Mediterranean Wholesalers in Melbourne

Last week we had a day of shopping in Melbourne. Now shopping is one of my least favourite activities, however the day had an enticement at the end. We went to the Mediterranean Wholesalers in Sydney Road, Brunswick!

This large shop is something of a tourist attraction in that it has a huge range of food items imported from the Mediterranean region, mainly Italy but also Greece, Spain and other countries. As well as the expected items that are readily available in many shops in Australia, there was dried salted cod (baccala), chestnut flour, huge jars of anchovies, torrone (Italian nougat), a big grater in the deli to produce freshly grated parmesan and gran padano, and even Proraso, Kel's favourite Italian shaving cream.

With Christmas approaching the displays were festive and delicious looking. We enjoyed looking at all the lovely produce which stimulated our memories and also our taste buds, and we made some purchases.

This is a collection of our purchases ... to be enjoyed at Christmas in Benalla.

My other passion

Every-one knows my passion for all things Italian but not every-one knows that I am also passionate about the Orica GreenEDGE cycling team. I think that staying up until 2 am every night for three weeks to watch the Giro d'Italia followed by another three weeks of early morning bed times for Le Tour de France qualifies me as passionate.

Each year the Orica GreenEDGE team has a training camp and family day at Mitchelton Winery near Nagambie in Victoria. This year near on 900 fans rode with the professionals in several different length rides around the countryside.
Back at Mitchelton Winery there was lots to do whilst we waited for the riders to return - wine tastings & sales, the Australian Wine Show exhibition, food stalls, live music, activities for children and the merchandise shop.

In the afternoon the riders were interviewed one at at time then they spent time talking to the fans, being photographed and signing books, shirts, hats and I even saw a sock being signed. 

Durbo with some keen fans.

Heppy & Cam taking a break from signing.

Matt Hayman finds a blank spot to sign.

The most popular rider - Simon Gerrans

The Orica AIS girls were also busy signing souvenirs.

Gene Bates introduced the Orica AIS Women's Team who were present.

Matt White introduced those present from the Orica GreenEDGE Men's Team.

Also present were some 2016 signings who were being introduced to the culture of the Orica GreenEDGE team. This is why this Australian professional cycling team is successful.

Dan Jones is the Backstage Pass man. Congratulations to Dan on his hugely successful Backstage Passes which allow us all to go behind the scenes and appreciate more of what being a professional cyclist is really like. They are entertaining, funny, sad, enlightening - just what the fans want.

Of course, I'm a Gerro fan too! Simon grew up in Mansfield so I would be a fan even if he wasn't a world champion rider.

Some restoration work

Ten years ago I painted a trompe l'oeil, or 'trick of the eye' on the wall beside our pool. It was beginning to fade and paint was flaking away so it has had some restoration work done on it.

Trevi was fading off its hilltop!

It is not as easy to restore as it is to do the original but hopefully the end result will last another ten years.

A final protective coat and the wall is ready for the summer heat and and our enjoyment as we laze by and in the pool.

Our shrine has also had some restorative treatment.

Cherries

When a bird gets inside your netting cover it is time to pick your cherries.

Our cherry tree was planted as a 'buon ricordo' of a wonderful couple of weeks we spent in Petrignano di Lago on the Tuscan Umbrian border in 1998.

Busy, busy Benalla Festival

The busy-ness started yesterday with preparations and basic work on the Rotary Club of Benalla float to go in the parade. This morning we started at 9 am to put on the finishing touches. The wind was an unwelcome participant in the parade and we were not able to achieve our plans for the helium balloons. However the 75th Birthday Cake was well received, especially by the children, and Benalla Rotary continued to celebrate with the community.

I rode in the car that pulled the float so I wasn't able to get many photos of the other participants but there were 44 entries so it was a successful parade. This year's theme was 'Regional Harvest - celebrating our local producers'

Hay bale art?

This evening we went to the Book Launch Dinner for Peter Fitzsimons new book ' Gallipoli'. He is a fine story teller and kept the crowd enthralled until the fireworks began. We all went outside to watch the fireworks then returned for question time.

The Indigenous Garden, Benalla

The Benalla Festival continues and today we did a tour of the Indigenous Garden with local indigenous artist and Aboriginal community development worker Chris Thorne.
We have watched the garden develop over the eleven years we have lived in Benalla, and we have heard Chris speak on his life and his culture, but today was the first time we had seen the two together.
Chris is an amazing man with an amazing life story, and his passion for this garden is evident as he wanders through it explaining its significance to his people.

Zucchini pizza or zucchini focaccia - depending where you live

It takes hours to make and minutes to eat, but it is worth it. Very yummy!