Explore with Fran

Join me on the journey as I travel, eat, and drink my way around the world

Search Results for: label/Life

The best of Mosman in one day

by 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…

Sculpting a perfect morning in Bondi

by 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.

The coastal path on Bondi's Sculptures by the Sea
A walk with a view

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”.

Bondi beach in the distance
“Is this where the queue starts?”
I wouldn’t mess with him

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.

Anyone got a pencil sharpener?

In search of the big 5 in South Africa

by 1 Comment

Getting there

Negotiating the crowds is half the battle. I’m not sure what it is about airports that turns people into different creatures, but at times that morning I felt as though we had started our holiday early.  Announcements that set off mass migrations from the watering holes, leaving unfinished pints to dash to the departure gates. We were leaving mere mortals behind and were off in search of bigger fish. Well, not literally. We were staying on dry land, off in search of the big 5 in South Africa.

The tent at Tanda Tula safari camp
Home for the 3 nights

From Johannesburg airport, our destination that first morning was to Timbavati, which neighbours the more well known Kruger National Park.  A 1 hour flight into Eastgate Airport, in Hoedspruit, we were headed on our very first safari. At least I hoped we were. Whilst at Jo’Burg airport one of the security staff asked me exactly where Hoedspruit was. I started to worry I had booked a flight to some obscure South African town with little hope of spotting any animals. I needn’t have worried.

Home for the next 3 nights was to be the Tanda Tula ( https://www.tandatula.com/ )safari camp in the Timbavati game reserve. I say “camp”, but this was unlike any camping I had previously done in the Yorkshire Dales.  No sleeping on mats on the floor. Brewing up coffee on a camping stove that you struggle to balance on the uneven grass. No. This was very different. Tanda Tula has 12 luxury tents set around a pool that overlooks a watering hole. Each tent comprised of very comfortable king size bed, large bath, double sink and outside shower. Showering in the open air, under the watchful gaze of the local monkey population, I thought “this is the epitomy of glamping.”

Swimming pool at Tanda Tula safari camp
The watering hole for humans

Getting to Timbavati

We had flown into Johannesburg direct from Sydney, and decided to sleep off the 14 hour flight with an overnight stop at the City Lodge hotel, located right in Jo’Burg airport.  This allowed us to wake refreshed and ready to start our holiday. Thankfully, we had a good breakfast in the hotel that morning as the apple danish offered on the plane could have sunk a battleship.  Or perhaps have been used as a weapon. We had wheels down just before 11am in quite possibly the smallest airport I have ever visited. In the absence of a conveyor belt we had some airport staff lugging our luggage off the tractor for us.

An air conditioned mini-van, rather than a tractor, conveyed us to the Tanda Tula camp. Our driver must have smiled at our over exuberance as we kept asking him to stop so we could take pictures of the glimpses of giraffes and elephants we were getting.  Three days later we got to the point of telling our guide “drive on, they are just elephants”. Our first search for the big 5 in South Africa was going well. In fairness to us, and to explain our apparent ambivalence, we were searching our first rhino at the time. That first drive to the camp was also when we got our initial sightings of the fast food of the bush. Impalas are so named for the very distinctive markings on their behinds that look much like a large “M”, as seen on golden arches across the world. I was to discover just how good barbecued impala tastes some days later.

Impalas at Tanda Tula game reserve. Fast food of the bush.
Fast food of the bush

The Game Drives

But before food, day 2 started with the 5.00am wake up call. The morning game drives set off from camp at 5.30am, and we were woken with a tray of coffee and tea 30 minutes prior each day. We had been warned to close our tent once we had our coffee due to the errant monkeys. I must have forgotten to secure it properly and got the shock of my life when brushing my teeth and I saw a monkey behind me inside our tent. On our bed. Had I been a moment longer I think he may have poured himself a cup of coffee. They really were that bold. Future mornings saw me securing all three zips of the tent into the supplied carabiner.

Ready for an adventure

Tent safely shut up, we headed out to meet our guide, and driver, Scotch.  Patrick, our tracker was perched at the front. The sun was already up as we joined two other couples and the six of us boarded our open green Land Rover. I wasn’t sure whether to be worried, or comforted by the rifle Scotch was carrying with him. I felt a lot better when he told me he has never had to fire it whilst out on a game drive.

What are you looking at?
Zebras at Timbavati game reserve whilst on safari with Tanda Tula
Zebras, crossing

That very first game drive will live with me for a very long time. I had no idea how many animals we would see each day. I was blown away by what we did see. Timbavati is an open game reserve, which means that there are no fences. The animals really can go wherever they like, meaning there are no guarantees on what you will see. If I told you that we saw our first leopard, up a tree with an impala kill, buffalo, zebras, elephants, vultures, and lots of other smaller creatures, would you be as impressed as I was? I was lost for words. Not knowing what to expect coming into this trip, all my expectations had already been exceeded.

Lions at Timbavati game reserve whilst on safari with Tanda Tula.
King of the jungle (or bush)
A parade of elephants at Tanda Tula game reserve.
Cuteness levels go into overdrive

Breakfast fit for a king

All this and we still hadn’t had our bush breakfast, which was served after each morning game drive. Cooked and served at tables located in a dry river bed, there was some special kind of magic happening in the open kitchen.  Open bbqs held skillets of sizzling bacon, crispy morsels of lamb ribs, creamy scrambled eggs, hash browns, tomatoes, and toast. And this was just for starters. Imagine how happy I was when I discovered the bottle of HP sauce. Freshly brewed coffee, flaky croissants, and fresh fruit completed the feast. Washed down with a sparkling wine I was starting to think the 3 days we had booked would be woefully inadequate.

Morning coffee on the Tanda Tula safari game drive
Taking a break for morning coffee and the bush “toilet”

Feast over, we hopped back in the Land Rover and were transported back to camp to relax.  The afternoon game drive was at 4pm each day so before then we had free time to chill out around the camp. Maybe take a dip in the pool. Take advantage of the all inclusive package. Each tent was stocked to bursting with wines, beers and spirits. I quickly discovered Amarula, the Bailey’s of Africa. All I needed now was a nap.  But wait, what were those drums I could hear across the camp? Is it 1.30pm already? My belly groaned as it realised it was now lunchtime. Chef Kuni proudly laid out a “light” lunch spread which was enough to feed way more than the 12 or so guests I had seen so far in camp. I couldn’t get out of my chair once I had finished. At least there was no more until, oh wait, until 3.30pm when we have afternoon coffee and cakes before the 4pm drive. The button on my shorts popped off as I waddled back to the tent.

With a new pair of shorts on we headed out at 4pm and had an equally impressive number of sightings on the afternoon game drive. The drive was punctuated by sundowner drinks out in the bush. It now made sense why I was asked earlier what drink I wanted for sunset. They were all stored in the jeep and brought out for us all to enjoy as the sun set on another glorious day. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of animals that we have been seeing. Truly blessed to have witnessed so much wildlife in their natural habitat.

Dinner is served

Back at camp for around 7.30pm we had time for more drinks before dinner and on the menu tonight was gin. Lots of gin. We had a couple of distillers from Jo’Burg at the camp searching the bush for new botanicals for a range of gins they were developing. This evening they had brought along many bottles of their current range and we all had much fun sampling them. The early start, the long day, and now copious amounts of gin had resulted in me building up quite an appetite. Head Chef Kuni really came into his own serving us a restaurant quality 3 course meal, with as much South African wine as you could drink. Quite literally. Knowing that I had a 5am wake up call, and a possible fight with some monkeys, I figured I’d had enough gin and wine for one evening and decided to retire to bed. Tanda Tula is an open camp which meant we had to get an escort back to our tent in the dark. I initially thought this was a bit over the top until I heard about the lion prints spotted the day after.

And just like that, as so often happens on great holidays, the days had started to find their natural rhythm. Game drive. Eat. Drink. Eat. Game drive. Eat. Drink. Sleep. Repeat.

Rhino
Sampling rhino dung whilst on safari with Tanda Tula
Rhino poo

The reason we were here

Day 3 brought a special birthday to celebrate. I would never reveal a lady’s age but suffice to say we had a great day and celebrated at every opportunity.  It was also on Friday that we finally completed our “big 5” with the spotting of a number of rhinos. The trip truly was complete. And in a special touch for our last evening, Tanda Tula had arranged for champagne at sunset for all 6 of us in our group. Each couple had a milestone to celebrate and Scotch did all he could to get us back in time to see the sunset. The amount of leopards we kept bumping into on our way seriously hampered our ability to see the setting sun.

Leopard with a kill at Timbavati game reserve whilst on safari with Tanda Tula
Perfect shot
Sun setting over Timbavati game reserve whilst on safari with Tanda Tula
Perfect sunset
Perfect sundowners at Timbavati game reserve whilst on safari with Tanda Tula
Perfect sundowners

Reflections of a great holiday

My first safari ticked every single box. Amazing location. Luxurious accommodation. First class service. Top quality food. And the only person I would want to share it with. The next order of business? Booking a return visit.

Week 2 in Perth – Already?

by 2 Comments

How are we doing?

Good morning people, how are we holding up? For those of you that have been in lockdown, what are you doing to keep sane, and keep yourself entertained? Let me know in the comments how you are getting yourself, and your loved ones through this. Book recommendations. Netflix recommendations. Tik Tok channels to follow. All appreciated. 

Moving apartments in Perth. Mount Lawley.
Little hobos

As we enter week 2 in our new life on the west coast, we are also in our second AirBnB. Due to the high cost of staying in AirBnBs this is hopefully a temporary situation whilst we find an actual apartment that we can rent longer term. For now we are going week by week. 

Just like the first week, we are still in Mt Lawley, just north of Perth CBD. Mt Lawley is a beautiful suburb, one I first visited many years ago when I stayed with family here. Plenty of cafes and restaurants to fulfil all my takeaway coffee and our dinner needs. With each AirBnB we also appear to get ever closer to a bottle shop. From a few minutes walk last week, we are now next door to a Vintage Cellars. This is helping with my search to find the best local beers. I am having to try a lot in the name of research, which I am sure you understand.

Perth skyline from the beautiful Kings Park
Perth from the beautiful King’s Park

The search for a home goes on

Our apartment hunting continues, albeit a little slowly, and under some strange constraints. As the government effectively banned gatherings of more than 2 people, when we turn up to a viewing, only one of us can go with the real estate agent. We are two viewings down now. The first was an apartment in a very modern high rise, that remains a potential. Our second viewing is a definite no no. The strong, pungent aroma of food, the underwear drying in the communal corridors, and a plant pot full of discarded cigarette butts didn’t add to the ambiance.

What has been a positive in the last week is the amount of exercise we are getting. Starting most days with a 5km run around the beautiful Hyde Park, followed by a day of exploring Perth on foot. We are averaging 26000 steps a day. All this exercise is helping me maintain some kind of equilibrium despite drinking my body weight in booze.

A selection of local beers from Western Australia.
What beers would you add to these?

I am just doing my bit. I see this as supporting the local economy. Local breweries such as Gage Road and Feral (I know, not the most appealing of names) will no doubt thank me when this is all over. Oh yeah, and did I mention the wines we have tried? All local, you understand. Maragret River classic dry white is a revelation.

I promise that my drinking levels will reduce, when we either get somewhere more permanent to live, or when my liver packs in. Whichever comes first

The famous blue boat house in Crawley.
The Blue Boat House at Crawley

What a difference a week makes

I am already wondering where the time has gone. We are all in a strange place where time loses a lot of its meaning. It feels like a lifetime ago that we were helping Benny pack up the apartment in Mosman and heading to the airport.

So much seems to have happened in a week. Scrolling through my pictures and seeing us casually drinking, and enjoying a chicken schnitty in the Hotel Mosman. Just a week ago. Taking such a simple thing for granted. It turned out that was the last night you could do that with the restrictions coming in the day after.

The Hotel Mosman, in Sydney.
Just a week ago, in an actual pub!

How the world has changed. 

Hang in there

Remember, as people, we are resilient. Just hang in there. The measures each country has in place will work. Stay positive. Stay safe. And we will speak to you all again soon.

Searching for more than just perfect Perth coffee

by Leave a Comment

I read recently on Twitter of someone saying that there are bigger problems in the world right now than “worrying about your morning coffee”. I have to disagree. At times like these, more so than any other time, we need to hang on to the little things that bring pleasure to our lives. The small things that spark joy. For me, this is my morning coffee. The delicious, rich aroma. The hiss of the espresso machine as it pumps out a liquid gold shot of coffee, or preferably two, at the perfect pressure. The whole theatre of it. Coffee is one of my pleasures in life. Good coffee, brewed in one of many ways, always puts a smile on my face. And this is what we need right now.

Searching for the best coffee in Perth

Luckily, I live in a country that takes their coffee as seriously as I do. And when I move to a new neighbourhood, my first job is working out where to get my morning brew. Not all coffees are created equally. A bad brew can spoil my day. Like all of us, even baristas have off days. And I can taste it. And see it. A coffee made without love is immediately obvious.

My search is never ending, but I have managed to find some strong offerings that I will keep returning to. 

Today, we have been out of work for 2 weeks. It feels like a lifetime ago. It really does. And today is the day we would have been completing the Australian part of the world trip, and we would be heading off to Singapore. Like all of you, we are good at adapting, and creating a plan B. Our plan B for that part of the trip is to visit in November and celebrate Vik’s birthday. Obviously pending the world regaining an element of normality, and travel restrictions being lifted by then.

Western Australia number plate.
A warm welcome to Western Australia

As we hadn’t planned to be in Australia after today, we have been staying in AirBnBs to this point. However, they are not sustainable due to the cost so we started apartment hunting. And I am pleased to report that we have just been accepted for one of the ones we viewed last week. It was our first choice. The relief is two fold. We will be spending less on accommodation, and can now stop traipsing around Perth viewing for properties.

With a permanent place to live, now comes financial responsibility, so next up is a job search. This pains me a little as it is 12 months sooner than I expected to be going back into the job market. However, reality bites so once we are in our new home, next week, I will be hitting up every contact I have, and also scouring the job boards.

Perth
City Beach, Perth

Until then, we are STILL on our career break, and will treat it as such. Today we have been out to City Beach, which is somewhere we haven’t been to before. Just 30 minutes on the bus and you are at vast stretches of beautiful white sandy beaches. As far as the eye can see, north up past Scarborough, the vista is amazing. And as it is Friday, and the weekend beckons, it is time to crack open a cold beer.

Cheers, stay safe, and speak soon.

What does the future look like?

by Leave a Comment

Is it really a week since my last post? They say time flies when you are having fun. Are we all having fun? Even when the world is as crazy as it currently is, we need to keep our collective spirits up, and keep looking out for, and after each other.

How are we all holding up? What is it that is getting you through all this social distancing, and self isolation? Whether it is making a scarecrow to brighten up your community, practising your Tik Tok skills, or just going on 3 hour walks, tell me your top tips. How are you keeping a positive outlook in a time when we can’t go to the pub to let off steam over a few cold ones.

Since we last spoke, 7 more days have passed, which means we are 7 more days closer to normality. Whatever version of normality we end up with after the last few months. I ask what you think the future looks like, and of course, none of us know.

Will companies realise that working from home is a good thing and that they can drastically reduce their real estate costs? Will managers learn to trust employees that they can’t keep their eyes on all day? Will employees demand that they have more work from home days as part of their working week? And one thing that I am currently writing an article about is, will we be glad to have our commute back?

The beautiful Perth skyline from the Swan River

For us, we have started the job hunt this week, and we could be in for a bumpy ride. Perth is very different from Sydney, where we previously lived, in that it is not a financial centre. A place where the big banks have a large presence. So, already the market opportunities have reduced. And now, fold in the COVID19 situation, and the job market looks even worse.

With more time on my hands I find that my mind jumps around a lot. About “that” career that I have always wanted, rather than the one that I fell into. The thing is, I still have not landed on what “that” career is. Being in Australia, and so close to world class vineyards, I have long wanted to improve my knowledge of wine, and the wine industry. Now might be the perfect opportunity to do just that. Slowing life down even further, moving to a wine region such as Margaret River, and getting a job at a winery. I could be on to something!

What you will know if you have been following the blog, is that right now our outgoings should be a lot less than we are currently paying for our new apartment. By this point, our plan was to have been in South East Asia for a couple of weeks, with our greatest expense being a beach bungalow on the coast of Malaysia.

In the ocean at Cottesloe Beach
Not Malaysia, but beautiful Cottesloe Beach

The biggest factor that would determine how fast our travel funds depleted would be whether to have one beer, or two. Now, living in Australia still, our current cost of living can not be sustained on our travel budget. And, perhaps more importantly, we don’t want to spend all our travel funds, as we see this as a hiatus, not something permanent. We still plan to do some long term travel, just as long as the world returns to normal.

The beautiful Swan River in Perth
Keeping fit, with daily walks along the Swan River

Reading the news from around the world, I think that we will be well into 2021 before we get any semblance of normality. In Australia, the message being pushed is that we should all consider domestic travel, and that will be quite some time off yet. In terms of the international borders reopening, well, I’m not holding my breath.

A pelican from nearby Pelican Lawn by Optus Stadium.
One of many pelicans we see each day by the river

For now, we will continue to explore Perth, and its wonderful wildlife. Currently, we are still on foot, and I am chipping away at convincing Victoria that buying an e-bike each, out of our travel funds, would be a good investment. It is proving a lot harder than convincing her that we needed 6 bottles of sparkling chenin blanc from Voyager Estate in Margaret River. Yes, she didn’t take much convincing at all for the wine that we are hoping will get delivered today.

We may not have jobs, but we are supporting the local wine industry, which is just as important. Isn’t it? I could be knocking on their door for a job one day.