive through Dan’s for a Champagne Lanson black label… With that chilling in the bar fridge in our family room, and waiting, waiting, waiting for MM and LN to arrive, I thought I’d do a little taste test. Yikes, no glasses! A quick sprint - OK, I don’t do sprint, but a fast walk - to a Salvos I’d spied just around the corner as I drove in, had me 3 glasses for $3, and all set. Crisis #1 averted.

Despite all that luggage MM brought with her, Saturday morning she discovered she’d left the clothes she’d planned to wear to ABBA hanging on the back of a chair in her kitchen (but she did bring the well-stocked esky!) A spot of op-shopping saw crisis #2 averted.

ABBA was epic, and reminded us what true ABBA tragics we were at school, and clearly still are! Dining at Tony Tomatoes that night, quote of the weekend went to our waiter… in your best Italian accent say with me, “There has been a mistake. I saw you looking.” With those nine little words a delicious Dolce Zeppole was gently placed in front of us…

Blessed.

28/11/2025

Today is our 22nd wedding anniversary and it’s just me and HO tonight with H at work. I’ve popped the top on an EKIN Wine Co Sparkling Pinot Noir 2023 and it's prompted me to reflect on a particularly eventful October…

The last 21st of #1 son’s friendship group was a truly lovely night. HO and I have been blessed by the choices our sons have made and the precious cohort of friends they’ve made through school and sport. They each bring a unique colour and texture to the fabric of our life; all remarkable and kind young people who are a reflection of each other and their families.

L’s 21st saw HO, #1(C) and #2(H) sons and me all together. H was working until 9pm that night, so 2 cars it was… #1 with me in my car, and HO, bless ‘im waiting for H to finish work and joining the party later. I felt rather special wearing the bracelet M had been given for her 21st – it’s really quite exquisite, and seemed fitting for the milestone occasion we were celebrating, all with an endless glass of that aforementioned EKIN sparkling in hand!

Speaking of exquisite, how about that cake (made by a talented and creative friend of #2 son!) Lucky for #1 I’d left my car for him to get home the next day, and I’m still chuckling quietly to myself about how he came to have that rather nasty stain on his shirt!! The 'heads up' phone call from L's mum was greatly appreciated, especially when I saw him come in!

A week later I backed it up with International Rural Women’s Day at the stunning Woodburn Homestead in Langhorne Creek. M once again questioning my choices when I declined the offer of her Uber services because I'd made the rather responsible choice to drive, “To a ladies day lunch in the Creek, darling, are you sure?” M said those exact same words last year! Yes, M, it’s going to be hot, and I just can’t day drink in the heat these days, no matter how many H2O wedgies I have. I love taking the day off for this event, which is now a staple on my calendar – divine food, beautiful setting and a glass and a half of Bremerton Wines Dulcie. Two out of three years driving – I’ll be looking to balance the ledger next year, weather permitting of course!

The sneaky cheeky pic of HO is from our first official ‘date’ 24 years ago – he’d made the 3.5 hour trek to Adelaide from upper mid-north after a day of reaping for my Christmas work show, hence his rosy complexion.

26/11/2025

Well into cricket season, I can’t believe it was 2 months ago I headed interstate for the preliminary footy final for #1 son. What started as a plan for me, HO and H going, saw me heading off alone due to farm duties calling He Outdoors and #2 son working (and quietly confident we’d be heading off again for the GF the following week.)

M was confined indoors due to surgery, so with HO having set my Spotify up for True Crimes podcasts I headed off for a blissful 5 hours of solitude.

I’m half way to the Wellington ferry, and thanks to Life 360 M rings me to say, ‘I see you are all on your way – safe travels.’ I let slip it’s just me and the glumness in her response, ‘Oh, darling if I knew you were going on your own I would have come with you…’ I let that sit for a couple of seconds, and replied, ‘You’ve got 30 minutes, I’m turning around, I’ll come back and get you.”

Pulling into her drive I find M packed and waiting! ‘What are we listening too, darling?’ My car, M, my choice. To avoid myself being the subject of a True Crimes episode I managed to work out how to find Trisha Yearwood backed up by some Alison Krauss (M wasn’t happy, it wasn’t Bon Jovie, but she sucked it up well!)

Reaching our destination and no one home we were delighted to find the Lake Breeze Wines Blanc de Blanc we’d left there last time still in the fridge unopened! Which is how #1 son along with 2 of his delightful friends found us making ourselves at home (and no one feeling like cooking tea) so it was off to the pub around the corner for a counteree (pronounced count-err-ee -just say it fast)

Saturday morning 40km roadtrip for the home game Prelim – lucky we left early as the ground was packed – we jagged a park on the oval, close to all amenities, loo and shuttle bus (well that was a golf buggy!)

With M looking like a terrorist thanks to having to keep the sun off her dial, we had ring side seats to what at half time had us feeling like what now upon reflection surely compares with what perhaps England felt half way through day 2 in Perth but, alas, unfortunately ended up being, well, a season-ending game.

As M and I headed off we had #1 son’s words, ‘Don’t wait up…” ringing in our ears, as we walked past a sign that I'd pointed out earlier to M (who has been known to get rather vocal) M and I spent the evening tucked up in our jarmies with a Yarra Burn Premium Cuvee watching the Brisbane v Gold Coast semi and my finals footy tipping tip go down the drain!

But, every cloud has a silver lining - C’s loss was my gain, getting to spend what would have been GF weekend celebrating a 60th wedding anniversary aka date afternoon/night with He Outdoors, and a dear friend who understands the mum guilt (which in my world is that feeling of guilt that you don’t feel guilt!)

Back to the present… sitting down to enjoy my lunch at work today, flicking through the paper, and a particular page just happened to catch my eye! So many choices...

21/11/2025

O oh... trouble coming Jent Newson

The latest in our sparkling range has been released - just in time for Christmas!🍾🥂🙌🎄🎅🏻🎁

Our new Sparkling Cabernet is resplendent in royal purple, perfect for gracing your festive season celebration tables. Rather than replace our Sparkling Shiraz, you can enjoy both, as they have their own distinct characteristics.

The winemaking team describe our purple beauty as being a little drier and more complex than our Sparkling Shiraz. It is great as an aperitif, but also dry enough to hold its own accompanying a Christmas lunch table full of delicious roast meats and poultry.🍗🦃

As Dean, our Cellar Door Manager, says: "Slice some smoky ham straight off the bone and wash it down with a mouthful of this luscious new release!" 🥩🥓 Cheers!

06/09/2025

Who knows what a Salmanazar is? Who knows how many standard champagne bottles one holds?

A jam-packed weekend a couple of weeks ago… with He Outdoors a non-starter for the away game of footy due to being a good day for spraying, and H staying on to come home with mates. It therefore was fate that saw me travelling home alone from footy which meant a sneaky detour via the Brothers in Arms Wines off the back of a truck sale (I love Langhorne Creek Wine Region Cellar Treasures weekend) for my annual stock up of Killinbinbin Social Sparkling NV Cuvee Brut. Start the car!

Sunday morning found me systematically (one must have a system – there’s so much to see) making my way around the Strathalbyn Tourism Association's Antiques and Vintage Fair and the Strathalbyn Rotary Club's Treasure Markets, when a man walked by me holding what looked to my untrained eye to be an intact 9L V***e Clicquot Ponsardia – a discrete double take (if there is such a thing) and contemplating a rugby tackle or making him an offer – all this occurring in a split second whilst in my head converting £ to $ (err, if I had $2k cash on me I’d be over in the vintage jewellery section) – sanity prevailed (as I had observed it was indeed empty) and I walked casually on by, regretting I had not spotted it first to then go straight home to the pool room… lingering almost a fraction too long at the vintage jewellery section thinking about how to spend the $2k I’d saved by not buying 9L of 🍾 … I kicked myself back to reality by cursing myself that I didn’t at least ask that nice man for a selfie with his empty bottle...

Home to hang out the washing, have a consoling cup of tea and check the socials, when low and behold what should pop up in my feed but a FB post by the Strathalbyn Tourism Association!

The Sunday afternoon I dragged M along on one of the 3 tickets I’d bought to ‘One Night of Adele’ tribute show in Goolwa (which technically was an 'Afternoon of Adele’) Oh. My. Gosh. If we’d shut our eyes we’d have sworn we were listening to Adele herself! A cheeky Jacob's Creek piccolo and the weekend was done and dusted. Note to self for future reference – buying three tickets means a seat between us to stash our stuff on, and use as a stable table for our cheeky interval bubbles!

That was then, this is now – where I find myself benched for the annual interstate treck for football finals for #1 son. M can’t drive due to recent surgery, and someone therefore needs to stay home to look after her and run errands, and feed the dog, mind chickens and sheep, of course. With He Outdoors not keen to volunteer (well, for the M assignment bit at least) and H keen to get his driving hours up, here I am after a day of score updates via text, and tracking everyone on Life360 given HO’s passing comment during the week that coincidentally there was a header for sale near Barham where the footy semi was being played so maybe it was an omen and he should go? Omen indeed. So that’s why I was benched!!

If anyone’s looking for me (and M, you’ve used your three phone-a-friends today) I’ll be living it up relishing being in charge of the remote (which means no TV on!) and my tea covering possibly not all food groups (I don't think a The Lane Vineyard Lois Piccolo and nachos ticks many in the food pyramid) Ahhh, the serenity. However, given I’ve picked Freo in the pointy end of the tipping season I confess the tele IS on but on mute only so I can track my $5 investment on the back of last year making it to the final 3 in the grand final tipping round and losing only due to a poor margin call.

Antiques, Collectables, Adele – it can be tough knowing the fakes from the real deal!

Oh, and a Salmanazar is 9L of champagne which is equal to 12 standard bottles.

Hmmm, my tip is not looking good late in the third quarter. Me thinks I'll see what's on Tubi...

19/08/2025

With M’s suitcase packed (and HO’s words ringing in my ears, ‘Really? You know you’ll wear the same thing…”) I quietly left the house the other Saturday at 6am with joy in my heart at the thought of 3 days of fika and getting my hygge on with N and K…

By lunchtime we were on the Mornington Peninsula with only 1 firm plan being to spend Sunday at the hot springs… which is how we found ourselves at Arthurs Seat and me doing some calculations and recalculations both in my head (and out aload) of HAZARD (source of potential harm) v RISK (likelihood of that harm occurring) and the potential SEVERITY of that harm (catastrophic). Oh, what the heck - let’s do it!! HO’s message was far from reassuring…

A relaxing Grant Burge Wines Pinot Noir Chardonnay watching N’s beloved Swans was the perfect prelude to dinner at the Rosebud hotel, and day 1 was done. ✔️

Dopamenu items sunshine, stories and sun-downers – Tick. Tick. Tick. When we don’t have to watch football we do seem to spend quite a bit of time doing so!

After a hearty brunch, my first ever hot springs experience adults only option – that means no children by the way for those of you thinking something else – was, in a word, exquisite. To learn on checking in that we had all areas access until 11pm was draw-dropping. Our 45 minute private outdoor session enjoyed with our new favourite Foxeys Hangout Sparkling found me thinking briefly of M and how much she’d love it (the bubbles and the springs) and how therapeutic the springs would be for HO’s shoulders, but then just like that the thoughts passed right out of my head…

More relaxation with a Grant Burge, dinner at a local Mexican, and day 2 concluded with Bond, James Bond in Casino Royale. Spas, saunas and sparkling. Tick, Tick, Tick!

The Winey Cow in Mornington was a fabulous find for breakfast before heading back to the airport via Essendon (let's call it what it was - a DFO detour) and it was all over in what felt like a heartbeat.

K once again understood the assignment, finding a gorgeous house; N always pulls together logistics with precision, and me, well, I just bring a bias for yes, turn up when I’m told, where I’m told, and try to bring my best game putting the FU in fun - and for those of you again thinking something else, that’s Fika Unlimited of course! 🥂 🍾

I can sum up the weekend with my two favourite little words.

Hygge: a Danish term for the cozy vibes we get from inviting spaces and moments shared with others…

Fika: a Swedish concept emphasizing taking time to relax and socialise with friends, promoting connection and well-being...

08/08/2025

A couple of weeks ago we found ourselves in Mount Compass on what was a wet and cold day for footy… with the season in the balance.

I’d gone over with He Outdoors and H. H was boundary umpire for the game after his, so M (who’d made her own way there) and I thought we’d sneak off to the Mount Compass Golf Course on a reconnaissance mission for future reference. “M and I are just going for drive to check out the golf course - I’ll be back in half an hour max, darls.”
‘I’m not waiting, you’ll have to go home with M if you are not back when H gets back to the car.’

Upon arrival, taking in the magnificent vista (and menu) M turns to me and says, ‘How long do we have, darling?’ Given the stressful time I’d had in the timekeepers box thanks to a goal after the siren (check out that score!) I did a quick time check calculation of my own and felt HO would understand my feeling I’d earnt a bubbles and arancini rather than a chips and gravy at the footy.

A rather delightful Bec Hardy Wines Pertaringa Sparkling it was as we sat enthralled by the hackers, the pros and the kangaroos enjoying the sunshine that had broken out. ‘Are they dead, they haven’t moved since we arrived (the kangaroos, not the hackers)?’ One particular train wreck of a round was being had, so we decided to share a lemon tart and coffee and see how many times this particular lad would tee off before teeing off on his sticks! No judgement. Everyone has a bad day…

I’m heading interstate for the weekend with N and K – I know it’s only 2 nights, but one does like to have choice which means I think I’m going to need M’s suitcase. A cheeky little Bleasdale Vineyards Blanc de Blanc bubbles with M as she rather animatedly regaled me with the rundown of her 18 holes at Ashbourne today…

Just for the record, M’s haul was the result of the raffle (her name came out twice) rather than golfing glory. Everyone has a bad day!