20200828 The Exeter & Steven Ter Horst TURN: Richard

I was at work all day today sending out emails to find out the Secretary contact details of ESO - 157 in total. A very busy day. At 5.10 I strolled across to the Exeter where I found a table in the front lounge. I bought a packet of crisps and a beer. Stephen came in 5 minutes later. We went to a table in the patio area near the toilets. Con came in 5 minutes later. Richard, surprisingly, was only 5 minutes after that. Richard bought another packet of crisps, twisties this time.

We waited until 6.30 then moved into the dining room. Unfortunately, there are no photos of the meals tonight. Because Chad wasn't with us, we were slack and forgot to take them. We were the only ones in the dining room. It was completely empty. We looked at the artwork on the walls. Stephen made comment about the pub scene picture with the guy with a mohawk.

So who had what tonight?

• Con - chicken curry and papadum - 6 (standard pub fare)
• Stephen - chicken and leek pie with mash - 7.5 (no vegetables at all)
• Me - Tofu burger and mushroom sauce (no bacon) - 7 (refried chips)
• Richard - Schnitzel with mushroom sauce - 8.5 (tasted exactly like it did 6 months ago)

Richard wanted to go to San Churru for a drink, but when we got there, there were no table either inside or outside. We strolled around to where the Belgian Beer Cafe is and couldn't see any tables. We saw 4 stools near the open wood burning circular fireplace in the middle of the street and sat there whilst Stephen and Richard went to look for takeaway coffee. We couldn't find anything and ended up going back to Steven Ter Horst for a hot chocolate. Richard and Con had dessert.

20200821 TGI Friday and Pancake Kitchen TURN: Chad

 You don't need to know whose turn it was this week. All you have to do is look at Pancake Kitchen and it will answer your question. Yes, Chad is the birthday boy this week and it's his turn to choose.

We met at Chad's house at 6pm, Con was already there. We had a bet at what time Richard would show up. Chad was the closest to the time, so I had to buy him a coffee which I gladly did.

Richard came at 6.59. We had a bit of a chat then decided to drive across to the mall and chose a place to eat.

The first cafe we went into was full, so we walked across the way to TGI Friday (Thank God it's Friday). It's an American style burger place.

We were given a booth right at the entrance and told to log into the app to order our meals. Richard accidentally ordered for Marion but quickly changed the order so we were back on track.

Stephen ordered a Furphy and Chad ordered a Budweiser. We had to ask where the drinks were because they were taking so long. When they did come we had to ask for a glass for Stephen which never came, so I drank the water out of his water glass and he used that.

We had to wait about 25 minutes for the food to arrive. Not too bad. But it came in drabs, first Richard and Con, then Stephen and I and Chad had to wait another 5 minutes for his food.

Richard - fish and chips - 8 (best salad dressing ever!)

Con - pepper calamari - 5

Stephen - single stack burger - 5

Elizabeth - vegan burger and shoestring chips -5.5 (scored low because it was too expensive)

Chad - steak and fat chips - 7.5

Overall, for what it was (a glorified Maccas) :-) the food was reasonable, but the price was a little high. $26.50 for my vegan burger and chips. Richard paid on the phone and we gave him our share $62 ($3 refund for the Furphy not being on tap).

We drove to Pancake Kitchen - Chad came in our car and Con went with Richard. Chad had 3 pancakes and struggled to eat the last quarter. Richard had 2 pancakes with butter and Stephen and I shared 2 pancakes with icecream. I could only manage eating 3/4 of the pancake. Don't forget the trusty Maple sauce!

We all had coffee (Richard had Mocha) and we sat in a small booth at the back of the cafe. The place had been renovated and it looked nice and clean inside. There was no problem with splitting the bill at the end of the evening.

Richard went home directly, so we gave Con and Chad a lift back to the house. Stephen had left his bag in Chad's place - we didn't want to leave behind our Womadelaide stubbie holders!!

All in all another lovely evening with friends.

20200814 Bun Cha and Steven Ter Horst TURN: Con

 Stephen and I got into the city by 5.30 and we immediately met Con and Albert. We sat in our favourite little nook at the back of the Cranker Hotel by the fire. Although the fire wasn't on tonight. The sofas have lost their elasticity in the seats and you just sink right down into them.

Stephen was determined to have 6 pints before heading to the restaurant and did a good job of reaching that target. We had a couple of packets of crisps - one that Stephen bought and one that Albert bought - small packets with only enough for a taste.

It was about 7.15 that we strolled across to Bun Cha. We thought initially that it wasn't open, but sure enough the lights were on and the door was open. The owner was patiently waiting for us as we were the only people there.

Con - Pork Balls and vermicilli - 9

Stephen - Chicken laksa - 8

Elizabeth - Seafood laksa - 7

Chad - Combination laksa - 8

Albert - Combination laksa - 8

Richard - Pork balls and beef fried rice - 7

Richard utilised the XO sauce and Con had a bit too.

We were happy to support the local business. We always feel sorry for this restaurant not having too many patrons.

We went to Steven Ter Horst for Hot Chocolates. We scored a table easily and had a chat about different things. Richard had an app on his phone that showed his face in video of Queen. He had one for Chad for the Hulk. I couldn't see the rememblance myself.

20200807 Himalayan Kitchen & Buorngiorno TURN: Stephen

Today was Stephen's turn and we met at the Lord Melbourne pub. It's a sparse interior with only tables and chairs - nothing fancy at all. When we walked into the pub we noticed a homeless person sitting on the outside bench.

Stephen ordered a session ale and got a free schooner voucher which he cashed in at the next round. I noticed that the homeless man had collapsed onto the floor outside and went outside to see if he was alright. The waitress from the hotel called an ambulance. A little little police came to help him, but he didn't want their help and walked off after a while. Seeing someone on the floor shook me a little and disturbed me. Some people have it a lot tougher than I do.

Con came in shortly after 6 and Albert came in not longer after. It's just the 4 of us tonight.

We walked to 3 doors up to the Himalayan Kitchen. They had removed some of the tables in the cafe, so it also looked sparse. There was a big table at the back having a birthday party.

Elizabeth - fish curry - 8

Con - chicken curry - 6

Stephen - festival curry - 7.5

Albert - oven chicken - 6.5

They served a large bowl of rice for the 4 of us which was very skimpy. I only had a tiny bit of rice.

Stephen and Albert shared a bottle of wine.

Towards the end of our meal we heard the trumpet blowing and bells clanging as the birthday table celebrated. We didn't hang around and we decided to go to Buorngiorno for coffees.

Albert gave Con a lift and we met at the cafe in Norwood. Nothing fancy, just coffees all round. Albert had brought in a Roomba to lend to Stephen. I didn't want it, but Stephen ended up taking it.