YFA97G, no more :(
At least they weren’t ‘Feel the power of Canberra’ ones.
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canberra
Decided that, as I had enforced leave between Xmas and NYE anyway, I might as well head down to Canberra, a place I had never been during that period of time when I HAD lived there. Always part of the exodus.
Booked myself a lovely room at the Mantra on Northbourne. Top floor, nice view. King bed. HOT shower :)
And walking distance from Civic. Which meant I could easily catch up with friends for dinner or drinks :)
First stop was coffee with the darling Hannah to catch up on life.
Dinner one night I caught up with Mike at Wagamama. Noodles! Sake!
Even went and watched a movie. Must have been on holidays!
Spent my middle day sitting in Glebe Park. Breathing. Relaxing. Chilling. Napping ;)
(I got sunburnt. In the shade! Bloody hell!)
Stalked down Pia (ooh Wikipedia page) for a quick catch up at Gus’s.
Of course, a few glasses of Canberra region wine were consumed ;)
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Was down in Canberra over the weekend for Uni – my last contact day of my Masters! I still have 3 assignments to go, but we’ll get to that in good time ;)
It took me awhile to figure out the best way to eat my fruit salad, but it was yum (yummer with the honey that we had to remind them to give us)
I’m told the croissants went well :)
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It sometimes takes moving away from a city to see some of the sights.
Rish and I headed to Adore Tea at Gold Creek for a lovely afternoon of chai and jazz, at the suggestion of a friend we were staying with.
Not super overwhelmed by the tea, but the atmosphere was lovely with live local music, blankets and hugs.
Rish went the scones and jam
I got some teas from there for my farewell gift, and the sleepytime tea is wonderful! :)
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Last night was my work farewell dinner at Rama’s at the Pearce shops. My workmates came out in good numbers for the winter school holidays, and many smiles and hugs were shared.
Samosas
Delicious Spinach Balls
One of the girls served me a yummy plate.
We stuffed ourselves on a banquet, no idea what the dishes were, I let others take care of that for me!
After dinner, one of the group gave a small thank you speech, and I got presents from Adore Tea!
AND THE TEAPOT EARRINGS
And a cute little Kimmidoll from one of my friends
I’ll miss them, but have so much ahead of me! So excited!
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Just back from my last trip to the Old Bus Depot Markets as a Canberran… one last chance to browse the familiar stalls, sip a warm drink, and buy some macarons from The Curious Chocolatier…
So many to choose from! Ended up with one of each, plus to pistachio, two slated caramel and two hazelnut to share with friends coming to dinner tonight :)
There was a fair queue at Jo’s Juice this morning… so many after the hot apple cider, hot lemon ginger and honey, and mulled wine
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Lisa and some crazy girl with a mouse beanie. Photo stolen from Karen :D
Headed up to Scope Mt Stromlo on this wild and wintery morning to meet Karen, Stu, Lisa and Chris for Breakfast. Leaving Canberra is a great excuse to catch up with some of my Canberra internet besties!
Cute macchiato!
In a case of WHOA CANBERRA IS TOO SMALL, Stu and Chris used to work together… 0.o
Soy latte :D
We got into the coffees and breakfasts… Again stoked by the gluten free options and the fact that there’s no extra change for decaf or soy :D
Rish popped along for a Mocha.
The breakfasts all went down well, while we chatted about “Weston Creek gossip”, travel (Japan and the US mostly) and where and where not to eat in Canberra. Karen told me that the area I’m moving to is wonderful, which is always reassuring :)
The Big Breakfast.
Lisa and I bemoaned the fact that the cafes at coolo don’t offer gluten free options (their loss, I suppose) despite being asked over and over. Discussion of the pros and cons of A Bite to Eat in Chifley also ensued.
Vege Breakfast
I got rather jealous of the others who had been to Japan… one day! Might not make it in before 30, but then I might! Keep saving!
Big Ben
The gusts of wind made the building shudder at times…. good day not to be in a plane…. or wearing a shirt outside for that matter ;)
Gluten free toast and jam.
We could see the snow on the hills in the distance, and felt the chill every time the door opened. Canberra, I will miss you, but not the cold air through to my bones!
Thanks again for coming everyone!
Further recap by Karen :D
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Yay! I have my netbook back! So now, before I get completely snowed under by the moving away from Canberra thing, I’m going to share some of the awesome cake and coffee yums that we had at Cream a couple of weeks ago for the bloggers’ meet :D
COFFEE:
HOT CHOCOLATE:
(complete with choc buttons melting in the bottom of the cup)
CAKEAGE:
My gluten and dairy free citrus cake.
The popular Mars Bar cheesecake
CHOCOLATE CROISSANT:
Before
and
After
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‘scuse the light, it was a dinner for two moment.
There have been two bottle of the Tim Adams 2003 Cabernet following us around Canberra since Rish began his PhD in 2006. Waiting, “cellaring” in the linen closet, waiting for a celebration.
On Sunday night we went to one of out favourite places in Canberra, La Scala in Garema Place, for a bit of a celebratory dinner. Rish is finished and looking forward to the future, and I’m finished for the semester and looking for breathe for a little bit before the next challenge.
We took along one of the bottles of Cabernet. The cold cold bottle out of the linen closet. Opened it with a sense of adventure. It could be great, it could be off! Who knows!
Ahh, the beauty of screw caps! We were pleasantly surprised at how well it aged, how well it drank given the conditions it’s been under. We wondered, would we be able to tell had it been a cheaper bottle aged less, or the same bottle and not left for years? Who knows. There’s one more left.
Our meals were delicious as always. Mine was the Cod special, with mushroom, spinach, baby tomatoes and a pepper and saffron sauce.
For Rish, the very CHILI veal scallopini. Spicy, as expected.
Dessert for Rish while I finished the wine, a white chocolate and coffee pana cotta. Delish.
Then for a coffee and a brainstorm at Babar, as everywhere else was either closed or only had outside tables (on the -6 degree night, no less). Got to people-watch, and do a virtual butchers paper effort. Ahh, ramblings. xx
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Oh, Hi Canberra winter.
Yes, temperature of minus 6.5. APPARENT TEMP -9.7. And still minus two when I left for the gym at six am.
A frost.
Obstacles on the walk to work at 8:30 in the morning.
And these clothes are clearly not substantial enough. Cute, but failing to warm me.
(I should add that only HALF the electric blanket gave up. Much snuggling required.)
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