A Tale of Two Markets - out and about

Although they are only about half an hours drive apart and therefore neighbours, these two markets couldn't be more different!

First stop Gladstone, NSW.
A charming little village on the way to South West Rocks and on the banks of the Macleay River.

Here we found local spinners and weavers -

Gorgeous bouquets of flowers -

Delicious soaps by SundayRose soaps and candles -

 I just had to have some of the patchouli-based soap and the shampoo bar.

Award-winning preserves by East Coast  Gourmet Foods -

 Couldn't resist the mango and chilli chutney and the cranberry and pear chutney.
They also sell boutique cheeses from the Hunter Valley.

I lined up for coffee from Holy Goat and it was well worth the wait!

Limes! I love limes, so we walked away from Bluegum Limes with sublime lime butter and Davidson Plum cordial.

The market is in a very pretty park next to the river.
It had a great vibe.
There was music and produce and sourdough bread (sold out by the time we got there), a selection of nice handmade gift items, organic dry goods, fruit and nuts,

Plants for your own organic veggie patch.

 We'll be back!

Then it was off to our "local" market at Crescent Head.
A very beachy sort of market, with beachy clothing, second hand books, mostly commercial items.
There was local honey and we bought some locally grown and dried bananas which are like lollies only healthy!

It all happens at the park between the caravan park and the beach - a top spot, though it could be very windy at times.

It's shame that these 2 markets are on the same day as I wonder if the Crescent Head on would benefit from some of the stalls that are at Gladstone.

Anyway, it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning and I'm sure we'll be back.

Out and about - the oldest stone bridge in Australia (apart from Tasmania)

I've gone on a bit about a bridge near me - Knapsack Bridge, but I thought I should introduce you to an older bridge, in fact the oldest stone arch bridge on the mainland. (There is an older one in Tasmania!)

It is on a (now) little-used road, but it was the main route west from Sydney from 1833 until 1926.

It is a very fine sandstone arch.
Don't you just love a nice self-supporting arch?

The stone was quarried from not far away, just up the track and you can see where it was dug out.

On one side the keystone (the bigger light one) has the name of the bridge-maker - David Lennox.

The other side has the date.

There's a walking track that goes up one side of the creek and then down the other...

I used to ride my bike down here and then along the paths but they got very eroded and today was wet and muddy....so I walked.
That was just before the thunder and rain.

Out and About - Henri Marc

It is a widely-held view that the western suburbs are a cultural and culinary wasteland.
OK, we do have The Joan*...and when I say "we" I mean "they" as I do not, strictly speaking live in the western suburbs (I am beyond all that), but it is my closest shopping centre and all that stuff.

But The Riff ** has never had a lot going for it......until now!

Henri Marc is in town!

They have the . best . coffee by miles.

It is a bit tricky to find and doesn't really jump out at you.
Can you spot the cafe here?

But once you are inside you know that it is not just your normal-run-of-the-mill place.
It's a bit hipster - yes?

Last time I went I had a muffin that was as good as mine! Home-made and really, you know, muffiny.
Not cakey.

(yeah, it's blurry....no, it's not your eyes.....yes, it's a shocking photo)

 Today I had the french toast with poached peaches and salted caramel.

Oh, my word! It was to DIE for. Seriously.
I would be happy if I had to eat only this for the rest of my life.

I was severely temped by the "caramel on toast".
Also by the "avocado, tomato, ricotta, pesto on sourdough", sounds ordinary.....looks amazing and I bet it tastes amazing too!

So if you are a westie or a bluey*** or you are travelling west anytime between 8am and 3pm Monday to Saturday go check it out.

Don't be put off by this -

Pst, I'll give you a clue it's near the war memorial.

*The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.
** The Riff = Penrith to locals
***From the Blue Mountains

Out and about - Norman Lindsay Gallery and cafe

Norman Lindsay is Australia's (arguably) best-known artist.
He was certainly prolific, and is in it's day his work was very controversial.
His love of the female form was the source of much of his inspiration and he created a wealth of painting, drawings, sculptures and etchings with very bohemian and decadent subjects.
He also wrote - some of his works were banned, but his best know story "The Magic Pudding" is well-known and loved.
Thankfully his home near me in the Blue Mountains has been preserved....and was thankfully saved during the recent bushfires.
There is also a delightful cafe....so many reasons to visit.

Out & About - Blackwattle Cafe

Back in August a dear friend of mine left Sydney for northerly climes - very sadly.
Anyway as a farewell get-together she took me to the Blackwattle Cafe in Glebe. It is situated in an old house that has been recently renovated. It used to look like this -

photo from wikipedia

Bellevue House was built in 1896 and is listed as a building of historical interest. It would have been a gentleman's residence then but it's use has changed over the years. It became part of the industrial landscape of Glebe from the 1920's and after 1970 it fell into disrepair, unloved even when the area around it became a park. Eventually it was restored and rather nicely on the inside I think.

You can also sit outside with a great view of Blackwattle Bay and the Anzac Bridge, but it was too cold for us on the day we went.

What did we have to eat? I wish I could remember!
It was very nice as were the desserts.