By Tilly Smith Dix
As we age, and mature somewhat, we tend to spend more time reflecting on the past, and hopefully, in a good way as crying over spilled milk is simply a waste of energy that could be spent on gratitude and living life instead.
Yes, this old and never-ending cliché lives on… be grateful. When our world is turned upside down, the world is at war, and our rose-tinted spectacles have lost their happy tint, we see the cruelty and greed of man, criminals at large, hate fuelling racial discrimination, terrorism, natural disasters, the loss of family or dear ones, abuse of animals, children, the aged, women and men, and the list goes on…
Then we think about things we’ve done wrong and contemplate how we should have, and perhaps could have, changed our destiny if we’d acted differently.
So many ifs. This spiral back in time is no good for our psyche. How could we possibly be so tough on ourselves and on others, thinking, ‘if only…’
Stop. Look at where we are now and how far we’ve come. Listing our achievements, triumphs, joys, and the people who care about us, is a great place to start.
It’s human to have regrets as we know we are not perfect. However, when we get into a spiritual sphere, it is believed we are exactly where we need to be. If we’re not in a good headspace, it perhaps means we have another lesson to learn before moving forward.
If we are lucky enough to have reached that wonderful plateau where we look around us and see the sadness of our past only in the distance, like a bad movie best forgotten, and cherish the wonderful aspects of ourselves, our heart-people, nature and animals, we are surely on the right path.
I try not to have regrets as I’m so grateful for being where I am now. If you are reading this and are consumed by regrets, my wish is for you to realise where you are now is your best way forward. It gets better, and we have a choice…
Don’t despair. I’m sending a huge cyber hug to those at life’s crossroads. Let go of those murderous or avenging thoughts you’ve harboured for too long. The real regret would be going to jail , hie…
Things to do in and around Melbourne
Alowyn Botanical Gardens in the Yarra Valley near Yarra Glen is dreamy and reminiscent of a secret garden filled with wonderment. My recent visit to view the spectacular wisteria canopies, beautiful landscaping, complete with mysterious mazes, and a superb nursery which is not tough on the pocket, was delightful.
It gets busy with local and international tourist groups, so I’d opt for a weekday visit, and be sure to book online. If you don’t wish to dine at the charming cafe, there are several choice winery restaurants nearby. My local bestie and I opted for Oakridge, which I remembered fondly from my years living in that breathtaking valley with its gentle hills and spectacular birdlife.
Pictured above: Alowyn Botanical Gardens and its magnificent wisteria showers in the scenic Yarra Valley, an easy 40-minute drive from Melbourne.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) performed John Williams – Sounds of Cinema, Art of the Score at Hamer Hall last month and frankly, I did not wish for this musical journey into the movies most of us have adored for so many years to end.
From ET to Indiana Jones, the brilliance of Williams’ scores were energetically matched by this world-renowned orchestra under the charismatic baton of Nicholas Buc .
In-depth narration and savoir faire by hosts Dan Golding and Andrew Pogson, often hilarious in their seemingly competitive knowledge of the legendary composer and his collaboration of many years with Steven Spielberg’s cinematography, made for a fun concert.
Delicious pre-concert dining at nearby Teatro Ristorante overlooking the Yarra River complemented the magic of music from the movies.
Pictured above: The music of John Williams from the movies at Hamer Hall were brilliantly performed by the MSO. A walk along the Yarra River should be compulsory to extend the joy of music in this city brimming with culture and beauty.
Dining out
Assaggini in Mornington enthralled me so much, my dear friend Rika and me have indulged in our weekly catchup dinners there twice in a month!
The Tahbilk Cousselant Chardonnay Pinot Noir bubbles from Nagambi, Victoria was a perfect pairing with the exotic squid ink linguine with prawn, crab, mussels, cherry tomatoes, garlic and chilli. The tagliatelle with duck ragout, mushrooms and parmesan, complemented with a side of fresh green salad, proved a further triumph.
A sharing platter, comprising truffle polenta chips, salt and pepper calamari with lemon and fresh aioli, beetroot potato crochette and mayonnaise, burrata with fennel jam and alto basil olive oil, served with fresh sourdough bread, was sensational. Attentive, friendly service too.
Oakridge Winery in the Yarra Valley’s delicious bubbles, Ovata, a blend of chardonnay and pinot meunier, is bottle fermented in 18 months on lees (sur lie). It was too delicious not to purchase a bottle to take home after lunch.
The cuisine is as mouthwatering as I remembered it pre-Covid, and the asparagus, sauce gribiche, finger lime, charred brassica, black barley, hazelnut cream, ducker liver parfait with burnt pear relish, Corner Inlet calamari, celeriac, kohlrabi, toasted yeast, Stone & Crow Curfew croquettes, nasturtium mustard, Mt Zero olives, proved perfect choices for a sharing platter.
Pictured above: dining at Assaggini in Mornington; Oakridge Winery in the Yarra Valley; Parcha breakfast in Frankston; Teatro on the Yarra River in Southbank, where the view never disappoints.
Parcha in Frankston was suggested as a good eatery in my neighbourhood while I was waiting for my new laptop to be set up in Frankston. The brunch, comprising golden hash brown fingers, poached egg, fried halloumi, fresh sourdough bread, avocado and hummus, was perfection on a plate and the palate.
Teatro near Hamer Hall on the Yarra River in the city’s Southbank is one of several superb restaurants overlooking the city and river, and I’ll be back, soon. It was a chilly day, so I opted for the lasagna beef ragu with bechamel, and baked eggplant as a side. Both dishes were scrumptious, and the service was efficient, complemented by authentic Italian charm.
Sofa spud
Prime:
The Majorca Files, 2021. A fun three seasons, featuring stunning locations in magical Majorca, plus thrilling crime storylines, starring Elen Rhys and Julian Looman, equalled a fabulous binge. Colourful characters too.
The Beekeeper, 2024, starring Jason Statham, Jeremy Irons, and Minnie Driver. Addressing cybercrime. Loved the action.
SBS on Demand:
Loving the Eras Collection, spanning from the 1930s to early 1990s. To Catch a Thief, starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly reflects elegance on the Riviera, and a plot only Alfred Hitchcock knew how to dramatise. An ageless classic.
Barefoot in the Park, 1967, starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. Superb young actors, now iconic, and brilliant comedic timing, based on the play by Neil Simon.
Flash of Genius, 2008, starring Greg Kinnear. This is the biography of engineer Robert Kearns taking on the big motor manufacturers of Detroit, who stole his intellectual property comprising his invention of the intermittent windscreen wiping mechanism.
Best Sellers, 2021, starring the great Sir Michael Cain, Cary Elwes, and Aubrey Plaza. A senior citizen author takes a road trip, no ‘bullshite.’ Loved it.
Netflix:
Chief of Station, 2024, starring Aaron Eckhart. A CIA thriller, with stunning locations, including Budapest.
The Holdovers, 2023, starring Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Aspects of Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting – an education for the students and their lecturer.
Apple TV:
Wolfs, 2024, starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Written and directed by Jon Watts, it’s a slick show, true to the formula these two best friends have made their own in movieland.
Disclaimer, limited series 2024. Starring Kate Blanchett and Kevin Kline – this was riveting with an unexpected twist. Superb.
Travel
A luxurious safari stop at Tau on romantic Rovos Rail
Tau Game Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve of Southern Africa bordering the wilds of Botswana, has had a long and happy liaison with Rovos Rail, regarded as one of the most luxurious trains in the world.
Remember Murder on the Orient Express – just without the ominous, murderous passengers, perhaps. Imagine sunny days, savouring sophisticated cocktails, sublime fine dining, and the scenic journey of a lifetime.
Before crossing the border into Botswana from South Africa, Rovos stops in the Madikwe Game Reserve and guests are transferred by road to Tau Game Lodge for a two-day luxe safari.
This world-class, eco-friendly, five-star, established safari lodge, renowned for its warm hospitality, welcomes the Rovos guests in elegant chalet accommodation. Tau is now entering its 30th year as a world-renowned safari destination.
All 30 rooms and suites overlook a waterhole where the game of Madikwe quench their thirst 24/7. Imagine sitting on your private room deck, or taking a private outdoor shower, or dining on the tented Tau hospitality deck watching and listening to the trumpeting of elephants, the calls of over 280 species of birdlife, a crafty crocodile or several snapping their majestic jaws, a lion’s roar, or an African wild dog barking… all with that waterhole within your sight.
All safaris are conducted by highly skilled rangers, who will not only provide insight into the Big Five and the prolific smaller game roaming free in this natural, protected habitat, but also inform you about the medicinal value of much of the verdant flora, of which the animals are often more aware than humans…
After bucket-list game sightings, often including herds of elephant with their young, lions and their cubs, cheetahs mating not always discretely, and the pecking order of the wild, and perhaps a pack of wild dogs or hyenas looking for their next kill, you will return to the lodge for a scrumptious lunch or dinner. However, not before you’ve enjoyed a traditional coffee break or sundowner stop in the bush.
Depending on the time of year, you may wish to take a dip in one of the two pools, one of which is an infinity pool, both overlooking that mesmerizing waterhole. Perhaps indulge in your favourite refreshments when reclining on your sunbed, arranging your umbrella just so…
After two nights at the place of the lion, Tau, you will embark on the rest of this magical rail journey in old-world splendour and charm, indulging in delicious modern cuisine, and refined hospitality. Rovos is celebrating 35 years as a world-class train, and it’s no surprise that its passengers, the same as visitors to Tau, tend to return.
Rovos journeys include the epic Cape Town to Dar es Salaam route, which includes historical Kimberley’s diamond legacy, the Madikwe Game Reserve where Tau is the safari stopover, through Botswana to Zambia and the Victoria Falls, on to Chisimba Falls and the Tanzanian border, traversing jungles, Africa’s two Great Rift Valleys, and spectacular mountain terrains along the way.
Pictured above, travel in style on Rovos Rail, and safari in luxury at Tau Game Lodge.
For more about the incredible journeys available from Rovos Rail, go to: https://rovos.com/journeys/
The 24/7 Tau live webcam is armchair safari heaven at: http://taugamelodge.co.za/main-lodge/live-webcam/
Tau Game Lodge is family-friendly, with a Tau Spa Oasis, and a Conference & Events Centre. Malaria-free. Just over an easy four-hour drive from Pretoria and Johannesburg – www.taugamelodge.co.za
Style it up
Dressing like a boss, our only boss, should never be questioned. It is said Cherokee women were famous for their strength and leadership. They were nurturers, leaders, matriarchs, farmers, and warriors, which made them vital enough in society to have the power to declare peace. They also had a strong sense of self, and took pride in their appearance.
I think we all have these qualities if we simply stop placing so much emphasis on what others demand of us. Be quiet and listen. Hear the inner warrior-woman, knowing where her power lies…
We are true to ourselves in our style, never banal, always authentic. What we wear reflects who we are and how we wish others to treat us.
I do bang on about shopping our wardrobe but believe me, it works, especially when a new season arrives, and we need to pack away the old or donate what we know we’d never wish to wear again. As the holidays are approaching rapidly, and we wish to be even more captivating, this is also a time to add a few new items to style up our existing wardrobe. We deserve it…
I’ve styled my old, with some new pieces for spring leading into summer, and could not resist some sparkle to add panache to outfits suitable from lunch to cocktail events as the season unfolds.
Florals are big this summer and I’m so pleased I ignored the advice of a so-called style guru years ago, who claimed petite women should never wear large floral designs. I disagree. Simply make sure the design elongates your form. Yes, if we have larger areas of our anatomy we don’t wish to emphasise, stick to dainty floral designs instead. Short legs? Make sure the pants are a slim cut. Uncertain? Take a selfie in the mirror to edit the look.
Starting off with a neutral palette is always a safe style harbour. Add colour, textures and emphasis with accessories to make a statement.
Playing with colours, mixing the same colour in different hues and textures to create a vibrant look, is fun. Add a blazer for gravitas if the occasion calls for it.
I’ve put some old and new pieces together and hope some of these ideas will help you shape your wardrobe to reflect the warrior-woman you know you are. We exude charm and personality in our style to show we are the ONLY boss of us…
Pictured above: top left to right, on repeat, the cut of the floral dress elongates – the sunhat adds further vibrancy to the outfit – dress @minnieandmaxxie. Shimmer pants, a white silky shirt and light cashmere coat for cooler evenings – add a bright pashmina or scarf to add oomph to the neutral whites – all old from my closet. Coated jeans for an edgy look, styled with a silky neutral hue knit, blazer, and a belt for emphasis. Burgundy is big for all seasons, and I’ve mixed textures with this old ensemble from my closet, the shirt is light linen – or brighten the look with a vibrant coral red linen shirt for fun – coral blouse last year @fella_hamilton. Fuchsia and cerise pinks are back to stay and these statement linen pants @trenery need nothing more than a soft white shirt, or the cream off-shoulder light knit @minnieandmaxxie – however, I wanted to look even more cheerful, so, I added a multicoloured top to celebrate the new season, also @minnieandmaxxie. Wide-leg denim is ideal to create a nonchalant, comfy chic vibe, and I’ve styled these with a light-knit button-down long vest, and a silky blouse (also featured with the sequin pants on this page). Finding colours that suit your complexion and mood is key. I’ve always liked hues of yellow and gold and have paired linen pants with a silky-knit long cardigan, light-knit top, shiny stirrup-pants, slider loafers, and tan leather wedge espadrilles. By adding a scarf, I created a sophisticated layered look. The tangerine silky summer cable knit (my old), adds drama to the soft mustard colour of the wide-leg linen pants.
For daily style ideas, pop to my IG page @Sixty_is_the_new_40 – and for additional monthly style tips, see my latest article at https://startsat60.com/media/lifestyle/style/how-to-slay-your-year-end-style-with-ageless-trends
Cheers to living the good life. Do you hear Edith Piaf singing from the heavens, Non, je ne regrette rien (No regrets)? Fabulous, mission accomplished. This moment is exactly where we need to be in time, mwah xx
