Last weekend - Chinatown

Last Sunday, we took a day trip to Brisbane. Why? to eat, of course.

Yum Cha was the only thing on our agenda, it had been way too long since our last visit and we were not disappointed. These dishes, are not called YUM Cha for nothing. We all went crazy for the food, enjoying our old favourites and discovering some new ones as well. As always, the desserts were the biggest hit with the children, and the adults alike. And as always, we (I) ate way to much food.

We spend most of the day in Chinatown, wasting hours wandering around the supermarkets. Touching, smelling, listening; so much of it foreign to us. We did not expect the day to feel like a real mini holiday. The kids absolutely loved it.

Leaving at about 3 o'clock, we visited another favourite place, Newfarm Park. It was just the right amount of busy and the children, climbed, ran, played, hid and climbed some more, for just the right amount of time. Mr Moo and I sat with a coffee and some Chinatown treats, enjoying the late afternoon: the cool breeze and the happy sounds from the playground. Just as I was going to give the kids "5 more minutes" they came to say they were ready to go.

There is something to be said about sometimes, just not having a plan. This day was lovely because we resisted the urge to schedule in too much. We let the day, our surroundings and our children guide us. The park was an after thought, a whim, but it was the perfect end to our day. We all though so. Most of our school holidays have been spent rushing about, having to be somewhere at a certain time. This is not so relaxing. Sometimes it is good to throw the rule book out the window, to do just one thing instead of four things in one day.

And sometimes it is good to get away... even if for a day... even for a half a day... get lost in the backstreets of a different suburb... go to a different beach... try shopping at a different market. I can totally recommend it.

City Slickers

We have returned from a great weekend in Brisbane. Packed full of visits to some of our favourite old haunts:



• The Three Monkeys for coffee and chocolate mouse cake just as day turned into night.
• Vietnamese for dinner, Yum Cha for lunch
• An afternoon lost at Newfarm Park, disappearing into the trees and wandering through the roses bushes. A yummy picnic of cheeses, pate and breads.
• The Woolloongabba Antique Centre for morning tea and much swooning over quirky old finds.
• We loved the ballet. So beautiful in every way. The boys went to the Science Museum
• A visit to Samios (like an old friend) for supplies
• We even drove past our old house, our first house.



In a city that has changed so much in the six years since we left, it was nice to rediscover some of our favourite places.





I will point out that a five and six year old are not that interested in trips down memory lane.



I realised later that they are creating there own memories. They were not that interested in hearing how many hours I have lingered over coffee at the Three Monkeys cafe over the years. I have been going there since I was 16 years old. They will remember it for themselves; for turkish delight and chocolate mouse cake and the place with the garden courtyard out the back.



Everyday, memories are being made by these little people, to be stored somewhere in their sub-conscious for later, when they are 14, 26 or 37.

It is so important not to forget that.

Father's Day weekend

Relaxing but busy.

On Saturday we drove to Brisbane and on arriving stopped off at the West End Markets for a snack. Hungarian pancakes stuffed with bacon, spinach, mushrooms and cheese and galaktoboureko, It was so difficult to pick just one of the yummy greek sweets from the many stalls on offer. Tropical berry juice and cappuccino's all enjoyed sitting in the semi shade of the giant moreton bay figs trees. We watched the locals playing frisbee with the tall city buildings in the background and the early spring breeze in our hair.



After the markets we spent most of the day in the cultural centre. The girls went to see the amazing Valentino Exhibition and the boys spent almost all day at the Sciencentre. We were also in and out of the museum and the state library. I got a quick peek in the gallery shop and Miss Moo Moo and I enjoyed really yummy egg finger sandwiches and sour cherry crumble cake at the Watermall Cafe. Happy, but hungry after a long day, we then headed straight for our favourite Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. Crispy fried chicken and egg noodle soup and prawn and rice paper rolls. It doesn't sound like much but, we couldn't even eat it all. Extremely full and contented we headed to our little apartment and settled in for the night.



On Sunday we went to the Breakfast on the Bridge. It was threatening rain and the French themed event didn't quiet live up to what I had expected. (no mime artists, no can can dancers, no crepe stations, no fresh food markets - as promised) But after a long wait in the queue for this stall, all faith had been restored.

Pains au chocolat, croissants aux amandes and beignets de confiture.

Tres magnicient!



After a very long walk along the river (to walk off breakfast) It was time for lunch! Mr Moo's all time favourite, Yum Cha, did not disappoint. The food was soooo good, with, dare I say it, the best sweet and sour pork I have ever tasted. The atmosphere was really buzzing. A really good end to a great weekend.