Friday afternoon spirits were high because OMG BIGGIE WAS GETTING PICKED UP FROM SCHOOL EARLY.
Never mind we were going on a plane, or that we were headed for a fun weekend in Sydney, the highlight of this whole departure from our regular weekend activities was me having to come to school 30 minutes before the end of the day to collect her to head to the airport. It was well-known across the school yard by 9am that Bigs was going home early.
The festive atmosphere continued with happy our on our Virgin flight and then we passed a very pleasant evening with a DIY hotel room wine and cheese party (I called down to get a plate and knife sent up but they never arrived so we had to use the handle of a spoon, which felt particularly camping-in-a-hotel-room situation). Music Max was having a 90s special, which pleased me greatly. I’d even had just enough wine by the time REM came on for me to have a lightbulb moment – I finally understood their vibe that had always gone over my head as a young’un.
The dawn broke grey and foggy, but so beautiful. I lay in bed just staring at it until this young lady jumped all over me, demanding breakfast. The girls and I went down and attacked the buffet because what’s actually better than a breakfast buffet? After bobbing up and down like a jack in the box getting everyone sorted, I read a newspaper while the girls chatted and played with crayons. As we were leaving, a lady came up to us and told me the girls were beautiful and complimented my parenting. People can be so awesome.
I even had enough time to have a second cup of tea and glance at another paper in bed before we had to be out, which I guess is the benefit of waking up so bloody early on holidays.
The folk from Netflix had a fun day planned for those of us who are part of their Stream Team, and had flown us down for a little thank you. They had amazing places set up around The Pavilion in the Sydney domain for the kids to have a blast – treasure hunts, Dinotrux, musical instruments, a magician, plenty of food… it was so cool.
I sat in the long-awaited sun and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
The kids went crazy, the day was so creative. They loved the magician and making music, and Bigs in particular was super thrilled about the treasure hunt. I can see I’ve passed on my competitive genes.
We had a chilled afternoon in a new hotel room where the kids started to whinge about not being at home and that they were tiiiiiired so I enforced quiet time. I drank tea and read complimentary magazines, and the kids drew and then watched some ABC for a bit. Lunchbox went out to see a friend and have a beer and we met him out at dinner after.
Coming highly recommended from Chelsey, we went to Bodhi which is fully vegan.
The next morning we packed every belonging that had been strewn from the front door to the back window and headed out to The Rabbit Hole, where we had breakfast and I sniffed every tea they have. I’ve long wanted to go and check out their tea bar and it was just as amazing as I imagined.
As was the jacaranda everywhere!
About five or six years ago I got a DM on Twitter from one of The Rabbit Hole’s owners, Corinne, asking me did I want to try their tea? We’ve done a bunch of things together ever since but never actually met and even though they weren’t there that day, I was still thrilled to finally go. If you go (you’re going to go, GO!), make sure you smell the Lime Pie tea (which you can also buy online here).
After getting a giant cup of their breakfast blend to go (and spilling it on my shirt, therefore having to put the shirt on backwards, then proceeding to spill it on that side too) we jumped in an Uber and headed to Bondi for some sun and sand.
We got wind and sand, so much sand. I am still picking it out of my handbag.
We went for a walk, ate some lunch, played on the sand, and did the obligatory kid-with-street-art shot.
We stopped into our friend Steen’s Now or Never store, then headed back to the hotel. We grabbed our bags and thought we’d head into the airport even though it was a little early. Little did I know that by the time we checked in we had 15 minutes until boarding. One time I’m disorganised, and it actually works out in our favour.
The weekend kind of slid into Monday and Tuesday here too, what with a student-free day and Melbourne cup holiday. We sat around and read, I dug out my knitting needles (also finding piles of mending that I never got around to and now the girls aren’t babies any more and waaaaah), dressed up for Halloween and went trick or treating, and Lunchbox and I went to the Smith and Daughters cookbook launch. Tuesday saw me slower than usual after those jalapeno margaritas. Oy.
Did you have a nice weekend? Have you quite recovered?
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
I was thinking of you at the weekend. I see the weather gods got the memo – sounds like everyone had a fabulous time. Now I want dumplings…
Tina Lacy says
So glad you had a good time, the girls look so grown up. My weekend involved coffee shop coffee but now I want rabbit hole tea and I don’t even drink tea!
Chelsey @ Chelsey Crafts says
Yesss, I’m loving all of the blooming Jacarandas around Sydney atm!
Looks like you all had a good weekend. How good is Bodhi?
I’m still yet to try The Rabbit Hole. It’s been on my list for aaagges. I really should get around to it.
Stacey says
I liked the Rabbit Hole better than I liked Bodhi!
Cat@Life through the haze says
Sounds like you had a fantastic weekend!! xoxo
Stacey says
it was a nice break from the usual!
hugzillablog says
Sydney. Great place to visit, shit place to live.
Stacey says
It’s not my favourite place, that’s for sure…