I still call Australia home

My three weeks at home sped by so quickly I cannot believe I'm already back on my couch in Balham typing this - with the heating on I might add. I feel like I've been in a time warp having left summer behind and arrived on the doorstep of Christmas.

I had such a good time away. As well as Brisbane and Toowoomba, I had the pleasure of going to Noosa for Lou and AJ's wedding, and Sydney to visit Dunja, Dave & Piero.

I spent my time in Brisbane catching up with my friends and sometimes their little ones too, had G&Ts on the balcony with Rob, and drank as many good coffees as I possibly could! The best new cafe find is the Corner Store in Toowong. I loved the open, white aesthetic of the old Queenslander it's in, and the kitchen garden (very English!). Dinner at Montrachet with Lou and AJ was a treat, as was lunch at Peasant with Mum. I also really enjoyed dinner at Rhi's house with her wee family, drinks with the old gov't work crew, lunching with Alana and Isobel and checking out the shops in James St, Paddington and the mall (There are so many new stores in town! I picked up some pretty jewellery and some shoes which I can put to good use in London.).

Me with Alana and baby Isobel

My new favourite cafe

The cafe's kitchen garden

Rob at The Corner Store Cafe in Toowong

Aleta and her boys & Steph and her girls

Mum and I stayed at Little Cove at Noosa for a few nights. We lunched at Spirit House and Bistro C, and dined with Dave and Piero at Seasons. The highlight of the weekend was of course Louise and Andrew's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception at Berado's - one of the best weddings I've ever had the privilege of attending. I was so pleased to be there, and be part of the special day.

Spirit House

The end of a beautiful wedding

Dusk at the beach

Beautiful sunset

In Toowoomba, I spent some more time with Mum at home, had dinner at my cousin Kristy's new house, and visited Lisa's place just outside town. Seeing her horses and cows and the kangaroos bounding around on 80 acres of countryside just 15 minutes from town was fun.

Me and Kristy

Horses at Lisa & Hamish's place

Then it was off to Sydney. The five days there were an amazing amount of fun with Dunja, Dave and Piero, and having some quality time together too. We had a great time going out for breakfasts (at Bill's and Flat White), lunches at The Opera Bar and North Bondi Italian on Bondi Beach, dinner at Concrete Blonde for Dave's birthday, and drinks at the Ivy, Icebergs plus a dozen others I can't name! We watched the World Cup Rugby Final at The London pub, and did the pretty coastal walk from Bronte to Bondi taking in the ocean views and eastern city beaches. It was good to see friends, my aunt, and Sydney after so many years. I was shattered after that week though!

Hello Sydney!

Recovery brunch and bloody mary's at Bill's with Dunja

The view from the boy's balcony is nothing to look at

Terrible photo of me, but fun of Dave, Maria and Piero.

At Bondi Beach!

Delicious whole snapper at North Bondi Italian

The boys

Heading off for our coastal walk from Bronte

Beautiful. And all in Sydney!

Icebergs at Bondi

Having a Pimm's in Australia

Before I knew it, my last few days in Brisbane had disappeared, I was saying my goodbyes, and was back on the plane to London.