Millivers Travels » wine

The Chifley Home, Bathurst, Australia

Al McCartan — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:52:51 +0000

Article & photos by guest blogger Al McCartan

Bathurst is in New South Wales (NSW), about two-and-a-half hour’s drive west of Sydney. Of the six states and two territories, NSW is Australia’s most populous state.

YOU’VE DONE THE Blue Mountains tour and it’s now time to go farther west. why not make Bathurst the next stop on your itinerary? Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland settlement, and home to some pretty darn good tourist traps.

Stopping in Bathurst means enjoying the relaxed atmosphere – no hustle or bustle – over a cup of your favourite coffee or perhaps a romantic dinner in one of our many classy eateries.

Our world-famous Mount Panorama Race Circuit and museum is sure to attract the speed lovers and the wine lovers. Mt. Panorama has just completed brand new accommodations too.

There’s also a vineyard and cellar specializing in cool-climate wines. More about these in another story.

Museum lovers – hey! We’ve got them. The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, which is home to the famous Somerville fossil collection, and the other main attraction, The Chifley Home.

The Chifley Home is a must-see. This is the home of Australia’s favourite prime minister, Ben Chifley (1885–1951).

If this house had a voice it would be telling you to come on down to 10 Busby Street, make yourself at home and look around. You’ll be warmly welcomed by curator, Sam Malloy, or one of his dedicated team members.

The Chifley Home is certainly not like other museums. No! It’s someone’s place and on entering you’d be forgiven for thinking the owner had stopped the clock in 1949.

The desk of Australia's favourite prime minister, Ben Chifley (1885–1951)

You’ll see the lounge room and Ben’s favourite chair but you won’t see a television set – Australia didn’t go there until 1956 – but, yes, there is a radio and an array of newspapers of the time, and magazines.

Mr. Chifley, an inveterate pipe smoker – he was never seen without his beloved pipe – has left his pipe and all the bits and pieces, such as pipe cleaners, on display. You’ll also see other memorabilia of that era.

Central heating – nope! Open fires served to heat the rooms and beat the chilly Bathurst winters. The fuel was mainly wood or coal (coke when available). Rationing of many items abounded in the ’40s.

As you wander into Mrs. Chifley’s kitchen, you’ll see how she coped without the mod cons we take for granted today. Maybe you’ll be able to have a sneaky-peek at some 1940s recipes. Time stands still here to allow us to view the original bedrooms with the décor and furnishings of the 1940s.

Going to Mr. and Mrs. Chifley’s home is like being invited around to a friend’s place for tea and a chat. The ambience is that strong.

The Chifley Home, 10 Busby Street, Bathurst is open Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Group bookings are catered for. To find out more visit Chifley Home online or contact the Bathurst Visitor’s Information Centre (BVIC). You’ll find BVIC on your left as you cross the Macquarie Bridge heading for town, or phone 1800 68 1000.

——

Al McCartan doing the morning shift at 2MCE-FM

AL McCARTAN lives in Bathurst with a redhead (aka Cheryl), one cat (Milo) and about 200 stuffed teddy bears. He has worked with the Department of Defence in Canberra, as a journalist with the Army Newspaper and with the Recruiting Directorate. As a sideline he became an easy listening music DJ and he still practices that medium as morning DJ at 2MCE-FM. Al says, “Reading, writing, fine dining and music are my likes. Oh! I’m nuts about history and I like to slant my writings to the good (and bad) old days.”

About Thyme Bistro, Vineland, Ontario

Milli Thornton — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:26:08 +0000

Milli Thornton at About Thyme Bistro

VINELAND IS TRUE to name: the countryside’s covered in vineyards and wineries. What else could you possibly order with your gourmet dinner at About Thyme Bistro but a bottle of wine from a local winery?

And gourmet it was.

At first I was disappointed that the tables were so tiny and the room seemed narrow. But the atmosphere of bonhomie and the taste sensations soon made it feel appropriate.

Our dining companions at the next table were a jolly couple. I could see they were getting to the same point we were, where all you can do is burst out with public proclamations about the food. So we did! And then we tried to cover as many topics as possible before they had to leave.

Brian chose fish from the specials menu and I had duck breast with brandy and red peppercorn jus. But the true highlight of the evening was the heavenly appetizer.

The pan-seared foie gras with honey spiced cake was $15 for a few precious morsels, but to the tongue it was worth every cent.

Actually, it only felt like “morsels” because we were sharing it. The serving size was elegant—I’ve never agreed with Super-Size-Me portions for appetizers—it’s just that I didn’t want it to be over so soon!

Definitely one of the most splendiferous dishes I’ve ever tasted.

The 2007 Old Vines Foch from Malivoire Wine Company cast an extra rosy glow over the evening. (See Related Posts for an article about our visit to Malivoire.)

Brian had fish, I had lamb

Perhaps everything also tasted better because we were in a foreign country. For a while after we crossed over into Canada, everything looked almost identical to back home: strip malls with most of the same familiar chains and fast-food joints you’d see in any American city. But once we reached the Twenty Valley (see links below for map) all that changed. Now we were in the land of quaint villages, teahouses and lush Canadian landscape. Not to mention gracious living.

In 2008 About Thyme Bistro was awarded the “Gold VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence.” This little bistro in the heart of West Niagara wine country certainly deserves its award for excellence.

About Thyme Bistro, Vineland, Ontario, Canada

The Twenty Valley is a short, pleasant drive into Ontario, just beyond Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

Malivoire Wine Company, Twenty Valley, Ontario

Milli Thornton — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:11:42 +0000

OUR DINNER AT About Thyme Bistro, Vineland, Ontario would not have been as sublime as it was without the bottle of award-winning 2007 Old Vines Foch, a superb red. This came from Malivoire, a winery just down the road apiece from the restaurant.

I can’t claim to be a wine connoisseur. All I know is that I was in the presence of a great bottle of wine.

Malivoire Old Vines Foch at About Thyme Bistro
Our wine was decanted for us as part of the gracious table service. Decanting is a simple process whereby the wine is poured into a separate glass container in order to let it breathe.

Being impressed with our first taste of Malivoire, we decided to seek them out. There are so many wineries in the Twenty Valley— when it comes to choosing one to visit (especially when you only have a weekend) it can be overwhelming. The personal recommendation from our own taste buds was just what we needed to help us narrow down the choices.

Malivoire Wine Company offers an inviting, vine-covered entrance (flowered vines, this time) with a stylish tasting room. The friendly gentleman who helped us choose our wines was possibly the owner: not only was he knowledgeable, it became obvious that he’s intimately involved with the vineyards.

I’ve been to wine tastings before—of the gourmet cheese and water cracker type where everybody mingles and tries a lot of wine (but you don’t learn much of anything new). It was fascinating to go through the proper procedure with somebody who knows his stuff.

Naturally, we were hoping to stock up on Old Vines Foch, but it was sold out. Not surprising! However, we were very happy to take home a few bottles of 2007 Gamay plus a bottle of Icewine Cabernet Franc.

Malivoire received a gold medal at the 2009 Ontario Wine Awards for their 2007 Gamay:

“Deep ruby colour; an intense nose of fresh, ripe bramble fruits followed by cooked plum, sour cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and cigar box. Vibrant red berry upfront on the palate followed by dark cherry, this wine has a plush body with soft tannins and lively acidity.”

Now, if only I’d get busy in the kitchen and cook something worthy of one of those bottles of Gamay!

Malivoire Wine Company, Beamsville, Twenty Valley, Ontario, Canada

The Twenty Valley is a short, pleasant drive into Ontario, just beyond Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

Locate Twenty Valley on the map

All photos on this page Copyright © 2009 Milli Thornton & Brian Williams