Tinkerblue

New Years Eve 2010

Normally we don't do a lot for New Years Eve. We either stay home and watch a movie, or hang out a friend's house. Getting dressed up, paying big bucks and battling large crowds is not our thing. Unless we're away.  And then we get dressed up, spend big $$, join the crowds, say goodbye to the old year and ring in the New Year in style. Being that we were away from home, we farewelled 2010 and welcomed 2011 by:

Paying out the big bucks for tickets to a NYE do at the Hobart Conference and Function Centre

Putting on our party clothes - or the nicest, cleanest clothes we could find in our suitcases

Catching a water taxi from the eastern shore suburbs where we are staying with my parents to the Hobart waterfront.

 

Strolling along the docks, looking at all the yachts and watching the last yacht come into the slips

Eating a rather large amount of good food

My non seafood menu:

 

Drinking unlimited beer, wine and some rather nice sparkling wine

Tormenting hubby

Braving the chilly winds to watch the fireworks

Being with family

 

Bye Bye 2010, it was a great year. Now bring on 2011. May it be good to us all.

Taste of Tasmania

The Taste of Tasmania (known by locals as "The Taste")  is an annual event that runs for a week from late December to early January. It's all about local food and drink. Vendors come from all around the State. Some have businesses that operate year round, others only operate at The Taste.

 

This is the third year that Hubby and I have been home at this time of year (1998, 2006 and 2010). We went almost every day, either for lunch or dinner.  73 food and beverage stalls in total.  I think we ate at most of them. Well not quite, but we gave it a good try.

 

 

We went with friends and family. One particular day we sat and ate and drank for 6 hours with good friends Sharyn and Dave, my parents, Shaun and Kelly and my Nan. One evening we went again with my parents, Shaun and Kelly and their friend Matty.  The last night we spent with my friends Narelle and Justin and their boys, Dale and Liam - and we stayed to watch the movie UP on the lawns at Parliament House. 

 

• #2 Kornet Pizza - Meal in a Cone - Spring Bay Scallop Margarita, Sassafras BBQ Chicken
• #8 Rosti Chalet - Bacon and Guyere Cheese, Smoked Salmon
• #10 Cape Grim Burger Products - Cape Grim Beef Burger
• #12 Taste Of Persia - Limed Lamb Kebab Wrap
• #13 Scoopz of Valhalla Icecream - hubby had a couple of different scoops over the week
• #15 Festival Mushrooms - tempura mushrooms with wasabi mayo and chilli plum sauce
• #16 Island Berries Tasmania - chocolate pannacotta with fresh raspberries (and the dessert platter that Kelly shared with us all!)

 

• #17 Besmudi - the longest, skinniest chicken strips ever.
• #20 Waji's Tasmanian Experience - Cajun calamari (everyone else told me it was the best)
• #24 Hill Street Gourmet Meats - platter of wagyu beef, chicken burger, and saucy sausage
• #27 The Turkish Kitchen - mixed platter with chicken, lamb, rice, salad
• #29 Smallest Pancakes in Town/Something Sweet - tiny pancakes with fresh raspberries and cream, and a second plate with chocolate sauce and ice-cream

 

• #30 Fish Frenzy - scallops and chips
• #33 Cafe Chocolatte - Anvers Confectionery - chocolate fondue with marshmallows, mini meringues, strawberries and cherries
• #35 Frogmore Creek, 42 South Wines and Tasmanian Highland Cheeses, with special guests Get Shucked Oysters - mixed cheese plate
• #51 Gillespie's Ginger Beer - alcoholic ginger beer
• #53 Doctor coffee - chocolate infused meringue with fresh raspberries and cream
• #54 Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm - by far our favourite stall. Hubby ate them out of raspberry ice-cream. We also tried the baked cheesecake and chocolate pudding both with fresh raspberries.

• #56 Tasmanian Fine Ice Cream - hubby had to have ice-cream here after Christmas Hills sold out.
• #59 Ninth Island Bubbles Bar - glass of sparkling wine
• #60 Tasmanian Chilli Beer Company - multiple bottles of chilli beer. My favourite was green tea and lemon

• #B1 Moo Brew - multiples glasses of beer (not suitable for bogans)
• #B3 Marypin Chilean/South American Food - Beef empanada
• #B5 Two Metre Tall Real Ale & Cider with the Wursthaus Kitchen - more beer, antipasto plate
• #B7 Ironhouse Brewery - more beer

 

I'm not sure what we're going to eat for the rest of our stay, but it wont be as good!  

There's more photos of the food we ate on my facebook page.

 

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has been one of the biggest sporting events in Australia for the last 65 years or so.  It starts in Sydney at 1:00pm on December 26th, Boxing Day of each year and finishes in Hobart.  It is 628 nautical miles of frustration, fear, exhilaration, excitement and more.

 

The first year hubby come home to Australia with me was 1998.  The worst year ever in the history of the race.  6 lives were lost in a storm that decimated the fleet.  When Sayonnara sailed in to Hobart as the line honours winner the celebration was muted.  There was no champagne etc to greet the crews. It was more relief that they had made it.  There was a minute of silence for those who did not.

 

2006 was the next time we were home over Christmas.  And the first few yachts came in around 3am. Dad and I tried to get hubby out of bed to watch the finish, but it was no go.

This year... We were down at the Taste of Tasmania having dinner.  According to the official website and the news reports the first boat, Wild Oats, was not expected until 1:00am. Hubby was not sure he could stay up that long.  After dinner we were walking back to the car, and there was an announcement over the loud speakers at the dock, that Wild Oats had entered the Derwent River and was expected to cross the finish line at 830pm. 

 

With only 30 mins until the expected finish we decided to wait it out.  We walked along to the CSIRO pier with about 50+ other people. The CSIRO pier is right at the finish line.  First we saw the news helicopters, then we saw the flotilla of boats start to move and then hubby saw the top of the mainsail and finally we could see Wild Oats. She was still a fair way away. But come up the river fairly quickly and in no time she was crossing the finish line to cheers from the crowd, the canon firing  and the horns of every single boat out on the river.

We then walked back round to Constitution dock where all the media were waiting and watched them do their lap of honour.  it was not as crowded as we expected. We guess that the earlier than expected arrived (830pm as opposed to 100am) caught quite a few people unaware.

 

Celebration of Light

On Wednesday Hubby's parents brought their boat over from the Island. Hubby, Adera and I met them at Granville Island and headed out into English Bay for the 3rd night of the Celebration of Light fireworks.

2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the Celevration of Light, originally called Symphony of Fire.

We saw the presentation Journey by Mexico. Personally I think it got off to a slow start, but by the 2nd piece of music it was awesome.

Surrey 2010 Celebration Site

Mum and Dad, Dave and Morag have a pretty full calendar for the Olympics already.  But just in case they have any spare time, they could head out to the Celebration Site in Surrey.  It'd be worth it for the RCMP Musical Ride alone.  I doubt very much that they will get a chance to see the Musical Ride in Hobart or London. 

When - February 12th to 28th (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Where - Holland Park - corner of King George Hwy and Old Yale Road, King George Skytrain

 

Artwork by Zach Camozzi - click on the map to open a PDF file.

What - Celebration Stage, Skating Rink, Toboggan Zone, Curling Zone, Sustainability Way, Kids World, Meet the Mascots

Performances by 

• Blue Rodeo - Feb 12th
• Serena Ryder - Feb 14th
• Hot Hot Heat - Feb 17th
• Corb Lund - Feb 18th
• Jully Black - Feb 19th
• Sam Roberts - Feb 19th
• Malkit Singh - Feb 20th
• 54-40 - Feb 21st
• Marianas Trench - Feb 26th
• Wintersleep - Feb 27th
• Tokyo Police Club - Feb 27th
• Randy Bachman - Feb 28th
• and many, many, many more.

 

RCMP Musical Ride

• Wed/Thurs/Fri 8:00pm
• Sat/Sun 3:00pm and 8:00pm
• Feb 28th 4:00pm

www.surrey2010.com

The Torch Relay Comes to Whistler on February 5th

 

The Olympic Flame arrives in Whistler on Day 99 (February 5th) of the Torch Relay and Whistler will be celebrating in style.

The Torch Relay will be coming from the Sunshine Coast and will join the Sea to Sky Highway in Lions Bay on February 4th.  It will wind it's way through Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, Stawamus before overnighting in Squamish.

On Friday February 5th, the Torch will make its way from Squamish to Whistler via Brackendale, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park and Whistler Olympic Park. It will be carried on foot, logger climbing tree (?) and snowmobile.

  

3:30pm - 5:45pm Village Square

• Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Opry will perform
• Joined by local musicians Dana-Marie Battaglia, Greg Reamsbottom, Jon Shrier and Rachel Thom.
• The Olympic Mascots will stop by for a visit
• Visit the Spirit Tent and have your face painted.

 

6:17pm Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

There will be a ceremonial pass off between a Squamish and a Lil'wat torchbearer in front of the welcome figures of the main entrance on Blackcomb Way.  Join in the celebration, wear red, and bring your drum.

6:00pm - 8:00pm Skiers Plaza

• Squamish Nation Eagle Song Dancers
• Ali Milner
• The Whistler Children's Choir and the Whistler Singers will sing "There's a Light/Cette Flamme"
• The Flame is expected to arrive at 7:00pm
• The community torch bearer, Tyler Allison will carry the Flame on stage and light the celebration cauldron

Check out Whistler2010.com fand Vancouver2010.com for the route and more information.  I

'm excited to see the Torch Relay again.  Although right now the plan is for me to be in Vancouver later this week so it looks like I'll be in Vancouver while the Torch Relay is in Whistler.  And I'll be in Whistler when the Torch Relay is in Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. I'm having trouble getting all the schedules to match up!

Cultural Olympiad beings tomorrow, January 22nd 2010

 

It's rather overwhelming.  There's a lot going on - Cultural Olympiad, LiveCity Yaletown, LiveCity Downtown, Whistler Live, Richmond O Zone, Surrey Celebration Site, Place de la Francophonie, Sponsor Houses, National Houses, Four Host First Nations Pavilion, GE Plaza, Heineken House, GE Plaza, Molson Canada Hockey House etc etc etc.  Not to mention the actual Olympics.

So what is the Cultural Olympiad?  It's a celebration of arts and popular culture, lasting 60 days,  January 22nd to March 21st. It's comedy, circus and street arts, dance, music, theatre, visual art, literary arts, film, video and digital.  Some are ticketed, lots are free. And some are even interactive.  So even if you're not into sports there's bound to be something up your alley.

A 2010 Cultural Olympiad Program Guide is available.  You can pick one up from the Cultural Olympiad Information Centre in the lobby of the CTV Building, 750 Burrard Street.   (and at Cultural Olympiad venues, public libraries, Bell stores, Tourism BC Visitor Centres, Tickets.com outlets and community centres).

 

Quite a few things caught my/our eye.  Not that we will have time to do all or even any of them.

Feist with special guest Gonzales "Piano Talk Show"

Stars with Hey Rosetta

Alberta Ballet: Joni Mitchell's The Fiddle and The Drum

Majumder/Cullen/Payne: Laugh It Out! (hosted by Tyler Stewart and Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies)

Cirque Eloize: Rain

Vectorial Elevation

World Tea Party

Hal Willner's Neil Young Project

Whistler Live! Blue Rodeo

The Only Animal: NiX

There is a National Touring Program, so if you're not in Vancouver you can still take part. It's not as extensive obviously, but you'll find the details at Vancouver2010.com

Right now on CODE (Cultural Olympiad Online Edition) you can sign up for an Opening Ceremony digital souvenir on February 12th.

 Become a fan of the Cultural Olympiad on Facebook.

Whistler is looking for volunteers for their Torch Relay Community Celebration

The Torch will be in Whistler on February 5th.

You can read more information about the Torch Relay in Whistler here. 

You can read more about what would be expected of volunteers here. (will open a PDF file)

And you can apply here.

Applications close on January 25th.

I was in Whistler on Thursday for work, and I stole a few minutes to take some photos of the preparations that are moving ahead.

   

 

Victory Ceremonies Update

VANOC finally announced the line up for the Vancouver Victory Ceremonies.  Each evening will run something like this:

• Ceremonies will start at 6.25pm (PST) each night
• Each night will be hosted by a province or territory and they will start the evening with a 30 minute show
• The medal presentations follow
• An hour long performance by the headline act will wrap up the evening
• Live feed from the Victory Ceremonies in Whistler

February 14th  - BC Night

• Nelly Furtado
• Men's 1500m short track speed skating
• Ladies moguls
• Mens 5000m and ladies 3000m speed skating

February 15th  - Quebec Night

• TBA
• Men's moguls

February 16th - Nova Scotia

• Barenaked Ladies
• Men's and ladies snowboard cross
• Men's 500m speed skating

February 17th - Alberta Night

• Paul Brandt
• Ladies 500m speed skating

February 18th - Prince Edward Island Night

• Hedley
• Ladies' 500m short track speed skating
• Men's snowboard halfpipe
• Men's and ladies 1000m speed skating

February 19th - Northwest Territories' Night

• Theory of a Deadman
• Ladies' snowboard halfpipe

February 20th - Yukon Night

• Stereophonics
• No medal ceremonies, concert only.

February 21st - Nunavut Night

• Trooper & Loverboy
• Ladies' 1500m and Men's 1000m short track speed skating
• Men's 1500m speed skating
• Men's ski cross

February 23rd  - Saskatchewan Night

• Billy Talent
• Ladies' ski cross
• Men's 10,000m speed skating

February 24th - Ontario Night

• INXS
• Ladies' 5000m speed skating

February 25th - Manitoba Night

• Burton Cummings
• Ladies' 3000m relay short track speed skating
• Ladies' aerials

February 26th - Newfoundland and Labrador night

• Great Big Sea
• Men's aerials
• Ladies' snowboarding parallel giant slalom

Mum and Dad have tickets to the 20th and 21st.

Dave wants tickets to the 16th and 26th.

I'm still waiting to see who will be in the lineup for the Whistler Victory Ceremonies.

Village Mayors, and Victory Ceremonies

Not much to say tonight as I'm in a crabby mood.

Honorary Mayors of the Olympic and Paralympic Villages were announced today.  Rick Hansen and Tricia Smith will be Mayors of the Vancouver Olympic Village, Anna Fraser Sproule and Alan Kristmanson of the Whistler Olympic Village.

During the Paralympics Dr Douglas Clement and his wife Diane Clement will take on the mayoral duties in Vancouver, while the Whistler honours go to Marni Abbott-Peter and Patrick Anderson.

Read the full details here.

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Keep an eye out tomorrow for an announcement regarding the Vancouver Victory Ceremonies.

                         image VANOC/COVAN

According to the VANOC website, "Check back December 8 for a full list of performers and to purchase new premium Vancouver Victory Cereomy tickets for $50*."  

The Whistler lineup will be announced December 15th.

Mum and Dad have tickets to the Victory Ceremonies on February 20th and 21st.  On the 20th there are no medal presentations just a concert.  There are still tickets available to the Vancouver Victory Ceremonies.  I'm quite interested to see who will be playing.