Attempting to hang ten at Australia's first surf park
And two meals out to write home about.
I looooove March. It’s usually still warm in Melbourne, plus there’s heaps of cool stuff happening in the city this time of year. Since we last spoke, I’ve been to two gigs and a festival and I’m not even tired, because as a chronic hayfever suferer, autumn is the only time of the year I can properly breathe.
Also, don’t panic, the newsletter is not late today – I’m just trying out a different send time.
Anyway. Let’s dive right in.
Doing the thing that both thrills & scares you
Ever wanted to go surfing, while being a little bit freaked out by the wild, unpredictable nature of the ocean?
I hear you. I love to swim but have been apprehensive of waves ever since I got dumped in the surf when I was sixteen. I was wearing an old bikini top, which due to a puberty-induced growth spurt had got confused about its correct placement on my chest and so, ended up inadvertently flashing some nearby male friends, while thrashing around in the water, trying to get my bearings. Thanks for the emotional trauma, nature!
For those of us looking to maintain our modesty, I suggest looking to Australia’s first surf park. URBNSURF is located out near Melbourne’s main airport (Tullamarine) – a weird section of the city that’s largely industrial and flat in nature. You turn off a main highway, follow some side streets and bang. There you are.
The park has become a popular hang out for both people learning to surf for the first, or close to the first time, and experienced surfers who would rather drive 20 minutes from the city’s CBD for guaranteed good waves, than over an hour to Victoria’s surf coast. Makes the sense.
Despite growing up in places that are renowned for their surfing, I’ve never tried it myself (not for lack of at least thinking about doing it). So, I booked onto a beginner’s lesson (shoutout to my non-blood bro for the Christmas gift). For this, you get a wetsuit, rashie, surfboard hire and an experienced teacher with a suitably gnarly nickname, to show you the ropes.
My boobs continue to cause challenges where water activities are concerned, as I had to don a men’s wetsuit, which didn’t quite fit my body in a way that was at all comfortable. Reminds me of bikini shopping at surf stores as a teenager, where the bikini bottoms would correctly expand as the sizes went up, while the bikini tops remained itty bitty.
Before hitting the waves, we practised getting up on our boards. We were shown two methods – an easy way that our teacher told us ‘wouldn’t help in the long run’ and a more challenging, but appropriate path to standing on your board. Easy enough on dry land… but what about once we were in the faux ocean?
I’d anticipated that standing up on a board, while getting pummeled by (artificial) waves was not going to be easy. Correct thinking. Years of yoga and pilates means I don’t have half bad balance, but there’s so much to think about when you’re trying to catch a wave. You’ve got to look back to see the wave coming and make sure you start paddling at the right time, but not too early, just before the waves hits and then you have to stop paddling at the right time, attempt to stand up without falling off your board, then remain standing up until you’re at the shore. Oh, and if you fall, you need to fall right – like a starfish, so you don’t hurt yourself.
During a beginner’s lesson at URBNSURF, depending on group size, you’ll catch around 8-10 waves. Our group was smallish, so we did manage ten. It was a weird trajectory for me – at the start, I felt I almost had it, then I dipped to catastrophically bad levels of success in the middle (not paddling at the right time, or just simply falling off my board).
It wasn’t ‘til the last wave that I nearly got it, when I almost managed to get all the way up on my board, bung foot somewhat preventing me from doing it properly.
But, man! The exhilaration. We finished our session smiling, laughing, letting the adrenaline roll through us, which was then heightened once we were informed that Mick Fanning was there, surfing that day. We went to watch him, but he was in a group of people who could all surf very well and from a distance, kinda just looked like generic surfer dudes. But still. I think I can safely say I surfed with Mick Fanning, so long as I never elaborate on the details.
The best things I ate this fortnight
I hit up two eateries that have long sat on my must-visit list. The years of anticipation didn’t disappoint.
First up, an afternoon at Basils Farm, which is on Victoria’s very underrated Bellarine Peninsula.
In typically March fashion, we were there on a gorgeous balmy day, perfectly paired with beautiful views.
Oh, and the food?
Everything we ate was delicious and it was particularly nice to follow the meal up with a walk along Ocean Grove Beach.
Then, not as nice to get stuck in horrendous traffic on the drive back to Melbourne, due to the biennial airshow at Avalon Airport, but them’s the breaks, I guess.
And finally to Lona Misa, where Shannon Martinez is Executive Chef (in a joint venture with Ian Curley of Kirk’s Wine Bar fame). I’ve previously fangirled over her cookbooks and have long wanted to visit this now officially hatted hotel restaurant (Hats are the Australian version of Michelin stars, for those outside of Oz, awarded by Good Food). Everything about this venue is Very Cool – it’s completely vegan, has an enviable wine list and the decor is fresh, fun and funky, without trying too hard (unlike that last sentence).
My pal and I shared plates of champiñones españoles (mushies on delicious foccacia, which I’ll now think about forever), queso con chorizo (coconut-based cheese dip with tortillas and totopos), peri peri ‘chicken’ served with chimichurri and patatas bravas, which I bloody love.
Throw into the mix a glass of temprenillo from Rjoca, Spain and you’ve got a happy girl.
Maybe one comment. The chicken is interesting, as is any fake meat, I guess. Vegan chicken – it’s a hard one to get right. Mostly regarding the texture… I kept thinking of a bit in Kath and Kim – specifically 2005 telemovie Da Kath and Kim Code, where Kel mistakenly puts Kath’s ‘chicken fillet’ bra inserts into the freezer, they get cooked up on Christmas Day and accidentally consumed. The texture, I’m sure, would be quite similar. The taste at least, was pleasing on the palate.
What’s cooking next time
I’m rather loath to keep this section tbh, as I tend to change my mind about the content of the next newsletter once I sit down to write it. So let’s just list upcoming content over the next month or so:
ways to welcome in autumn
the trials and tribulations of trying to form a habit
the ‘cult chef’ cookbook that’s got me rolling my eyes a little
a moving memoir centred around food
food photograph – why so awkward?!
And we’ll see where else life takes us, yes?
See you in a fortnight.
-Celine
PS. If you’re enjoying this newsletter, I’d love a like, a comment or even a share. The more ‘engagement’ a post gets, the more it has the chance of getting eyeballed by others who aren’t subscribed. Thank you!
PPS. Rest assured, any puns are always intended.
Sounds like so much fun!! Loved reading this xoxo
I literally want to do ALL of these things!