Ten Magnificent Melbourne Moments

I’m writing this on the plane home to Auckland. Three days in Melbourne have disappeared faster than the glass of NV Larmandier-Bernier Longitude Brut we downed at Luxembourg on Saturday night. I feel rejuvenated and ready to return to life. I missed my husband and children but know I will return to them a more rested and culturally satisfied woman. My-Friend-Jarrod kept asking if we were doing enough. Darling, if you are reading this, I had a ball. To slow down, to lounge and to talk—about the finer points of grammar, the career success of Barbra Streisand, how to roll perfect seashells of cream with a hot spoon, and the echoes of parallel lives—was the salve this girl needed.

Here are my top ten moments…in no particular order:

1. Having time to lounge around the apartment in borrowed PJs and read Vanity Fair 100 Years: From the Jazz Age to Our Age

2. Jarrod’s decadent spicy meatballs paired with hugs from Davey

3. Talking words and music at Readings St. Kilda with Alec Patric, one of my favourite Aussie authors (read my review of his latest book Black Rock White City here)

4. The whole flounder à la meunière at Luxembourg French Bistro in St. Kilda

5. The exquisite chocolate tart and Pedro Ximenez Sherry also at Luxembourg

6. Watching Luke play soccer and being an honorary soccer mum

7. Sunday morning stroll through Fitzroy Gardens and conversation with My-Friend-Jarrod

8. Hosting at Escala Partners (a Molecule Architect’s project designed by My-Friend-Jarrod) at Open House Melbourne. Including meeting Open House Melbourne’s Creative Director, the lovely Emma Telfer 

9. The gloriously creamy porridge with maple, banana and pecans at South of Johnston (key: soak the oats overnight in milk)

10. Prahran Markets: talking shooting ranges with Chad at Pete n Rosie’s Deli, and seeing the market’s historical photo exhibition. And feeling invigorated by the care and craftsmanship exhibited by the stall-holders.