G to the Z

So 24 hours in Guangzhou and I've unpacked my stash of presents (but not unwrapped - I'm going with one a day), sourced tonic water (that was in the first 45 minutes truth be told), put some things around the place to make it feel more like home, and had about 16 showers to refresh from this humid heat.

This apartment is huge and a bit unwieldy, so for now I'm just bunkering down in the bedroom, which is about the size of most of the yellow house. In between outings there has been lots of playing tunes, snoozing, researching and internetting. So basically, just like Canberra but hotter, with more space and lots more gifts.

Last hurrahs - Sydney style

It really does suck to make so many people you love unhappy. But on the up side it is really great to have an excuse to mooch around Sydney. These few days have seen me  playing with Joe the dog, lunching in Surry Hills then retracing my steps around all the places that mean a lot to me in the city. Then lunch on a bowling green with that quintessential harbour view. And then exploring the harbour, scarpering through the bush and under tunnels to see the most beautiful outlook such a city could offer, with some of my favourite people.

Dinner at a place that screams Sydney - high ceilinged warehouse space,house cured meats, excellent negroni (medicinal of course to fix a sore throat) and top company. And then a morning drinking coffee in Artarmon and then crying a whole coffee cup full of tears around the North Shore, holding hands and feeling small in the bigness of it all. 

Then lunch in the big smoke with my Mum - the dream of oysters by the harbour turned into the reality of last minute shopping but a solid ramen at Westfields.

It is funny that being here these last days makes me lament that I haven't spent enough time in Sydney with the ones I love. What was funnier was when that all got too sad I just wanting to go home. And then I realised I don't have one of those right now....but I'm sure in a hop, skip and a jump you'll all be seeing a China style house in the u. A home full of bunting and colour and little bits - just in a more exotic location.

Last hurrahs - Canberra style

Canberra. The place I didn't want to go. Canberra. The place I didn't want to leave. Thanks friends. Xx

Nomad

The best person I know from Dubbo suggested this place. It's great. They make their own bloody mortadella! And how could you not rate a place that makes churros with goats cheese? Nomad - 18 Foster Street Surry Hills, Sydney.

Wishing for rainbows and unicorns

Chasing ghosts and dreams

Goodness knows how my subconscious works, but I realised halfway through my day I was walking to all the wrong places. Through Hyde Park and then down to Circular Quay and up by the MCA and the Rocks and then over that damn fine bridge.

And by the time I had realised, my heart was in my throat and my eyes stung with tears. I wondered what I was hoping to find on that beautiful walk.