Buy some silly socks; a shoe-in to help women in need

Today is a good day to buy - and wear - some silly socks.

Global hotel giant Accor is celebrating Australia's first-ever National Silly Sock Day - a new initiative created in partnership with DV Collective to raise awareness and essential funds for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

The launch coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which runs from today until December. 10

This year's UN Women theme focuses on digital violence against women, an increasingly urgent issue that affects millions worldwide.

National Silly Sock Day reflects the group's belief in the power of community-led action.

Across Australia, more than 5,000 pairs of limited-edition socks are available for purchase from participating Accor hotels, with all proceeds going directly toward placing additional beds in domestic violence shelters that urgently need support.

Every pair sold helps provide safe nights for women and children when they need it most and helps expand DV Collective's rapidly growing network of shelters, frontline services and counselling organisations.

This year's inaugural Silly Sock design was created by Tshering Gyem from Mercure Perth, whose artwork was selected from entries across the Accor Pacific network.

At the top of the sock, red heart-shaped threads weave across the fabric, "symbolising the emotional bonds that connect Accor's teams, guests and partners".

Accor's partnership with DV Collective began earlier this year through the Accor Community Fund, with an initial $20,000 contribution made to support DV Collective's mission of reducing the impact of domestic and family violence in Australia.

The organisation works to eliminate the waitlists and resource shortages that prevent women from accessing safe accommodation, legal support, trauma recovery programmes, counselling and essential materials.

DV Collective now supports more than 300 frontline services nationwide, including 75 women's shelters, and has this year alone contributed an additional 80 beds, representing more than 29,000 safe nights, alongside more than 100,000 donated hygiene and essential items.

With incidents increasing and shelters under extraordinary pressure, their goal for 2026 is to place 500 new beds into the system, a target that National Silly Sock Day will directly contribute to.

Accor's Chief Operating Officer in the Pacific region, Adrian Williams, said the creation of National Silly Sock Day affirmed the hotel group's commitment.

“Domestic violence affects far too many families in Australia, and the lack of safe accommodation is one of the most critical barriers for women and children seeking help." he said.

"National Silly Sock Day is a simple but powerful way for our teams, guests and communities to come together and drive real impact. Every pair purchased brings us closer to ensuring that no woman or child is turned away when they need safety.”

National Silly Sock Day will be held annually on November 25, with a new sock design released each year.

Members of the public can purchase socks or donate directly by visiting dvcollective.org or by purchasing through participating Accor hotels.

Kinder's sweet pre-Christmas treat

 

Want to share a sweet Christmas experience with your kids, or grandchildren?

Kinder Bueno has launched its first-ever Advent Calendar, which is billed as "the sweetest way to countdown to Christmas".

The sweet treat is available exclusively at Big W stores in Australia for $16 -or online  at https://www.bigw.com.au/product/kinder-bueno-advent-calendar-181g/p/6036226  

For those not familiar, Kinder Bueono is a mix of hazelnut, chocolate and wafer that can be just a little bit addictive. In a good way.

The Kinder Bueno Advent Calendar is described as "elevating the holiday countdown with a touch of light, irresistible indulgence".

I am clearly not the target market, but several friends thought it a great idea.

Behind every door of the calendar is one of a selection of Bueno favourites – including Classic Minis, White Minis, Bueno Eggs and even a full-size Bueno bar.  

New rule ensures children flying must be seated next to parents

We've all heard stories about children being allocated seats apart from their parents on long haul flights.

Booking systems are not flawless and parents are not always good at booking online.

Which can create stressful situations airports and on board flights.

In India, however, issues concerning child seats should be thing of the past.

India’s air regulator this week issued a directive to airlines to ensure young children are seated beside at least one parent free of charge.

They should not be required to pay for seat selection if travelling on the same booking, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

It follows consumer complaints that families were unable to book seats together, or had to pay for the privilege.

“Airlines shall ensure that children up to 12 years are allocated seats with at least one of their parents/guardians,” a new DGCA rule said.

Exactly how this will all work remains to be seen.

Image: Hanny Hsian, Scop.io

Major changes to the Briar Ridge wine experience

 

Hunter Valley wine producer Briar Ridge Vineyard has announced a trifecta of new developments for winter 2024.

They include the introduction of a Mystery Vineyard Tour, the enhancement of their family and dog-friendly amenities, and the opening of a new restaurant offering at the cellar door in Mount View. 

The Mystery Vineyard Tour is billed as "a blend of adventure and sophistication" that reveals secrets behind the 50-year-old Mount View vineyard.

Guests can sip on vintage as they explore the vineyards with a dedicated host and then savour some of the Hunter's best with a curated wine tasting in a mystery location within the winery grounds. This is complemented by a cheese and charcuterie plater featuring local and imported delicacies. 

Meanwhile, Estancia Osteria, the new restaurant offering, opened last month, inspired by the rustic charm of estancias in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. 

The blub says it will "offer diners a culinary voyage through the heart of Italy, the Mediterranean Sea and South America", led by executive chefs Gabriel Rodrigues and James Orlowski. 

Fire to Table cuisine will showcase fresh and seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers, including succulent cuts of meat cooked over embers. 

Both the Briar Ridge cellar door and adjacent wine garden are family- and pet-friendly with complimentary colouring kits to entertain the little ones, children's snacks and a supervised grassed garden with toys and yard games. 

Furry friends can enjoy Pooch Platters featuring dog treats, a A Pooch Hydration Station for a quick hydration and the possibility for well-behaved woofers to join their humans at their tasting table.

 Briar Ridge recently welcomed new winemaker  Andrew Duff (above), who succeeded long-serving winemaker Alex Beckett. 

“I have some big shoes to fill and I’m honestly revelling in the opportunity to make wine off such a significantly important vineyard for the Hunter,” he says. 

“I’m especially eager to be playing with some interesting grape varietals, such as the fiano and albariño."

For more info see www.briarridge.com.au/

Halloween wines: a serious crime?

So you thought Halloween was a fun festival that remembers the dead but is enjoyed by children?

Yep. But it is also apparently the chance to flog some cheap wine.

The 19 Crimes label, known for featuring criminals and rappers on its labels, has released some special edition wines in the US and UK markets featuring Dracula and Frankenstein.

Controversy is likely over whether such label are appropriate - but I guess any publicity is good publicity.

"19 Crimes has joined forces with Universal Monsters to unveil their spookiest pours yet of a delicious Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon featuring Dracula and Frankenstein," the press release spruiks perkily.

"The limited-edition wines are launching just in time for Halloween and bring Universal Pictures' classic monster characters to life with newly reimagined artwork, featuring glow-in-the-dark labels and a new boundary pushing AR experience."

Now not many adults I know are attracted by glow-in-the-dark labels, so what exactly is the target market here?

"19 Crimes and Universal Monsters is the perfect collaboration for Halloween and an opportunity to introduce 19 Crimes to brand new enthusiasts," says Treasury Americas Chief Marketing Officer Carl Evans.

The question is: Just how old are the possible new enthusiasts?

"You'll be able to hear Dracula and Frankenstein come to life on the label through augmented reality, inviting people to experience wine in a rebellious but fun and engaging way, which is the heart of 19 Crimes," Evans says.

I'm not impressed. But then I'm not 12 years old.

Should babies be banned from commercial flights?

Is it time for young babies to be banned from commercial aircraft? Or at least be seated in a separate compartment? 

That is a question that was posted on the Global Travel Media site this week. And it is sure to provoke controversy.

I know most parents do their best when flying with infants. It is a tough job. But should other flyers be inconvenienced by screaming infants after paying good money for their seats?

Likewise, should children running around and kicking seats be allowed to impact on those seeking sanctuary in an airport business lounge? As I saw this week. 

After all, if adults created as much noise as some babies do they would be told to pipe down, or even be removed from a flight.   

Several Asian airlines already offer quiet zones where children and babies are not allowed. But how about zones simply for parents and young ones. So kickers and screamers can be surrounded by other kickers and screamers.

Dutch-based charter company Corendon Airlines recently announced that it will sell tickets in an adults-only zone - seating over 16s only - on its flights between Amsterdam and the Caribbean island of Curacao starting from November.

I, for one, would be prepared to pay extra to sit an adults only zone. 

I've heard possibly apocryphal stories of rich parents who seat themselves in business class and their children and nanny among the plebs in economy.

The “Only Adults” zone in the front section of Corendon’s Airbus A350 will consist of nine XL seats with extra legroom and 93 standard seats. 

This section will be partitioned from the rest of the aircraft by walls and curtains, creating a shielded environment “that contributes to a quiet and relaxing flight,” the company says.

“This zone on the plane is intended for travellers travelling without children and business travellers who want to work in a quiet environment,” it said in a press release.

Or maybe there could be certain fights designated adults only, so that those for whom this is an issue can be assured of peace and quiet. 

 Fair, or unfair? 

Wine and waterslides in the Hunter Valley

When Mum and Dad have had their fill of wine tasting and gourmet excursions, kids can enjoy themselves at the new heated water park at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Resort.

Now open to guests of the hotel, the new Water Splash Park was designed and built by White Water Australia and is over two storeys high, complete with an assortment of slides, flutes, showers, water cannons and jets designed to entertain the whole family.

The Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley - part of the IHG Group - offers the most comprehensive collection of kids facilities and activities in the region with the water park adding to a mini-train, carousel, a converted tug boat, the Water Dragons kids club, pony rides and the new Hunter Valley Kids Cottage.

“The Hunter Valley has perhaps been seen more as a destination for adults wanting to go to wineries, play golf or attend conferences, but we've transformed the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley into a resort for both discerning adults and children,” said hotel owner Dr Jerry Schwartz.

“The missing ingredient in the resort's inventory was a water park, and I'm pleased to say this has really added something substantial to the Hunter Valley's tourism attractions.

“Importantly, the water is heated through our environmentally-friendly Cogen plant that also heats the resort's main pool. The addition of heated water will make it attractive for families visiting during much of the year.”

Hotel General Manger Mark Winterton said: “This is a time when Australians are exploring their own backyard, so upgrading the hotel's resort facilities is very well-timed by Dr Schwartz.

“The Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is now a o-e stop destination for families, couples and groups of friends. Our resort offers 414 hotel rooms and villas, 18-hole championship golf course, two swimming pools and Ubika Day Spa."

For more information see crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au/water-park/