It’s week three of the Long and Short Reviews Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge and today’s topic is an interesting one indeed.

New Hobby I’m Trying (or would like to try)

This has given me great pause for thought. I haven’t taken on a new hobby in ages. My favourite pastimes are cooking, reading, morning walks, restauranting and golf, and there never seems to be enough time for anything else.

I did get very enthusiastic about cross-stitch several years ago. Sewing was another hobby for a while. I even went through a phase of making my own shirts and dresses, but it didn’t last. Mostly because I wasn’t very good at it.

One thing I do want to do this year is learn about distilling and have a go at blending my own gin. Local distillery Earp Distilling Co. has recently opened a classroom and are taking bookings for their “Spirit School” and I’m keen to have a go. I’m not much of a spirits drinker but I do enjoy gin and what fun to blend my own. I could label it Cathryn’s Curlies or something, or Hein’s Howler if my writing isn’t going well.

In the meantime, I’ll just continue slurping this. The Farmer’s Wife Gin comes from another local distillery, about 45 minutes north of Newcastle on the Buckett’s Way, and is very, very tasty.

Just doing my bit to support local rural businesses, you understand.

I also want to get back into making my own limoncello and orange liqueurs. I started doing this when we lived overseas and continued when we moved back to Newcastle. I stopped when we relocated to Melbourne in 2012 and have yet to take it up again. Now’s the time. Making liqueurs is fairly easy, fun and they make lovely gifts, and it’ll give me a great excuse to make my favourite limoncello plum tart recipe. It’s scrumptious. I’ll have to remember to share it when I do.

Other than that, I think 2020 will see more of the usual – cooking, golf and checking out local eateries. Travel too, I hope. And books. There’ll be plenty of those for sure!

What about you? Are you going to be hobbying this year? What hobby are you keen to try?

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