The Leatherwood and Macadamia honey mead is done fermenting!
Recipe Post
It came out a sunny yellow color and smelled perfect! Its hard to describe so come round and try some!
I got 5 bottles worth out of it and have endeavored to make them all sparkling which means bubbles. It will take another 3-5 months before they are ready for the gullet and then its mideval feasting time!
Or as friend Matt said "Hobbit time!"
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Europe Trip - Vienna Day 3
Europe Trip Posts
Journey Begins
Vienna Day 1
Vienna Day 2
Vienna Day 3 (This post)
Paris Day 1
Paris Day 2
Since the competition was over for the Griffith team Kasey and I had a day to ourselves so we headed off into the city. Kasey wanted to show me hot chocolate that they do really well apparently so we went into a back street coffee house where we were ignored like a piece of furniture :) That is until we stopped someone and they had us sit down at a huge communal table. Think ye olde knight's feasting table and we waited patiently. Others came in and they were seated, menu's provided and orders taken and we still waited... Tried to catch their eye but as we spoke no german, and were basically the worst tourist possible we decided to cut our losses and try something more mainstream.
Please note: I don't hold it against the people in the coffee shop ignoring us. We didn't speaking german and where obviously clueless, we didn't even attempt to speak german and it was busy as hell in there. Moral of the story? If you want to fit in, speak like the locals and don't act like an out of town looser. Evidence of us doing it right when we get to Paris posts :D
On our way back to the city centre we saw a fountain and got someone to take a photo of us.
And we get to see my new jacket here! Oh and Kasey looking lovely as aways.
Back at the city centre we had coffee and an apple fritter which was nice and did some sight seeing
We visted the massive cathedrial which shows off some impressive sights inside!
Now that is a massive organ! and check out the year on the ceiling.
Just to round off our sight seeing :D A shop you know rocks.
After our wander around we went to Japanese and had some very tasty food with more unfiltered wheat beer and it was off to a late lunch/dinner banquet. Food was so so.
But the girls got more awards and it was really exciting to see that. Here are some action shots at the end
Fast forwarding a bit, we went to Italian that evening but I was soooo stuffed I couldn't eat, so I just had some really nice wine and called it an evening. The wind was pretty feirce before dinner and leaving dinner it was roaring!
It was decided to head to the club where all the other teams where headed so off we went! Lucky for us the rain started in just to make things really misserable :-D It was frick'n cold!!!! It took us a good 15 minutes of slogging through to reach the club once there it was warm and comfortable.
Again my failure to learn ANY german shows through here. I tried to order a beer but in the end gave up and just said "That one" and recived a beer. Random could be said....
The club was packed with people and it looked like their last chance to try and hook up with other lawyerie types (Thats a real word also, Lawyerie. Try it out with your friends and then make fun of them for not knowing its a real word). I am drinking my beer thinking, this is the worst thing EVER! Even worse then domestic beer. I started to feel a bit ill and had a look at the bottle. That's a weird thing to put on a bottle, it looks like a pot leaf.... You have got to be kidding me... Look at the back of the bottle with more crazy pictures... Holy crap.
Yup, hemp beer.
So it was home bound for me! I was struggling to keep the contents of the 4 meals down on our slog back through the rain and wind. What a day!!! I was nausous long into the night.
Here ends our Veinna trip. The following day we head for Paris!
Stay tuned for the thrilling adventure of traveling from Veinna to Paris :D
Journey Begins
Vienna Day 1
Vienna Day 2
Vienna Day 3 (This post)
Paris Day 1
Paris Day 2
Since the competition was over for the Griffith team Kasey and I had a day to ourselves so we headed off into the city. Kasey wanted to show me hot chocolate that they do really well apparently so we went into a back street coffee house where we were ignored like a piece of furniture :) That is until we stopped someone and they had us sit down at a huge communal table. Think ye olde knight's feasting table and we waited patiently. Others came in and they were seated, menu's provided and orders taken and we still waited... Tried to catch their eye but as we spoke no german, and were basically the worst tourist possible we decided to cut our losses and try something more mainstream.
Please note: I don't hold it against the people in the coffee shop ignoring us. We didn't speaking german and where obviously clueless, we didn't even attempt to speak german and it was busy as hell in there. Moral of the story? If you want to fit in, speak like the locals and don't act like an out of town looser. Evidence of us doing it right when we get to Paris posts :D
On our way back to the city centre we saw a fountain and got someone to take a photo of us.
Back at the city centre we had coffee and an apple fritter which was nice and did some sight seeing
We visted the massive cathedrial which shows off some impressive sights inside!
Just to round off our sight seeing :D A shop you know rocks.
After our wander around we went to Japanese and had some very tasty food with more unfiltered wheat beer and it was off to a late lunch/dinner banquet. Food was so so.
But the girls got more awards and it was really exciting to see that. Here are some action shots at the end
Fast forwarding a bit, we went to Italian that evening but I was soooo stuffed I couldn't eat, so I just had some really nice wine and called it an evening. The wind was pretty feirce before dinner and leaving dinner it was roaring!
It was decided to head to the club where all the other teams where headed so off we went! Lucky for us the rain started in just to make things really misserable :-D It was frick'n cold!!!! It took us a good 15 minutes of slogging through to reach the club once there it was warm and comfortable.
Again my failure to learn ANY german shows through here. I tried to order a beer but in the end gave up and just said "That one" and recived a beer. Random could be said....
The club was packed with people and it looked like their last chance to try and hook up with other lawyerie types (Thats a real word also, Lawyerie. Try it out with your friends and then make fun of them for not knowing its a real word). I am drinking my beer thinking, this is the worst thing EVER! Even worse then domestic beer. I started to feel a bit ill and had a look at the bottle. That's a weird thing to put on a bottle, it looks like a pot leaf.... You have got to be kidding me... Look at the back of the bottle with more crazy pictures... Holy crap.
Yup, hemp beer.
So it was home bound for me! I was struggling to keep the contents of the 4 meals down on our slog back through the rain and wind. What a day!!! I was nausous long into the night.
Here ends our Veinna trip. The following day we head for Paris!
Stay tuned for the thrilling adventure of traveling from Veinna to Paris :D
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wheat Beer - All Grain first attempt
Well since everyone loves my hooch brew'n.
Ingredients:
Now I don't have the White Labs yeast because they were out and the hops I swapped for sterling, but its not like anyone who reads this blog knows what the hell I am talking about anyhow so it doesnt mater :D
Here are some pics to get your interest up.
I use my hand to get an idea how much grain we are talking about
WHAT?! Not enough? Need more photos to get an idea?? Fine
How about a cat? That gives some idea of what we are dealing with? And by the way, clean counter tops and a sterile environment are KEY to a good brew.
Your still not getting it?
Uhh thats a lot of grain! Damn
Here are some action shots of the brewing in action
Now I have had endless troubles will cooling the wort (which is what you see in the picture above) from boiling temperature to 24-18C so I can add the yeast and go to bed. How should I tackle this problem? Big friggen ice cubes!
now THAT is some ice cubes :D Also that is filtered water ice cubes :D
So plunk they go and BAM I am on my way from 100C down to 24C in no time!
Tasting to be done in a month or so. Maybe another video? For now its time for my beauty sleep.
Ingredients:
| Wheat Malt, Bel (3.9 EBC) | Grain | 2.50 kg | |
| Pale Malt (2 Row) US (3.9 EBC) | Grain | 1.00 kg | |
| Munich Malt - 10L (19.7 EBC) | Grain | 0.50 kg | |
| Sterling (7.50%) | Hops | 28.30 gm | |
| Hefeweizen Ale (White Labs #WLP300) | Yeast | 1.00 Pkgs |
Now I don't have the White Labs yeast because they were out and the hops I swapped for sterling, but its not like anyone who reads this blog knows what the hell I am talking about anyhow so it doesnt mater :D
Here are some pics to get your interest up.
WHAT?! Not enough? Need more photos to get an idea?? Fine
Your still not getting it?Uhh thats a lot of grain! Damn
Here are some action shots of the brewing in action
Now I have had endless troubles will cooling the wort (which is what you see in the picture above) from boiling temperature to 24-18C so I can add the yeast and go to bed. How should I tackle this problem? Big friggen ice cubes!
now THAT is some ice cubes :D Also that is filtered water ice cubes :D
So plunk they go and BAM I am on my way from 100C down to 24C in no time!
Tasting to be done in a month or so. Maybe another video? For now its time for my beauty sleep.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Leatherwood and Macadamia Mead
Juice of one lemon
300g leatherwood honey - smells like a flower shop crazy stuff!
700g macadamia honey - nice and sweat
5 liters of filtered water
Wine yeast
Wine Nutrient
SG: 1.060 (This will give me about a 8-9% wine)
First off boil your water
Then get a good thermometer, I am very proud of my new digital one, and wait for it to get to 72C. Add your room temperature honey and the temp will drop to around 66C. Stir like mad! Keep watching the temp and if it drops below 66C kick a little fire under its ass to keep things going.
Your goal is to keep it at 66C for 22 minutes. This kills the bacteria in the honey but doesn't destroy the pollen fragrances. There is no need to boil it.
When your 22 minutes is up mix up your wine yeast and nutrient in a tea cup and set aside.
Wait for the honey mixture to cool to around 25-27C add your yeast and cool it down to 12-16C.
This one looks awesome, very light in color and still smells really nice. We will see what happens in a months time!
I should get about 5-6 bottles and I plan to do 4 as sparkling. So I will add more honey to the bottles and let them bottle ferment for a month or two to carbonate the little monkeys!
300g leatherwood honey - smells like a flower shop crazy stuff!
700g macadamia honey - nice and sweat
5 liters of filtered water
Wine yeast
Wine Nutrient
SG: 1.060 (This will give me about a 8-9% wine)
First off boil your water
Then get a good thermometer, I am very proud of my new digital one, and wait for it to get to 72C. Add your room temperature honey and the temp will drop to around 66C. Stir like mad! Keep watching the temp and if it drops below 66C kick a little fire under its ass to keep things going.
Your goal is to keep it at 66C for 22 minutes. This kills the bacteria in the honey but doesn't destroy the pollen fragrances. There is no need to boil it.
When your 22 minutes is up mix up your wine yeast and nutrient in a tea cup and set aside.
Wait for the honey mixture to cool to around 25-27C add your yeast and cool it down to 12-16C.
This one looks awesome, very light in color and still smells really nice. We will see what happens in a months time!
I should get about 5-6 bottles and I plan to do 4 as sparkling. So I will add more honey to the bottles and let them bottle ferment for a month or two to carbonate the little monkeys!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Europe Trip - Vienna Day 2
Europe Trip Posts
Journey Begins
Vienna Day 1
Vienna Day 2 (This post)
Vienna Day 3
Paris Day 1
Paris Day 2
Hold onto your ass because it is a rip roaring post of Vienna day 2!
Day 2
This day I headed out by myself as Kasey went to the morning moots (She was not competing but supporting her follow team mates).
I charmed the front desk girl into giving me a map of the city, like I needed it with my GPS Mobile!, and an umbrella since it was pissing down rain. Let me back track a little and describe what I am wearing.... Sneakers from USA, jeans from Australia, tee-shirt from Thailand, sweatshirt from Sierra Nevada and my newly acquired umbrella. Out into the howling wind, rain and cold like you wouldn't believe. Ozzies were running for cover claiming the end of the world was nigh! But I struggled on.
Walking through the harsh wind I made it to the subway and decided to head into the central city area. The girl at the front said there was good shit there so I was keen to check it out.
Leaving the subway and enter to the city center the wind, rain and freezing cold hit me like a dump truck, or maybe a snow truck. I started my quest for a jacket. It occurred to me that the city center full of tourists and other punters wouldn't be the best spot to buy a coat but dammit I was freezing! And then I saw it, a little shop with coats in the window! they had suits, and dresses as well but it was the coats I was focusing on. Entering the shop I saw something that reminded me of Japan, a little box that looks like a wine case (many little square holes) to put your umbrella so you don't track water all over the shop ya bloody tourist! Anyhow, I was filled with natsukashi seeing that and I put my ... err... not mine but acquired umbrella in the rack and headed in with a Eric style smile on my face. Hey knock the smile all you want but check out how it served me!
The lady working here promptly said a greeting in German and then I remembered. I don't speak German. This is going to be interesting. Hitching the smile up a notch I said in my most polite way, "I am sorry I don't speak German." There is no need to say you speak English, its not like they are martian! They have seen the Daily Show I am sure. She smiled and I continued boldly "I am looking for a coat". Luckily she smiled and pointed up some stairs. Only half way up the stairs I started to think, maybe she didn't understand and just sent me up the stairs for a joke... It is what I would have done if some dirty foreigner came into my shop blathering on in Icelandic.... Still.. I was damn cold and I needed to see this through.
Arriving at what I can only imagine to be the summit of the world after so many steps I see this looks more like one of those fitting rooms from a movie where the old guy with the tape measure fits you for the perfect Italian suit. Fortunately for me, there was no Italian suits since it was a coat I was wanting and another older lady came to assist me. She spoke a little more english and I communicated my desire for a coat standing there in? Sneakers, jeans, and a sierra nevada sweatshirt. and she accommodatingly showed me the coats they had on hand. The first lot were not what I was looking for, all very nerdy as far as I could tell. I wanted something dashing! Until I saw the coat, she brought it out and said it would need to be "finished" as it would need to be fitted, I inquired as to how much and she said 1,200 Euro. I was sober enough not to choke, spit, laugh, or anything else that would give me away as being way too cheap and tight assed for a 1,200 Euro coat. Conversion for all you folks out there. 1,200 Euro = 1,700 AUD; 1,200 Euro = 1,550 USD (Your currency sux these days)
I tried my best to excuse myself with grace and get the hell out of dodge.
Back out on the freezing streets I proceeded felling a bit foolish but the bone chilling wind kept me moving on. the next shop I entered also had suits in the window but what the hell do I know? I am more the half way (Figure that one out) around the world so who am I to assume?Anyhow, I rampage in a head to the mens section. Downstairs and in a nice warm area. At least I think this is the mens area?... I mean what are all these frilly shirts doing on display? Ohhh those ARE mens attire. Guys here are a bunch of girls :D
Moving on.
I scoured the shop and found a 100 Euro coat! SCORE! I was cold no longer.
I found that shit all really funny and that's why I spent so much time relaying the tale. I am going to fast track the rest of the day.
I wandered around for a few hours having fun not speaking the language and trying to be friendly (Its a chore!). I had lunch at a sausage stand with a beer. Domestic beer in Vienna SUX! Just like USA I guess :) Domestic .. ick. But the sausage was awesome :D And any kind of beer at noon is good with a sausage.
Returning to the hotel I changed into my suit and went to the moot in the afternoon. Unfortunately, and unfairly Griffith got knocked out in this round. So drinks where on!
Went to a Vienna restaurant where I had pork and cheese. It was disgusting. The Champagne was really nice though! A consolation prize, for the hard done by, and me your local hanger on :D
Later we went to club, paid an exorbitant amount for drinks and Kasey and I left the young-ins there to dance and have shenanigans. I was tired of people assuming I was some high flying lawyer because of my pimp-tastic 3 piece suit. Thats right bitches THREE PIECE SUIT, get some class. DAMN. I am being funny now, so make sure to giggle at least :D I am not a lawyer, I am a 2nd century Chinese warlord and don't you forget it!
Journey Begins
Vienna Day 1
Vienna Day 2 (This post)
Vienna Day 3
Paris Day 1
Paris Day 2
Hold onto your ass because it is a rip roaring post of Vienna day 2!
Day 2
This day I headed out by myself as Kasey went to the morning moots (She was not competing but supporting her follow team mates).
I charmed the front desk girl into giving me a map of the city, like I needed it with my GPS Mobile!, and an umbrella since it was pissing down rain. Let me back track a little and describe what I am wearing.... Sneakers from USA, jeans from Australia, tee-shirt from Thailand, sweatshirt from Sierra Nevada and my newly acquired umbrella. Out into the howling wind, rain and cold like you wouldn't believe. Ozzies were running for cover claiming the end of the world was nigh! But I struggled on.
Walking through the harsh wind I made it to the subway and decided to head into the central city area. The girl at the front said there was good shit there so I was keen to check it out.
Leaving the subway and enter to the city center the wind, rain and freezing cold hit me like a dump truck, or maybe a snow truck. I started my quest for a jacket. It occurred to me that the city center full of tourists and other punters wouldn't be the best spot to buy a coat but dammit I was freezing! And then I saw it, a little shop with coats in the window! they had suits, and dresses as well but it was the coats I was focusing on. Entering the shop I saw something that reminded me of Japan, a little box that looks like a wine case (many little square holes) to put your umbrella so you don't track water all over the shop ya bloody tourist! Anyhow, I was filled with natsukashi seeing that and I put my ... err... not mine but acquired umbrella in the rack and headed in with a Eric style smile on my face. Hey knock the smile all you want but check out how it served me!
The lady working here promptly said a greeting in German and then I remembered. I don't speak German. This is going to be interesting. Hitching the smile up a notch I said in my most polite way, "I am sorry I don't speak German." There is no need to say you speak English, its not like they are martian! They have seen the Daily Show I am sure. She smiled and I continued boldly "I am looking for a coat". Luckily she smiled and pointed up some stairs. Only half way up the stairs I started to think, maybe she didn't understand and just sent me up the stairs for a joke... It is what I would have done if some dirty foreigner came into my shop blathering on in Icelandic.... Still.. I was damn cold and I needed to see this through.
Arriving at what I can only imagine to be the summit of the world after so many steps I see this looks more like one of those fitting rooms from a movie where the old guy with the tape measure fits you for the perfect Italian suit. Fortunately for me, there was no Italian suits since it was a coat I was wanting and another older lady came to assist me. She spoke a little more english and I communicated my desire for a coat standing there in? Sneakers, jeans, and a sierra nevada sweatshirt. and she accommodatingly showed me the coats they had on hand. The first lot were not what I was looking for, all very nerdy as far as I could tell. I wanted something dashing! Until I saw the coat, she brought it out and said it would need to be "finished" as it would need to be fitted, I inquired as to how much and she said 1,200 Euro. I was sober enough not to choke, spit, laugh, or anything else that would give me away as being way too cheap and tight assed for a 1,200 Euro coat. Conversion for all you folks out there. 1,200 Euro = 1,700 AUD; 1,200 Euro = 1,550 USD (Your currency sux these days)
I tried my best to excuse myself with grace and get the hell out of dodge.
Back out on the freezing streets I proceeded felling a bit foolish but the bone chilling wind kept me moving on. the next shop I entered also had suits in the window but what the hell do I know? I am more the half way (Figure that one out) around the world so who am I to assume?Anyhow, I rampage in a head to the mens section. Downstairs and in a nice warm area. At least I think this is the mens area?... I mean what are all these frilly shirts doing on display? Ohhh those ARE mens attire. Guys here are a bunch of girls :D
Moving on.
I scoured the shop and found a 100 Euro coat! SCORE! I was cold no longer.
I found that shit all really funny and that's why I spent so much time relaying the tale. I am going to fast track the rest of the day.
I wandered around for a few hours having fun not speaking the language and trying to be friendly (Its a chore!). I had lunch at a sausage stand with a beer. Domestic beer in Vienna SUX! Just like USA I guess :) Domestic .. ick. But the sausage was awesome :D And any kind of beer at noon is good with a sausage.
Returning to the hotel I changed into my suit and went to the moot in the afternoon. Unfortunately, and unfairly Griffith got knocked out in this round. So drinks where on!
Went to a Vienna restaurant where I had pork and cheese. It was disgusting. The Champagne was really nice though! A consolation prize, for the hard done by, and me your local hanger on :D
Later we went to club, paid an exorbitant amount for drinks and Kasey and I left the young-ins there to dance and have shenanigans. I was tired of people assuming I was some high flying lawyer because of my pimp-tastic 3 piece suit. Thats right bitches THREE PIECE SUIT, get some class. DAMN. I am being funny now, so make sure to giggle at least :D I am not a lawyer, I am a 2nd century Chinese warlord and don't you forget it!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Garden, Duck Fat, Beans and Honey
Yes it is a montage of things that make you go ZzzzZZZzzzz
Honey
I have recently bought honey from Tasmania and following up from my other honey post thought I would show the differences here as well :)
Going to make some fine mead with these!
Beans
I love mexican beans. They are the best. Sadly they are canned bags of crap here so when I first move to Australia I started trying to cook my own. Years later I am the freak'n MASTER! I buy dried pinto beans from an Indian Mart who sells imported crap, soak them for 24 hours, boil them for about 3-4 hours, blitz the shit out of them with a hand mixer and add the following
1. Duck Fat (This stuff is amazing!!!)
2. Tomatos
3. Onions (red and yellow)
4. Chili
5. Whatever else I am feeling on the day.
DO NOT ADD SALT! it makes them go all tacky
With my brewing pot of 15L I am able to do 3kg (6.6lbs) of dried beans
So all that gets blitzed and out comes...
These then go into the freezer and will keep like a champ.
The duck fat makes all the difference.
How do you get duck fat your asking? Why go by yourself a nice free range / wild duck. Stuff it with citrus and herbs, put it on a rack with a tray below. Bake it upside down and half way through the cooking turn it over right side up.
How much fat could you possibly get?
See the duck in the background.
This fat was put through muslin to remove chunkies and will keep in the fridge for ages.
Last on this post is the garden work. Eric asked about the bamboo so here are some action shots.
Bamboo against our fence
Bamboo next to the front door, that hole is the soon to be pond and the bamboo stick in the ground is where the fountain will go.
Honey
I have recently bought honey from Tasmania and following up from my other honey post thought I would show the differences here as well :)
Beans
I love mexican beans. They are the best. Sadly they are canned bags of crap here so when I first move to Australia I started trying to cook my own. Years later I am the freak'n MASTER! I buy dried pinto beans from an Indian Mart who sells imported crap, soak them for 24 hours, boil them for about 3-4 hours, blitz the shit out of them with a hand mixer and add the following
1. Duck Fat (This stuff is amazing!!!)
2. Tomatos
3. Onions (red and yellow)
4. Chili
5. Whatever else I am feeling on the day.
DO NOT ADD SALT! it makes them go all tackyWith my brewing pot of 15L I am able to do 3kg (6.6lbs) of dried beans
So all that gets blitzed and out comes...
These then go into the freezer and will keep like a champ.
The duck fat makes all the difference.
How do you get duck fat your asking? Why go by yourself a nice free range / wild duck. Stuff it with citrus and herbs, put it on a rack with a tray below. Bake it upside down and half way through the cooking turn it over right side up.
How much fat could you possibly get?
BAM
This fat was put through muslin to remove chunkies and will keep in the fridge for ages.
Last on this post is the garden work. Eric asked about the bamboo so here are some action shots.
Bamboo against our fence
Bamboo next to the front door, that hole is the soon to be pond and the bamboo stick in the ground is where the fountain will go.
Europe Trip - Vienna Day 1
Europe Trip Posts
Journey Begins
Vienna Day 1 (This post)
Vienna Day 2
Vienna Day 3
Paris Day 1
Paris Day 2
Day 1
I have now arrived at Vienna airport. The security.. uhh what security, this is awesome out the gate I roll. I was suggested I pay for a taxi to get to the hotel because it would be easiest. Screw that! I hate taxis, and I am willing to throw myself out there and go on the train. You know, non-wuss style.
I followed the signs to the train station (under the airport) and found a ticket terminal. There was English translations from German but they were a bit rough. I bought a ticket that seemed correct and went down to wait for the train.
Shit its cold!! Underground, Vienna, March. BUURRRR!! So I dug out a sweatshirt (Sierra Nevada of course). Ahh much better :) The train showed up (on time) and while it looked old is was quite clean. We are trundling along and I pull out my mobile phone (Cell phone here after to be called a mobile phone) and load up the Vienna map I downloaded from Google, kick on the GPS and point it out the window. 10 stops later I arrive at the place I think I should be. Grabbing my crap, I head out of the station, and stop to get my bearings. I know my hotel is close to here but this area the road goes in a large circle so I needed to find north.
Ahh my phone shows north as a compass as well, and oh look! The GPS has kicked in and its showing me on the Google maps. I find my hotel on the map and start walking, following my progress with the phone. I know, I kick ass :P Entering the hotel I meet Kasey! WOOT! I check in and we head up to the room to dump off my crap. She bought me sushi and chocolate :) This was a 1000x better then any food I had while traveling here.
Unluckily for me there is not rest for the non-wussy. She tells me that there is a Moot (Practice court competition) on in 2 hours and I don't have to go but I can if I want. What the hell right! So I take a long shower to get the traveling grit off and feel a bit more human. Change into my suite and go meet up with everyone. Meeting up with the other girls on the team, and the two coaches I met Chris who is one of the coaches husband. He informs me that he would like to go have a look around and find a beer if possible. The moot doesn't look like it will start for another 30 minutes so we head off! Walking around close to the building where the team is we found an outdoor pub, where we ordered two unfiltered wheat beers in massive glasses for 4 euro each. Nice stuff!
Felling a bit better we head back to the competition and watch the moot which lasted about 3 hours? Maybe 2 1/2 hours.
After the moot everyone wanted a late dinner (its 10pm now) and I am starting to see ghosts, faeries, and dragons after being awake for 2 days, but I agree because who isn't a party pooper? Me :-D The restaurant was very nice and before I knew what was happening champagne was being poured into everyone's glasses. I am not a white wine drinker, but I do like the bubbles occasionally, so I woke myself up for this one! Direct notes from my phone journal " tasted like bras bubbles to start with but the roundNess and apple sort me flavor at t.e end was awesome"
After dinner we went back to the hotel, WOOT!, and I slept for 8 hours only to reset my clock.
Day One was over! Day two was just about to start
Journey Begins
Vienna Day 1 (This post)
Vienna Day 2
Vienna Day 3
Paris Day 1
Paris Day 2
Day 1
I have now arrived at Vienna airport. The security.. uhh what security, this is awesome out the gate I roll. I was suggested I pay for a taxi to get to the hotel because it would be easiest. Screw that! I hate taxis, and I am willing to throw myself out there and go on the train. You know, non-wuss style.
I followed the signs to the train station (under the airport) and found a ticket terminal. There was English translations from German but they were a bit rough. I bought a ticket that seemed correct and went down to wait for the train.
Shit its cold!! Underground, Vienna, March. BUURRRR!! So I dug out a sweatshirt (Sierra Nevada of course). Ahh much better :) The train showed up (on time) and while it looked old is was quite clean. We are trundling along and I pull out my mobile phone (Cell phone here after to be called a mobile phone) and load up the Vienna map I downloaded from Google, kick on the GPS and point it out the window. 10 stops later I arrive at the place I think I should be. Grabbing my crap, I head out of the station, and stop to get my bearings. I know my hotel is close to here but this area the road goes in a large circle so I needed to find north.
Ahh my phone shows north as a compass as well, and oh look! The GPS has kicked in and its showing me on the Google maps. I find my hotel on the map and start walking, following my progress with the phone. I know, I kick ass :P Entering the hotel I meet Kasey! WOOT! I check in and we head up to the room to dump off my crap. She bought me sushi and chocolate :) This was a 1000x better then any food I had while traveling here.
Unluckily for me there is not rest for the non-wussy. She tells me that there is a Moot (Practice court competition) on in 2 hours and I don't have to go but I can if I want. What the hell right! So I take a long shower to get the traveling grit off and feel a bit more human. Change into my suite and go meet up with everyone. Meeting up with the other girls on the team, and the two coaches I met Chris who is one of the coaches husband. He informs me that he would like to go have a look around and find a beer if possible. The moot doesn't look like it will start for another 30 minutes so we head off! Walking around close to the building where the team is we found an outdoor pub, where we ordered two unfiltered wheat beers in massive glasses for 4 euro each. Nice stuff!
Felling a bit better we head back to the competition and watch the moot which lasted about 3 hours? Maybe 2 1/2 hours.
After the moot everyone wanted a late dinner (its 10pm now) and I am starting to see ghosts, faeries, and dragons after being awake for 2 days, but I agree because who isn't a party pooper? Me :-D The restaurant was very nice and before I knew what was happening champagne was being poured into everyone's glasses. I am not a white wine drinker, but I do like the bubbles occasionally, so I woke myself up for this one! Direct notes from my phone journal " tasted like bras bubbles to start with but the roundNess and apple sort me flavor at t.e end was awesome"
After dinner we went back to the hotel, WOOT!, and I slept for 8 hours only to reset my clock.
Day One was over! Day two was just about to start
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