Not the best timing

DD went on a business trip to the UK last Saturday. It had been planned for months and couldn’t be postponed. He visited me on his way to the airport and was rewarded with 90 minutes of tears for his troubles.

I’ve been mooching around since he left. I vowed to do some therapeutic cleaning of the apartment, but couldn’t be bothered.

I haven’t felt much like talking to people, but I forced myself out of the apartment for a couple of walks with friends over the weekend.

Thank you to everyone who has left messages on various platforms. I appreciate them all, but I am finding it hard to string sentences together in response. Emojis are my best friends and blogging is an outlet for my thoughts.

I bit the bullet and went to the office yesterday, as I thought it was time to have some company.

Plus, the Sommelier’s Wine List Awards were being held last night at NSW Parliament House and I hate to miss a good party.

The awards shine a light on the sommeliers and businesses best showcasing NSW wines and producers, with Shun Eto from Altitude Restaurant winning the top award for 2026.

Altitude Restaurant took the honours for delivering a list that was described as educational, interesting and a wonderful snapshot of what NSW does best.

And you will NEVER GUESS who I ran into there …

My ex sister in law! There were hugs and clinks of glasses all round. We haven’t seen each other for years and it was so nice to catch up.

Such a small world.

I sipped the most intensely coloured rose, from a vineyard called Small Forest.

Just in case you’re curious, here are all the winners from the awards …

2026 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW Venue (<60 seats): Elizabeth Wittig, Summer St Wine Room

2026 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW Venue (>60 seats): Louella Mathews, Bar NSW at The Lookout

2026 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney Venue (<60 seats): Lisa Guenther-Strauss, The Art Syndicate, Surry Hills

2026 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney Venue (>60 seats): Shun Eto, Altitude Restaurant

2026 Best NSW Wine List in a Pub or Club: Lukas Thodas, The Grand Hotel Newcastle

2026 Best NSW Wine List by a Function and Event Venue: Melissa Moore, Sydney Seafood School

2026 NSW Wine President’s Award for Outstanding Support of the NSW Wine Industry: Lola Lucassen, The Library Bar

2026 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year: Shun Eto, Altitude Restaurant

Song of the day: Cold Chisel “Cheap wine” (none of that was poured last night, but I looked like I had a three-day growth pre-photoshop, damn you middle-age)