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The Grape Gatsby in Grapevine in Texas

3rd June 20253rd June 2025 funtime65

Bet you’re wondering how I knew, how I knew before you, but they’re championing The Grape Gatsby in Grapevine in Texas.

Our good old Southern compadres in the Lone Star State have borrowed a Yankee icon for this, the 39th Annual Grapefest, in September.

But anything goes in the name of wine, we say.

And we know that Texans and visitors will rise to the challenge to don DJs, Spatz and flapper dresses and coif out of goblets.

Grapevine, which runs four unforgettable days on Historic Main Street, September 11, 12, 13 and 14, is a veritable fest of fun.

Stomp of approval

Stage is set: For Grapefest in Grapevine, Texas

And we can just picture Jay, Nick, Tom, Daisy and Myrtle trampling away in the popular GrapeStomp.

Where teams of two against each other in a race against the clock to stomp about 18 pounds of grapes in a thrilling two-minute frenzy.

The stakes are high, culminating in the Grand Champion Stompoff.

Where the ultimate victors are awarded the coveted Purple Foot Award!

While for those with a steady hand and a celebratory spirit, the Champagne Cork Shoot-Off offers a unique test of skill.

Participants take aim at targets, with smaller targets yielding higher points.

All building to the Grand Shoot-Off finals on Sunday.

The best possible taste

Now the Grapevine Annual Grapefest is a showcase for Texan wine and the week when the Lone Star State challenges California’s riches.

Boasting the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer-judged wine tasting competition in the states, exclusively featuring all Texas wines.

And you can meet Texas winemakers while sampling and judging more than a dozen varietal categories including sweet, dry and blush.

Elevate your wine knowledge with engaging pairing workshops.

Where experts will guide you in discovering the perfect harmonies between your favorite vinos and delectable cheese, chocolates and more!

All the fun of the fest

While the GrapeFest guys and gals helpfully tell us what else is on offer.

Live Music and Entertainment: Enjoy a vibrant soundtrack throughout the festival with performances across multiple stages.
Iconic Festival Food: Indulge in a diverse culinary scene with food options to complement the wine selections. And try a Texas corny dog or funnel cake!
Artisan Marketplace: Discover unique handcrafted goods and souvenirs made by Texas vendors.
Family-Friendly Fun: With activities for all ages, GrapeFest includes a KidZone, Carnival and Midway.
Historic Backdrop: Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are repurposed as boutiques, international cafés and bistros, art galleries and winery tasting rooms.

Will you be mine?

Now, you’ll be glad after your jet lag from Europe to know that the Texas tipplers’ town is just beside Dallas Fort Worth.

For you to roll in and roll back to the airport after all the fun.

And is home to a range of world-class hotels.

From luxe resorts, including Gaylord Texan to the boutique Hotel Vin.

And family-friendly Great Wolf Lodge, visitors will find accommodations that suit their needs and preferences.

Grapevine is also home to the Urban Wine Trail, Historic Main Street, Historic Nash Farm, Grapevine Vintage Railroad.

And hosts many annual festivals and events including GrapeFest.

Super trample: And aim for that Purple Foot trophy

And Main Street Fest – A Timeless Texas Tradition.

While if you can’t get away until later in the year Grapevine is also the Christmas Capital of Texas.

With more than 1,400 Christmas events over 40 days.

And was voted Newsweek Reader’s Choice Best Christmas Town in the US in 2024.

And all year round too, and not just the four days of GrapeFest.

We can celebrate The Grape Gatsby in Grapevine in Texas.

Countries, Europe, Food & Wine

Our wee traveller’s tip if you’re going fishing

20th May 202520th May 2025 funtime65

Whether you think the EU deal is a whopper for Britain or we’ve been caught hook, line or sinker, here’s our wee traveller’s tip if you’re going fishing.

A mariner’s prime activity is, of course, riding the choppy waters to bring in a catch to feed his family.

But to supplement that unpredictable wage fishermen have long turned to us, the holidaymakers, to supplement their earnings.

By taking us out on their boats, for a fee, to channel our inner fisherman or woman.

Now you don’t have to have salt water in your veins to get the most out of the experience.

Because your guide will invariably hold your rod for you (ooh, behave!) and help you haul in a little fishy.

Something fishy

You’ll want too to check out the vessel before you take to the water to see what facilities it boasts.

Just in case you’re out on the Atlantic and that wine and coffee you took at lunch starts filling up your bladder.

As happened to a certain fisherman’s friend off the coast of Portugal back in the day.

Who halfway out asked where the rest room was.

And if not was there was an island where she could go.

With the choice being Madeira hundreds of miles south.

Or back to port we turned around and headed back to Cabanas in the Algarve.

Fruits of the sea

Portugal has, of course, been richly blessed with the fruits of the sea.

So we’d be surprised if they had need to haul their vessels up to our wee island.

And it might just be their neighbours and their Spanish Armada on the horizon.

It’s a fleet of a different sort that makes its way down to Portugal at this time of year, the Brits.

For the sun, sea, and vinho.

Every day is a shoal day

For us though our favourite thing to do in Portugal is kick back with a plate of sardines and a bottle of Vinho Verde.

Other fish, of course, are available, shoals and shoals of them.

And depending on how much Vinho Verde you’ve imbibed.

You might just imagine them smiling back at you.

The boating expeditions are of course optional as you’ll never have to catch your own.

It’s just our wee traveller’s tip if you’re going fishing.

Countries, Europe, Food & Wine

Pride in Portugal and the Four Fs

15th May 202515th May 2025 funtime65

And there’s a pride in Portugal and the Four Fs which brings visitors back time and time again to the westernmost part of continental Europe.

The Four Fs we say. Well, yes, Fado, Fatima, Futebol and Fálicos.

And our Coimbra tour guide Jose Madomis was quick to impress the importance of the first three to President Antonio Salazar’s portrayal of Portugal after the Revolution.

Although we would definitely have found ourselves in bother with the Dictator or the Catholic Church.

For promoting the Falico chocolates and pastries we came across on our travels in Portugal.

Known either as Doces Fálicos or Bolos de São Gonçalo they proliferate in Portugal.

Fallic culture

And dare we say it preferable to the ubiquitous vanilla custard cakes or pasteis de nata.

Quite why 13th-century Dominican monk and hermit São Gonçalo came to be associated with the treat has never been nailed down.

But what we do know is that the phallic treat as part of a fertility ritual became popular in his town of Amarante in the north.

And music festivals are held every January and June as locals.

With visitors scoffing their falicos in all different shapes and sizes.

And some even coming with cream fillings.

For our part we were introduced to the fálicos in Obidos.

And had much fun shocking family and guests at home.

When we brought them out with tea when we got back.

Hyatt times in Lisbon

All of which puerile humour we find in rich supply when we lap up Pride parades and which will be a big draw for those who attend.

Our amigos in Portugal know we love a Pride and have been in touch.

To recommend Hyatt Regency Lisbon by the Tagus, for Lisbon Pride from June 14-22.

Cocktail hour: At the Hyatt Regency Hotel

And si, they do recommend their rooftop cocktails at ICON Bar & Rooftop with panoramic views.

And world-class wellness at the hotel’s Serenity Spa.

Prices start from €230 based on 2 adults sharing a standard room with a queen bed and River View.

Countries, Food & Wine, UK

Vintage England

14th April 202514th April 2025 funtime65

And with news that the vineyards will have moved north in Europe by the end of the century a look today at Vintage England.

And because we know while some of us drink alone that’s it’s better with a group then Solos Holidays cover your bases.

Solos have a new two-night escorted break to discover the vineyards of the Surrey Hills, an hour from London.

The wine-lovers’ trip begins with a dinner at the four-star Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel, nestled in the North Downs.

Sommelier time is here

You will be joined by an award-winning wine tutor and sommelier.

To guide you through immersive visits to Albury Vineyard.

Albury has made a name for itself for its still rosé and sparkling wines.

And Denbies Wine Estate, England’s largest single-estate vineyard.

You’ll sample exclusive tastings, the chance to meet the growers and expert insights into English winemaking.

Hurray to Surrey

A two-night Taste of Surrey Hills Vineyard tour departing on 24 September, costs £645pp.

It includes a double room for sole use with private facilities.

A charcuterie lunch on day two, breakfast & dinner with wine and beer daily.

And a welcome drink and information evening.

Denbies Sparkling Vineyard Train Tour and exclusive wine tasting tour, Albury Vineyard tour and exclusive tasting.

The 50-minute Denbies will takes you at a leisurely pace to some of the most beautiful viewing points in the vineyard.

While the Albury version is a 1 and a half to two hours tour with a guided walk and a gazebo tasting session as your final reward.

Support your local grape

Little wine drinker me: And a toast to you too

For those British patriots out there it’s a chance to support Vintage England and its wine market.

It is only growing in popularity and quality with the beautiful Surrey landscape an added allure.

And even more so in the heart of England by the turn of the century.

When it could well be the centre of the wine industry as France fries under the warming Earth.

Countries, Food & Wine, UK

Creme de la creme

7th April 20257th April 2025 funtime65

And we’re bigging up one of the best tourist attractions anywhere for their record-breaking choc… just one of the reasons why Cadbury World is la creme de la creme.

Cadbury, in the village of Bourneville (yes, it does exist) Birmingham, have just brought out a 3ft Creme Egg, the size of a penguin.

No, not the chocolate ones but the Emperors.

Cadbury World’s eggstraordinary achievement is timely with Easter just around the corner.

And there are probably few better places to spend it than this land of pure imagination.

With its 14 chocolately zones.

We’ll Parrot that

Pecking order: Looking for the Mini-Eggs

Kids and big kids can get into the holiday spirit and help Mr Cadbury’s Parrot and his co-presenter search for the Missing Mini-eggs.

In the stage show from Saturday 5 to Sunday 27 April.

And meet with the aforementioned Parrot and Freddo and the Caramel Bunny.

And take Afternoon Tea in a private area of the Cadbury World Cafe conservatory.

Chocolate tea

Chocs away: Everyone happy at Cadbury World

Now this is when it really pays off to be a kid.

With chocolate, naturally, to the fore in the Child Afternoon tea.

With a selection of finger sandwiches with ham, cheese and jam fillings all served along with crisps.

But and here’s what we’ve been waiting for, a variety of Cadbury-inspired cakes including rocky road, chocolate brownie, mini-donut with chocolate dipping sauce and fruit skewer.

All accompanied by a choice of hot chocolate or fruit juice.

And adults too

Not that the adults get left out with their own Afternoon Tea.

Where you can indulge in scones, rocky road and chocolate brownies, decorated with freeze dried raspberries and dusted with chocolate.

Sandwich fillings include salmon and cream cheese, ham and cheese and egg mayonnaise with watercress.

Accompanied by a roast vegetable tartlet and sausage roll.

And a choice of hot chocolate, coffee or a selection of teas.

On it like a bonnet

You’re a character: At your Afternoon Tea

Kids will be encouraged too to get out your best headwear… and we’d be on it like a bonnet for the Easter bonnet parade.

And over the bank holiday weekend you can egg-splore all of Cadbury World’s chocolatey zones with an egg-cellent Easter Egg trail.

No wonder then that everybody from Roald Dahl to our own wee brown-eyed Daughterie have passed through their doors over the year.

It’s why Cadbury World is la creme de la creme.

The Character Afternoon Tea + Entry to Cadbury World comes in at a mouth-quenching £39.95 for adults (over 16s) and £34.95 for kids (2-15).

And if you’re anything like Daddy’s Little Girl you’ll never want to leave.

Like Cadbury itself, Bourneville and Birmingham are at the heart of everything.

In the middle of England and accessible by all transport routes.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

Margarita time

22nd February 202517th March 2025 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it it’s margarita time… and don’t you just wish you had that drinks-making bike to hand?

From your Tex-Mex brunch on your balmy San Antonio morning at the Witte Museum.

It’s how they keep the wheels rolling in the Lone Star State.

The spirit of Tex-Mex

Margaritas truly are the spirit of Tex-Mex, originating in Galveston.

With a little bit of showbiz to the story for adornment.

Twas Balinese Room bartender Santos Cruz who invented the drink for celebrity patron Peggy Lee in 1948.

Peggy whooo

After whom he named the tequila/triple sec/lime juice drink with salt around the rim.

Margarita being the Spanish name for Peggy/Margaret.

Fast forward to 2018 and Todd McCalla, a commercial real estate agent who founded National Margarita Day and National Tequila Day.

Well margarita drinkers are from all walks of life.

Now some tips we’ve picked up along the way to make your Margarita Day go with a zing.

Make a barbie day of it with Margarita Grilled Shrimp.

Marinate your fish in advance in a garlicky, limey, spicy, tequila-and-triple sec mixture.

And for dessert a twist on Key Lime Pie is a a Margarita Pie which is laced, you guessed it, with our fave TexMex cocktail.

Of course, in the spirit of the day there’s no limit to what you can do.

Dress yourself in lime and put on some mariachi music.

Basically just have a Margarita time of it.

Countries, Food & Wine, Ireland

The perfect pint at The Home of Guinness Experience

18th February 202517th March 2025 funtime65

Now, some homework, you idlers, pouring the perfect pint at The Home of Guinness Experience in the home of our favourite stout, Dublin.

Well, of course, we have had the drinking part licked.

Since first we started frothing our upper lip some 45 years ago.

Although we never tire of quenching our thirst.

And best of all in Guinness’s spiritual home which we did last week in Whelan’s in the Irish capital.

My perfect cousins

Gateway to heaven: Guinness at St James’s Gate

It is a recurring question, always pitched at those from Ireland and its diaspora…

Is the Guinness really better in Ireland?

I take my cue here from my cousins who run the family business Kennedy’s, now The Worskshop, next to Tara Street DART station, on the Liffey.

Who tell us that the Guinness needs to be kept in circulation.

Which is why bar Guinness is always better than its hotel equivalent.

All of which makes sense to us.

Pure genius

Of course nowhere does the Guinness run more consistently than St James’s Gate in the Liberties.

Where the genius happens.

And where the Guinness Storehouse, the World’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience, is introducing a new tour, the ‘Home of Guinness Experience’.

You’ll be part of a fully guided tour where you’ll discover and delve deeper.

Into the origins, history and innovation of Guinness throughout seven floors.

All paired with a lesson at the Guinness Academy where visitors can learn the legendary six-step ritual.

By pouring their own pint, earning their very own certificate.

Before finishing up with a creamy pint overlooking the 360-degree views of the city.

Barack, the Queen, Bill’s pal and me

Now Guinness Storehouse is rightly proud that it has welcomed 25 million visitors through its doors since 2000.

Including the Queen and Prince Philip, Barack Obama and yours truly, as guest of Bill Clinton’s best pal, the former Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe

The perfect pint at the Home of Guinness Experience runs Monday-Thursday with time slots available at 11am or 1pm with a maximum of 12 people per tour.

Running now until Wednesday 30^th April, tickets priced at €48pp are live on the Guinness Storehouse website. Strictly over 18’s only.

Now whisper it but I’ve already initiated in the arts of Guinness pouring by said Kennedys at The Workshop.

And also the Perfect Pint Experience at Las Vegas Ri Ra.

When I was out there and managed to Strip the Light Fantastic.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

Wham Bam Flora-Bama

11th February 202511th February 2025 funtime65

When one Southern State just ain’t enough then it’s time to Wham Bam Flora-Bama.

Who knew… about this Country beach bar institution in Perdido Bay, across two borders?

Well, not this Americanophile until we came together at the annual Meet The Media travel fair in Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin.

Perdido Bay may not have the international renown of South Beach in Miami.

But for Country fans and Good Ole Boys and Gals it is their go-to Southern Beach.

As it’s the closest sand if you’re a Southerner.

Bordering on the fun

A favourite spot for Country biggies like Kenny Chesney the Flora-Bama Lounge has been packing them in for well on 40 years.

Since the Tampary family seized on the new opportunity of the deal struck between Florida and Alabama in 1962.

When the Sunshine State gave the Yellowhammer State two miles of beach front land.

In return for the construction of the Perdido Pass Bridge.

Soon partygoers were flocking to the Tampary bar and package store they set up in 1964.

When Escambia County, Florida was ‘wet’ and across the line Baldwin County, Alabama, was ‘dry.’

Gone fishing

Times have moved on and the only bar across state lines is the one that serves liquor.

Flora-Bama, of course, revels in its USP of being one bar in two states.

And its Interstate Mullet Toss is legendary in these parts.

Or the Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party to give it its official name.

Life’s a beach: The Gulf of Mexico/America

So if you’re free the last full weekend in April, are in the Florida Panhandle and have a mullet to hand.

Then step up to throw it from the 10-foot circle in Florida 200ft across the state line into Alabama.

And if you don’t then fear not as the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America is bursting with them.

Best bang for your bucks

Now you’ll not get better bang for your 20 bucks than in this competition.

Which will also entitle you to a commemorative t-shirt.

And also give you the satisfaction of knowing you have helped out the local communities with drug and alcohol addictions.

Our fun Floridian and awesome Alabamans also encourage anyone favouring a mullet hairstyle.

To shake their locks with pride.

Aer of excitement

Now with Pensecola Airport well served domestically in the US then party travellers have little excuse.

Not to take in Wham Bam Flora-Bama.

And, of course, if you’re coming through Europe that should be with Aer Lingus in Ireland with pre-clearance.

America, Countries, Europe, Food & Wine

Yes way José and other celebs’ wines

26th January 202526th January 2025 funtime65

If he was Douro he’d drink himself which is apt as we say yes way José and other celebs’ wines.

It’s tempting for us to imagine The Special One as a Rosé Mourinho but perhaps that can be his next range.

The Special One is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Sousão and is selling for €144 per bottle.

High-end yes, but you wouldn’t expect anything less from the elite football manager.

Who tells us that ‘whether you’re celebrating a victory or spending time with people you care about…

‘This wine is meant to be shared with someone truly special.’

Mistletoe and wine

Football folklore tells us that on his arrival in England José brought a bottle of wine to well-known oenophile Alex Ferguson.

But the Scot described his offering as ‘paint-stripper’.

And the Portuguese brought a Barca-Velha to their next meeting.

Now whether José had asked that well-known vintner Sir Cliff Richard for advice we don’t know.

But the Peter Pan of Pop has been cultivating his knowledge of wines since that Summer Holiday.

And ran an award-winning vineyard Adega do Cantor in the Algarve.

Long before it became fashionable among celebs to grow the grape.

War of the Rosés

And so we have now a range of celeb-endorsed labels.

There has been Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s well-chronicled row over their Miraval vineyard in Provence, France.

While travelogue fans will be well aware of Gary Barlow’s tastes from his tour of South Africa and his organic red wine.

We’ll leave Gary to croon and swoon about Semillon Love Songs because we prefer something deeper.

Such as Snoop Dogg’s Cali range which is tagged ‘bold, full of character and the chilled Cali lifestyle. Yesssir.’

In red, blanc and rosé.

Viva the Divas

Now, there is of course nothing pinker than Kylie and her rosé comes alcohol and non-alcohol, the latter we found to our cost.

And while you think Dolly would be full and big-bodied it is in fact a Prosecco.

And so then whatever your tipple you’ll find a celeb endorsing it.

Now we will return to the rich and famous and their interest in whisky.

But for now and as we approach cocktail hour and that’s something else to get into.

We say yes way José and other celebs’ wines.

Countries, Food & Wine, Ireland, UK

Guinness’s black and whiter Christmas genius

11th December 2024 funtime65

With a rush on our favourite stout we take our hats off to Guinness’s black and whiter Christmas genius.

No beer, arguably, has been better marketed and Diageo’s decision to limit the amount of Guinness pubs falls into the same bracket.

Because there are few bigger drivers than the threat that you’ll be denied your pleasure than getting you to buy it.

Not that that has ever stopped the good people of Ireland.

Where the Guinness flows as freely as the Liffey which holds its secrets.

Guinness running through me

Golden Gates: Well, black and white actually

The rise in Guinness’s popularity is reputedly driven by women and young people.

Neither of which I am the last time I checked although it’s already in my DNA and blood.

With the Guinness marketeers telling Irish Mammies to give their new-borns Guinness for their health.

An old wife’s tale… well, no, there has always, of course, been a mystery.

A family business

Best rellies bar none: The New York crew

Down to what makes a good Guinness and if it’s possible to find one outside Ireland.

And here it helps to have some insider knowledge.

With Guinness running through our family and the McNulty bar, now The Ramblers, in the townland of Brockagh, Co. Donegal.

The best McNulty Irish bars in Manhattan, Queen’s and Long Island.

And the institution that was Kennedy’s and is now The Workshop, by Tara Street DART station on the Liffey.

Pouring in

Now what we will share here is that keeping the stout flowing and regularly change the barrels optimises your taste.

Which is why the Guinness in busy bars will always taste better than quieter hotel bars.

Of course, today’s clientele can pour their own with those taps on tables we have now.

Which, of course, I am a practitioner, not least to my bar-owning cousins.

And the document bequeathed to me in Neon City by Las Vegas Ri Ra.

The home of the Black Stuff

Now as familiar to us as a table full of Guinness at this time of year is their adverts.

With the black St James’s Gates in the Liberties in Dublin with snow on top and the tag…

‘Even at the home of the Black Stuff they dream of a white one.’

Which, of course you can visit for yourself and drink in the Gravity Bar above the Dublin skylines.

As American Presidents, British Royalty and VIPs like yours truly have over the years.

And all of us can despite any seasonal pub panic around your favourite stout.

So well done again to the best marketeers in the business.

Guinness’s black and whiter Christmas genius.