I’ve always been enchanted by photos of southern France that feature rows and rows of lavender, but having only ever passed through the area, I’ve never actually seen anything like it. Until I went to Bridestowe Estate, that is.
I visited just before the lavender’s at their best, but it was good enough for me. One could mistaken the scene for the south of France, what with the ochre soil and undulating hills. It makes for a picturesque picnic spot, that’s for sure.
Had yum cha with some friends today (I will post the photos from this soon). One of them was planning to go to Tasmania in the summer holidays and asked for suggestions of where to go. It brings to mind the visit I made to the Bay of Fires in the north east corner of Tassie.
I read somewhere that it was rated one of the best beaches in the world. I can’t disagree too much in terms of sheer beauty.
The sand is gloriously white, the water a turquoise blue, which contrasts nicely with the rust-coloured lichen on the rocks and the gum tree covered hills. The only thing not in its favour is that it’s not the warmest of places in the world. I swam in early December and the water was freezing.
Queen Victoria Building is one of those Sydney rarities – a 19th Century building that hasn’t been knocked over but restored! It’s also very photogenic with its Romanesque arches, domes and mosaic tiles.
Nowadays it’s a good place to have a coffee while contemplating the view.
Another pudding I’ve been raring to try is sticky date pudding. I’ve tried restaurant versions of this, but I think this is better, despite it not being very photogenic. This one has a quantity of walnut meal in it along with the sticky date mixture. Served with butterscotch sauce and cream, it was very moist and yummy indeed.
It’s funny how places really close to home often get ignored. Well, I’m posting about somewhere really close to home now. Oatley Park is a very well-kept secret to those who live in and around the St George area of Sydney. It’s a little peninsula of pristine bushland on the banks of the Georges River. I often went here when I lived in nearby Mortdale to walk the 40 minute track around the park.
It also has a netted swimming area that’s popular with the kids during summer and a jetty to fish on.
It’s also fascinating to see the changes in the bush from season to season – the flannel flower flowering, the bark peeling off the gum trees…
And the Christmas bush in bloom at, well, Christmas.
To eat our Malaysian feast, we had a beef brisket curry. The flavour is actually subtle – definitely more subtle than its cousin the rendang. I can taste lemongrass and can see curry leaves. By this time we were all actually very full, but I’ve had a nice dinner or three since from the leftovers.
The Wentworth Falls area is criss-crossed by walking tracks. I hadn’t been on the Undercliff walk before and used it to get from the top of the falls to Princes Rock Lookout. It’s a fun little track that winds its way in and out of overhangs.
Princes Rock Lookout is probably the best in the area as it juts out into the valley, giving a real bird’s eye view of things.
I also got a look of just how many steps I’d climbed that day.
The discovery of the meal was salt and pepper eggplant. It was absolutely delish. The batter was light and not too oily or salty. The eggplant inside was soft and gooey. All in all, very more-ish. Pity that the waiter was over enthusiastic in disposing of it at the end of the meal or I could’ve enjoyed it for a bit more at home.
It’s been years since I’ve gone down the stairs from the top of Wentworth Falls. I’ve forgotten how step they were! My legs were a bit shaky by the time I got to the middle of the falls, where I could rest and soak up the view to the top.
It’s pretty standard fare. The prawns were lovely and crisp, but Om nom nom nom thinks the garlic isn’t strong enough. I think it’s nice but doesn’t really shine next to the chicken rice and satay.
Static and Silence 