Countryside Chills in the Southern Highlands
There’s nothing like getting out of the city for a weekend and breathing in that fresh country air. Last Friday I escaped back to the Southern Highlands for a few days to catch up with some friends in the quaint little town of Moss Vale which I called home for 4 months. 
I’m always spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a trendy little coffee shop as the area is home to some fantastic spots to kick back and enjoy a cup of Joe. After strolling the shops and boutiques of Bowral, we soaked up the afternoon sun whilst sipping our coffees at Grand Bistro, another highly rated restaurant I’ve been keen to visit.
With winter closing in and that brisk chill in the air, we got the fire pit roaring in the garden and saw down the sun with a few drinks and some good old Australian yarns! Later on we ventured to the local pub in town where the drinks are cheap and you’re never far from a familiar face. It was great being back in the countryside leaving all the madness of city life behind me and just enjoying time spent with friends… ‘A good laugh and a long sleep are the best two cures for anything.’
Listening to the podcast series The Highest Self with Sahara Rose, my eyes have been opened to the sad fact that we are all sucked into this whirlwind of modern life where we continue to push our boundries to reach such demanding expectations. Instead of feeling content and happy in the moments of greatness we do reach, we find ourselves moving the goal posts once again to battle on before setting the next target. Why is it we cut short that feeling of contentment and joy when things are simply just fine and life is all OK?
Sahara Rose asks us to take a moment and think back 5 or even 10 years ago to reflect on just how far we have come. What we find is that every one of us is on a journey of growth and we are achieving wonderful things in that fact alone. I spent a weekend with my lovely Manager and close friend who has helped me to see the amazing things I’ve already accomplished at work and in my personal life. After our Sunday morning brekky date, we went for a beautiful bush walk to wind down, breath in the fresh air and just appreciate where we find ourselves at this point of our lives.
‘The happiest people in life are those who are grateful for where they are now; living life in the present moment is true contentment.’
With daylight savings now meaning the sunsets around 5:30pm, pastel colours paint the sky and splash the harbour with that majestic haze each evening I walk home. This sight never fails to make me smile and feel so grateful for being right where I am in life at this moment in time; Sydney, you stole my heart ❤
However journalling is something I only began doing when I first embarked on my trip here to Sydney over a year ago. After my friend brought me a beautiful journal as my leaving present, I have continued to keep a diary ever since. Now onto my third book, I have a unique record of my travels here in Australia which provides a whole other perspective to the photos. Keeping a journal gives me opportunity to reflect on moments in life, both the good and the bad. I like to add little memos to my diary too such as tickets and receipts to remind me of all the places I’ve been.
I would be the first to admit my journals are certainly no novel and definitely lack a decent amount of grammar (usually my worse nightmare). Yet those words capture all of my thoughts even when I’ve faced challenges and spark fond memories of the adventures I’ve been on. It has definitely been quite a journey and as I continue to stand on my own two feet on the other side of the world, I will
The first race was at 12:15, so we all got to the racecourse by midday to grab a spot by the track whilst still in prime location near to the bar! It was a swelteringly hot day, so between a few glasses of bubbles I sipped on diet soda all afternoon to stay hydrated.
Unlike the typical races back home in the UK, I was surprised to see that the dress code and general atmosphere here in Australia is a lot more informal. With benches laid out on the grass and food vans selling mostly hot chips and burgers, it was certainly a far cry from the fine dining options and lavish outfits of Royal Ascot. Nevertheless, everyone from our company made an effort and got spruced up for the occasion, especially all the gals!
It was fascinating watching the horses which are so incredibly fit with their veins protruding from their muscles following the race. Now I can truly appreciate the power and skill of these highly trained, magnificent creatures.
It was a glorious day getting to mingle with my work colleagues as we basked in the sunshine all afternoon cheering on the horses as we placed our bets. I love any excuse to get dolled up and it was lovely to see everyone enjoying some down time away from the office.
With my hectic 9-5 job consuming the majority of my week and constantly booking out weekends socialising with friends, I forget how wonderful the quaint corner of Sydney I live in is. Looking back over my diary so far this year, it’s been so busy with something happening every weekend since I moved to Lavender Bay. So having made the conscious effort to be selfish and nourish my soul on Sunday, my body as well as my tired head, thanked me for it this week as I started Monday fresh and ready for the demands of my high pace PR job!
As the tunnel fills with a maze of stalls, the good vibes weekend atmosphere echoes amongst the hustle and bustle of Kirribilli streets.
Whilst the sun beats down and eager shoppers feel the heat, the cluster of fresh drink and food stands provide gourmet offerings from numerous cuisines.
Out on the green spills the recycled fashion stalls where vendors eagerly sell off clothing for a fraction of their worth. If you’re lucky (and patient enough to have a good route in the bargain bins), you’ll find yourself walking away with barely worn designer pieces for as little as $5!
Chatting with the friendly sellers, there’s also opportunity to practice your haggling skills and negotiate a good price. With a modest changing room setup behind the park shed, you can even try before you buy.
I was excited to see if these Wrangler shorts would fit but unfortunately they were a little too big – I’m still on the hunt for those perfect bum hugging vintage denim Levis!
This delicate jewellery is very similar to a stall at Paddington Markets where I recently purchased my new favourite ring. I can’t get enough of stacking fine gold rings, so I’m keen to build my collection with these hand-made, good quality designs which are so unique.
I would highly recommend visiting Kirribilli Markets not only for the one-of-a-kind bargains you can bag, but to take a stroll in this North Sydney local neighbourhood and soak up that infectious Sunday ambience.
To start we were presented with beautifully plated ocean trout carpaccio followed by a selection of chefs sashimi. The combination of sweet berries with tangy radish was delicious and the fresh fish only needed a dash of soy to bring out the flavours.
Next it was onto the sushi course and as a group we opted for the seafood rainbow roll. This colourful arrangement included my favourite combo of avocado, salmon and prawns wrapped in sticky sushi rice.
Course number 4 was honey mayo glazed prawns topped with black sesame seeds. These meaty king prawns were served in a light batter drizzled in hot sticky honey, a little messy but irresistibly tasty.
The main and final course was oven roast salmon fillet in dill served with quinoa, watercress salsa verde and grilled cos lettuce. I can’t get enough of dill with salmon, but the salsa verde gave a delightful spin on the flavour whilst the lettuce added extra crunch.
As a lighter lunch option, this 5 course tasting menu is perfect for getting a good overview of the food on offer. From freshly caught sashimi to exquisitely arranged Japanese specials, I would be keen to visit Zushi again to try more of their delectable dishes, paired with another fine wine from their extensive list.
Decorated with all the sparkle and colour you could imagine, our lovely friend hosted the most fabulous party as her Birthday also falls on this day. I was very excited to be back in my favourite hanging cosy seat complete with sequins and a disco mirror ball – my very own throne!
This time last year (as a newbie to Australia) I was also introduced to the Ozzy Birthday party staple Fairybread. I was addicted to this simple combo of white bread, butter and sprinkles, so I knew exactly where I was going to get my sugar hit ready to dance the night away again.
Another Mardis Gras down and I feel truly thankful for the beautiful friends that have made me so welcome and embraced my presence on such a special day for the gay community. Happy Mardis Gras ❤
