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Went to Nick's 40th birthday party last night in the city. He'd booked one of the private bars at Angel Bar in the city, and invited a bunch of friends along.

It was a great night, with some interesting people, including some "outtings" of characters that he refers to on his blog. I got home rather late.

Congratulations to Cadel Evans for his second place in the Tour de France general classification for the second year in a row. Let's hope he can make it one place better next year!

In case you haven't noticed, the Tour de France is on again. I've not bothered posting about it until today; not because there aren't a bunch of Aussies in it again (9), but because nothing has been particularly noteworthy for the Aussie fans.

Well, that all changed overnight. Cadel Evans has hit the lead in the general classification and pulled on the yellow leader's jersey. I thought it was the perfect stage for Cadel to assume leadership of the tour, with a rest day today, and then one more rather straightforward stage in the Pyrenees to come.

Cadel is only the 5th Aussie ever to wear the yellow leader's jersey. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he was the first Aussie to carry it all the way to Paris?

Go Cadel!

Last night we dined at Jamil's, the restaurant that replaced Will and Toby's when the Sebel Group took over the old Raddison Kestral site in Manly.

I had heard mixed reviews about this place, and I sort of expected what we got. We were greeted by the maitre d' and shown to a table at the window on the side away from the piano (which was good, as even here it was loud when playing). He informed us that the kingfish on the specials menu, and the lamb salad on the entree menu was also off, and left us while we waited for our fourth diner.

The seating is bench on one side of the table and chairs on the other side, which proved to be a minor problem as there was not enough room for the wait staff to get around to the window side of the table, causing them to lean over the table at times.

We ordered drinks, then had to chase them up. After ordering from the menu (avoiding the two dishes that were unavailable), the waitress returned to tell us that the salmon two of us had ordered for a main course was off. We checked she didn't mean the kingfish... and she let slip that she was unaware it was unavailable. I changed to another fish dish.

Again, chasing up the wine order, we eventually got the bottle of Tiger's Tale sauvignon blanc semillon from Margaret River about halfway through the entree.

When the mains arrived, the waiter was unsure of who had what, and it turned out that he (or the kitchen) had screwed up the orders. Eventually, we got it sorted out, but by the time all four meals were on the table, mine was lukewarm at best. Perhaps serving onto heated plates would make a difference. The waiter said "the vegetables are on the way" which was interesting, as we hadn't ordered any.

The food was OK. I had crab cakes for entree with a ras el hanout dipping sauce. The crab cakes were nothing spectacular, although the sauce was interesting. And for main I had the blue eye cod with miso, sorba noodles, and asian vegetables. While the flavours were good, I had to battle through two dozen uncooked sorba noodles that had been used as garnish, and I pulled a number of inch-long bones out of the fish.

So, overall, the restaurant shows promise, but they need to pay closer attention to detail in the kitchen (I shouldn't be pulling bones out of a piece of lukewarm fish that's costing $30), and the front of house needs to get their communications sorted out.

I'll probably go back eventually, but they only get one more chance.

We were meant to have lunch at Nigel's place today, but he asked me last night if it was OK to move it to my place as the owner of his apartment had painters coming around. I said "Of course" while thinking, "Crap, I have to clean up" hehe.

Anyway, Nigel got around here at about 11am to do a red wine chicken casserole, which was very nice with some mashed potatoes.

Gary bought the bread and dessert: a nice mango cheesecake.

And to top off a good afternoon, we hopped down the pub to watch the Manly Sea Eagles crush the Roosters 42 points to nil.

I went to Aria Restaurant for lunch today. This restaurant has been on my "to eat at" list for quiet a while. And let me say, I wasn't disappointed.

The location is absolutely brilliant, looking out from the end of the "Toaster" building at Circular Quay, over the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The restaurant was nice and inviting, with lovely multiple linen tablecloths and fine glassware in evidence.

The menu is modern Australian, put together by Matt Moran. And the wine list is extensive - over 25 pages!

I started with yellowfin tuna with carpaccio of octopus, avocado, green shallot and basil puree, and for a main I had duck and pea pie with pea puree. And the wine was a beaut semillon sauvignon blanc by Larry Cherubino at Margaret River. Mmmm.

I'd certainly recommend this restaurant, and I'd love to go back at dinner time to try Matt's tasting menu. I better save up some money...

I did Sunday lunch at my place for the boys today. Duck cassoulet was on the menu; a perfect autumn/winter dish.

I had to go and borrow a casserole dish from my mother, as I didn't have anything large enough to do the recipe in. When I went around, I found that dad had contributed a nice bottle of Chalambar Shiraz 2004 [pdf] to the menu. Thanks!

Again, a very nice meal was enjoyed by all involved.

While at lunch at Gary's place today (it being his turn to put on Sunday lunch), I got a phone call to tell me that my friend Graham had passed away in the morning. He'd battled a brain tumour for over two years. Such a tragic loss at his age. My thoughts are with his family.

From my grandfather's diary, 25th April, 1916:

"Puddlewaite and Whitmore, two men from B Company were killed by shell fire.

Working parties on their way to the line are very exposed until they reach the entrance of a communication trench called V.C. Avenue.

It was here that O'Leary of an Irish regiment won the V.C. in 1915.

This trench is very well constructed and is well protected from shell fire, but the front line on this sector is only a wall of sandbags and we are continually repairing gaps caused by enemy fire.

Only three shells land in the camp area but not close enough to cause any harm."

Lest we forget.

I went and saw my mate in hospital today.

Thirty years ago I first met him. He was twelve and I was thirteen. We were both in the Australian Naval Reserve Cadets. I remember him rising in the ranks, just as I did. I remember us both being devastated when we had trained for months to do an armed guard for the presentation of the Queen's Colours at H.M.A.S. Narimba to the cadets, only to have all the media that was supposed to be at the presentation divert to the Milperra Bikie Massacre, which happened on the same day.

I remember sailing with him, and rowing (a 16 foot whaler! and kayaks) I remember rifle drill practice until we thought our arms would drop off. I remember nights when we were older, going out to Manly and drinking beers, playing pool, winning more often than not; talking to our mates. I remember back at his place, teasing Max the parrot and getting bitten by her, having a few more drinks, listening to good music and watching movies. I remember appreciating the brilliant aircraft models he'd made, displayed proudly on his shelves.

I remember trips out west with the telescope, and being blown away by the beauty of the skies, and freezing our tits off on one of the coldest nights Oberon has ever seen (as we found out the next morning). I remember drinking a beer in the Oberon pub later that day and saying "What an amazing night!" and he said "Lucky we didn't freeze to death!" And we laughed about it.

I remember what he was doing for a job, and another friend of mine and myself saying "You can do better than that" and riding him like a jockey until he finally succeeded in a better career; one which seemed to be lurking just around the corner, just waiting for him to discover it.

I remember getting a phone call from him when I was back on holidays from my job in America, and him asked me "Are you sitting down?" and being told he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

I remember thinking to myself "I've given up nearly nine years of my life working in America away from my friends in Australia. I've achieved my goals here. This is the trigger to bring me back to Sydney." And I came back.

And over the last two years, we've renewed our friendship. And everything even seemed to be going well after he was operated on, and he went into remission. I thought to myself, "Thanks to modern medicine, I'll enjoy my mateship for years to come".

Sadly, it does not look like it will work out that way, although I hope I'm wrong. Last Thursday, he had a seizure, and was hospitalized. I saw him today, and I'll see him in a couple of days time. And days after that. I'll be there for him, as he's been there for me in the past.

I went and drank bourbons and coke in his honour tonight.

God I'm upset.