Olympics fever

We woke up at 5:30am on Saturday to watch the opening of the Olympic Games. Cold temperature but warm spirit on board. We are now all ready for 2 weeks of sport, each of us supporting different teams (of course France and South Africa but also Australia for Clea). We spoke about the Olympic spirit, Pierre de Coubertin, about some special races and stories. Proudly, the kids are telling all their friends at school that their dad nearly went to the Olympics in 1992, but the trapeze wire snapped at the last race of the trials.

However, as the weather was just too beautiful, we couldn’t just being glued all day in front of our TV watching the replays so we went to the countryside to find a Geocache. For those who don’t know, they are little cheap treasures hidden in all kind of places and you find them using their GPS position. Felix was today in charge of the GPS, the directions and he found the treasures in a stump.

We then went for a walk. Had a first picnic at some of Mt Tamborines water falls,

then, 3h later, had a second picnic with friends at the park. …Then we watched some more Olympics!

Victor asked Greg if he had the choice what he would have done: the Olympics or go cruising around the world. It took him few minutes to reply, but the answer was…cruising.

La P’tite Gazette de Dockside

International: Afin de le remercier pour ses services inestimables (et peut-etre ses  tres nombreuses heures supplementaires), notre responsable financier prefere s’est vu attribuer un petit voyage dans la ville du lion. Nous revoici donc a additioner des mauvais points vis-à-vis de notre empreinte carbone annnuelle, mais Greg etait bien content vendredi de partir pour sa petite escapade asiatique a Singapoure.

G4: grand sommet d’interet ou complot organise? En tout cas, ca pianote dur a bord.

Meteo: pluie, pluie et repluie.Rares eclaircies, alors aux lumieres magiques. Les temperatures sont a nouveau au dessus des 20 degres C, mais que d’eau pour une saison qui est supposee etre seche.

Local: La delegation francaise s’est paree de ses rayures pour se ballader au “French Festival”. Ambiance bon enfant et sympa malgre des clichés qui persistent (croissants et baguettes -a $4 tout de meme, accordeon et un nombre impressionant de berets!).

The Merlins reunited again!

I am back from France for few days already and I am trying to get rid of my jet lag.  I really enjoyed my free time with no young crew, no homework, activities and meals to organise, no deck to clean and no water tank to fill up. I had long strolls in Paris streets, browsing around and lifting my head admiring all these historical (and less historical) buildings.

I was drooling in front of the bakeries, dreaming in the book shops and amazed by all the people who were speaking French! Then I went to Alsace. For Father’s day, my half-sisters and I surprised our Dad with a good dinner. I enjoyed the peace of the close vineyards and the calm village life in Orschwhir.

Followed an amazing culinary experience in La Cote d’Or (a 3 stars Michelin restaurant) in Bourgogne.There, I was also introduced to golf by Pascal my now new step father.

I went for runs in the countryside to try to eliminate all the extra calories (who can say no to good cheeses, bread and wine?).

However, my warmhearted time with my family was the best of all. It ended with a beautiful wedding full of emotions.

(more photos in the galery - check those titled June 2012 under French holidays)

The kids are going back to school tomorrow after their 2 week winter break and we will be back to our familiar Brisbane routine.

Tooth fairy where are you?

Victor had 4 pre-molars removed as his "adult sibblings" were missing. Quite dramatic but all went fine. Few days after that he is still enjoying a special diet of yogurt, porridge and ice-cream

Une expérience époustouflante

Lors de mon petit séjour dans le Morvan, j'ai eu l'honneur d'être invitée à la "cantine" du coin de Pascal et Mamouss, qui n'est autre que le Relais Bernard Loiseau (http://www.bernard-loiseau.com). Trois étoiles au Michelin tout de meme la cantine! Comme Pascal est un fidèle ami de la maison, l'accueil est plus que personnalisé, chaleureux et convivial. J'ai même eu droit à une petite visite privilégiée des cuisines.
Pour vous faire saliver, voici le menu concocté par le chef Patrick Bertron:
Après champagne et amuses bouche, escalope de foie gras chaud de canard aux pêches
Sandre à la peau croustillante et fondue d’échalote, sauce au vin rouge
Selle d'agneau des Pyrénées truffée, carré rôti au naturel, carottes des sables et moelleux de polenta, millefeuille d'artichaut et abats, jus au thym citron

Chariot de fromages
Elégant parfait de fraises des bois au jus de Shiso rouge en talon aiguille (on ne peut plus élégant dessert - voir photo).
Il s'agit à chaque fois d'une petite œuvre d'art qui arrive dans l'assiette. Au plaisir visuel qui titille déjà les papilles se rajoute une danse de parfums subtiles et variés qui tourbillonnent sans se dérober. On devine et on imagine. Puis l'on goute, curieux de découvrir ces saveurs mystérieuses. C'est un festival de gouts et de surprises magiques. Chaque bouchée est un fondant plaisir qui appelle à recommencer l'expérience savoureuse. ...et c'est sans décrire les vins qui se marient à merveille avec chaque bouchée...
Quel délice! (photos des plats dans "French Holydays "La Cote d'Or - June 2012")