Getting Sassy: Topless in Tasmania

It didn't take long for Mona's Dark Mofo Winter Festival to cement its spot on the Australian cultural calendar.  In the space of just three years, Tasmanians - and indeed mainland Australians and international visitors alike - have come to embrace awe-inspiring light installations probing Hobart's clear night skies, fire and music spectaculars, Balinese ogoh ogohs, theatre, art, food, wine and nude swimming ... .  

Yes, that's swimming - wearing not so much as a stitch, let alone a wet-suit - in the River Derwent's icy waters for the Winter Solstice Nude Swim!  This year's water temperature was a manhood- (and ego-) shriveling 11 degrees Celsius, rivaled in bone-chilling potential only by the air temperature that was hovering around one degree C!    

The UMPHs aren't quite brave or, more accurately, mad enough to nude-up for the swim.  Neither are She of the Scarlet Scarf and her Platonic friend who's a boy but isn't her boyfriend.  UMPH did manage, however, to convince the ladies that going topless on the southern hemisphere's shortest day would be a suitably MOFO way to celebrate the winter solstice.  

Imagine a conversation that went a bit like this:  Yes, it will be, umm, bracing.  The cold will undeniably affect some bits more than others.  It's true that people may stare, and your mothers might well disapprove.  But if you got it, flaunt it!  

And so it was, having enticed the ladies to drop the tops on their Peugeots, that all four intrepid solstice celebrators set out for the highly-regarded Sass restaurant situated in Port Huon's Kermandie Hotel (http://www.kermandie.com.au/) for a spot of lunch.  And to warm themselves by the dining room's big wood-heater!  

To the left, in the traditional country-style pub, is the main bar.  Sass is on the right.

As predicted, the drive itself was a little crisp.  However, with the Pugs' heaters cranked up and their side windows in place, it wasn't too bad.  The cold was more than compensated for by the experience of a clear blue sky, fragrant wafts of wood-heater smoke and the damp, foresty smells of the bushland through which the Huon Highway winds.

Sass' winter menu was exactly the right thing for a chilly day's lunch!  Mains included a chowder of fresh and smoked seafood; risotto with local mushrooms, rainbow chard and lemon myrtle scented goats' curd; fish 'n' fat chips; fish of the day; confit local chicken Maryland; a Tasmanian grass-fed eye fillet; and a rich wild Tasmanian venison braise spiced with McHenry's sloe gin and served with spaetzle.

There may have been plenty of variety on the menu but that wasn't reflected in the UMPHs and their companions' choices.  They shared an entree platter of of in-house smoked salmon, King Island cheddar, wallaby pastrami, wasabi and lemon myrtle goats' curd, local marinated mushrooms, and a lovely tomato relish, served with warm crusty ciabatta, and all followed it up with the venison for mains.  

Maybe it was the McHenry's gin that tempted our usually very individualistic diners to all choose the same main dish?  Whatever it was, the consensus was that it had been a very good choice, as was the decision to share the platter.  The recommended 2013 Holm Oak Cabernet Merlot made for a wonderful accompaniment, too. 

At least there was some variation in desert choices.  UMPH was very impressed with his vanilla and bush honey pannacotta; Mrs UMPH thoroughly enjoyed her apple and almond cake with apple butter, black currant glaze and pouring cream; while the other two thought their Huon pear tarte tatins with rosewater ice-cream were a lovely way to round off a great meal.

Pannacotta

Apple and almond cake

Tarte tatin 

The Pugs parked opposite Sass with the Port Huon marina in the background

The return journey was much like the first leg of the trip but possibly even colder.  It could have been the view from Huonville towards the less recognisable western view of the Wellington ranges, shrouded in snow, that made it feel that way or, quite likely, it was chillier by a degree or two!  If it hadn't been so crisp, UMPH would have said hats - or in this case, beanies - off to the ladies for persevering with the topless theme for the run home!      

Main Road, Huonville, with western view of the snowy Wellington ranges on the horizon

          
U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au).