Is this Baz Luhrmann's next Movie?

If you still haven’t read Tweed Tea & Wellies book, to Daylesford, with Love, get yourself to the online shop immediately. Vanessa, friend and PR Guru, has just rung to say that London is buzzing (and chuckling) over it; dubbing me the Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear) of Chick Lit. High praise indeed! For those of you yet to see the almost-but-not-really Baz Luhrmann moviette (Prada in Koalaland), sinking under email tsunami, or living in Papua New Guinea, To Daylesford, with Love is a candid, witty ramble through adjusting to life in a small Australian spa town after 15 years of champagne, couture and corporates in London.

"I was on the bus reading your book and laughed so much people started to stare.” Leigh Duncan, Recruitment Director (Sydney)

“You make me laugh.” Alex Courtes, Movie Director, Grammy winner & Animator, Paris/LA

“You’re a natural storyteller.” Kevin Roberts, Worldwide CEO Saatchi & Saatchi (New York)

“Love reading your intelligent and witty stories which are now part of my daily routine.” Ava Sanders, Fashion Designer, Lou & Ash (NZ/Australia/France) ...Read more...

Michelin Guide, take a Seat

Rarely a day goes by, without someone asking me, “Where do you eat in Daylesford? “ What they really want (other than an autographed copy of my book “to Daylesford, with Love”) is to be guided through the vast maze of Daylesford restaurants and cafes. Somehow I’ve ended up becoming Anna Wintour of the regional food world; guiding diners through the gastronomical zeitgeist of the moment.

Apprenticeship for this prestigious community service involved munching my way around Europe, guided by Michelin stars, spoons and forks. While romping through the oh la la culinary landscape mapped out in the revered Red Bible, I’ve steadfastly retained Miss Piggy conviction that Prada skinny jeans are using less and less fabric each year. Clearly I’m loving The Michelin; staying loyal even after it took stars away from my favourite restaurant (and home to the world’s best truffle degustation menu), Chez Bruno in Lorgues, France. However, recently I’ve been wondering whether time has come to add another symbol. A Chair maybe?...Read more...

Tooth Fairy, the untold story

Received an email from Mother last night saying, “Hello Dear. I’m getting a sore back praying so much for your books to sell… so they better!!!!” Knocked over my espresso from laughing so much (while simultaneously being concerned). Once I regained composure, it occurred to me that many of my peculiarities and mannerisms come from Mother. Given Mother is frequently mentioned in my stories, its high time Leonie Catherine Managh (nee McNeil) was properly introduced.

Mother grew up on a 1200 acre dairy farm at Waikawau Bay, the remotest tip of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. Her childhood seem to mainly involve a horse, some snow and long journeys to Primary School. There’s more chance of snowfalls in Hawaii than Coromandel, which possibly explains the origins of my storytelling gene. However, there is no doubt that the beaches here are some of the best in the world.  Close to the family farmhouse was a tidal inlet. When the tide was out, you could walk across to the other side of the inlet, onto a private two mile sandy white ocean beach, sheltered by sand hills stretching the length of the beach...Read more...

Bad Habits, David Beckham and a Submarine

After the huge book launch weekend, all I want is some peace and serenity. Not getting it at home with Gerry following me around with the Canon 5D thinking he’s Stephen Spielberg; filming my every move for the soon to be released Tweed Tea and Wellies TV commercial. Ideally I’d be lounging (glass of chilled Perrier-Jouët in hand) poolside at Lela’s house in the South of France, but today I’m just as happy at Bad Habits Café in the Convent Gallery.

I’ve often thought Nuns should run Cafes in Convents. They could subtly monetise the steady stream of Catholics wandering across the threshold into their Divine Domain; where Bad Habits could either mean a wardrobe malfunction or tendency to succumb to the occasional Deadly Sin. As a child, I loved hanging out with the Josephite Nuns; my favourite being Sister Sonia (now married to the charming Bob White, former Christian Brother. I was Maid of Honour). If Sister Sonia (with her impeccably good taste and outrageously good humour) were to set up a café, this would be it. Soaring windows shining dappled light into the terraced conservatory, terracotta tiled floors, olde world alfresco charm, original faded pink Convent walls, whimsical religious icons, and staff with such beautiful smiles they could be Nuns-in-Waiting...Read more...

Sexy Italian woos Daylesford. Let the good times roll!

I arrived at 5.35pm and everyone looked like they’d been there since 1986. Despite the invitation being for 5.30pm. As a new Volunteer (technically still a trainee) for Daylesford Information Centre, I was attending this month’s “Know our Town” Famil at Jimmy’s Bar.

What is it with time in the country? City folk know never to turn up on time… makes one look too desperate. Being time tardy is not without its problems.  A few years ago, I was attending a Microsoft conference in Atlanta, USA.  My plane arrived so late; I had to go directly to the Atlanta Convention Complex (just behind CNN Headquarters). As I was walking through the arena doors, a text came through from colleagues inside, saying “Hide your iPhone!!!!”  Could have used that information 60 seconds earlier. I looked up from my iPhone to see 15,000 Microsoft disciples and Bill Gates staring at me. On the floor to ceiling screen behind Bill was the battle cry, “APPLE IS OUR ENEMY.” My career at Microsoft was fairly short lived after that!

You’d think I’d learn. Apparently not! Another time I tried to quietly enter Collette Dinnigan’s Paris Fashion Week Show at Hotel de Crillon in Place de la Concorde, after Vogue US editor, Anna Wintour. Suffice to say, I’ve never been given a Press Pass to Paris Fashion Week since....Read more...

Prada Doth Protest

I’m wearing indignation this week. News has hit the streets that regional Daylesford newspaper, Advocate, (part of Fairfax Media) refuses to cover “to Daylesford, with Love” book launch on the grounds that it isn’t Community Focused enough. What??? It’s a book about Daylesford; profiling local characters, talent and businesses. Just because it’s not written in BBC formality or narrated by Richard Attenborough or Bob Hawke, doesn’t negate Tweed, Tea and Wellies influence in showcasing the fabulousness of Daylesford to the world. But as Dame Edna famously said, “You mustn't judge Australia by the Australian Regional Newspapers.” I hope to be as wise, socially conscious and well-coiffed as Dame Edna someday.  In the meantime, the Advocate’s place on the Front Row has been filled by some lovely editors from In-Style and Marie Claire magazines. They’ll be wearing Prada.

No sooner were my knickers out of a twist, when another local travesty got them all knotted again. Purple Phone was ringing off the hook with news that the Hepburnshire Council is potentially Amnesia-impaired. Allegedly the Council approved the exact measurements of stunning wrought iron and marble tables outside the Oh so fabulous Jimmy’s Bar, then forgot they’d ever said (or written) anything.  Now they’re demanding the tables be removed on the grounds that they’re too big. Mother once asked why I don’t go into Politics and my response then was because civil servants have such tragic wardrobes. Now I’m amending that response to the sage words of renowned Australian author, critic and broadcaster, Clive James, “All intellectual tendencies are corrupted when they consort with power.”...Read more...