The 2010 Dinner - Spider Pushups

Wines and Goodies

This was the first Funi couples dinner following Brother Bagg's passing.  Although he was not physically present, he was very much in our minds and hearts.  All members were in attendance.  This was the 11th Funi dinner held in Paradise.

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28/29 August 2010

After last year's tropical rainstorm, the Funis were greeted this year by a beautiful, sunny and warm afternoon.  The Gillises had acquired a new pool toy, a "floating bar" with four "seats".  Truth be told, managing to keep your balance on these "seats" was reminiscent of the problems that we had riding Orcas - God forbid that you actually try to a) consume alcohol and jeopardize your reactions/balance while using this floating bar, or b) try to keep the chlorinated pool water out of your drink.  Still, fun was had by all participants, and the "spider pushups" manoeuvre was invented and is immortalized here (see links on right).

Around 6:30, the Funis changed into their evening attire and gathered by the pool, in accordance with tradition, to sample the Hors d'oeuvres.  These were prepared and served by Brother Smith and Lady Clare, consisting of: cheese & bacon truffles (dubbed "Heart Attack truffles"), shrimp rollups, mini quiche Lorraine and quiche Florentine, miniature beef Wellington, and chorizo flamed in vodka.  These items were accompanied by the Banrock Station Semillon Chardonnay (m), DaLuca Pinot Grigio (e), Lindeman's Chardonnay (l) and Kiwi Pinot Noir (j).  The traditional "picture by the pool" was taken before the group headed inside.

The participants then moved to the dining hall, where seats were allocated by Brother Macleod.  The Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir (a) was served and Greig gave a toast to Bob, Bruce and the Funis (Carpe Diem), and Gay responded with a toast to Friendship.  Bob's place at the table was occupied by a box of Cadenhead's Green Label Demerara Rum, Product of Guyana, aged 25 years.

The first course at table was Soup, prepared by Brother Mitchell and Lady Rachel.  This was a bean soup made with beans from the Gillis Garden, herbs from the Just Apples Garden (except dill from the Gillis Garden), made with bacon and topped with sour cream.  Donald named this as "Transylvanian Bean Soup Without The Heavy Stuff."  The Flagstone Sauvignon Blanc (i) was the wine served with this course.

The Fish/Fowl course, served by Brother Macleod and Lady Linda was Lime & Ginger Scallops with walnuts & Italian parsley. This was complimented by Brother Wood and Lady Jody's fresh Valley green beans with butter. The Hill & Dale Sauvignon Blanc (c) was the wine accompanying this dish.  

Recognition was given to Debbie's neighbour Erica, who was providing help in the kitchen for this occasion.

The next course was the Salad, prepared and served by Brother Gillis and Lady Debbie.  Bruce pointed out that everything in the salad (except the cheese) was grown on the premises.  Ingredients were peaches, blackberries, pine nuts, Roquefort cheese, cucumbers and Romaine lettuce garnished with a dressing made with in-house maple syrup.  The wine was the Blue Cove Viogner (d).

A toast was formally offered to Erica for her assistance with the success of the meal.  Everyone agreed that things went more smoothly when the dishes, silver and glassware were already prepared for the next course, and the cooks could concentrate on the preparation and presentation of their food.

While waiting for the meat course, the Funis busied themselves with the Montaldo Cabernet Sauvignon (f), the Masi Modello (g), and the Matua Valley Pinot Noir (k).

Brother Flute and Lady Margaret served their meat course of "roadkill pork tenderloin" with oriental dressing and wild mushroom (Porcini, Lobster mushroom & Chanterelle) consommé sauce, accompanied by Brother Wood and Lady Jody's vegetables: a stir fry of 3 colours of sweet peppers, mushrooms, zucchini & ginger, all sautéed in olive oil. 

The evening was capped with dessert, served by Brother Lemon and Lady Patricia: a Blueberry flan with a double-butter crust.  This was accompanied by the usual wines and liqueurs. 

During dessert, Greig nominated Brother Lemon to look into the matter of missing anthems and ties. Brother Macleod also made note of Brother Perina's retirement and referred to his in-depth research into matters of Biggles. (See this link.)  This, of course, prompted an in-depth response from Sean, including remonstrations on Biggles Flies Undone, blah blah blah Nice to be Rewarded blah blah blah.  The question arose regarding the origin of Sean being known as Biggles.  This was traced to the 1975 Grad House (now demolished), Sean being "full of opinions" and "pontificating" about fliers in the war which led Bagg to create the persona of Biggles Flies Undone.

This was linked in passing to the eternal question of Sean's POV regarding sweets vs savories.  Jody pointed out that the same question arose at the ladies dinner.  The Chairman observed that anarchy comes from trying to serve both simultaneously.

Clare pointed out that the Chairman looked hale & hearty as compared to previous years, and made a toast to the health of Brother Macleod.  Linda added that there is a "new Macleod on the horizon."

For savouries, Brother Perina and Lady Anne presented an assortment of cheeses, grapes, pears, strawberries, blackberries, crackers and breads.  The cheeses included Brie d'Alexis, Pleine Lune, Swiss Knight Gruyere and Canadian Oka. 

The following morning, the Funis and Friends assembled at various times to produce and consume breakfast.  This included salmon, paté, bagels, toast, pastries,  various condiments, juices, coffee, blueberries, muffins, croissants, grapes, and cheeses left over from the previous evening.  Unfortunately, more exact records could not be obtained, as the Recording Secretary had been attacked in the night by hoodlums from Camp Hillis (see the M. Grenouille incident, 2001) and was recovering from his injuries.  Regardless, many thanks are due to all contributors, organizers and participants.

a) Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir (Southeastern Australia) Brut Cuvee $13.97 750ml x 2
b) 2009 Michel Torino coleccion Torrontes (Argentina) $11.32 750ml x1
c) 2009 Hill and Dale Stellenzicht Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch (S. Africa) $11.32 750ml x1
d) 2009 Blue Cove Viognier (S. Africa) $12.40 750ml x 2
e) 2007 DaLuca Pinot Grigio delle Venezie (Italy) x 1
f) 2009 Montaldo Nero D'Avola Cabernet Sauvignon (Sicily) $9.91 750ml x 1
g) 2008 Masi Modello delle Venezie (Italy) $11.33 750ml x 1
h) 2008 Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River (Australia) $21.94 750ml x 2
i) 2009 Flagstone Fish Hoek Sauvignon Blanc (S Africa) $9.58 750ml x 2
j) 2008 Kiwi Cuvee Pinot Noir (France) $9.99 750ml x 1
k) 2009 Matua Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir (New Zealand) $17.51 750ml x 2
l) 2009 Lindeman's Bin 65 Chardonnay (Australia) $21.50 1500ml   x 1
m) 2008 Banrock Station Semillon Chardonnay (Australia) $17.51 1500ml x 1
n) Mateus (Portugal) x 1
 

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Images courtesy of David Smith and Debbie Gillis.  C'mon, people, you can email your pictures to funisoc@gmail.com and get included in the credits!
 

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Spider pushups
 

Group Picture  

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The Wet Bar

Hors d'oeuvres

At the table

Funis gather for the evening

On the floor, it's mine

Just Silliness!  

Help for the Preparations

Rapt Attention 

Save yer fork, Duke, there's flan!.

The Morning After  

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