Crisis communications

Life resumed its crazy pace after I stepped off the Pacific Adventure on Tuesday morning.

We disembarked at 6.30am, I went to work, went home and cooked dinner, wrote five Drinks Digest stories, collapsed in bed, got up the next morning and did a 12-hour shift at work, collapsed in bed, got up and did another full day’s work, then headed into the city for a fancy gin dinner last night.

You’re already up to speed on the cruise dramas (if you’re not, read yesterday’s blog post). The 12-hour shift at work was because I was on duty at the Vivid Sydney control centre. I was there in case any crisis communications needed to be sorted out.

Fortunately it was an extremely quiet night and I even got to slip outside for the 9.10pm drone show over Sydney Harbour.

It was lovely, especially the giant whale rising in the air and the planets spinning.

I got to bed at about midnight and couldn’t sleep due to a combination of eating a dodgy curry for dinner, a UTI and stress. So I was feeling pretty wrecked yesterday.

I was also sad because DD has gone away for a week to a conference in Chicago. I will miss him A LOT!

But the show must go on, so last night I sat amid the stills at Hickson House Distilling, with owner Mikey Enright, head distiller Tim Stones and chef Sean Connelly, who has created a special menu paired to Hickson Rd’s delicious new savoury Seven Spice Gin.

The event was timed to be part of the new Vivid Food pillar and the distillery will be holding a series of the fabulous dinners in June.

The food was insanely delicious: Abrolhos Island half shell scallops in gin and native citrus butter; dry-aged Wollemi duck with anise myrtle spiced carrot, bitter orange, wattleseed and duck fat roasted potatoes, and Basque cheesecake with quince and wattleseed for dessert.

Great night, but once again not enough sleep was had.

Now there’s just one last day of the working week and I get a little rest tonight, but not much of one because I am drowning in freelance assignments.

Have a fab weekend and I will catch you next week.

Song of the day: The Pretenders “I go to sleep”