01. The this-week-part of our glorious extra-long weekend in Rutherglen at the ROAM Winery Walkabout. We visited a bunch of wineries* and the car boot was certainly full on the way home (partly because I was very lucky at John Gehrig – see my text message to my friends below, who were enjoying the sun when I was at the cellar door).

*Pfeiffer, (all about the shiraz), Jones (lovely cellar door experience and outstanding grenache) Stanton & Killeen (hello muscats), Morris (focused our efforts on whiskey), All Saints (need to get back to their restaurant), John Gehrig (crisp riesling), St Leonards (stunning views over the river and delicious durif), Dinah (more shiraz), and Olive Hills (still thinking about the du Cluse).

We finished with a morning walk along the Murray in Corowa, where I was reminded of the home stretch of the rowing course. Happy memories.

02. I have to renew my professional registration within the next few weeks, so have had a flurry of PD webinars and workshops – was very happy to do one focused on bibliotherapy, run by Bibliotherapy Australia, who have heaps of online resources available (for readers and therapists), including a superb ‘bookshelf‘.

03. Another track (unofficially) from the new Role Model album. Really, really love this one. There for the Mellencamp vibes.

04. Afternoon with my oldest friends, cocktails and snacks at Matilda.

05. Watching: Should I Marry a Murderer? (Netflix) – it’s sucked me right in.

06. Dine Out 2026: yay, a food festival. Also, a sneak peek at MIFF.

07. Already obsessed with the new Olivia Rodrigo album. Top tracks: Stupid Song and her duet with Robert Smith, What’s Wrong With Me.