Taronga to Balmoral Beach coastal walk

The path is bound, for a way, by the beautiful Eucalyptus costata

Little bay enroute. We could not get down to the sand, but wandered down these sandstone steps to the water

Manly ferry crossing between the north and south heads of Sydney harbour

Balmoral Beach

Anzac day dawned, as it so traditionally does, with a brisk seasonal change. Gone was the warm air of the past summer months, we were instead greeted with a very stiff, very cold wind as we stepped outside our holiday apartment. Leaves were  whisked off the trees in a frenzy and gathering in the streets at our feet.  Autumn had arrived.

Our walk from Taronga Zoo around to Balmoral Beach gave stunning views across the harbour to north and south heads. We became somewhat lost at Chowder Bay, but meandered through the steep streets until we came over the hill to a picture most perfect - Balmoral Beach. After cruising the very mediocre collection of cafes and trying our luck at one of the 2 recommended restaurants we settled upon the view above on a park bench with a box of fish and chips.

Eating our way around Sydney

Sitting here in our white holiday apartment in Woolhara after a 'Bill's' style breakfast of sauteed asian mushrooms, fresh orange juice and yoghurt with rhubarb and raspberries topped with crunchy granola. Great start to our few days here in Sydney yesterday. Our arrival at the apartment was greeted with a tremendous thunderstorm and cloudburst. After unpacking we strolled down the gorgeous treelined Ocean Street kicking leaves and admiring the colonial architecture. Lunch destination - Chiswick. To our surprise it is situated in a very pictuesque, gardenesque style local park. The building - a light and airy conservatory. Very lovely. Even at the late lunch hour we arrive the room is full and noisy. Noisy became a prominent feature of the visit unfortunately.  We had a very nice light lunch - absolutely Sydney prices, prettily presented, but lacking in cohesive flavours. Somewhat unsure of the success of the trying very hard to be eclectic collection of china, glassware and cutlery. The staff were very friendly, but struggled to hear what we were saying. We struggled to hear what we were saying. The romantic placement of the records they were playing that day was futile - could not hear any music. We did enjoy our fisrt meal out in Sydney this holiday - it was perhaps just not quite up to the hype. Lucky the location was so stunning and the staff friendly because we could then forgive the lack of finesse in the food.

http://www.chiswickrestaurant.com.au/about/chiswick

White Stemmed Gum Moth's triumphant hatching

Hatched! After 3 months as a chrysallis in a lunch box on our back deck our White stemmed gum moth emerged from the leaf litter we gave her as a beautiful furry soft very large moth. The caterpillar was spectacular - around 13cm long and as thick as a finger. Apparently they reside amongst the tops of gum trees and come down to the leaf litter below when ready for transformation to moth.She has been identified as female, only lives for a few days, does not eat in that time, apparently has insignificant unworkable mouth parts. So we are keeping her inside covered with a net food cover until she is ready to fly away. She doesnt move much and her wings have not opened fully yet. Spectacular.

And a big thanks to the chicky babe at the cash register at the local health food store - no I did not have me seniors' card with me!!!!

I merrily head out to the shops yesterday, feeling mighty fine in my glorious 'patio outfit' circa 1950-something. It is gorgeous. A royal blue skirt, cotton - full - with tiers - and decorated in pale cream ricrac. It has a lovely elegance and swing to it, and a matching fitted top. I teamed it with a little tight fitting cream cardigan decorated in blue lovehearts, dotted occasionally red, and snappy red sling backs. Nice, I thought. It's my 20 wedding anniversary today. Nice to look nice.

Into the health food shop I go, find my glace cherries for the little choc cherry cakes I plan to make and - there she blows - did I have my senior's card with me. Like a kick in the solar plexus I deflate and stare at her incredulously - I am 45, not 65! But hey, she says, lots of people look really good for their age. Or some, incredibly bad I retort and flounce out of the shop.

New definition of sublime - strawberry, picked and eaten straight from the bush, just one, big enough to fill my mouth, shiny and brilliant red, but the best part, as it explodes in my mouth the juices are all warm from the sunshine.

So, we have a very large front verge for which we are responsible, according to the ACT government. It is the bane of my life - mowing takes forever. We dont use it, can't see it, but if you don't care for it, it spoils the look of the house streetside. Who cares? I am not sure. Anyway, this week I decided it had to be edged. I began cursorily - bloody hard work with a spade. A friend walking past dropped by a rotary edger, manual, still too hard, weeds too big and thick, back to the spade. She then drops over a whipper snipper - cannot get it to work. Back to the spade. As I work my way down the path raking the gravel, psyching myself up to head back to the spade I speak to nearly every neighbour in the vicinity of our house as they walk by, or else they wave as they cruise on past around the corner. I begin again with the spade. At least 20-30 metres along the front, 4-5 along each side and another 20-30 metres on the way back. I am making good progress when a little white van whizzes around the corner, does a U-ey and parks up along side me. Hi, he says, I'm Alex, I have just the gadget you need. Here I'll lend it to you. He shows me how to start it and heads of with a wave promising to return for it later and to mow the front for me from now on with hiswith his ride on mower. We agree on the price being a cake in exchange. How nice is that? How amazing is that. Some people are just nice.

Waking this morning lying cosily in bed contemplating whether to open my eyes or return to slumber. Eyes open, glints of light around the blinds drawn against the first of the new season's cool nights. Along the corridor the living room is lit in gold light. I pull the bedroom blinds up and am immediately drenched in sparkling golden dawn light. Back in bed after the dog has greeted me enthusiastically I lie  in the early morning sun reading a book - luxuriating. I deliberate the activities possible for today and decide to begin inside with preparing the batter for some honey madelines and cooking rhubarb ready for breakfast during the week. Later outside I have the last of my garlic to sow, some spinach and leek seedlings to transplant. I really wish to fit in a session at my easel. Time to get up and start the day.

Arrive at the Folk Festival at 10am with pencil notated guide in hand. 7 acts later driving home in the moonlight balmy evening around 10 - astonished that only 1 dud in the selection. Top acts - Simpson 3 - siblings with traditional celtic strings and rhythm; SA greats - The Yearlings had us yearning for a slouchy chair on the porch in the heat of the afternoon; the magnificent Con Artists teamed with the London Klezmer quartet - what a blast - think Cat Empire mulitplied; 2 northern coast chicks with cruisy guitar playing and contemplative lyrics; finally - Elixir - had me wanting to move the whole gig outside under the trees.

http://www.conartists.com.au/

http://www.theyearlings.net/fr_news.cfm

http://www.katienoonan.com/

http://www.londonklezmerquartet.com/

Hmm - breakfast juice - 1 orange, 2 apples, half a pink grapefruit and 1 plum - Y U M!