Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Parents visiting
Only a couple of hours before Mum and Dad arrive. The place has never been subjected to so much cleaning in such a short space of time! And in a few days, Mum and Dad will meet J, and then J's parents. Nervewrecking stuff!! Stay posted.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Melancholia
Sometimes I think, as I did today, "What is the point of it all?" We work our guts out, and to what end? We don't have enough time to enjoy the money we earn, and if we opt out of the ratrace, we run the risk of worrying about having financial stability and security. I think of that old British comedy "The Good Life" in which the main characters decide the main breadwinner of the household will resign and they'll grow vegetables in their suburban garden. One side of me applauds them, "Good on them!" The cynical side of me thinks, "well, that's fine for them, since they don't have children to support" (which brings me to my next topic, see below). An old school friend of mine, FF, has recently decided to quit the safe 9 to 5 job and pursue a fulltime career in photography, a decison I really admire. Perhaps I'm just envious I don't have that level of conviction!
Maybe I'm having these thoughts because GF rang today and asked if I wanted to sail for 5 days at the end of August, bringing a yacht down from Queensland. My first thought was "Brilliant" followed quickly by "Can I afford the time off?". Even as I ruminated, my feet were itching for saltwater and I could taste the sea air.
Children. I had a bite with some colleagues the other night. Four women, and none of us have children. One bemoaned the fact that once friends have babies, it changes everything. Those friends then become out of circulation. As more and more of our respective circles have additions to their families, it becomes harder and harder to find a mate who'll come out for a drink on a Saturday night, or do the Sydney Film Festival or go for a bike ride on a Sunday afternoon. Don't get me wrong, (this addressed to my friends who have children), I think your kids are gorgeous. I think the things they say are adorable. I'm thrilled for each and everyone of you at the news of a pregnancy. And of course we understand children change everything, and its not just possible to drop everything and go to the movies at the drop of a hat. But then, what's a childless gal to do?????
I think I've found my own answer: Go sailing off the Queensland coast for 5 days.
Maybe I'm having these thoughts because GF rang today and asked if I wanted to sail for 5 days at the end of August, bringing a yacht down from Queensland. My first thought was "Brilliant" followed quickly by "Can I afford the time off?". Even as I ruminated, my feet were itching for saltwater and I could taste the sea air.
Children. I had a bite with some colleagues the other night. Four women, and none of us have children. One bemoaned the fact that once friends have babies, it changes everything. Those friends then become out of circulation. As more and more of our respective circles have additions to their families, it becomes harder and harder to find a mate who'll come out for a drink on a Saturday night, or do the Sydney Film Festival or go for a bike ride on a Sunday afternoon. Don't get me wrong, (this addressed to my friends who have children), I think your kids are gorgeous. I think the things they say are adorable. I'm thrilled for each and everyone of you at the news of a pregnancy. And of course we understand children change everything, and its not just possible to drop everything and go to the movies at the drop of a hat. But then, what's a childless gal to do?????
I think I've found my own answer: Go sailing off the Queensland coast for 5 days.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Ants in My Sleeping Bag
Saturday 12th May
J and I went camping at The Basin campground in Pittwater on Saturday night. It's the perfect place for a quick getaway. Only about an hour from the CBD, and accessible by Palm Beach Ferry or a 2.85km walk, which is long enough trek to deter carboot campers. Add a steep slope leading to the campsite and it means that its not likely to be overrun with campers. But with drinking water available, and a toilet and shower block (ok, so cold showers only), it's luxury by camping standards. Home comforts featured in our meals too. We feasted on couscous and Thai chicken curry for dinner. Breakfast the next morning consisted of bacon and eggs on English muffins, and coffee.
The campsite backs onto a hill, and on the other side, its framed by the water. At night, looking up at the stars, you feel a million miles from the city. You fall asleep listening to the faint sound of waves. Definitely worth another visit soon.
J and I went camping at The Basin campground in Pittwater on Saturday night. It's the perfect place for a quick getaway. Only about an hour from the CBD, and accessible by Palm Beach Ferry or a 2.85km walk, which is long enough trek to deter carboot campers. Add a steep slope leading to the campsite and it means that its not likely to be overrun with campers. But with drinking water available, and a toilet and shower block (ok, so cold showers only), it's luxury by camping standards. Home comforts featured in our meals too. We feasted on couscous and Thai chicken curry for dinner. Breakfast the next morning consisted of bacon and eggs on English muffins, and coffee.
The campsite backs onto a hill, and on the other side, its framed by the water. At night, looking up at the stars, you feel a million miles from the city. You fall asleep listening to the faint sound of waves. Definitely worth another visit soon.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The History Boys
Tuesday, 8th May
A last minute decision to watch "The History Boys" at 9.20pm on a Tuesday night, was a fortuitous one. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A story of 8 boys in their final year facing exams with the hopes of entering Oxford and Cambridge, and the various teachers charged with the tasks of preparing them for the exams, and/or for life. (Yes, there are shades of "Dead Poets Society" in this). They're clever, bright, cheeky lads, and a delight to watch. They're also very fond of their unorthodox English master Hector. The toffee English accents added to the sharp, crisp dialogue. Well worth seeing.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
More Birthday Celebrations
Rice paper rolls, duck and lychee martinis.
I really enjoy cooking Asian food these days. Last night I cooked dinner for friends to celebrate my birthday. I'd invited 6 people to sup, and had decided early on that tonight's menu was going to be Asian and would feature rice paper rolls.
Because I had to work yesterday, and dropped by another birthday celebration, I didn't get to start cooking till 5pm. Even with J as sous chef, and the purchase of a duck (cheating slightly!), we had to bustle a little to get everything ready. J reminded me to stay calm.
Guests started arriving from 7.30pm, and when M appeared with the vodka and lychee liquer, I started to make a batch of lychee martinis. HC protested at the amount of vodka I sloshed into the cocktail shaker, so she diplomatically offered to take over and soon we had a round of martinis to get the dinner party started. By the time we sat down to our Vietnamese rice paper rolls I was turning slightly red.
Mains were egg noodles with shredded duck and shiitake mushrooms, beef salad with green papaya (with one variation - duck substitution for a beef-allergic guest), and duck pieces and rice. Noodles are a traditional Chinese birthday dish as they represent long life. HS obligingly grated a mountain of palm sugar, and we finished with sago gula melaka (sago pudding).
We didn't end up opening any wine as those drinking voted for more lychee martinis. Suitably relaxed by the alcohol, the conversation became quite mellow and candid (but retained a degree of respectability!). We moved from food science to the removal of facial hair to the chemicals in shampoo to stories of various people falling out of bed.
I think 6 to 8 people is a good number for dinner. Enough bodies so that people get to meet someone new, enough perspectives to make it interesting. More than that and its a challenge to cook for everyone. Note to self: plan another dinner party soon. One of my 50 things to do in 2007.
I really enjoy cooking Asian food these days. Last night I cooked dinner for friends to celebrate my birthday. I'd invited 6 people to sup, and had decided early on that tonight's menu was going to be Asian and would feature rice paper rolls.
Because I had to work yesterday, and dropped by another birthday celebration, I didn't get to start cooking till 5pm. Even with J as sous chef, and the purchase of a duck (cheating slightly!), we had to bustle a little to get everything ready. J reminded me to stay calm.
Guests started arriving from 7.30pm, and when M appeared with the vodka and lychee liquer, I started to make a batch of lychee martinis. HC protested at the amount of vodka I sloshed into the cocktail shaker, so she diplomatically offered to take over and soon we had a round of martinis to get the dinner party started. By the time we sat down to our Vietnamese rice paper rolls I was turning slightly red.
Mains were egg noodles with shredded duck and shiitake mushrooms, beef salad with green papaya (with one variation - duck substitution for a beef-allergic guest), and duck pieces and rice. Noodles are a traditional Chinese birthday dish as they represent long life. HS obligingly grated a mountain of palm sugar, and we finished with sago gula melaka (sago pudding).
We didn't end up opening any wine as those drinking voted for more lychee martinis. Suitably relaxed by the alcohol, the conversation became quite mellow and candid (but retained a degree of respectability!). We moved from food science to the removal of facial hair to the chemicals in shampoo to stories of various people falling out of bed.
I think 6 to 8 people is a good number for dinner. Enough bodies so that people get to meet someone new, enough perspectives to make it interesting. More than that and its a challenge to cook for everyone. Note to self: plan another dinner party soon. One of my 50 things to do in 2007.
Birthday Celebrations
On the 21st, J brought me to Sailor's Thai, a chic Thai restuarant in The Rocks. We sat downstairs, which appeared to be an original sandstone building renovated and updated. We deliberated over the delectable menu for a while, and since we're indecisive types, and we like our food a lot, we decided on the tasting menu, which will give us portions of 6 to 7 dishes, and dessert. "Excellent choice" says the waiter. He'd said they were small portions, so we were pleasantly surprised to be presented with quite generous servings of our choices. The flavours were delicate and well-balanced. A favourite was the roast duck with longan salad.
A fantastic night - scrumptious food, great ambiance, wonderful company. And to top off our evening, an unexpected sighting of Leo Sayer enjoying a meal in the restaurant, flanked by two lovely ladies.
A fantastic night - scrumptious food, great ambiance, wonderful company. And to top off our evening, an unexpected sighting of Leo Sayer enjoying a meal in the restaurant, flanked by two lovely ladies.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Expedition to Cottage Point
It's Monday once more, hooray! It's my day off. I went sailing, as I haven't been out on the water for a while. Yesterday, J and I were out at Clifton Gardens, anear Balmoral Beach, having a cup of tea and I saw lots of yachts out. This prompted me to call the club and book in for a sail. And today, it was perfect weather for it too. I was allocated to a yacht with GS, GE and S. We had about 8 -12 knots to begin with, and we sped rapidly towards Lion Island. Coming back, we saw whitecaps (white peaks on the tops of waves) forming - an indication of the wind picking up even more. All in all an exhilarating sail.
Afterwards, I drove up to Cottage Point to see if there was a nice restaurant to bring Mum and Dad to when they visit. There was the Cottage Point Inn, accessible by road (involving some steps) or ferry. At the Cottage Point kiosk I ordered a coffee and sat down to read, but soon found myself in an interesting conversation with a fellow-coffee drinker who asked about sailing lessons (he saw the sailing club logo embroidered on my T-shirt). I had been reading Ian Irvine, and he recommended books by Ricardo Pinto and the movie "Wit". I recommended he further his interest in sketching and painting. I'd like to think we enriched each other's lives in some tiny way. Will check out Pinto and "Wit".
Afterwards, I drove up to Cottage Point to see if there was a nice restaurant to bring Mum and Dad to when they visit. There was the Cottage Point Inn, accessible by road (involving some steps) or ferry. At the Cottage Point kiosk I ordered a coffee and sat down to read, but soon found myself in an interesting conversation with a fellow-coffee drinker who asked about sailing lessons (he saw the sailing club logo embroidered on my T-shirt). I had been reading Ian Irvine, and he recommended books by Ricardo Pinto and the movie "Wit". I recommended he further his interest in sketching and painting. I'd like to think we enriched each other's lives in some tiny way. Will check out Pinto and "Wit".
Friday, April 13, 2007
Dunedin
10th April 2007
A leisurely day in Dunedin awaits. After a hearty breakfast, we took in the Otago Museum, walked through the University of Otago to admire the buildings, sauntered through the Botanic Gardens then trudged uphill the World's Steepest Street, Baldwin Street.
A leisurely day in Dunedin awaits. After a hearty breakfast, we took in the Otago Museum, walked through the University of Otago to admire the buildings, sauntered through the Botanic Gardens then trudged uphill the World's Steepest Street, Baldwin Street.
Day 4 of the Otago Central Rail Trail Cycle Trip
9th April 2007 - Hyde to Middlemarch
Our transport out of Hyde wasn't till 4 or 5pm, and we got dropped off at Hyde at 9am, so we had plenty of time. We lazed in the sun at Hyde checking our text messages and drinking coffee. When we felt ready we set off, noticing how the landscape became flat and open again, a change from the gorges and slopes of the past two days. Hyde to Middlemarch was mostly downhill, and we were exuberant as we took in the landscape that passed around us without too much effort.
At Hyde, we settled ourselves in the garden of the Kissing Gate Cafe where we devoured our lunch, ordered coffees and teas over 3 hours. We read magazines and played Hangman. It was a very relaxing end to the ride.
At 4pm, we said our goodbyes. J and I went onto Dunedin, the others were going back to Queenstown. The Dunedin-bound travellers got onto the Taieri Gorge Railway, a scenic rail ride and a fitting end to our tour of Otago. We ended up in the beautiful train station in Dunedin and wheeled our luggage to 97 Motel, in the heart of Dunedin. Back to city life after 4 glorious days in the country!
We had to have Chinese for dinner. After this many days of steaks, I was craving Asian food again.
Our transport out of Hyde wasn't till 4 or 5pm, and we got dropped off at Hyde at 9am, so we had plenty of time. We lazed in the sun at Hyde checking our text messages and drinking coffee. When we felt ready we set off, noticing how the landscape became flat and open again, a change from the gorges and slopes of the past two days. Hyde to Middlemarch was mostly downhill, and we were exuberant as we took in the landscape that passed around us without too much effort.
At Hyde, we settled ourselves in the garden of the Kissing Gate Cafe where we devoured our lunch, ordered coffees and teas over 3 hours. We read magazines and played Hangman. It was a very relaxing end to the ride.
At 4pm, we said our goodbyes. J and I went onto Dunedin, the others were going back to Queenstown. The Dunedin-bound travellers got onto the Taieri Gorge Railway, a scenic rail ride and a fitting end to our tour of Otago. We ended up in the beautiful train station in Dunedin and wheeled our luggage to 97 Motel, in the heart of Dunedin. Back to city life after 4 glorious days in the country!
We had to have Chinese for dinner. After this many days of steaks, I was craving Asian food again.
Day 3
8th April 2007 - Ranfurly to Hyde
For a change, we started the day with a tour of the local area. George, a local venison farmer, does tours as a sideline. He took us to St Bathans, an old gold mining town, where we admired the beautiful Blue Lake.
Blue Lake
Then onto Naseby where we tried our hand at curling.
Another delicious packed lunch from Jan which we enjoyed in a scenic picnic spot, then we were ready to start riding.
We only had to do 33kms today, so it was much easier than yesterday's ride. We had a little more time to look around and admire the scenery. I loved the backdrop of the mountains around us. Being out here brings such a feeling of freedom.
M got a puncture, which took a little time, but even then we still made it to Hyde just after 4pm. We were driven to Stanley's Hotel (built 1882). There were only 4 other guests other than us, so we had a wing of the hotel to ourselves, and 5 rooms amongst the 6 of us. Newly renovated bathrooms too. Luxury!
For a change, we started the day with a tour of the local area. George, a local venison farmer, does tours as a sideline. He took us to St Bathans, an old gold mining town, where we admired the beautiful Blue Lake.
Blue Lake
Then onto Naseby where we tried our hand at curling.
Another delicious packed lunch from Jan which we enjoyed in a scenic picnic spot, then we were ready to start riding.
We only had to do 33kms today, so it was much easier than yesterday's ride. We had a little more time to look around and admire the scenery. I loved the backdrop of the mountains around us. Being out here brings such a feeling of freedom.
M got a puncture, which took a little time, but even then we still made it to Hyde just after 4pm. We were driven to Stanley's Hotel (built 1882). There were only 4 other guests other than us, so we had a wing of the hotel to ourselves, and 5 rooms amongst the 6 of us. Newly renovated bathrooms too. Luxury!
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