Melbourne - Day 3

Some cloud and 17 degrees today.

I thought that it was someone's birthday today - but maybe not! No cards and no presents, but finally a phone call from one of David's mates to wish him a happy birthday. Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to David, Happy Birthday to me!

Kirrily was up early this morning to take Ian to the airport - he was on his way to Weymouth in Tasmania for a boy's weekend. After breakfast and a shower David was hassled off to Chapel Street for the weekend papers. When he returned with the papers there was something of a surprise in store, as Michelle, Craig, Bronte and Josh were hiding in Kirrily's bathroom. Thank you to Michelle and Kirrily for conspiring for a surprise 70th birthday present.

At 11:00 am we were picked up by a people mover to take us to the restaurant at the Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula. The Montalto Restaurant is set in a striking building featuring rammed earth walls, timber frames and rough-hewn floor boards. Floor to ceiling windows take advantage of the breathtaking and rambling rural outlook of vines, olive groves, sculpture, lakes and wetlands, with pasture, and a hint of the ocean as the backdrop.

Di, Michelle and Bronte in the back seat

Our transport - Kirrily giving instructions to the driver

Montalto Restaurant - too much too drink?

The Birthday Boy - 70 years young

Michelle at lunch

We started with some Montalto bubbles for the girls, specialty beers for the boys, and raspberry cordial for the small fry. Our starters were Montalto extra virgin olive oil and Montalto verjuice with warm olive bread rolls - a taste sensation. Entrees included Scallops, Smoked trout salad, Ricotta dumplings and Smoked eel. The mains included Barramundi, slow roasted lamb, and slow roasted veal. The wine was Montalto 2013 Pinot Noir which was outstanding. After our main course we went into the tasting room and ended up with some samples, then we went for a walk around the vineyard before returning for desserts and coffees.

Craig, Michelle, Bronte and Josh

Too many photographers

Bronte with a sculpture

Vineyard from the Restaurant

Michelle with Di

Di with Bronte - who's the tallest?

General view of the vineyard

Bronte with Josh

If we are in the southern hemisphere the polar bear is lost

Restaurant from the vineyard

A molten tractor perhaps?

View of the restaurant from the other side of the vineyard

More sculptures

Back at Kirrily's place we watched the preliminary final between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. Port Adelaide lost the game in the first quarter when they kicked 3 goals 9 points. In the end Hawthorn were very lucky to win by 3 points, but they might not be good enough to beat the Swans next week. After finishing up all the food we bought yesterday (David now knows why we needed so much) a birthday cake appeared with one large candle. The cake was a wonderful chocolate ganache - very, very rich but went down nicely with a bottle of Campbell's Liquid Gold. Thank you Michelle and Kirrily - a lovely birthday surprise!

The Birthday Cake