French champagne with friends in the home paddock at Orange

Wednesday 14 April

An early morning pack up and departure today. A quick fuel stop and we lined up as the doors open at the Itty Bitty bakery to buy some sourdough and a fruit loaf. Taking the back road to Orange was a good choice, as we drove through some lovely bush so typical of this part of NSW. An hour down the road at Wellington, we stopped for coffee and breakfast at a quirky café, dining with the locals on bacon and egg roll and a toasted sandwich, which at 9.00am were well appreciated.

Once in Orange, we went to what has become Flashy’s go to for a pit stop, the local pub. He is becoming somewhat of an expert on public bar men’s rooms. ‘It’s only fair that we buy something if we are using the facilities.’ Lady P had booked a tasting plate at the Union Bank Hotel back in February, as part of the covid-tuned down, Food and Wine Festival. This turned out to be a really impressive three small plates with matching Orange area wines, served under the Magnolia tree in the paved courtyard. We didn’t mind the dappled sunshine and 17 degrees as there was no wind.

Here's another example of fine food, wine and service in a regional setting. The first course of tequila cured kingfish with finger lime and chives was accompanied by a 2020 Rowlee Riesling, which once it warmed up was pretty good. Course two was simple but delicious. Foraged mushrooms in butter, a dollop of smokes crème fraiche on a crispy bruschetta with a 2020 Swinging Bridge ‘Mrs Payten’ Chardonnay was a big, bold, buttery and oaky favourite. Then the perfect soy poached chicken with ginger and shallot with a 2019 Dreaded Friend Grenache completed the tasting. This last dish came with a small bowl on fresh cos leaves, shaved fennel and dill. It was so good that Flashy (accidentally) knocked Lady P’s hand away from this perfectly simple accompaniment in his haste to savour something healthy and green.

After collecting a bottle of Tattinger from Dr Dan, we drove out to Ray Cock’s farm to enjoy some French pastries with Harriet, our good friend from Cairns who was visiting her dad. After inspecting Ray’s man cave and massive collection of restored old farm wares, Eddison players, vinyl records and ammunition, we continued with a 2013 Bloodwood Shiraz on the veranda of the quintessential Aussie farm cottage, which he has meticulously restored. Lady P went off with the young lads, Ollie and his cousin Artie to check on the heifers and we savoured the last of the afternoon sunshine and discussed a rabbit spotlighting adventure in the future. 

Eventually we had to leave to catch up with Don and Cath, our hosts for the next three nights. Flashy and Don were business partners 23 years ago and some catching up was done over a curry and a couple of reds. Great to see them both well and enjoying retirement, although Don is still coaching rugby for the Emus.








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