... not that I haven't had a lovely time and all but ... I'm tired, I'm running out of clean socks and I miss my Pingu and my Small and cooking for myself and vegetables and home.
Last night we went to Chez Panisse, thanks to Cookiecrumb & Cranky making the booking for us. I don't know how they managed it, who they bribed, but we got the best seat in the house, right up the front in the window, under the little wooden gable. It was all I hoped it would be, starting with the heirloom tomato carpaccio with sweet pepper relish and rocket, followed bu local petrale sole with green grapes and pinenuts, then grilled Sonoma Liberty duck breast with aged balsamico, roasted onions, shell beans, and pancetta (Mr Brown's favourite) and finishing up with black mission fig crostata with wild fennel ice cream. We drank a bottle of Stubbs Pinot Noir, because it came from Marin County, it was wonderful too.
This morning we took a cable car down town and almost missed a very important date, our much anticipated lunchtime mini blog meet.
Today we finally met some virtual friends, Zoomie and her lovely husband at the Hog Island Oyster bar at the Ferry Building. Just like our earlier meet up with a virtual friend, Lee over at Pink Granite, all went well. Our wonderful, generous hosts were neither dull nor axe murderers, which was such a relief. We ate, oysters of course, as well as many, many other things (clam chowder, some sort of fish cheek, a grilled cheese sandwich - all come to mind), chatted and then wandered the delights that is the Ferry Building. Zoomie introduced me to a $2000 squirrel that Mr Brown declined to buy for me and I bought some decadent chocolate.
We did not get to meet Cookiecrumb, who's been most unwell and terribly sad of late, so the day was not perfect, but it was almost perfect.
We are armed with some excellent suggestions for dinner, though the idea of putting on my PJs and eating a bowl of cereal it also tempting. I've reached the end of my holiday bliss ... apparently you can have too much of a good thing, I'd never have believed it.
Friday, September 18
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7 comments:
I've never taken such a lovely, long holiday. But I know that even during a single week's vacation I periodically feel torn between home and wherever I am.
So glad none of us blog friends turned out to be axe murderers nor snooze inducers! I wish I could make time stand still long enough for CookieCrumb to feel well enough to meet you and Mr. Brown.
Safe journey back home to Ping, Small, Possum(s) and the rest of your family and friends in Sydney!
We are lucky you graced us by your visit and are grateful you opened our eyes to the treasures to be found in our own "backyard"...
;o)
- Lee
Bon Voyage and enjoy the pleasures of home as much as you did the pleasures of being here. Love the "Excited States"! I'm gonna steal that.
Unfortunately I didn't get to meet the Brown Mouse household this time around, but I will see you Oz! Have a safe flight home and yes squeeze those girls till they can hardly breathe.
I couldn't be sadder, now, having missed meeting you and Mr. Brown. You can tell from the enthusiasm I mustered on cyberpaper how eager I was to join you at lunch... Alas, the old physical self rebelled.
What an explosive visit to the United States! You did it all (except for the fly-over states, and there's a lot to love there, too). You are deservedly exhausted.
My friend Zoomie tells me how lovely you both are; I'll just wait for next time (or if I ring your door and ask to see if the water in your toilet flushes "backwards," you'll know it's me).
Such a lovely post and I am so glad you enjoyed meeting everyone. Ping and Small will be all over you like a cheap suit!!
Safe travels to you and Mr Brown, enjoy an inflight Bloody Mary for me ;)
CAW xxxx
Lee - Really? I've taken longer that this - it does rather ruin the few clothes you've taken but otherwise, plan yourself a long holiday Missy, with a trip down under being the first stop.
Zoomie, steal away, I stole if from my friend CAW!
O E !! Are you coming to OZ? To Sydney?? Hell, even if it's only Melbourne I'm going to wander down. What a hoot!
Cookie - I was sooooo disappointed but I understand. Being sick & sad is just horrible, and if it's doctor visit worthy, poor, poor you. The has to be a next time, there's so much more to do. But I fear you'll be disappointed by our toilets, there's not nearly so much water in them as yours, we don't get that whirlpool effect!
CAW - Ping ran away from me, seeking comfort from my MOTHER!! I'm not speaking to either of them.
Well, once we flew to Seattle and then drove home to Massachusetts (in order to transport a vehicle). But even that took just two weeks or so, start to finish and it was what we firmly describe as "a trip NOT a vacation".
Thank you again for the invitation! One never knows...
;o)
- Lee
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