Sunday was glorious and the food superb

Isn’t Easter just the most beautiful time in our region? The weather is still mild and there is so much activity and excitement around the Great Ocean Road.

Surfing, spectating, bike riding, music festivals and generally having a good time. I know a few locals complain of the increased traffic, both cars and human, but there is a sense of family, relaxation and making the most of our wonderful beaches and environment. I delight in observing people enjoying themselves.

Our family had such a nice time and while some members of the clan were away, we managed to gather for a meal on Easter Sunday, followed by a journey to the MCG on Monday.

Sunday was glorious and the food superb. We were invited to my nephew’s place with his in-laws, friends and our extended family.

Sometimes you have to scratch yourself to believe the kids you have so closely watched grow and develop now have children and family of their own. Some things are different but there is still a large emphasis on family, food and wine.

Each party brought a dish which resulted in an eclectic display of meat and salad beautifully presented buffet style.

There was eye fillet of beef, chicken salad, beetroot and caramelised carrots, ham, green salad, a couple of potato dishes accompanied by a range of condiments and some spectacular deserts. As is my want, I had a small entrée of the chicken and saffron salad with a glass of riesling followed by some beef, root vegetables and a few glasses of red.

At this stage, there is only one small child who did her best to make up for lack of infant numbers by devouring enough chocolate for a whole tribe. Well done Belle.

The following day I rode my bike for a couple of hours. It was a little cold early on, but I soon warmed up and enjoyed a morning coffee in Torquay followed by the ritual MCG pilgrimage to see the Cats take on Hawthorn.

On reflection, I should have stayed and watched Mick Fanning at Bells instead! His round three victory was more inspiring and less heartbreaking to watch than to witness that other famous surfer from Moggs Creek and mates go down to the Hawks by an agonising solitary point late in the game.

I really thought the Cats had created another Easter miracle. But as they say in surfing and football, there is always another wave and always next week’s game!

Good luck to Mick to whom I offer this advice; prepare for the week’s surfing competition by enjoying this chicken salad by Yotam Ottolenghi.