On the beers ready for regional travel
Fingers and toes are crossed across Victoria that the rusty Ring Of Steel may be dismantled on Sunday evening. Even if not, please let me fly the flag for my most recent filming location, the Great Alpine Road. Sorry Great Ocean Road, you get too much kudos, this road that runs from approximately Wangaratta (The Wang!) up into the Alps, is joyously beautiful. Don't know if I’ve ever used that description before, but that’s what it did to my heart as I drove up to Dinner Plain at sunset recently and vowed to take my time on my return trip. If it’s your first time for this journey, take your time so you can meander and drop by the many roadside stalls. And don’t eat a thing prior to leaving. This region does ‘gourmet trails’ proud.
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Flying high
Qantas, at the point of writing, has 11 flights scheduled from MEL-SYD as of November 23. Keep your eyes and ears open as they’re (thankfully) keen to get people moving and in my case reconnected to family once again.
Cruising into 2021
I’m sorry Dear Traveller, yet understanding too, to report that it will be well into 2021 that large cruise ships will be back up and running. The larger the ships, the more restrictions that will be in place. It seems anything under 250 guests will do well and buck the trend. March 2021 is looking good domestically, but we all know it’s just speculation at this point. However, I will be appearing on the YouTube channel ‘Cruise Lounge’ to discuss this and tell a bunch of cruise stories of my own, on Friday the 20 November. This will be fun and I’m really looking forward to it.
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Christmas gifts sorted
I know, the idea alone puts fear into us all, however I learned about a brilliant new website called DustyRoo that features all Aussie products with a special emphasis on regional businesses. Don’t tell my loved ones, but I’ve got my eye on a ‘picnic table for two’, from King River Works, Albany, WA. Inspired people, I tell you.
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 On my reading list
The Switch, by Beth O’Leary. I asked my local bookshop owner to recommend something light and lovely for me to fall into (all this heavy news has me wanting to escape) and this is addictive. I look forward to running away to and between the Yorkshire village of Hamleigh and London each night as I curl up to read.
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What's cooking
Ok, I’ve been lapping up India Hicks new book “An Entertaining Story’ and reminiscing about my time, years ago, on Harbour Island. Her book is like culinary tips for idiots, filled with heavenly pics, funny stories galore, tablescaping gone mad and food you can’t fail at. I’ve chosen a super easy raspberry brownie recipe for you, but my boys love it. Now, me and Harbour Island. So, I filmed a special on The Bahamas years ago. Between you me and the fencepost I’d never had a Pina Colada before this trip and quickly made up for lost time. When I went to this island, which I’d begged work to let us film as I was in awe of India. I was sure I’d rock up and see her posing in a swimsuit, stuck in a hurricane blown tree in the glistening waters. India wasn’t there, but her handsome hubby David was and I’ll never forget seeing this very…manly, man scooting around the island in a golf cart whilst wearing a sarong and crisp white shirt. So chic! Well, sure enough, when I arrived to film their hotel The Landing, it turns out the stunningly beautiful manager went to the same school as me in Sydney! Sadly, she loathed it, but thankfully didn’t hold that against me and we had a great time. I’ll give you a full itinerary for The Bahamas another day, but trust me on Harbour Island.
Take care Dear Traveller and I hope to see you on my travels very soon.
Loads of love,
Catriona 😘
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