Beth's mum is probably one of the best cooks in the whole of Sydney. Her cookbook selection is bigger than Borders' and she's a committed foodie in this city of foodies! Her annual Good Friday brunch is the hottest ticket in town, and I was lucky enough to score a seat at the table.
Never one to scrimp on breakfast possibilities, the menu was something like this. Glass of champagne on arrival (most of us brought a bottle of Moet or Veuve with us). Then homemade granola with stewed rhubarb and yoghurt to begin. Then we moved on to her magnificent corn fritters, served with sides of avocado, tomato salad, spinach. Then home made grainy bread with smoked salmon, cream cheese and horseradish sauce. Then brioche, chocolate easter cupcakes and the most incredible home made hot cross buns I've ever tasted, fresh out of the oven. A smorgasbord of deliciousness and enough to send us on our way with a full and satisfied stomach.
After brunch, Nick and I got on the road and began our 6-hour drive south to Jindabyne, to stay with some friends by the lake at the foot of the Snowy Mountains. We took the coastal road south and belted out some tunes on the way, including the best of Elton John and the Dixie Chicks. We arrived in Jindabyne at Kathie and Dinni's just in time for dinner (more eating!) which was a splendid spread of prawns, fish kebabs done on the barbecue and salad.
Kathie and Dinni own a hotel and burger shop on Mount Perisher, a popular skiing destination in the Snowy Mountains, and they have a fab location right at the bottom of the ski lifts. They work very hard for the winter season (about 5 months) and then they chill out in their lovely Lake Jindabyne home for the rest of the year (not a bad life!). We were visiting off-season but we took a trip up the mountain to check out their hotel and look at some of the summer renovations they're doing before the weather gets colder and their winter season starts again (it's looming, the nights are getting chilly!).
Dinni's father is Austrian and he came over many years ago, and set up the hotel. Over the years he's shipped over some lovely artefacts and furniture which now adorn the walls and vestibules of the hotel. Franz now lives on the mountain with his nine donkeys, while his two sons run the business. He sticks his oar in now and then but he's mostly retired. We had lunch in a traditional Austrian restaurant in Jindabyne and he was very entertaining, especially after a few rounds of Schnapps.
The entire weekend revolved around eating and drinking, including lots of Lindt chocolate bunnies and red wine. K&D have two little chihuahuas so we did take them for a walk, but as their legs are only little it was a short walk, not quite enough to walk off all the overindulgence. We also watched movies and hung out in their lovely home.
Coming back to Sydney was difficult after such a lovely long weekend. On the way home we stopped by the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme memorial. The Snowy Mountains hydro scheme is one of the most complex integrated water and hydro-electric power schemes in the world, and was pivotal in building post-World War II Australia. Workers from 32 countries came to Australia to assist on the 50-year project and many stayed upon completion to help make the country as diverse as it is today. The tribute featured the flags from all the contributing countries, and some lovely mosaics showcasing the different elements of the lives improved by the scheme.
Now back in Sydney it's getting colder -- dropping below 20 degrees! I'm busy with work and lots of cultural commitments in the evenings but having fun. Hope you're all enjoying the days getting warmer and summer on the way.
cx
1 comment:
Looks fab!.....LOVE THE DONKEYS!!!
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