Darren Lockyer Way while driving between Brisbane and Toowoomba
This week I got to drive along Darren Lockyer Way on the Warrego Highway (while wearing my Brisbane Broncos necktie).
Darren Lockyer
If you don’t know who Darren Lockyer is, I’ve embedded a YouTube video of his greatest hits here. He started his rugby league career at fullback (and goal kicker) and ended at five-eighth. He captained the Brisbane Broncos, the Australian Kangaroos, and most importantly, the Queensland Maroons.
[maxbutton id=”10″ ]
New Holden Commodore
I was attending work meetings in Toowoomba and Oakey and drove a new Commodore there and back. I’m not sure about a front wheel drive “Commode”. It was packed full of luxurious features as well as annoying features like the engine kill system when the car comes to halt. The steering felt ‘sticky’ and there was a touch of resistance in the steering wheel when changing lanes on the highway. I can’t imagine buying a new “Commode” as a daily drive.
It was a coincidence that the day I was driving to Toowoomba along Darren Lockyer Way, I was wearing a Brisbane Broncos necktie.
The Courier Mail
From the Courier Mail article. Darren Lockyer was honoured with a stretch of road in his name. Eighty-five kilometres of the Warrego Highway was named Darren Lockyer Way, to honour of the retired Brisbane Broncos, Australian, and Queensland rugby league captain. The road stretches from Riverview to the bottom of the Toowoomba Range at Withcott.
It was good to spent some days in South East Queensland. The days were warm and humidity was really very pleasant.
What have I watched this week?
The Handmaid’s Tale
I’ve been seeing ads for “The Handmaid’s Tale” come up in my Twitter feed and hadn’t really taken any notice. I opened the Stan app on my iPad because I’d seen that some Marvel movies are now streaming on that platform and “The Handmaid’s Tale” was featured. I thought I’d have a quick look to see what all the fuss was about.
At first I was shocked. I thought what the hell is this and why would someone make this in the 21st century. Then I got sucked in and more curious about it. I’ve now watched three episodes and I reckon I’ll keep watching it. I just hope this is not truly a glimpse into hominid future.
What have I listened to this week?
The Angels Live
Many of my favourite podcasts are starting the holiday season hiatus so on the drive to and from work I’ve been listening to some music. My favourite band is “The Angels” and one of their live albums always lifts my spirits when I play it loudly with the windows down.
The band’s updated website has some new orchestral interpretations which are very different to the Doc Neeson era Angels.
What have I eaten this week?
While in Toowoomba I stayed at the Burke and Wills Hotel and enjoyed some nice meals. On Thursday night I went to Ruchi in Belconnen (no photographs sorry) and enjoyed some dosai, palek paneer, lamb korma, and naan.
This is a gallery of photographs. Click on one image and scroll through the rest of them.
KP mango for dinner 
Fish and chips at Belluci’s, Woden 
Baked salmon with balsamic glaze and lime zest. 
Coffee and BGS magazine. My high school is 150 years old this year. 
Toasted leftover slow cooker beef brisket, Coon cheese, and mayonnaise roll with wholegrain bread 
Tuesday dinner. Coon cheese Coles crumbed pork chop with avocado. The pork chop was cooked for 20 minutes at 200 °C/400 °F. 
Lunch rump special at Burke and Wills, Toowoomba 
Guinness pie with mashed potatoes and mushy peas at the Burke and Wills, Toowoomba 
Thursday breakfast. Bacon, eggs, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, hash brown, and baked beans at Burke and Wills Hotel Toowoomba 
Thursday breakfast. Bacon, eggs, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, hash brown, and baked beans at Burke and Wills Hotel Toowoomba 
Calamari 
Coffee and work at the Canberra Hospital and Health Services tuck shop 
Hot chips for lunch from the Canberra Hospital and Health Services tuck shop 
Coon cheese pork chop with spicy mashed potatoes 
Baked Spam and scrambled eggs 
Why yes, I do use chopsticks to eat smoked salmon with blue cheese, brie, and smoked cheddar cheese
Yummy Lummy this week
This weekend on Yummy Lummy, I’m sharing the top 5 most viewed posts for 2018.
[maxbutton id=”11″ ][maxbutton id=”12″ ][maxbutton id=”13″ ]
Final thoughts
- How do you feel about footy players getting infrastructure named after them?
- Have you watched “The Handmaid’s Tale”? What did you think?
- What’s been your favourite post on Yummy Lummy this year?
I absolutely loved the Handmaid’s Tale. I binge watched the first season in a weekend which was a really bad idea, because I had terrible dreams and started getting angry at my husband for things he hadn’t actually done LOL! So I spaced out season 2 a lot more. It’s a very, very good show. I’ve never read the book but I now want to.
I’m enjoying it. I’m on to episode 5 of season 1.
Just checked for my comment Gary but cannot find it – did it come through to you?
It did indeed Sue 😃
Those annoying kill switches when cars are stopped are incredibly frustrating. I would not buy a car with one although most new cars have them now. My car is a hybrid so when it stops it doesn’t stop fully, it doesn’t shut down rather it goes through to the battery powered electric system…so it doesn’t have to turn itself on again; hence no waiting.
I haven’t watched the Handmaiden’s tale yet? From everyone I know that has watched it, they all love it.
And yes, I was wondering about the chopsticks!! Thank you for clarifying – but chopsticks and cheese!!!!!
Thanks, Sue. I reckon chopsticks are a good option when I don’t want to soil my fingers with greasy or oily food. Even though I was eating at home by myself, I was using a keyboard so to avoid fingerprints, I used chopsticks 😃
I remember the first time I was in a car with the engine kill option and thought something was wrong until I disengaged the brake. Whenever I rent a car with it now, after the first couple of stops, I look for the disable switch.
I currently drive a diesel which is reasonably economical, but if I get another car, I’d be looking at a hybrid too. I’ve driven a Prius and a Camry hybrid car and enjoyed the experiences.
I don’t have an issue with footy or sport stars getting infrastructure named after them. For most part, these players have worked hard and achieved what they wanted. So it’s good to remember them after some plaque, statue or monument.
Not into watching TV series or films but from what you described, The Handmaid’s Tail sounds like something that unpredictably sucks you in.
Driving that Commodore sounds like a chore. Annoying to have that resistance switching lanes. The only time I’d wouldn’t mind feel resistance when driving is when I exceed the speed 100km/hr – something needs to tell me to slow down, subtly.
So hard to name a favourite post this year from you, Gaz. I really enjoyed following this personal blog and Yummy Lummy. With Yummy Lummy, I like how consistent you have been in terms of putting out a post pretty much once a week and the layout of the posts is structured too and it’s easy to go to the recipe right away when I am very interested in the recipe. Really like the crispy cheesy ramen post, and really anything with cheese in your recipes. The KFC posts were a highlight for me too. Overall it seemed Yummy Lummy had many hearty recipes 😃 On your personal blog, I like how you are very real and honest about your journey with weight loss-low carb, and getting to know you more through what you like to watch and your take on current affairs, and really just a recap of the average Australian’s week.
Nice shirt too. You rocked it 😃
Thank you so much Mabel for your thoughts. You are very kind and I’ve loved 💚 the friendship we’ve formed through commenting on each other’s blogs.
On Yummy Lummy, I’ve focussed on a format, so eventually, I can write a recipe e-book more easily. It’ll happen one day.
When I look back at the WordPress stats, I was surprised at what the top 5 most viewed posts were. You’ll see that soon 😃 Thanks for being my #1 commenter 💚👏👍
The friendship we have is something I’ve appreciated. Thank you for your time, Gaz 💚
It is smart to have a focused format. Maybe that e-Book is closer than you think. Who knows, maybe by then Coles would sponsor you – and your book. Or you could be writing recipes for Coles 😃
Wow. I am the #1 commenter. So honoured 😃 Looking forward to the next post 😃
Thanks, Mabel. You’re my main motivation to write the book. Who knows, maybe Coles will help with a book 😂
After all these years I am sure Coles will take notice. A matter of time. I’m certain in 2019 you will continue to champion them in your posts 😂
While I continue to live in the same place I certainly will 😃😃😃
And I will continue to tweet Coles too about your posts 😃
And I will be eternally grateful 😃💚👍
That shirt is amazing.
I’ll be offlining a bunch of stuff on Stan this week, Handmaid’s Tail included.
I love this shirt.
Stan is such a good platform. Being able to download and watch offline is very cool. Especially on aeroplanes and trains.