Quintessential Sydney

The Opera Bar at the Sydney Opera House is one of those places that to me represents the best of Sydney tourism and hospitality.
On the forecourt of the Opera House - it is truly a place that is relaxed, welcoming and festive- where locals and visitors can mingle.

Whenever I used to walk past on my longer walk down to the ferry from the office in the late afternoon it always reconfirmed my feeling that if that if there was one place I would send a visitor to Sydney for a relaxed sunset drinks - it would be the place.
Overlooking the harbour with a direct and closeup view of the bridge - it doesn't get better than this.

Sunday lunch there today with my cousins K and P was everything I had anticipated

We shared a few plates and a few glasses of cold white wine and enjoyed the great atmosphere.

Prosciutto thin crust piza

Popcorn shrimp/prawn

Chorizo and white beans with salsa verde

Our conversation covered our lives, shared memories and family stories.

The sun was gentle, the breeze soft and the air full of laughter.

A trip home on the ferry reminded me to take the time to look around and appreciate the beautiful city I live in

Beautiful Sydney.

Back in the City

I can't believe it is now four weeks since I arrived back to my city life.

For some reason I have found it a hard slog to get back into my blog. I try to think of something to write about and I come up with a blank.  Writer's block??

 I have been feeling that my farmlife had much more fodder for posting than my citylife.

Everyday on the farm there is something uniquely rural related that emerges and provides an image and the potential to wax lyrical.    

I also have more time. Time, to ponder the meaning of life and my place in it.

Back in Sydney I am more preoccupied with work naturally,  but I also find my days have more routine and less opportunity for the type of blog material I hope is interesting for you.

I thought it might help stimulate my creative juices if I look back at some of what I have done in the last four weeks.

I celebrated my birthday long distance with beautiful flowers from Mark 

and with good friends that night at the Rocks Vintage Dinner.

This is a great night of food and wine under the lampshade and stars in the historic Rocks area of Sydney. Very special.

Have been eating plenty of spring vegetables including these fresh peas and broad beans I made into a puree to go with lamb cutlets for dinner with my sister A and nephew L. We had a good night! And another the next with some more of the family.

Have been making some of my farmlife no knead bread at least once a week. Also tested a part wholemeal version which was delicious

Ate at Balla at The Star. The new Steve Manfredi restaurant.

 The Crave Sydney International Food Festival is on in October and the program of events includes "Lets do Lunch" at restaurants all over Sydney.

Their offer was two courses and a glass of wine for $38

Fish and a rich tomato, olive and caper sauce

Chocolate Crunch

I hadn't been to the Star Casino since its renovation and reopening and it is an absolute improvement on the old one. Not that I am a fan of Casinos - but the hotel, retail and dining looks very Sydney 5 star.

A special Sunday lunch in Bowral with W and P.

W's excellent pea tart went well with my zucchini ribbon salad, with mint and feta.

It was also tulip time in the Southern Highlands and it was blooming.

Set up my office at home. Adjusting to that - and really enjoying it.

Started a new project and also ramped up planning for the Australian Tourism Awards.

Lots of walking, reading, and catching up with friends for coffee, breakfast and dinner.

Not a bad life.  Is it worth reading about I wonder?

It's politics.

A non-typical citylife night for me .

Politics

An  intimate gathering hosted by the North Sydney Forum  for Joe Hockey ( Federal Shadow Treasurer).  Joe has been a great friend of tourism in Australia.

I didn't like to take photos or look like I was recording anything ( Mitt Romneys nightmare).

So as a non-partisan blogger I have one comment.

You have to admire  the confidence and optimism of politicians - whatever party and whenever it maybe.

How do they do that? Everyday.

That's politics, I suppose.

Back in Sydney again

And it seems nothing has changed since I left in June- the Gillard and Rudd challenge continues to make headlines. I wish they'd just get it over with.

Makes a change though from the US election hype.

Arrived back without luggage, although I have been assured that it is en route and will be delivered today.

I hope so - I have two very full suitcases of clothing and Christmas presents.

The favourable exchange rate and low prices stateside meant that there was really no reason to not shop. Clothing prices in Australia are ridiculously high.  I am not sure why we continue to be gutted at the cash register- but it means I don't and won't buy anything here.  

I do without until I get back to the mid west.

Spring has sprung here and all around me are vibrant azaleas in full bloom.

They always remind me of my Mum. It is still strange to come back after being away and find her not here.

 She would have loved seeing these blooms outside her window.

City vs Country - Shoes

My country shoes - perfect for tramping through the wet grass in the mornings or around the yard  on muddy rainy afternoons

My city shoes - a new pair that are still to hit the pavements of Sydney.

Another of the differences between my two lives.

New York Highlights - Part 1

I have been incredibly slack in getting this post together - but between a new renovation project starting on the farm, getting ready for our good friends Chrissy and James to arrive from Australia and then having a fabulous time while they were here - ie eating, drinking, shopping and just generally being merry- it just wasn't blog time for me.

I sometimes find it hard to be in the moment, take photos and and write a post.
I need more practise I suppose.

Anyway, we had an amazing but too brief trip to Connecticut and New York and the memories are still fresh. 

Some highlights from our weekend in Westport (CT) and Larchmont (NY)

1. Catching up with Mark's cousin Jim and his wife Dana and seeing their beautiful home.

2. Enjoying a delicious dinner at The Dressing Room - originally established by Paul Newman and  attached to the legendary Westport County Playhouse. 

3. Driving by the beautiful mansions in Greenwich and Westport

4. Taking a photo of  Joanne Woodward's garage doors so that we could copy them for our new garage.

5. Tooling around Long Island Sound in Jim's new boat on a misty Saturday morning

6. Making a mess eating lobster for lunch

7. Walking around Mark's cousin Lu Ann's and husband Matt's pretty neighbourhood

8. Eating grilled artichokes  at Tarry Lodge  - a new Mario Batali restaurant in Port Chester NY

 9. Sailing around the Sound in Jim's other boat and swimming in the Atlantic ocean

10. Browsing the antique market in Westport

What can I say, we were incredibly well looked after by our generous hosts.

Even being dropped off at our NYC hotel on Sunday afternoon.

Start spreading the news

Tomorrow I will wake up in that city that doesn't sleep 

These vagabond shoes 
They are longing to stray 
Right through the very heart of it 
New York, New York.

Working away

I am often asked how I manage to be able to spend time on the farm and still work in Australia.

Although I am my own "boss" and have always been self-motivated I still have clients and ongoing projects that I manage and am responsible for while I am away.
I try to choose my time away when I am in a planned downtime and mix it in with vacation time.

I have been doing this for over ten years and it has certainly become much easier with the growing trend for people to work offsite,  email being a major medium for business communication, skype and cheap international phone calls.

My outdoor farm office

Adapting to the different time zones is easy.
 I check emails and work in the morning here when Australia is asleep.
 I send my replies and do teleconferences in the evening here, when my clients and colleagues are arriving at the office.

Many times people don't even know I am overseas unless I tell them.

Recently a colleague and I were able to complete a project that had a quick turnaround by working on it  in our own times zones - giving our client 24/7 service!

It can sometimes be hard to keep motivated when looking out over our farmland and I am not in my regular full time work routine - but it beats this city grind on a daily basis.

Sydney CBD in peak hour

All over the place this weekend

A busy weekend where my farm life and city life happily merged.

 Friday night off to the city for an excellent dinner at Harvest with our friend Gwen.

On Saturday Max and Sue flew up from Memphis in their very tiny plane and spent the night with us.

Max took off for some acrobatic practise and flew over the farm to give us a show.  

My heart was in my mouth as he dipped and dove above us, then for a finale did a drop that involved the plane sounding like it had stalled and was about to crash....

I was still shaking when he came back.

Why do you do it, I asked?  

"It's fun" he said calmly with a smile. 

A relaxed dinner outside under the stars ended this special farm day.

Sunday night a taste of city life again, this time in the beautiful historic home of our friend Jeff.

As we arrived the sun was shining on the house and I couldn't resist taking this photo.

It looks like it could be the French Embassy

As I walked into the foyer I couldn't help but feel the difference between 

our modest farmhouse and this elegant townhouse.

In the late 1800s the original owner used the top floor as a ballroom for Friday night dance parties. 

The stories that could be told....

Dan Dan cooked a delicious Chinese meal for us featuring vegetables and two fresh fish - one steamed with ginger and green onions, and the other stir fried.

Lots of fine wine was served.

We ate under a magnificent chandelier in the dining room

And were watched over by this fascinating woman

A weekend that encapsulated my two diverse worlds perfectly.

No need to knead.

I enjoy making bread - I like the process, the sense of achievement and of course eating it.

My success however, is a bit patchy - it usually tastes good out of the oven - but ends up being heavy the next day.   I have not been able to consistently get a crisp crust and because I don't bake bread in my city life - due to a lack of time and lots of bakeries outside our front door - I don't get enough practice.

Today I have had a revelation!

I have just finished baking a loaf of the famous no-knead bread developed by Jim Lahey from the Sullivan Street Bakery in New York. I first tore this New York Times recipe out of the Sydney Morning Herald in January 2007 and have been meaning to try it.

I would say this is the BEST loaf of bread I have ever baked.  Ever. In five easy steps.

1. Mix flour, salt and yeast and water (no kneading necessary)

2. Let rise for 18 hours

3. Pour out, fold over and rest for 15 minutes and then shape into a ball and rest for 2 hours

4. Bake in very hot oven in heated heavy covered pot for 30 minutes ( I used my Le Crueset)

5. Take lid off and bake for 15 minutes more to brown and then cool on rack.

Look at this loaf!

 It looks and smells perfect -  a good size and shape, golden brown with an amazing aroma that is now wafting through the house and into my nostrils. 

We are waiting for it to cool with taste buds running wild. 

Thirty minutes later.

Cutting into a nice, crisp crust

Holes in bread is a good sign.  I don't get that very often.

It tastes fantastic - crunchy outside, soft inside, fresh and yeasty, with a great texture and long flavour.

You must try it!