It's incredible how quickly the year is passing! I'm writing this early in July and can't quite believe half a year has gone by. I had quite a productive month of reading - winter tends to encourage it - as did another, mercifully short, lockdown. And now, just as I'm ready to post this we have our fifth - and hopefully very brief - lockdown! … [Read more...] about Reading June 2021
Archives for 2021
The Cazalet Chronicles – Elizabeth Jane Howard
We've gone into lockdown, for the fourth time, here in Melbourne from the 27th of May until whenever - as I'm writing this the media is full of speculation the period will be extended beyond the initial week. I've been lucky to be completely engrossed in the novels that make up The Cazalet Chronicles and then the memoir and biography of their … [Read more...] about The Cazalet Chronicles – Elizabeth Jane Howard
May Reading 2021
Germs, Richard Wollheim I can't remember where I read about this book, but the review was so glowing immediately after doing so I bought it on my kindle. It was published in 2004, after the author's death. And it has the tone of an old man looking back. The Introduction, which I didn't read until after the book itself, (I never do as I don't … [Read more...] about May Reading 2021
Wendy Whitely’s Secret Garden
Isn't a secret garden anymore! While in Sydney in April we visited, on a smokey (thanks to controlled burn offs in the Blue Mountains I think) overcast day. It was quite beautiful. Lots of little nooks and crannies where you could sit and larger parts with tables and chairs where you could picnic. Lovely views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the … [Read more...] about Wendy Whitely’s Secret Garden
Memorable Meals – Part One
During lockdown we assured ourselves we wouldn't get back into a cycle of frequent fine dining. We broke that resolution on New Year's Eve with a long lunch at Recreation here in North Fitzroy. And since then we've had many fine meals there; both lunches and dinners. This is their wonderful version of the dessert Bombe Alaska. If it's on the menu I … [Read more...] about Memorable Meals – Part One
Memorable Meals – Attica
We've had some memorable meals this year in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Birregurra. The best was at Attica. The table direction that greets you indicates the sort of food you are in for. I asked on Instagram, using this photo. where I was. No-one knew. These are quongdong seeds and I assume emu feathers. There was a quongdong tree a mile … [Read more...] about Memorable Meals – Attica