All in By Ken Gargett - 2021

Juan Lopez No 1 - Bundaberg Ginger Beer

Juan Lopez No 1 - Bundaberg Ginger Beer

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2021

Let me start by assuring everyone that this was in no way a nod to dry January. Indeed, I find the very concept an affront to civilisation, or what is left of it after our elected officials have trashed the concept beyond repair.

I am reading a fantastic book, ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf’ by Marlon James, an African fantasy (this is a real love it or hate it book and I suspect many will fall into the latter category). It took me a little while to get into it but when you do, brilliant. There was one line (well, there are many) which I really loved – “As bored as a god waiting for man to surprise him”. Well, if the gods were not surprised by recent events, they have a very high threshold for astonishment.

The match for the very lovely Juan Lopez No 1 was Bundaberg Ginger Beer. Nothing to do with the famous

Punch 48 - Asahi Super Dry Beer - ‘Havana Requiem’

Punch 48 - Asahi Super Dry Beer - ‘Havana Requiem’

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2021

I'm sure we all have a favourite place, or two, to enjoy a cigar. Personally, I have two.

The first is the deck at Waddy Lodge on Fraser Island, but as we only take the fishing trip for one week a year, it is a rare privilege.

The second is the family beach shack at Hastings Point in northern NSW.

The place has family history. Before I was born, the folks were coming down here. Dad was an extremely keen fisherman, and an exceptional one – I've still not seen better. Sadly, I am not in his class. There was an old shack on the headland if you could struggle through the sand tracks – remembering that…

Bolivar Royal Corona - Buller’s Calliope Rare Muscat

Bolivar Royal Corona - Buller’s Calliope Rare Muscat

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2021

Sometimes, you just know it is not going to be your week.

Had to duck into my GP. I have the best GP in the world but he does tend to view time as a somewhat flexible construct (my appointment was for 9. He opens at 8.30 but these days of phone consultations, the 8.30 went in at 9.10 and I went in at 10 and a long queue forming). And I was only there because his idiot temp receptionist insisted I come in for my cholesterol prescription and that I simply could not collect it – waste of time. But I digress.

I step into the waiting room and what is he playing? Dylan's ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’.

I mean, seriously? And I was twenty years younger than the…

Bolivar Belicosos Finos - Taylor's Vintage Port 2018

Bolivar Belicosos Finos - Taylor's Vintage Port 2018

Ken Gargett
By Ken Gargett - 2021

An ever-popular cigar, matched with something that is a bit special.

First, the cigar – the Boli Beli (why does no one call it that?). It does sound like the aftermath of a dodgy Indian takeaway. These have been with us since pre-Revolution. Not surprising, as it is an ever-reliable and good value smoke. Pyramid in shape, with a length of 140mm and a ring gauge of 52mm, they come in boxes of 25.

If I may jump ahead, after smoking and doing all my notes, I did the usual thing of checking reviews on FoH and the internet to see what others thought. Was reading one internet review with interest when…