Has somebody turned the volume down on winter? The sneaky pseudo summer weather has inspired many of us to get out and about, including my hubby, who has gone into uber prune mode – cutting every living thing in our winter-worn garden within in an inch of its fragile life.

He continued through the weekend like a possessed woodpecker, ruthlessly culling despite my screams of protest – that went largely ignored. Sad really, when the highlight of your weekend includes the purchase of three tree ferns and a dog bed.

We asked for a relaxing weekend, and I seriously nearly lost my mind in the process of ‘chilling out’. It seems that quiet weekends are not as desirable as once thought, and I am seriously looking forward to the next event!

We have had a few shocked and surprised ‘would be’ café guests wandering into the hotel only to find the restaurant and ground floor boarded up and filled with workmen in funny orange and white construction hats. The hotel is literally a hive of activity, with a gaping, empty space where the restaurant once was.

GM David Capper has returned home from his ski trip to NZ to find a construction zone! Plans for the new restaurant and bar will be kept under wraps for now, with a reveal due for December of this year. Weddings, events and conferences will run as normal during this time, so absolutely no rest for the Rydges crew!

Some huge events coming up on the Port Macquarie calendar including Rydges Three Rivers Mini Marathon on the weekend of the 7 and 8 August, kicking off with a sponsors and competitor cocktail party at the hotel on Saturday evening.

This will be followed by a super early start for over 200 competitors from all over the country, jumping into the Wilson River at 7am and paddling or rowing their way down a 27 km course. The event will be loads of fun and is powered by a committee of passionate and dedicated rowing enthusiasts, including Darby Munro, Kim Chilton, Louise Jones and Geraldine Clarke, to name just a few who will indulge in a quiet refreshment on the finish line on Sunday afternoon!

If I have to see Julia Gillard kiss another petrified baby or hear Tony Abott say, “Fair Dinkum” in another speech, I will totally lose the plot! The election can’t come quick enough …

I know that some people are so confused, despite the recent advice from the dubiously respected ‘worm’, that they are just looking forward to the sausage sizzle at the gate … never mind that we are supposed to picking our nation’s leader … can they have onion and BBQ sauce please?

MasterChef will have little on Port Macquarie on Thursday 9 September 2010, when over 20 chefs from the region cook it out in the name of the Mid North Coast Signature Dish.

Each chef will cook a meal from scratch sourced from regional ingredients in front of a team of judges, including the renowned Serge Dansereau from Bathers Pavilion, John Cassegrain and Matthew Armstrong the Executive Chef/Head Teacher of North Coast TAFE.

Once the formal judging is over, the 20 chefs prepare their dishes for a blind tasting for 20 eager guests in the People’s Choice Award. These guests then select the most popular dish based on presentation, texture and most importantly, taste. Chefs entries close on 6 August – so get in quick to get an entry on the plate!

The following night Serge Dansereau of Bathers Pavilion will be creating a stunning four course dinner in the waterfront function rooms at Rydges.

Serge will be flying in some of his team to work alongside Michael Schubert from Rydges to create the four courses from hand picked regional produce. Serge will personally design and prepare the meal for the lucky guests.

Tickets will be seriously limited and a must for all foodies. The winner of the Mid North Coast Signature Dish will also be announced and their dish presented on the night.

Lovely local Jodie White married Andre Buekers at St Agnes Church on Saturday 10 July followed by a reception at Rydges for over 100 family and friends.

Guests enjoyed a premium buffet followed by a Croquenbush made by Lance at Bittersweet, with beachside photography done by Hydro Photographics. The pair honeymooned in Fiji and will make their home in Port. Congratulations Andre and Jodie!

Quick mentions must go to Nicole Stuert and Marijke Walker, who put on a cabaret night at Cassegrain recently for Bastille Day. Almost 100 guests, including our rowdy table of eight, enjoyed the French inspired event with Can Can dancers and some really delicious French cuisine and, of course, the wine! Bravo and bien cuit to you both!

All that Glitters was, in fact, gold for a select group of party people enjoying some fabulous tunes by DJs from Port and Sydney at the hotel recently. The night started with a whisper but ended with a bang, with Chloe West literally lifting the roof with her awesome vocal performance. Thanks to Ollie Brooke, Frankie Romano, Adrian Benedeck for the tunes!

Another great night out with visiting colleagues from Melbourne at our fave Mexican hideaway Poco Loco – damn those fajitas are good! Such a great atmosphere and truly the best place for a relaxed night out and a chilly Corona.

Party time again in August, with Masquerade balls, Shakespeare and celebrity chefs on the menu – and I suspect a healthy lashing of surprises on their way!

Until next month! Kate.

If you have an event or social news email details and a photo to:

kate_woodfoye@rydges.com