Monday, July 26^th: Dinner: barbecued steak, with a bottle of Peller Estates Cabernet Franc 2022.

Tuesday, July 27^th: Dinner: pasta, with a bottle of Porta Ravessa Reserva 2015 from the Alentejo.

Wednesday, July 28^th: Dinner – Blackened scallops and corn with Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2022.

Thursday, July 29^th: Dinner : stuffed peppers and corn, with a bottle of Trapiche Alaris Cabernet Sauvignon 2025 from Argentina. Dense purple in colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose; medium to full-bodied, dry, well-extracted blackcurrant flavour; firmly structured with ripe tannins. (89)

Friday, July 30^th: Dropped into the local Legion for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a relaxing sit-down on their patio overlooking Martindale Pond and the lighthouse. The lady behind the bar took up the plastic bladder that used to be in a Jackson-Triggs box and began, literally, to milk it with both hands into my glass!

Didn’t feel like cooking dinner so Deborah and I went to Henley Island for a peach and prosciutto pizza and a Balls Falls Lager.

Saturday, August 1^st: Dinner: leftover stuffed peppers with a bottle of Don David Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 El Esteco (Argentina). Dense purple in colour; cedary, black plum bouquet with vanilla oak spice; full-bodied, dry, savoury black fruit flavours; well-integrated oak; good length. (90)

Sunday, August 2^nd: Went to see The Odyssey. A magnificent film that should sweep the Oscars in so many categories. Dinner: duck confit gnocchi with Bisous Noir 2023.