Flinders Station (the glass of beer)

in

flindersstationstkilda

On my first night out in Melbourne I took the street car along St. Kilda to the Flinders Station to explore a bit of the city of Melbourne. You must realize that I was forewarned that Australians may not take kindly to those of us from across the pond, however, a must read is my post related to Ozzie’s and All-Stars. At any rate, this thought was completely out of my mind until I stepped up to the bar and ordered a ‘glass of beer’. Upon arrival I noticed those drinking to both my left and right obviously had larger beers. Ordering another glass, the notion began to cross my mind… but what exactly I should do about it was the real question. Calling out the bartender wouldn’t be the smartest play, so maybe the best plan is to just drink up my losses, go on about my day and not return to this bar again.

At some point shortly after, during my stay in Oz, at some bar or restaurant, the light shined, an epiphany some might call it, a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience. Although it’s not very intuitive if someone needs to tell you. However the knowledge was gained, it was about as simple as basic arithmetic: a glass was smaller in size and contains 10 fl oz while a pint (which every adult was ordering) was a larger size beer starting at 15 fl oz, with the imperial pint holding 20 fl oz. — okay, I’m an idiot.

flindersstation

[divider style=”solid”]

bbbh

The Twelve Apostles

in

The Great Ocean Road, between Torquay and Allansford, Victoria, Australia is what I compare Route 1 along the California coast to. The list of things to see and do is only limited by the time one has to explore everything along this route. But time changes everything and this is sadly true with the 12 Apostles. I don’t know how many are now left, they were just limestone stacks shooting up from the water to create an amazing view. Only so much constant pounding of the ocean could they withstand I would guess is the reason for their demise. 

London Bridge has also collapsed since my visit. No not the one in London which is now in Arizona and not the one in the song, which is now has lyrics that more accurately reflect the one located along the Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell National Park.

 

Grampians National Park

in

The Grampians (Aboriginal name Gariwerd) are a series of five spectacular sandstone ridges located only 3 hours north of Melbourne. Hiking to the Pinnacle Lookout is probably the most sought out attraction, as well as a number of mountain climbing routes that are available. While this isn’t a post related to a bar and the road to get to Halls Gap, the base from where to hike, is not a backroad, there is one attraction that warrants a drink or two… the Nerve Test.

I suggest not to indulge before taking the test, and my word of advice would be to probably not take this test at all. There have been some tragic results over time and the park states that when they get a call regarding a fall, the team goes out in ‘recovery’ mode. Anything below a passing grade in this ‘test’ can probably be considered fatal.

So of course Andrew took the challenge…

Now he looks quite comfortable and he kind of crawled more than walked out step by step — but he did it and he was the only one in our group to try it. He is not praying for the ability to turn around, he is just looking over the edge.

Here’s someone else’s photo of the rock formation. It is a steep drop below and somewhat surprising that it is still accessible. But maybe that’s partly because of the history and tradition as this seems to be a test people like to take dating at least back in 1947. I’m sure this has been going on long before that and probably many Aboriginal tribesmen (and tribeswomen too) calmly walked out to that last stone and enjoyed the view.

 

Grand Pacific Hotel

in

gp

I was fortunate to meet Mercedes on my first day in Melbourne. She was my waitress at Barbarino’s, a place I visited almost daily, and thru her I met her roommate Ulla, and a couple Aussie friends they both had met while traveling in Bali. We were six counting me, and in various combinations of the group, we headed out of town for long weekends or to private events in town. Because of them I was able to visit Sydney, drive around Tasmania, backpack in the Grampians National Park and camp on the beach at Lorne. I had to rent a tuxedo for an interesting evening accompanying Ulla as her date, but that is another story. Actually, Ulla (a German national working at the German Consulate in Melbourne) had a friend flying in to visit. So, Lorne was a one night stay on our way along the Great Ocean Road to our main destination, the 12 Apostles.

The Great Ocean Road reminds me a lot of Hwy. 1 driving up from Morro Bay to Moss Landing, nothing but beautiful scenery. But this post is about the Grand Pacific Hotel in Lorne, and as I’ve mentioned, a hotel in Australian translate to a bar, although this is a hotel with rooms, it most certainly does have a bar. Yes, we were sleeping on the beach, but we went in the hotel for a beer and out to a Thai restaurant for dinner.

The hotel is a historic one. Built in 1875 with ocean views that are truly amazing, the hotel is a must stop for anyone traveling past. In 1903 an Australian Handbook described it as: “a fashionable and popular watering-place”, a statement which holds true over 100 years later.

 

557e01f4b6a77-gp1.jpg557e0201d405d-gp2.jpg557e02102f6cf-gp3.jpg

bbbh

Broken Spoke Saloon

in

bss1

It’s about 7,182 miles from where I live to the Broken Spoke Saloon. It’s about a 7.182 mile drive for Wayne, living now in Hope Island. Like the Giant Sombrero, it’s a place I haven’t been to as yet, but unlike the big cement hat, it’s a place that seems a lot more interesting, certainly more stuff to look at. However, it is my understanding that the owner Malcolm may not be in the best of health, so my chances to wander through his shed have probably been reduced to slim and little.

[divider style=”shadow”]

555be50a09fca-bssa.jpg555be51483d62-bssb.jpg555be51e9b2aa-bssc.jpg555be5296e630-bssd.jpg555be531ededd-bsse.jpg555be5435787d-bssf.jpg555be54c90727-bssg.jpg555be5544b1ad-bssh.jpg

[divider style=”shadow”]

555665fbf3c0e-bss.jpg55566610d6b5d-bss2.jpg5556661f4203a-bss3.jpg5556662f30213-bss4.jpg

bbbh

Years pass… Wayne has moved up north about an hour to Brisbane, but it may be that Malcolm has ‘moved on’ as well. At least the Broken Spoke has as it now appears to have become a garage. Hopefully, Malcolm simply sold it and has retired, and by that I mean he is still walking and talking…

malcolm“Cheers, Mate!”

Hotel Esplanade

in

Esplanade

The Esplanade Hotel was built in 1878 and remains one of the earliest, largest and most prominent 19th century resort hotels in Victoria. Originally intended to be three large terraces, the building was altered to become a hotel during construction, and became one of the premier hotels in Melbourne outside the city. Alterations were made in 1921 changing it from exclusive residential use for the wealthy to incorporate entertainment for the middle classes, with the addition at the ground floor of a grand staircase and lounge bar. Well, thank God for that as all I was interested in was the lounge bar. I was introduced to the Esplanade by Marino (Hey! Marino — I know you’re out there!), as we left Melbourne’s first Chili Cookoff, sponsored by Taco Bill (no, not a spelling error), and full of contestants from our company, primarily those who were there representing Southwestern Bell. — but that’s for another post, and quite a bit more mild than wild — why do you think we walked away in search of a better place to drink. Remember this, it was the first ‘chili cookoff’ in Melbourne. Miss Jalapeño wore blue jeans.

Just to clarify — While similar to any major city throughout the world, Australian cities are full of large high-rise hotels (most all of which contain bars). However, in Australia if you see a charming two-story structure with a large sign that says “Hotel,” you can count on it being a bar, usually with restaurant facilities, but no rooms to let. Basically a ‘hotel’ is a pub.

Okay, more history, but really, it’s the lounge bar and the view across the street of the St. Kilda Harbour and beach, the breeze that flows into the bar off the ocean… right, more history:

Between 1920 and 1925, the “Eastern Tent Ballroom” constructed to the rear of the site became an important jazz venue and dance venue, then the main entertainment district in Melbourne. In the 1970s, the Hotel’s Gershwin Room, a grand dining room, was turned into a disco – complete with flashing Saturday Night Fever-style dance floor.

The Esplanade Hotel was classified by the National Trust of Australia in October 1990.

555beded0da6d-espy1.jpg555bedf981c0b-espy3.jpg555bee09e8f4f-espy5.jpg

bbbh

Who won the race?

in

beer

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Adult fans at one of Australia’s most popular motor sport races, the Bathurst 1000, will be limited to one “slab” of beer a day — or 24 375 ml (12.7 fluid ounces) cans — as police focus on reducing alcohol-related crime. For comparison the US longneck is 341 ml (11.5 fluid ounces). That’s only a difference of 34 ml, but multiply that by 24 and that’s another 816 ml that you get in that “slab”, or another 7 beers.

The 24-can rule would also be placed on mixed drinks for the V8 car race starting Thursday which draws thousands to the rural town of Bathurst in eastern New South Wales state, the NSW police said Tuesday.
But more restrained spectators would be able to slake their thirst, if not their craving for alcohol, with up to 36 cans of low or mid-strength beer.
Again, not really a familiar term in the U.S., but for comparison purposes Australian full strength beer is 4.6%, mid strength – 3.5%, and light – 2.5-3%. Budweiser, a U.S. staple would fall in the mid strength group. So, if you’re a “restrained” spectator attending the Bathurst 1000,  your limit would be 36 cans of Bud Light… my question is why drink the “light”? – Watching the carb intake? -or- just wanting those eleven additional cold ones?

On second thought, 24 cans of beer per day is only one per hour, and that doesn’t seem to be too many.
Wine lovers must make do with no more than four liters of cask wine per day and combinations of the options would not be allowed, the police statement said.

The post above is true, new policies in effect for the 2009 race. I am currently in search for the limits as they relate to the following occupations/events listed below. I’ve guessed on numbers based on the Bathurst 1000 policy, please correct me if you know the correct allotment.

  • School Bus Drivers – one six pack (6 stubbies) per route; pick up of children and arrival at school.
  • Ambulance Drivers – four beers per emergency call, two en route to call, two en route to hospital.
  • Race Car Drivers – three beers per race, limit to four races a day.
  • Pilots – twelve beers per international flight, ten beers per domestic flight.
  • Taxi Drivers – two beers per fare.
  • Footy Match – posted limits are for single purchases only, unlimited purchases may be made – what??? hunh? this means you are limited to buying four at one time…you may return to the counter and purchase four more. This is for the safety of the consumer. How can you carry more than four without spilling.
  • Jockey – unlimited, but must provide some to the horse also.
  • Prime Minister – apparently there is no restriction on amount or mixtures
  • Ex-Patriot Magazine Editors – no limits apply. Those falling in this category need as much alcohol as they can consume.