Steam train to Vilagrad

[vilakins]

Greg just saw this excursion in the local paper: a day's outing by steam train (and bus) to Vilagrad Winery. Yes, Vilagrad which I've been to twice before, and also home of the Vila Brothers Band. Damn, I have to wait till tomorrow's business hours to see if I can get two tickets. It's not just for Vila and wine either: we both love steam trains, and I've already missed out on a weekend steam trip to the Chateau because it's just before Greg goes overseas.

Comments

[vandonovan.livejournal.com]

Ah, man! That sounds like a combonation of wonderful things. I was quite fond of trains (especially steamers) in my early teens. :D

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It is! We've done steam trips for the hell of them, and Vilagrad's a favourite place with wonderful wines, and they do a great buffet. A combo of two wonderful things.

I hope we can get tickets.

[nautile26.livejournal.com]

Ha ha, Vila has a winery and a band! Why am I not surprised? I hope you get your tickets, I love the sound of steam trains. We have the old 3801 steam passed our house on special weekends.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Vilagrad is just the sort of place he'd run! :-D It has excellent wines and is known for its parties; we went to their harvest one last year.

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Steam is the ideal way to get anywhere you can't go by water!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It is! Or failing that, any other sort of train. :-)

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Jůů - the steam train! I also love these engines - my grandfather was a railway emloyee and I spent every time possible with him watching the trains. In 60´s there were ONLY steam trains here:-)
I hope you will get the tickets!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! My father loved the trains too and used to take me to watch them as a kid. He called himself a ferro-equinologist (a classic geek's joke) and had loads of photos from special steam trips he'd been on.

I think steam was phased out here in the 60s. [asks Greg, the expert who has books on it] Yep, that's right.

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

I hope you get tickets!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a lot of fun. The "grad" bit of the name intrigues me. Was the place founded by Russian emigres?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

By Dalmatians in 1922 (a lot of them came here), Grad means 'town' for them too; the whole name means 'home town' apparently.
Have a look at their website (http://www.vilagradwines.co.nz/). :-) If I can't get tickets for this, we'll drive down for the harvest festival closest to my birthday, yay!

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

Having read their Sunday Lunch menu I'm now feeling hungry. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I have eaten from pretty much that menu twice, and it's excellent. One of the 'Vila Brothers', Kristian, is also the chef.

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

So Vila and Kerril were both aiming for the same name
Vilaworld = Homeworld!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

So it is!

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

That is my kind of excursion, I love steam trains, they seem to be alive compared to the diesels we have now, add to that Vila, wine and a lunch to die for and I would be in 7th heaven. Good luck with the tickets.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I have some! We're picking them up on the day.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Excellent, I want pictures and a critique of the menu, being a carnivore I would probably pick the meat but the fish is running a very close second. They should do Surf and Turf for indecisives like me.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The fish is delicioius. I'm heading straight for the fish.

It's buffet so you could have all three if you were there. :-)

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

I've looked at the web site and that second picture could be Vila with a bit of facial surgery. First glance it could be Vila, second glance no the nose is wrong, cheap way of fading into the background after GP. His ideal work.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The guy at the back left in the first photo (same guy) looks like him too. In real life, he's older and not quite as Vila-like. The other three guys in the first photo are his sons, the Vila Brothers. :-D

It is indeed the ideal life for him! It wouldn't even count as work in his opinion, but a hobby. :-D

[sorsha-khan.livejournal.com]

"Home of fine wine, food & entertainment" Just the sort of place Vila would approve of. As for the name, 'Hometown' how do the Dalmatians translate 'world'?
Hope you get tickets and have a fab time.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I don't know! Good thought; I should ask when I'm there.

I got tickets! :-D

[sorsha-khan.livejournal.com]

Yayness! :-D

[entropy-house.livejournal.com]

Oh, that excursion sounds like the coolest way to spend a day ever. Got my fingers crossed you can go.

Ahh... I read the menu and am hungry! Good luck!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Their menu is excellent. I've had two delicious dinners there and this looks much the same.

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

All Vila needs now is the women!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I bet there are a few on the train!

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

It departs from the Strand!
Holmes /Blake's 7 crossover?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Um... if you feel inclined to write one! :-)