Tag: Reviews

What’s on my Bookshelf – September

What’s on my Bookshelf – September

Another month has gone by since this challenge started and it’s been a bit of a slack one for me regarding books! I have read a couple but not as many as I normally do. Too much has been on the TV lately keeping me otherwise occupied.

I have just finished a marvellous book by Carrie Kablean, an author previously unknown to me.

I enjoyed this book so much and couldn’t wait to get back to it every night! It’s all about the youngest but one of the Bennet sisters from Pride and Prejudice. I have read similar books about Mary but not about Kitty. It starts at the end of Pride and Prejudice where everybody is still getting over the embarrassment and shame of Lydia’s running off with Wickham. Carrie Kablean describes each scene with wonderful detail and stays true to the style of Jane Austen. Definitely 5 stars from me.

A book from last month that I did not mention before was The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve. I had forgotten I had downloaded this sample over a year ago and have no reason why it was never read! But I’ve rectified that now and it was an amazing read. There are several publications but this is the cover I like best.

This story is set around a true event in 1947 Maine, USA. A massive fire wiped out nine towns and killed 16 people. It has a very slow burn (excuse the pun) and build up to the actual fire itself. The main person is Grace, a young woman with two children in a stifling marriage. It was another satisfying read for me. Sad to say that Anita Shreve passed away a few years ago, but I’ve enjoyed many of her other books.

Books I’m reading now

I’m finding it hard to finish The Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel, set in wartime France during the occupation of the Nazis. It’s a bookclub choice so I must try and get on and finish it. It’s just not grabbing me.

The Hoarder’s Widow – Allie Cresswell is one I’ve just started – yes I always have two or three on the go at once! So far so good and I love this author.

I am enjoying this challenge first mentioned by Debbie from Deb’s world. I do like reading book reviews to see if I share these views or not. Sometimes I’m definitely a standalone in my views but as I mentioned before life’s too short to read a bad book. I find it hard to start a new book no matter how excited I am, especially after finishing a brilliant one.

📚What’s on my Book Shelf📚

This is a new challenge for me and it’s hosted by Deb over at Deb’s World with a few other bloggers. It’s called What’s on your Book Shelf.

I love reading and have always done so, ever since I could read. I enjoy a good crime novel and I think the earliest ones I ever read were the Enid Blyton Famous Five books and Secret Seven. I really wanted to be in those gangs and they fired up my imagination to search for more of the same. Then came Agatha Christie and I don’t think I ever guessed who did it.

These days I read all types of fiction books which is my preference, rather than an autobiography or non-fiction.

I’ve just read the following three books.

They are about three different women, Jocelyn, Georgina and Evelyn.

The House in the Hollow

This is the first in the trilogy.  It’s mainly about Jocelyn who is banished to Tall Chimneys.  We don’t find out the reason until later on in the story.  She is humiliated and dishonoured and sent to live with just a few staff in the North of England.  It is set in the Regency period where appearances matter above all else. 

I loved this book and was transported back to a time when women were just puppets made to do as they were told by the men in their lives.  

The Lady in the Veil

This is the second one and it does say it’s a stand alone but it would definitely make more sense to read the first. In this book we also don’t find out until later on why Georgina insists on wearing a veil. It is set in the year 1835 and not much has changed for women who still continue to do as their male relatives tell them. I enjoyed this book very much and it was a definite change from the usual psychological thrillers I usually read.

Tall Chimneys

Tall Chimneys is set at a much later period, just before and during the second world war. This can be read as a standalone. It is about Evelyn who is banished to Tall Chimneys as the family don’t quite know what to do with her. I enjoyed this one the most as I felt I really got to know Evelyn and her trials and tribulations against the men in her life and how much her home meant to her.

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Another book I also loved is the first novel by Chris Whittaker called Tall Oaks. Last year I read another one by him called We Begin at the End, this would be one of my all time favourite novels. What a talented author this man is to be able to write from a 14 year old girl’s viewpoint. They are both contemporary fiction and each features a police officer trying to solve a crime. Both have twists that I didn’t see coming.

I do belong to a book club and we meet once a month, usually in a cafe or in the house of whoever chose the book. It is called the Dancing Queens Book Club because we mainly all met at zumba!

We chose our books around two months in advance. Some of the books I love but some are DNF’s! which is a bit slack of me, but life is too short to read something I can’t get into. It’s one of the reasons I love my kindle as I can download samples to see if they grab me or not. I can usually get a feel of whether I’m going to enjoy the book by the first chapter although I do try and give it the 100 page test.

My two adorable grandchildren enjoying their books

In the Mood for Food at Meeka, Subiaco, WA – A review

This restaurant is one that we have been meaning to visit for a long time. I can’t think why we’ve missed this wonderful place, maybe plans got in the way or the dreaded “C” word! Anyway amends have now been made and it was a definite hit for hubby and I.

Meeka’s cuisine is an Australian/Middle Eastern fusion, using local produce to create unique original dishes.

Outside looking in

We were greeted at the counter by the very affable Jack, aka Jacquimo. It didn’t take us long to realise he was running the place almost singlehanded, efficiently and with great humour!

I had a cocktail as usual, this time a Pomegranate Mojito and hubby went straight onto the red wine, and ordered the one below recommended by Jack. I even had a glass and I’m not a red wine drinker! 🍷 A light easy to drink bottle.

Ravensworth Murrumbateman Sangiovese, NSW

While we waited for our food to arrive I asked Jack if I could snap a few shots.

Meeka is very deceptive size wise and seems small on entering, but at the back there is another dining room for around 20 more diners.

Beautiful artwork on the walls and a large array of wines on display.
Through the cubbyhole!

Our Food

  • Popcorn Prawns / Lemonaise / Greens / Radish / Middle Eastern Sambal
  • Pork Belly / Grain Salad / Broccolini / Spiced Plum Sauce
  • Slow Cooked Black Garlic Lamb Shoulder / Smokey Eggplant Puree / Green Beans / Spiced Jumbo Cous Cous / Muhammara

All these dishes were packed with flavour and the exotic ingredients used worked perfectly together. The favourite for both of us was the slow cooked black garlic lamb, melt in your mouth tenderness.

We both enjoyed the atmosphere at Meeka, made all the better for the wonderful service from Jack, obviously compliments to the chef too. It will be added to our favourite restaurants in Perth.

Thanks for reading!

Long Chim Thai Restaurant – A review

Long Chim in Perth is situated in the heritage listed State Building, Cathedral Square. This 140 year old building once housed Public Offices, a Police Court and cellblock, Treasury, Survey Department, GPO, Immigration Offices, office of the Premier and Cabinet, Lands Department and Titles Building.
Just recently this building has been renovated to include upmarket bars, cafes and retail spaces, including the luxury COMO The Treasury Hotel.

We recently went for a pre-Christmas dinner to Long Chim to sample the tantalising Thai delights.

The decoration is “unfinished” crumbling brick work with funky murals on the walls. The umbrellas hanging from the ceiling on entry reminded me of Thai street markets.

To start

  • CRUNCHY PRAWNS
    herbs shallots chilli
  • GRILLED PORK SKEWERS
  • FRIED CHICKEN WINGS
    shallots cumin dark soy

Hubby said I would never eat prawns like this if he cooked them 🤣, but it felt rude not to try them. Complete with eyes and tail, I ate quite a few.

Some Mains

  • NONG’S STIR FRY
    silken eggplants minced pork prawns
  • PINEAPPLE CURRY OF PORK
    coconut cream betel leaves
  • RICE NOODLES WITH CHINESE BROCCOLI
    soy egg bean curd

A perfect way to start our Christmas celebrations

Long Chim is a great place to go for celebrations with large groups. It has a warm and friendly atmosphere and the waitstaff are friendly and quick. Our food was on the table soon after we had ordered it. The menu is perfect for large groups as the dishes are good for sharing. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

After finishing dinner we had a wander around the city to have a look at the beautiful Christmas decorations. I think Perth has done a fantastic job this year.

We drove through Kings Park on our way home to look at the Perth Skyline all lit up.

A wonderful start to Christmas 2020

Meelup Farmhouse, Eagle Bay with the Divas

Another day, another lunch for the divas’ weekend in Dunsborough. This time it was at the picturesque Meelup Farmhouse. What a super place this is.

Before even getting to the entrance there is so much to see, so remember to arrive a bit early to have a look around.

First came the alpacas, such cute animals
Next the chickens and roosters. They were so friendly and children were allowed to pick them up for a cuddle

Lizzie the cow was hiding when we were there, but here’s one from the Meelup website I cheekily stole!

Lizzie

As soon as we sat down we were given the drinks list, but on looking around it seemed everyone was drinking the same thing. So we didn’t even have to look and ordered four “we’ll have what they’re having” – Ginger gin passionfruit mojitos”.

An airy and light dining room with a fabulously decorated ceiling.

  • House made sweet potato flat bread, roasted beets, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, avocado, beetroot hummus + kale
    House made sweet potato flat bread, roasted beets, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, avocado, beetroot hummus + kale
  • Fresh Farmhouse salad, merlot vinaigrette
    Fresh Farmhouse salad, merlot vinaigrette
  • Woodfired Atlantic salmon, roast fennel, honey + dijon dressing
    Woodfired Atlantic salmon, roast fennel, honey + dijon dressing
  • Salt + pepper squid, Farmhouse grown chilli, shallot
    Salt + pepper squid, Farmhouse grown chilli, shallot

Above are some of the dishes we shared and we also had Chicken liver pate topped with cherries and chargrilled Yallingup wood fired sourdough, which was melt in your mouth delicious!

After this another cocktail was called for! We shared two between four – Getting Figgy – Gin, Fig, lemon, Fig jam and a classic Pina Colada. These two seemed to have much more alcohol than the mojito.

A few more snaps around Meelup

Meelup Farm also offers picnic hampers which you can eat in the extensive gardens under shady trees, away from the noise of the restaurant.

Everything about this place was superb, food, service with a smile and wonderful location. It’s definitely on my “go back to” list.

Last but not least a photo of Mila, the resident labrador. We were told when we sat down that we weren’t allowed to feed her, she was on a diet! I don’t think everyone got the message.

Click on the link for more details

Palmers Winery, Dunsborough – Review

This is one of the places we visited during our weekend away in Dunsborough. Below is the mediterranean style entrance to the restaurant. Lucky for us the weather was wonderfully sunny and warm.

I had only booked 15 minutes before we arrived due to a mixup with another place we thought we were going to! We had a choice of tables inside as outside was fully booked. We could see outside anyway, we were just happy to be able to get in somewhere.

There was so much choice on the menu that we decided to share a few dishes, always the best way to eat if you ask me. In our little group we had one GF, one pescatarian and one who doesn’t eat shellfish! We ordered something for everyone and the one who wasn’t fussy got to taste everything!

We started with Parmesan Crumbed Eggplant w/ Buffalo Mozzarella, local Asparagus, Tomato and Basil Sugo Entrée 

Just enough for a taster each but enough to settle down the hunger!

To drink we ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc Semillion to share which went down far too easily and quickly as there was quite a wait for our mains. Anyway we were in no rush and had no set agenda.

Finally our mains arrived and I think I speak for all of us that it was well worth the wait.

Goldband snapper with preserved lemon & herb crushed potatoes, roasted red pepper & caper salsa, asparagus & citrus Beurre blanc 
Balinese roast duck, yellow curry, Pilaf Rice, Steamed Asian Greens & Sambal
Grilled Western Australian Banana Prawns cooked in a roasted Garlic & Parsley Butter

Added to this was also a Green Papaya & bean shoot salad w/ toasted cashews & peanut dressing which was deliciously blended.

I would say my favourite was the Balinese duck curry, but all the dishes were mouth-wateringly divine.

There were some stunning paintings displayed at Palmers, I took a few photos of the ones I liked best.

After lunch was over we had a wander over to the cellar door to have a quick tasting and for me to take a few photos of the beautiful surroundings.

The Courtyard

Relaxed Divas

Everything about this winery was close to perfection. Food was amazing, lovely service from the staff and the grounds outstanding. If you’re ever in this region don’t miss the opportunity to visit.

A Fabulous Feast at The Old Synagogue : Review of Tonic and Ginger, Fremantle

The Front of The Old Synagogue

We had heard quite a bit about this restaurant and how wonderful it was so decided it was time to give it a try. Hubby, me and two friends went last Wednesday, and this date was booked ten days before and the earliest I could find. It’s an extremely popular restaurant in Perth at the moment.

Tonic and Ginger is situated in a converted Synagogue in Fremantle, known as The Old Synagogue! Along with three other places, Mr. Chappele, The Arbor and L’Chaim.

Originally built in 1902, it was the first synagogue in WA. Services continued here until 1908. By this time the majority of the Jewish people had moved to Perth.

The building was sold to the Federal Government in 1916 as an annexe to the general hospital where it was converted into a ward. In 1922 it was acquired by William Beer and by 1924 he was operating an auction mart from the site. After this it was sold to the Fremantle Council and used for different purposes such as shops and cafes. Source: Wikipedia

Photos of the The Old Synagogue from many years ago – Source: Fremantle Stuff

On entering the restaurant you are greeted and seated by friendly staff and offered the drinks list. I ordered an Oriental Amigo, a mix of tequila, lychees and strawberries. Excellent choice by me!

The wonderful coloured globes hanging from the ceiling.

During the evening a lady in the upstairs section knocked her drink of the railings which crashed to the floor! Luckily no-one was hurt, but I don’t think she helped by yelling over the side “sorry, I’m so sorry” but didn’t bother coming down!

Menu

The menu is divided into sections, Bites, Grazing and Feasting, with so many choices it’s hard to decide what to order. We were advised to order two bites, four grazings and three feasts.

I managed to remember to take a few photos of the wonderfully decorated and delicious plates!

Crispy Pork Ribs with Char Siu Caramel
lime cured scallop medley, coconut yoghurt, curry oil, crispy garlic
beef tataki, shiso wasabi dressing, toasted sesame, spring onion
hot and numbing pork, stir fried hor fun noodles, sesame chilli sambal

Some of the other dishes we tried were the duck and water chestnut san choi bao, lettuce cups and massaman curry, braised ox cheek, shallot, kipfler potato. All so tasty and very inventive.

We had a fantastic evening catching up with friends, eating delicious food and enjoying the great atmosphere in this restaurant. The staff do an impressive job and are extremely efficient. I am looking forward to trying the other venues here.

The back of The Old Synagogue

If you ever visit Western Australia be sure to eat at this restaurant!

More about Fremantle

Great Minds Drink Alike : Sittella Winery, Swan Valley

Time for another trip to a winery. This time we will be visiting Sittella Winery in Herne Hill, Swan Valley. We visited on a lovely sunny day in the week and it was a good job we had booked as it looked very busy. We had a table overlooking the beautiful vineyards that surround the restaurant.

The winery is named after the Sittella bird and they nest along the banks of the Swan River.

It was opened in 1998 by Simon and Maaike Berns. Maaike is Dutch Indonesian which is why the menu is so interesting.

  • My mum and dad enjoying the view

The restaurant is called The Nest and the menu had a great variety to select from so it took us a while.

Winemakers Plate; Kangaroo and to finish Sittella Strawberry Basket were just some of the dishes we had.

I have to mention the Sittella Strawberry Basket was without doubt the best dessert I have tasted in a long while!

Inside the restaurant, decorating the walls were some beautiful murals and artwork.

Even though it is winter now, everything is still so green and lush, except perhaps the vines themselves! The gazebo looks to be sinking and it’s not just a wonky photo I took.

Sittella is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. It’s definitely best to book especially on a weekend. As I mentioned it’s situated in the Swan Valley just over 30 minutes from Perth’s CBD. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did if you ever get a chance to visit.

Wine flies when you’re having fun at Brookside Winery, Bickley, WA 🍷

Living in Western Australia we are fortunate to have many wineries around us. Whether they are in the Perth Hills, Swan Valley or further down south towards Margaret River, we are surrounded. We don’t live too far from Perth Hills or Swan Valley and tend to visit for Sunday lunch or sometimes midweek. There are always a few new ones popping up and I like to visit places we haven’t been before, although that is getting harder. Also it’s a good excuse for hubby to take the car for a spin.

Not all the wineries have restaurants attached and some are just “cellar door” only. All are located in beautiful countryside with fantastic views.

A few weeks ago we tried Brookside in Bickley which is in the Perth Hills. The journey for us takes around 40 minutes and we try to get there for 1.30 pm to avoid the lunchtime rush. The restaurant itself is called The Vineyard Kitchen and it has a wonderful menu, featuring homegrown vegetables and fresh local produce.

  • Front of the restaurant
    with tables outside and heaters
  • Back of the restaurant
The Three Wise Monkeys
  • Twice Cooked Duck Leg
  • Slow cooked Beef Cheeks
  • Spiced lamb and feta parcel
  • Panko crusted pork cheek

The winery is set in beautiful grounds and has its own fruit trees and vegetable garden. It’s a good place for a family lunch as there is plenty of space for a runaround after with the kids. There are also some lovely rustic spots for photos.

Wonderful winter weather
  • The toilets!
  • Weeping willows
  • Ornamental arrangement
  • A winter garden
  • Tempranillo Leaf
  • Hello there!

I’m definitely going to add this winery to my list of favourites. It was great to stretch our legs around the vineyards after our lunch and a few wines!

Thanks for reading and watch out for some more reviews of Western Australian Wineries.

My partner in wine, Cheryl

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If you liked this you might also like other posts about wineries.

My A to Z Travel Challenge – I is for India, Part 3 – Ramoji Film City 🇮🇳

Ramoji Film City

After reading about this online and also at the hotel, that it was like Bollywood and Universal Studios I thought it would be a fun thing to do.  We set off once again with a driver and it was around 45 minutes drive away.  On arrival our driver purchased tickets for us and we proceeded to the entrance gate.  Men and women are separated and go through different security screening.  We had a slight hiccup with Maddy’s Polaroid camera, as amazingly it seemed no-one had ever seen one.   So after being examined for several minutes by around ten different security guards they let us through!

Once through we were all herded onto buses to take us to the actual Film City which was around 10 – 15 minutes away.  I realised once again we were the only Western tourists there and thus had lots of attention on the bus.  So many questions, we were all talking to someone at once!  Driving there seemed to be great fun for the drivers who tried to be the first there by speeding up once it turned into a one way highway!

Overlooking Ramoji Film City which is set over 1,600 acres

When we alighted this bus we then all boarded several open air small trains to take us to the individual lots.  No lingering was allowed and I realised at this point that it was going to be a very regimented day.  No walking between different film lots was allowed, a bus or small train would take you onto the next place.

Ramoji Map

Everywhere we stopped we had photos taken with everyone, especially Maddy!  There were young guys lining up, we did have to say no a few times as we would not have got anywhere!

Some film lots were definitely better than others, but I wouldn’t described it as a Universal or Bollywood!

Wishing for a train to anywhere! 

So eerily lifelike! 

We stopped for lunch at the beautiful Sitara Hotel, located in the middle of the City.

The very fancy Sitara Hotel

With lunch over, Anthony had had enough of this theme park!  Obviously we didn’t see half of what was on offer and unfortunately there was no filming going on that day.

I would love to hear from anyone who has been to Ramoji Film City, I haven’t met anyone yet!

 

Thanks for reading