Saturday 7 June, Kelowna (but they pronounce it Cologna)

Plans for an early morning start didn't quite happen. So instead of heading out for breakfast we made our way to West Kelowna for lunch at the Hatching Post. It's a good 2 plus good drive through Keremeos, Penticton, Summerland, Peachland and beyond.

The Hatching Post is a 3 year old building that specialises in slow cooked smoker meat. The building and fit out is certainly well done.

We decided on a medium serve of brisket, coleslaw, yams and baked beans (Joe's choice and something I had no intention of eating!) to share.

Unfortunately I was disappointed with the meal, especially for the price so won't be adding the Hatching Post as a place to revisit. The portions were small and although the brisket was very tender, the smokey glaze on the yams and the sauce provided for the meat, over powered everything! The place was getting very full by the time we left so it is clearly popular with a lot of people, just not for me. We then headed into Kelowna and although proved a bit tricky to find due to one way streets and road closures Vicki and I went into the Okanagan Spirits craft distillery for a whiskey tasting experience. (My day just got a whole lot better!)

Jenny was our 'guide' who explained their whiskey making process. She was delightful and her easy manner and style had us engaged from the get go. It's a very different method from the Scottish and Irish. All the grains are local too so it truly is a craft drink and is more likely called Bourbon or Rye. The copper still that was behind our tasting station is the one actually used for smaller production. It is affectionately called Zilla, not to be confused with their main still which is humongous and is called Godzilla!

None of the tipples equalled any of the Highland single malts that I love, but I wouldn't say no to them if I was offered a bottle! Vicki particularly liked the Sazarac so was happy to purchase a bottle. the venue was very tasteful and well laid out.

Joe had patiently been waiting for us, so we happily headed back to the car and off we headed towards home,

but not before we were going through Summerland when Vicki spotted signs for a distillery that she had previously seen and wanted to try. Joe as our ever patient designated driver duly took us to our next distillery for a tasting. Very different this time, as it is a distillery of apples.

Can't honestly say that any of the tipples were much to write home about and certainly I don't want Apple gin or vodka in my Martinis, or Apple brandy instead of good old Black Bottle or St Agnes. Vicki was quite taken with Artemisia which was a herbal liqueur that had rosemary, tarragon, peppermint, wormwood and other herbs and flowers. I would use it in a gravy and pour over roast lamb but Vicki is thanking up all sorts of other uses. Maybe in dukkah but why bother when a good olive oil and balsamic vinegar suits the purpose.

Purchase made and back into our awaiting carriage to head for home again. There's always something new and different to see along the way.

We finally get indoors and it is well and truly time for a cuppa and piece of cake. Only a couple of mouthfuls into my coffee and Vicki asks me what day it is. I say "Saturday" and she goes 'oh no..'. We are meant to be at a neighbour's (Karen) "artwork on a fence" 'launch'. So coffee is abandoned, shoes back on and out the door we head. I was expecting to see a number of paintings attached to a front fence!

But no, the quilted piece has been affixed to a covered display board that is attached to the front fence by the gate. The board will be under a light at night and Karen's QR code is on the sign. It is very clever, but I'm not sure that as a marketing tool it is going to get people in the door so to speak and into her studio to check out all that she makes and creates. Anyway, Karen shows me through her house and then her studio to show me all the different things she loves to create. It is very well done and colourful but there is no symmetry to any of it and is too abstract for my conservative and structured tastes. As an aside I had a momentary horror flash back when I saw the display board. It has a curved canopy over the top which will keep the weather off her creations. I previously attempted to put up the same sort of canopy but much bigger and wider over the windows at the front of my house. My handyman mate Steve and I took ages to get the damn thing erected but once it was finally up, looked great. That was until a huge storm came through Adelaide late one evening, with terrific wind gusts that caused the blasted thing to come loose from the front of the wall, and at one stage one of the canopy sheets was blown to goodness knows where. It was banging so loudly that I eventually ventured out into the gale and pulled the remaining bracket from the wall. What a nightmare. It can get really windy here and it snows so I never had the heart to tell Karen that the curved canopy may not be the best cover for the display board. I hope I'm wrong.

Now time to head back home and stay put. Didnt realize I could get so worn out doing nothing but eat, drink and socialize. Dinner tonight is our left over spaghetti Bolognaise which was just as good tonight as it was last night! Time for bed after another action packed day.