Spent a very quiet weekend taking care of a few things that I'd neglected over the past couple of months' worth of weekends.
On Saturday I dropped by my brother's house and helped him set up some shelves for his growing home brew cellar. After laying out the pieces of what looked like a giant Meccano set (it wasn't a kit, it was something his father-in-law had cobbled together years ago), we proceeded to put together something resembling a framework. After some creative engineering (and a few pieces left over) and borrowing some genius from the ancient Egyptians we got them installed where we wanted them and packed the shelves with wheat beers, stouts and bitters. Afterwards we cracked open a couple of home brews and relaxed on the back deck.
But there was more to do, so I returned home to battle with the ancient lawn mower and reduce the front yard to something more respectable. And after that I helped my dad get his new ADSL connection set up and running. It was surprisingly easy and I spent more time figuring out how to get rid of a virus I found on his computer than I did getting the broadband hooked up.
On Sunday I finally cleaned up the pigsty that was the BootsnAll Australia HQ. I completely dismantled the workstation, cleaned out all the dust from the wires, modems and routers, and put it all back together again.
If it's true that 10 sneezes in a row is the equivalent intensity of an orgasm, then I was a porn star goin' for gold on Sunday morning. I had no idea one person could create so much dust.
Feels good to get those things cleared away and very nice to be working in a clean environment again.
Not knowing much about Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine, I was pleasantly surprised by my visit to the Tibetan Kitchen in Fortitude Valley last night. I don't really know what I was expecting, but perhaps something to do with yaks and their various by-products?
On the fairly extensive menu, there was not a yak to be found. In fact, the only semi-unusual dish was the goat. Instead there was lots of chicken and lamb (always a favourite), and substantial veggie fare.
The staff were friendly, the prices were very reasonable for a good amount of food, and the Bee Gees were playing in the bathroom. What more could you ask for?
The only less than favourable things I can say about the Tibetan Kitchen is firstly that it's right on busy Brunswick Street, so there's a certain fish bowl feeling if you're seated right by the large windows; and secondly they close awful early. We asked for dessert only to find that the chefs had already left, and they started clearing the table of wine and water glasses well before we were done. And I'm not saying we were there til the wee hours. This was about 10:30-ish.
But overall I enjoyed the experience and would go again. It's not fancy, it's not sensational, but it's hearty food at a good price in a location that's perfect for going out afterwards...which we did til 4am. But that's another story...
If you're looking for something to do that's a little different, but still plenty of fun, I can highly recommend an afternoon of Lawn Bowls at the Merthyr Bowls Club in New Farm.
The Ging had bowled before, but I was a newbie - as were the 10 or so other people who came along to farewell young Bronwyn's 29th year. We received a run down of the rules of the game, a quick demonstration of which way the (weighted) bowl will curve, and expectations about our behaviour (no shoes on the green, no 'driving', beer is allowed on the green - but don't put your glass on the grass).
After a few initial hiccups of sending our bowls in the wrong direction and interfering with other people's games, we all settled into a good rhythm and even managed to get close a few times. Two hours of bowling was just about perfect and while I'm no challenger for an Olympic medal, I'd definitely go again.
As part of the bowling deal, you also received a BBQ lunch involving steak (fish is available if you arrange in advance) and a multitude of salads. I've also heard the beer prices are from 1962, but I reckon they were closer to 1999. Still, no complaints about that.
But if all that sounds pretty cool, even better is the location. You're right on the Brisbane River with great views, great atmosphere and if you choose a spring or autumn day, the weather is perfect. Warm enough during the afternoon and a cooling breeze in the evening.
Where: Merthyr Bowls Club, Oxlade Drive, New Farm (07) 3245-7833
Price: $20 per person for 2 hours bowling and BBQ/salad lunch
Reservations required.
Pictures will hopefully soon be available. Bronwyn was sartorially resplendent in her bowling whites and I think it would be a shame if I didn't share that.
The old debate about what to do with the koalas on Kangaroo Island has Sandra Kanck from the Australian Democrats calling for 2/3 of the cuddly creatures to be shot by professional shooters. I'm not thinking she's going to get her way.