2023 New Year, new look on life, new tours
Like many New Zealanders we were privileged and lucky to have all our children and grandchildren over Christmas and New Year. 7 Adults and 4 children under 4 made for busy and sometimes chaotic days. Daily activities varied. For Matthew and Kara from Melbourne it was also a chance for catching up with old friends. Asher and Holly had birthdays between Christmas and New Year and Hannah enjoyed Rhythm and Vines VIP style over New Year.
I don’t have to tell anybody used to large family gatherings about the food , wine, washing, clearing away the ‘Junk’ , early children’s hours and the never ending dishes. But… how exciting are all those jobs when you can all be together.
Years of nights of helping me in cooking classes paid off for he boys and Hannah, who took over the kitchen. Although, I think the boys curry night used every pot and serving dish in the house. Richard’s Middle eastern kebabs, Matthews Porchetta and Hannah’s Shakshuka were pretty amazing .
But, the highlight had to be ‘Ooni’ our new cute little Pizza oven. A Christmas present to Philip and me. She produced the best pizzas – the dough prepared in advance and we had nights choosing our favourite toppings.
On the back of your families departing we had our friend Jeffrey Chilcott from Piedmont staying- many will remember Jeffrey from our wine visit to Marchesi Di Gresy on the Italy / France tours and the sublime long lunch we always enjoyed each year. Philip and I were put through our paces and felt like it was 101 in wine tasting as we spent 2 1/2 days visiting Jeffreys wine making friends in Bannockburn. Knowledge flowed and we felt very privileged to be included – especially to the long lunch at Bannockburn hotel featuring the wines of Barbaresco and Barolo.
Philip took retirement at the end of 2022. A big decision as the Polytech system goes down the new path with Te Pukenga. After 19 years it was time and after preparing our cute Dunedin Cottage for Air b&b we transferred our lives to Tarras in Central Otago. The new garage and ‘Garage accommodation” was completed for Christmas families and we are now taking time to adjust.
Our garden planted over 5 acres is starting to grow. Trees are showing signs of getting used to their conditions and obviously establishing deeper roots.
Tomatoes and vegetables are either excessive – like the 8 courgettes a day or some burn’t off in the wicked hot searing sun. I think ‘patience’ is the word – something I find rather frustrating. However, the ‘vision’ has a long way to go.
2023 is also time for Travel – How fabulous is that.
Victoria - Australia
April – 17th – 1st May
This is a garden and food focused tour which wraps itself around Melbourne from leaving Melbourne via the Dandenong’s to the Yarra Valley – Daylesford – Grampians – Ballarat then back to Melbourne . It will be Autumn and after 2 research trips I have some very lovely visits and dining experiences.
I have had a cancellation so have room for one more..
Turkey
Mid - June
After talking to Alison and Hasan they have come up with a new tour to Turkey.
This tour explores some of the most spectacular landscape and historical attractions of Turkey, that are less well known to most tourists who visit the country: Mardin, Urfa and Gobeklitepe, Mount Nemrut, Gaziantep, Cappadocia. It is suitable for people who have visited the country previously and want to see more, or first time visitors who would like to explore some of the lesser known areas. It provides an insight into some of the many culinary traditions of Turkey in their places of origin. The tour wraps up with a stay on a traditional Turkish Gulet on the Mediterranean which provides a relaxing sojourn after the travels throughout the country.
Italy – Rome / Amalfi Coast / Tuscany
September 15th – 30th
Based around 7 days in a stunning villa in the Val d’Orcia – a region of Tuscany, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. Its iconic gentle, cultivated hills are occasionally broken by gullies and filled with picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza, Radicofani and Montalcino. We have my dear friend Alessandro cooking . Our daily expedition’s will take in the highlights of Tuscany,, while taking time to enjoy the countryside and lifestyle.
Prior to here, we are spending 4 nights in Rome – where we will explore the city – visiting its famous highlights. Included is a special day to Hadrians Villa and the Tivoli gardens. Plus, 4 nights on the Amalfi Coast staying in Sorrento. Visits include Pompei the Isle of Capri, the famous villages of Amalfi and Positano and an excursion by boat and bus to the beautiful village of Ravello.
Again : this tour is very popular and I have maybe 1 room spare at this stage.
Touring has become bigger than ever after all our Covid lockdowns. Securing hotels has been extremely hard but I feel happy to confirm all ours this year.
Contact me for details and itineraries.
judith@judith-cullen.com