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Happy New Year (almost)

December 31, 2016 by Fran Leave a Comment

Henry David Thoreau. Robert Louis Stevenson. F Scott Fitzgerald. Anton Chekhov. Jackson Pollock. Billie Holiday. Marvin Gaye. And not forgetting Steve Irwin. I have succeeded in avoiding this illustrious list of people. People you may well have heard of. And due to some of their life accomplishments may have assumed they lived long, and fruitful lives.

The truth of it? All dead at the youthful age of 44. I have read the lives of some of these people, and the amount they crammed into their 44 years is nothing short of amazing. And can leave you feeling like you could be doing more with your life. Taking more adventures. Living, over merely existing. If you knew at the outset, that you only had 44 years to do everything you felt you wanted to do, how well would you think you did, or are doing, in achieving this? And as the year draws to a close, what better, cliched time to spend a little time ruminating on this.

In the last week I ticked over to the ripe old age of 45. And I am still yet to either write a book. Write a song. Paint a masterpiece. Or even wrestle with an alligator. I am not one for writing new years resolutions, much preferring a personal list of things I would like to experience, and accomplish in the year ahead. Just ensuring that I am personally happy that when I do come to expiring, hopefully another 45 years from now, I do so with a smile on my face.

2016 has been a very good year. I started as an Australian resident, and finish as a citizen. My application all approved, and just the formality of the ceremony, which I will attend in Mosman, on Australia Day, 26th January. The timing couldn’t be better. It will be 5 years to the day that I awoke on a cold winters day in Halifax, to an email informing me I had been granted my Australian Permanent Residency, after a 2 year wait.

A short while later, in August of that year, I was ensconced in a large Singapore Airlines business class seat, sipping champagne, about to embark on the biggest adventure of my life to date.

Relocating to the other side of the world, sans job, sans accommodation, and sans family and friends.

Riverlea Cottage, Mudgee

And here I am still, over 4 years later, still enjoying life in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, whilst getting to explore this glorious country. 2016 saw a first visit to the wine region of Mudgee, in central New South Wales, and 2017 will see a return visit to the idyllic little country town. City life does leave you yearning for the peace and quiet of towns such as Mudgee, which doesn’t even have any traffic lights in the small centre.

January of this year also saw me ticking off something I had wanted to do for many years. Since first watching the Australian Open tennis, in a hostel in Adelaide, in 1994, I had wanted to witness the spectacle in Melbourne first hand. Being even better than I expected, with a great atmosphere inside and outside the tennis arena, this is something that will definitely be repeated in the future.

One item that always makes my “year ahead” list is to visit somewhere new in the world. And this year, this was achieved having finally made it to Canada for the first time. Having heard first hand how beautiful British Columbia is, and about places such as Kelowna, and the Okanagan valley, I had wanted to get a taste of Canada.

An epic road trip that started in the city of angels, and traversed the west coast, through the Big Sur (unfortunately passing up the opportunity to stay at the Post Ranch Inn – this time) up through San Francisco, and the wine region of Sonoma, into Portland (with a visit to Powell’s Book Store, where I could have spent weeks browsing the thousands and thousands of books), enjoying the world famous mac ‘n cheese at Beecher’s in Seattle, and across the water to Vancouver Island (with a first trip on a seaplane), finally culminating back over the water, in mainland British Columbia, in Vancouver.

Big Sur, California

I am not sure what 2017 holds, and where will be visited for the first time, but I sure will have a good time planning something. There may even be a spreadsheet involved!

Here’s hoping you, and your families, have a great and safe New Year.

See you in 2017.

Reflections on a fantastic Xmas 2016

January 14, 2017 by Fran 1 Comment

I have said it before. And it needs saying again. I live in a very beautiful, picturesque part of the world. The village I live in has everything I could ever want, or need, without having to leave the confines of the post code.

But when I do venture out, beyond 2088, I am always greeted with new, and amazing sights, and experiences.

That said, into year 5 of living in Sydney, and with the daily drudge of the commute into the city, with everybody else, heads down, engrossed in their smartphones, it is often easy to miss what is in front of you. Slightly take for granted that my office, in the architecturally magnificent, restored old General Post Office in Martin Place, is in the centre of Sydney. One of the world’s most visually stunning cities.

So, it is with delight, that when we have first time visitors to Sydney, as we have had over Christmas, I get to see Sydney all over again, vicariously, for the first time. The first sight of THAT bridge, and the Opera House, as the Mosman Bay ferry rounds the bend at Cremorne, and Port Jackson comes into view, in all her glory. This time of year, we also have the joy of seeing one of the many large cruise ships, docked in Circular Quay, speculating on where they are headed for the season festivities as they enjoy their sail away party, which is an actual thing, apparently. Which you would know, if television programmes about cruise ships were amongst your favourite shows too.

In the beautiful Hunter Valley

So, how to best plan for visitors? Regular readers of the blog will be aware of my love of a spreadsheet. Not the boring kind I have to maintain at work, tracking annual budgets, and project forecasts. But the more exciting kind, if there is such as thing. Burger rankings. Wine tastings I have done around the world. And the one that gets recycled the most, the “See everything in Sydney in a week, or two, tour” spreadsheet. Where all that seems to get changed each time it is used are the dates.

Planning for our visitors, the most recent of which arrived on these shores on December 18th, is spreadsheet nirvana. Into Google Sheets (other applications are available) I go, save a copy of the last used, update the names of the guests, and away I go. Wine tour, tick. (Special thanks to Sam at Kangarrific for what is perennially the world’s best day trip). Bondi to Coogee walk, tick. Spit Bridge to Manly scenic walk, tick. Blue Mountains day trip, tick. Proper Aussie barbie, tick. Xmas day on the beach, with beers, tick. Chicken schnitty, tick. Nothing gets left to chance. Nothing gets left out.

I’d like to think, and hope, that all our guests go home with a real sense of what Sydney is like, and having had some quintessential Australian experiences. Tim Tams included.

And in return, I get to learn things myself. Who knew “dabbing” is not just the latest dance craze? That you could get “black jack” scented vapers? (a pretend cigarette, if like me, you were clueless). And that you can actually buy “In The Navy” briefs. Say whaaat?!? Every day is a school day in my life. Thank you Serge, and Serge, for those snippets of information.

Much fun was had over the holiday period, and I am just thankful we still had a regular bottle recycling collection. I think we kept Dan Murphy’s in business over Xmas.

The lads obviously brought their drinking boots. After we warned them we would be sup’ing. Being from the area in and around infamous Blackpool, they assumed it would entail many visits to Yate’s wine lodge, Wetherspoon’s, and the Tower ballroom type pubs and bars. Little did they know this entailed a long board, a paddle, and much balance, as we attempted to traverse middle harbour at Balmoral.

Stand up paddle (SUP) boarding is harder than the people gliding out in the water would have you believe. That said, one of our party was annoyingly good at his first ever attempt. Most of the hour was spent trying to dunk him in the invigoratingly chilly ocean, once he had been suitably reassured there were no sharks lurking ready to take a large chunk out of him. At least in the water he was safe from spiders. And safe from pictures of spiders, which seem to cause the same involuntary reaction, which at first I worried was a stroke.

What is the first thing an English person wants to do in Australia? Yes, determine the hottest part of the day, find the spot with the least amount of shade, and sit there. And sit. Well, I don’t need to spell out the result to you. You have all (Aussies excepted) been there yourself. Day 1, first degree burns. Whilst my call for shade on the first day ignored, the rest of the holiday followed a “safety first” approach. Slip, slop, slap.

End of the Bondi to Coogee walk – beer awaiting

I’m sure the good memories will last longer than the pink faces that were still in evidence as we said a very sad farewell. A great holiday, with great company. You are welcome back anytime chaps.

Squish squish.

Celebrating Australian citizenship in Mudgee

February 2, 2017 by Fran Leave a Comment

It is easy to see why it is called “nest in the hills”. Some 3 and a half hours from Sydney, in mid-central New South Wales, Mudgee (from Moothi, which literally means nest in the hills) is a world away from the bright city lights of Sydney. And with over 43 wineries to explore, it is an oenophilia’s paradise. On the couple of weekends we have stayed, we are steadily working our way through the best of them.

Taking the Old Bells Line of Road, up through the Blue Mountains, we stopped briefly in the apple capital, Bilpin, for a piece of the world’s best apple pie. Pushing on, arriving mid afternoon at Riverlea Cottage, south of Mudgee, we were greeted by Toto and Guinness, the family dogs, like we had never been away.

In the 12 months since we were last here, not much had changed, just the addition of guinea fowl it seems. And why guinea fowl you may ask? Just as I did. Well, the brown snake I almost stepped on whilst walking in the paddock answers that one. Depending on what you read, the brown snake is reputed to be the second most venomous snake in the world. I’ll say that again. The second most venomous snake in the WORLD. And I almost just stood on one. A recent blog had me celebrating making it past 44. Making 45 was looking decidedly at risk.

The welcoming committee

Enter the guinea fowl. As our saviours from snakes. Apparently. Somebody had told Helena that they were a good deterrent for snakes. And now Ned had more mouths to feed along with the dogs, the alpacas, and the chooks. I assumed the many kangaroos we saw managed to feed themselves. What I hadn’t accounted for was dealing with the infamous Huntsman spiders. Quite possibly harmless, everybody tells me, but just the sight of the bloody things are enough to give you a cardiac arrest. THAT little critter was something I wasn’t going to deal with. Cue shouting for Ned!

Australia Day finished with us stargazing, with a chilled bottle of locally produced wine. And with zero light pollution, the effect was amazing. But the day started with me meeting Tony Abbott (ex prime minister, originally hailing all the way from London) at my Australian citizenship ceremony in Mosman. A journey that started on a bitterly cold December morning in Halifax, 2010, posting my permanent residency application off, which was granted on 26th January 2012, culminated on 26th January 2017, with the grant of my citizenship. I am thankful to call home a country that welcomes immigrants, and builds its strength from the diversity that we can bring to a country and it’s culture.

My struggles at times, settling into a new culture, thousands of miles from family, friends, and my beloved football club, have been well documented here. I have to be honest and admit that on many occasions I didn’t think I would reach this milestone, becoming Australian. But if you just focus on the days, the years have a way of looking after themselves, and here I am, a dual national, with opportunities now opening up in front of me.

Regardless of what happens now, from trying another country, a new culture, immersed in a new language, doing a doing a stint closer to home, or just taking an extended break travelling, having the passport allows us to return to Oz at any point. Remaining in Oz, or returning later to downsize our life and live the quintessential laid back Aussie lifestyle. There are many little towns that are perfect for such a life. And what a life.

Reading here about something called “stress”!

Which is one of the reasons we love Mudgee. A typical conversation goes something like this;

“Where are you from?”

“Sydney. We are just up in Mudgee for the weekend.”

“Ah, Sydney. I went there once. Never again. Too busy, too many people.”

And returning on the Sunday, to Mosman, brought this starkly into life. Crossing the road, on a pedestrian crossing, the lady driving the car was revving her engine, actually edging onto the zebra crossing, and shouted out of her window for us to hurry up. City life, for all it’s upsides, leaves a lot to be desired.

Tree change anyone?

The best of Mosman in one day

August 23, 2019 by Fran Leave a Comment

Is it possible to see the best of Mosman in one day? Of course it isn’t. Just like it is not possible to see the best of any great destination in one day. All you can do is try and fit as much as you can in to the short time you have to spend in a place. It is still possible to spend a perfect day in Mosman. As much as I would have loved to have spent at lot longer at The Pipe and Glass on my recent trip to England, or had even more days in the Margaret River when I was last there at Easter, life, much like the realities of work, is about ruthlessly prioritising.

The Jewel in the Crown

Often referred to as the jewel in Sydney’s crown, Mosman sits snugly within Middle Harbour, on the north shore. An enclave of independent cafes, restaurants, and boutiques (called shops in Yorkshire), with Allan Border oval hosting summer cricket matches, it is home to a large number of expatriates. It is not uncommon to hear French, mingling with the dulcet, northern tones of Yorkshire. Mosman has a lot to offer, both locals, and visitors alike. How will you spend 24 hours in this beautiful little village? What will you do to see, and experience the best of Mosman in one day?

Spend a great day in Mosman, reading at Allan Border oval. — Allan Border oval, great to place to read between innings

Rise with the sun (and the locals)

Set your alarm clock and rise early. It may feel inhumanly early, and you may think you are the only person up with the lorikeets and cockatoos chirping outside your window. Resist the snooze button. You will be surprised to see that you are in fact waking long after the early morning runners have laced up their worn sneakers and set off. And the swimmers have got their togs on and braved the temperatures of the bracing ocean.

Will you spend one day in Mosman down at beautiful Balmoral — Beautiful Balmoral Beach

If you fancy a less active start to the day, join the rest of us, just strolling along Balmoral esplanade, marvelling at the changing hues of the sky as the sun rises over Balmoral Beach. The early start, the brisk walk, and the fresh sea air may combine for you to have worked up an appetite by now. If nothing else, a dark, richly satisfying strong coffee is well overdue. As you would expect in Australia, the coffee is outstanding. Really really good. The question on my mind each day is where to pick up the first of my many daily brews. Favourites include the always excellent Cafe Mosman, and the coffee currently being brewed at The Source is amongst the best I’ve ever had.

Spend your one day in Mosman sampling the great coffee — My “usual”, a double shot latte

Breakfast

If it is breakfast you are after, then take a window seat at the Balmoral Beach House, and have one of my favourites, the baked eggs with chorizo. It smells just as delicious as it tastes. Looking out over the water, as the waves lap the shore of Middle Harbour, take a moment to breathe, and express gratitude. The proximity to such excellent beaches is just one of the myriad reasons I still call Mosman home.

Bathers Pavilion, across the road, and sunning itself in a prime beach front location, has been a Mosman institution for many years. So long in fact that is is due a face lift shortly. Another great option for breakfast. Tuck into a bowl of Brushwood’s farm oatmeal, or opt for the grilled olive toast with tomatoes, Persian fetta and baby rocket.

Let your breakfast settle with a stroll along the beach, the sea air tingling your nostrils. Hints of seaweed, and the squawk of hungry seagulls keeping you company. Head past the Boat House, and meander through the leafy oval, stopping momentarily to watch the next generation of Australian cricketers, practising in the nets. Let’s hope they aren’t producing too many Steve Smiths.

Fill up your lungs and get your heart pumping, as the walk continues, up through the bush on a rather steep incline. Following a well-maintained pathway, often lined with bush turkeys on the ground, and the laughing Kookaburra up in the tress, you will arrive at George’s Head. One of Mosman’s best kept secrets in my opinion, Georges Head offers one of Sydney’s best panoramas. 360 degrees views across to the city, and back along all the bays and inlets, as your eye tracks out towards the Heads. Boxing Day sees this spot packed with picnicking families watching the start of the famous Sydney to Hobart boat race.

Sydney to Hobart boat race. One of the highlights of spending 24 hours in Mosman — The Boxing Day Sydney to Hobart race

If you have the energy, let’s get walking again. Not straying too far from the ocean, take in the fragrant eucalyptus trees, heading downhill on the path, to Chowder Bay. Once again you will see a couple of great food options for another day. Ripples restaurant, a firm favourite, and East Coast Lounge, both come highly recommended. Are you sensing a food theme in Mosman yet? There is a reason that I am regularly out walking these bush trails in Sydney.

A perfect day in Mosman must include drinks or dinner at Ripples — Enjoying drinks at Ripples of Chowder Bay

Where to Lunch

Mosman village is a short walk from Chowder Bay, (dare I mention that it is back uphill?) and if you want to delay lunch a little while longer, have a browse in the boutiques that line Military Road in Mosman. You are sure to pick up something a little different, if your purse strings will stretch to it. Make sure you don’t spend all your money in Lululemon, or The Upside, as Mosman village is a good place to rest your feet and enjoy a spot of lunch.

Fourth Village providore is an authentic deli, and restaurant that could have you wondering whether you have just woken up in Rome. Italian speaking staff will help you navigate the excellent selection of cold meats and hundreds of cheeses, if you plan on having a picnic, and eating al fresco on the nearby oval. If you wish to eat in, take a seat in the restaurant, at one of the tables out on the small plaza in front, and graze your way through a few of the menu items.

Next door is the African inspired Hunter wine bar. Plan for a relaxing afternoon, and take a post prandial drink here, watching the world go by.

If high tea is more your thing, and you can read here about what I think are the top 10 High Teas in Sydney, head to Boronia House. A building that deserves a visit in its own right, but the high tea served up here makes this a must visit whilst in Mosman.

A perfect day in Mosman has to include high tea at the Boronia — Boronia House, Mosman

The Albert Hotel

Mosman currently has limited hotel accommodation options, but this will change in November, with the opening of The Albert, a luxury boutique hotel right in the village. This first boutique hotel, which will have 28 rooms, will be a perfect base for visitors wishing to explore this beautiful part of Sydney, and those looking to go further afield, up along the Northern Beaches.

Dinner Plans?

Until the Albert opens its doors, Air BnB caters for many visitors, with rooms spread across the village. You are sure to find one close enough to the Buena, where you should head for your early evening drinks. Standing sentry, at Mosman Junction, The Buena has under gone major renovations in the last couple of years, turning a run-down pub into an upscale bar, with an excellent menu, and an Italian style wood oven that churns out pizzas to rival those of the best pizzaiolo in Naples. Despite the renos, the pub has somehow managed to maintain its unique character, which still results in it being the most popular haunt for locals, whether you want an early dinner with the kids, or are in desperate need of a bottle of wine, or two, and an overdue catch up with your mates.

What is a good day in Mosman without a visit to the Buena Hotel. — The Buena, cornerstone of many a Sunday session

If you want to look at other options for dinner, there are enough in Mosman to keep you occupied for many months. DC’s is a standout, and slightly more upscale than some of the others. Great for that special occasion, or a stand out date night. There are several Thai restaurants, the best of which is Thai Kanteen. Not many weeks go by without a personal visit here. Greek is catered for with a couple of good options. And if you just want to do what Justin Bieber did whilst he was staying in Mosman, keep it casual with a feast from the ever excellent Chargrill Charlie’s.

It is very easy to spend a perfect 24 hours in Mosman. See the best of Mosman in one day. But with so much to see and do, why would you limit yourself to only one day?

What are you waiting for…

Having a tiny adventure

October 11, 2019 by Fran Leave a Comment

Coffee and a kookaburra

As I sat with my coffee out on the small wooden deck, watching the world slowly wake up and come to life, I was reminded of why I was here. On this trip. It was for the solitude. For a slice of the simple life. Off the grid. To have a tiny adventure.

In the early morning light, chapters of the book I was reading, The Truants by Kate Weinberg, were interspersed with trying to get the perfect shot of the friendly kookaburra that had come to say hello. At least, that’s what I thought he was trying to convey through his inimitable laugh. In the distance a cockerel was crowing, announcing to whomever would listen that it was time to get up.

The woods in the grounds of the off grid tiny house Robinson — Sometimes you have to slow down, to see the wood from the trees

This was the first morning waking up in the tiny house that we were to spend the weekend in. Owned by a company called In2thewild, there are a number of these tiny houses scattered across New South Wales, and Victoria. We were up in the Lake Macquarie region, in a small village called Wyee. Our home for the weekend was, called Robinson (Crusoe). This was actually our fall back option as we had originally planned to stay at Isabella, near Kangaroo Valley, but in the time between booking, and visiting, she had been moved to Orange. This would have doubled our planned travelling time.

Wildlife of Wyee, home of Tiny House Robinson, where we went off grid for the weekend. — The welcome committee

Refueling after a long drive

Located 100 kms from Sydney, the trip to our tiny house should have only taken 1 and a half hours. Having lived in Sydney for many years, I now know to add a lot of fat into that. On the way up, cruising up the Pacific Coast highway, we did it in under 2 and a half hours. Coming home was a different story. Labour Day weekend traffic, and a crash on the Pacific Highway had us parking back up at home some 3 hours later.

The road up to Tiny House Robinson, where we were staying off grid for the weekend — Trying to find Tiny House Robinson

We were told we had a strict 3pm check in. How this works in practice, as we already had the code for the key drop-box, I am not completely sure. But with time on our hands we decided to get some lunch in the nearby village of Morriset. We were not spoiled for choice. It was midday on the Saturday of a long weekend, so where were all the people? Maybe all the in the Lake Macquarie Hotel (pubs tend to be called hotels in Australia), but as we walked past, the doors were so dark we couldn’t even tell if that was open. Most things in the village appeared to either be shut up, or abandoned. Even the police station had a polite notice on the door telling all those in dire need of assistance that “the station was not manned today”.

Our saviour, which I use lightly, was the Star and Grill, which looked busier than it looked salubrious. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, beggars are not in a position to be choosers. Looking for options that are hard to get wrong I went for the homemade (my bold) chicken schnitzel, which left me wondering what other kind there was. Perhaps they have different chickens up here I thought. Where the schnitzel grows on the bird. Who knows.

Schnitzel demolished, we had now killed enough time to check ourselves into the tiny house that was to be our home for the next few days. It was time to start having our tiny adventure. Following our directions, which we had printed out knowing how patchy phone coverage would be, we did the short drive from Morriset to Wyee, then turned off the main road, down a side road, and up into the forest. Bumping around on the uneven gravel road up the hill, we spotted the gate, set back from the road, with a “In2TheWild” sign telling us we had arrived.

the Tiny House Robinson, our home for the off grid weekend in Wyee — Check out the dimensions on the Tiny House

First impressions

Driving through the open gate, and parking just off to the right, we could immediately see the house, nestled down amongst the trees. I use the word house, but I have to be honest, it was even tinier than I had imagined, and I had seen all the pictures beforehand. There were no cats being swung this weekend. With a faint smell of burnt wood in the air, and a constant waft of eucalyptus, we carried our bags, which included all our food and drink for the weekend, down to the house. Thankfully we had brought an esky, and had just bought a bag of ice from the local servo, as the fridge in the house was the size of a small beer fridge. Enough room for some milk, our wide collection of salami and cheeses, plus a few beers. All the essentials for a weekend away.

The kitchen in Tiny House Robinson, our off grid home for the weekend — Quite spacious, is it not?

The tiny house Robinson, off grid living in Wyee — Picture perfect

Now, hands up those of you that have seen Dr Who. Good, then you will know what a tardis is. Well, once you get past how small this house looked on the outside, check out the picture above, when I got inside it threw me how much room we seemed to have. There was a small kitchen, with a two hob stove serviced by the gas bottles outside. There was an oversize sink, that in my opinion could be swapped out for a smaller one creating additional, or some, food preparation space. The toilet looked like a real toilet, and it wasn’t until you flushed, that you were immediately reminded of pooing on an aeroplane. You weren’t plumbed in, and your waste was only going as far as the septic tank underneath the house. The bathroom also included a very modern looking shower that we could only ever get to spit out cold water.

Large windows all around the house created a further sense of space. What the windows upstairs didn’t have were blinds. The eye mask that is provided was going to come in useful if we wanted to sleep beyond the rising of the sun. We were going to be embracing our circadian rhythm this weekend. To get up to bed we had to negotiate 6 very steep, smooth wooden steps. If this looked challenging now you should have seen me attempting it after a bottle of cabernet.

The steps in Tiny House Robinson, off grid in Wyee — Try this when you have had a tipple

Not that you would need storage space for this kind of minimalist weekend trip, but there were a few cupboards. Enough to store some food, and the board games, and a deck of cards that were provided to give you options for keeping entertained once night set in. The stairs were constructed in such a way that the bottom few doubled up as storage space, with a tiny bookshelf under one of them. Inside we had everything we would need for the next few days, and outside on the deck there was the all important BBQ.

When off grid literally means just that

Being off grid, and powered by solar panels, the house does not have any electrical power sockets. This meant that this was the most redundant I had ever seen Victoria’s hairdryer and straighteners. It also meant we were in the (un)enviable, you decide, position of not being able to charge our phones. How often are any of us in this position in this day and age, tethered as we are to our mobile devices. Believe me, it is very liberating. Just knowing that not only have you not got a full mobile signal, but you can’t charge your phone up any way.

Camp living, off grid in Wyee at Tiny House Robinson — When you finally get some firelighters!

Now, let me say something here. As much as I love being out in the wilderness, having a tiny adventure, and the Instagram photos of tables, heavily laden with a feast of food, look very appealing, nobody ever tells you about the large flying creatures, and the mosquitoes that appear to have been on steroids. I love the idea of channelling my inner Thoreau, imagining I am sat on the edge of my own pond, quietly reading my book, with a glass of wine. But damn, if only those flies had read the script. Later in the evening, it wasn’t the flies that scared the bejeesus out of us. It was the huntsman spider, the size of a small cat, (that could be a slight exaggeration, based on the amount of wine we had drunk) than ran across the outside of the window, right by our heads. At this point, I started frantically looking around the house to see if he could sneak in anywhere, and eat me in the night.

Survival kit at Tiny House Robinson, off grid in Wyee — But no firelighters

Maybe if I lit the campfire, that would discourage both the flies and mosquitoes. Ah, the campfire. I wasted a whole New Yorker, and the best part of a box of matches trying to get the fire going without firelighters. There was a “survival kit” provided but I wish the sachet of porridge had been swapped for some much more practical firelighters. It had gotten dark, literally, by the time I admitted defeat on the first night. We had no kindling. We had no fire. I was proving to be no Bear Grylls. I had to have a second whisky nightcap to drown my disappointment.

A new dawn and final impressions

The morning dawned bright, with an hour lost to the clocks going forward. This was inconsequential to us as we were not on any kind of timetable this weekend. Clambering, which is the only way I can describe it, precariously down the stairs, I brewed up coffee with my beloved Aeropress, and made a Yorkshire tea, nice and strong for Victoria. Experience has taught me to always pack some fresh coffee, and my Aeropress when going on trips. There was a cafetiere in the house, but the only coffee provided was that instant kind that comes in glass jars. I didn’t even think people still drank this.

Morning coffee in Wyee, off grid in Tiny House Robinson — Morning coffee

Back on the deck, the snap and sizzle of a frying pan told me that breakfast was on the way. Bacon, egg, and black pudding breakfast. This has become a travel classic, always cooked up on our trips away. Sat back in my Adirondack chair, hypnotised by the trees, blankets of green laid on top of the lines and lines of wooden sentries, I was rested, and very relaxed. Pockets of sunshine crept through the canopy as I marvelled at how easy it could be to slow our lives down when we are mindful of it. This weekend was about having a tiny adventure. Our intention was to unplug, unwind, read, and relax this weekend. Sipping my coffee, looking out into the forest, I had concluded that we had made a great success of it.

Sculpting a perfect morning in Bondi

November 9, 2019 by Fran Leave a Comment

It takes a lot to break me out of my morning coffee routine but the promise of a walk by the sea and some culture does the trick. Making our way to the eastern suburbs from the city, the number of people sharing our journey suggested many had the same idea. I suspected we weren’t in for a quiet stroll.

Sculptures by the Sea

Whether it is the walk you have come for, or the culture, today will tick both boxes. Sculptures by Sea ( https://sculpturebythesea.com/ ) is Australia’s largest annual outdoor exhibition. Located at Bondi Beach, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, since 1997 the festival features art from both Australian and overseas artists. This long run may be coming to an end with an ongoing wrangle between the organisers and the local council threatening to make this the last year the event is held in Bondi.

Whichever way the dispute is settled, the festival is sure to keep it’s late spring slot in the calendar. Straddling the months of October and November, the festival avoids the heat of the mid summer months. The event is based predominantly in Bondi and along the start of the coastal walk, but we opted to do the journey in reverse. Starting at Coogee proved to be a masterstroke with us being able to avoid the worst of the crowds for most of the 6kms stretch of coastal pathway. This made for a more peaceful stroll and allowed us to take full advantage of the scenery as the ocean beat a constant refrain against the cliff tops.

Waverley cemetery overlooks the ocean on the Sculptures by the sea walk — Waverley cemetery overlooking the ocean

Refuelling

As the walk meanders into the various bays along the coast you come down from the cliffs, giving you the opportunity to refuel. There are numerous food and drink options along the way, from beachside shacks dispensing cold drinks and ice lollies, to cafes offering more substantial fayre. Bronte Beach is a perennial favourite and is home to the original outlet of Three Blue Ducks (www.threeblueducks.com). This institution has now spread to Byron Bay.

Boats on the beach along the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

Leaving Bronte, heading north, the walk takes you back up along the cliff tops and around to Tamarama Beach. A lot smaller than Bronte, and still some 2kms from Bondi, this is where the sculptures begin. Seemingly scattered on both the grassed area and on the beach, this is your first opportunity to see the artwork up close. You will also notice a visible increase in selfie sticks. The number of people taking photos increases exponentially. As does the amount of times you will be asked, or should this be ordered, to move so someone can get an even better photo!

Scupltures by the Sea, Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

Tamarama beach along the coastal walk hosting the sculptures by the sea — Tamarama beach

Swimming Upstream

Extricating yourself from someone’s family album, keep walking because just around the corner is one of the main draws of the walk. Leaving Tamarama, like a salmon swimming upstream, keep following the path and soon the crowds become hordes. Your jaunty pace will slow to a crawl. The perfect photo becomes harder to capture. Reaching the top of the headland, and rounding the corner, you will see the waters of Bondi shimmering in the distance. Surfers dot the sea like currants in a Garibaldi biscuit. The world famous beach stretches out ahead of you and look closely and you might get a glimpse of the distinctive blue uniforms adorned by the professional life savers. Even closer up you may even recognise some of them from the TV show “Bondi Rescue”.

Reward Time

I won’t be going for a dip in the sea today but I am happy to be rescued from the hordes. Once again the combination of the exercise, the scenery and taking in some culture leaves me feeling refreshed, but thirsty. With the 6kms coastal walk finished it is time to head away from the main attractions and pick up that coffee that I skipped earlier. Checking the time I think maybe I should replace the coffee with something a little stronger, and a lot colder.

Happy New Year (almost)

Reflections on a fantastic Xmas 2016

Celebrating Australian citizenship in Mudgee