Fine dining in the Harbour City...

I'm still struggling to get back into the swing of Australian life, but nothing is more of a leveller than being faced with the icons of your chosen homeland, while eating arguably the best food the city has to offer.
Sonia turned 29 this weekend, and by way of celebration, a few of us had lunch at aquadining at Milsons Point in Sydney.
Nestled above a swimming pool and a fun fair, we were met with this sign as we arrived...
Fearful that we were to be 'treated' to British pool-side grub of vending machine soup, liquorice snakes and a Wagon Wheel, I was thrilled when not just an amazing menu, but this PRICELESS view greeted us.

The food was exquisite, the company superb and the view as breathtaking as I had remembered.
I enjoyed CRISP FRIED ZUCCHINI FLOWERS WITH MOZZARELLA AND LEMON ON SARDINIAN HAND ROLLED PASTA, GARLIC AND BASIL as an entree, ROAST WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LAMB RUMP, EGGPLANT, BASIL AND HALOUMI FRITTERS for main, and STICKY DATE PUDDING with CARAMEL FUDGE ICE CREAM for dessert. Superb.
Suffice to say that if you're heading to Sydney you should give it a whirl, and if I'm catching up with you in the next month or so MAKE ME TAKE YOU!!!! It was fab.

Back in the house...

I'm back in Newtown, Sydney after almost three months away. I arrived back on Sept 21st, with Bo, Jodie and Lou there as the welcoming committee. I was whisked home to meet Elvis before packing a bag (very badly) and heading for Callala Bay.
Lovely to be back on the South Coast, and it was here that I cracked my jet lag, had a few barbies and simply re-adjusted to life back in Australia.
Elvie seems very clingy and not very trusting, but generally he's welcomed me back with open paws.
So, two weeks to tackle that mountain of washing and get organised for heading back to work...

Hong Kong Phuey...

I'm in HK after a rather hectic few days.
Had a lovely tapas and wine night in Richmond with Jane and Nikki on Monday night. It was fantastic to catch up with them both, and we stuffed our faces, drank ourselves silly and almost contemplated how to get three grown women back to Whitton on a pink pushbike.
After crashing at Jane's place in Whitton, I headed up to Covent Garden for a last look around/Marks and Spencers underwear run before meeting the lovely Rob for lunch at Clerkenwell. Again, so lovely to see him... feels like a lifetime ago that he picked Bo and I up from Heathrow for our big European adventure.
I left Rob and jumped on the Piccadilly line at Holborn for the one-hour ride to Heathrow, and managed to sleep all the way. I am amazed I wasn't robbed or happy slapped.
I'd put my big bag in storage at Heathrow so had v little luggage to cart around the capital.
I had a couple of hours browsing the T3 shops, and before I knew it I was on a virtually empty Hong Kong-bound fight, with three seats to myself and lots of UK trash mags.
Next thing I knew I was in HK - I'd managed to sleep all the way. Hurrah!
So I'm just waiting for my Sydney flight to board, and alll being well should be home in ten hours' time. Phew.
Talk to you from home.... xxx

Homeward bound...

Dateline: Richmond, West London,

I'm on the final furlong of my four week holiday, which has turned into a three month trip which saw me renew old friendships, meet my new niece for the first time, and sadly farewell my mum.
I'm not back at work for a couple more weeks yet - to give me time to re-adjust to my life in Australia, my dog, my friends, and life without mum.
I'm heading to Jervis Bay on the south coast of NSW the day I get home, for a little holiday (haha - I know, the cheek of me!)and am looking forward to it.
I'll update this with video of Charlotte once back on my home PC. But for now think of me about to tackle a 22-hour flight by myself........
See you soon xxx