There’s nothing like a walk with friends to recharge your batteries and even better if it’s by water. As I live very near the Swan River in Perth I often meet friends here for a walk, or it could be along the beach or around a lake. We are spoilt for choice in Perth.
Matilda Bay, Perth
Unplug your mind,Recharge your soul
I don’t walk often enough as I feel I have to have someone with me, whereas my dear hubby can walk for two hours a day with our boys, Zac and Rufus.
My Dad, who passed away earlier this year also liked to walk along the river.
My Dad and Rufus
Swimming in the sea is also a great way to recharge, although better if it’s warm! The beaches in Perth are fantastic and we have miles and miles of coastline with many choices. It takes a while to get used to the coldness but once you’re in, so refreshing and you definitely come out recharged.
I’m looking forward to a long summer here in Perth, which is always guaranteed.
“You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens.” Mandy Hale
December started off with a bang, literally, as I went to see the latest 0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ film with a friend at our local cinema. It was the last one for Daniel Craig and we both enjoyed it, although it’s a mighty long film. Full of twists and turns and action packed as usual. The gadgets getting more techno every film. Daniel Craig has done a good job throughout but for me James Bond = Sean Connery. As I came out of the cinema I saw one of my first Christmas decorations.
“let me out”
~Time for the tree to go up ~
On 2nd December Lachie decided it was time for the tree to go up. All the decorations we could find went on the tree. He was very happy with the result.
Also this first week was the start of the parties, brunches, lunches and dinners. Anthony and I went for dinner one night to a local restaurant, Miss Chow’s and had the most delicious dinner.
Sang Choy Bao Sweet and Sour Pork Spicy Crispy Squid
The tree and decorations in the town of Claremont, WA
A few days later it was our Zumba Christmas Party, held at our lovely instructor’s house in her amazing beautiful garden. The food was delicious and of course there was dancing.
A week later there was another zumba party, this time it was brunch attended by 55 ladies! So much food. It was held at another lovely instructor’s house, Laura. We were all asked to bring a small gift to put under the tree for Secret Santa. I couldn’t stay too long as I had another Christmas lunch to go to at the Bridge Club. I struck lucky with my gift, herb scissors and a basil plant, very useful.
It was a very hectic month indeed with a couple more parties and dinners with friends, but such a wonderful lead up to Christmas Eve. This was when the summer really arrived with temperatures in the forties for Christmas and Boxing Day.
We always celebrate Christmas Eve with a seafood dinner. On Christmas Day for the past few years we have been going to our neighbours for Christmas lunch as daughter and son visit respective parents. It is always good fun as they host for around 16 people!
Christmas Eve Table
Just a small table this year as Laurence and Maddy were back in Melbourne, due to the closure of the borders, but still a delicious menu of Cucumber Soup, Smoked Salmon, Cold Prawns and Potato and Green Salad.
Before After
Santa also brought a big green slide that he spent nearly all night trying to assemble!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
From Boxing Day until the 29th December we are gradually clearing the house up for our departure to England, we are off to see my parents. Thankfully Elena and Damian are moving in to take care of our two boys so they don’t have to go into kennels.
What a rigmarole to fly back, tests to be taken, forms to fill out, boosters to be had and more tests once we arrive. It will be worth it though to see my parents after such a long time.
My December gallery
Time for a swim!
Jacaranda Trees Crayfish SaladA hazy sunset over the Swan River
I thought it was high time we went out for dinner in the city, so yesterday I booked a restaurant that we’ve been to before but not for a while. Normally we tend to just visit our local as we know what we’re getting and always enjoy it! But time for a change. We only live 15 minutes away so it’s not a hassle.
When we arrived our hostess showed us to our table upstairs. I didn’t even know this place had an upstairs let alone a roof top area. We had a lovely table with an outside heater, although one arm got very warm while the other froze! I wondered being right at the top how the service would be. Well no worries there because we didn’t have to wait long at all. The service at this restaurant is first class and the atmosphere was wonderful.
Hubs and me enjoying city life at night on the rooftop of The Standard, Northbridge, Perth
OUR FOOD
Here we have Garlic Potato Gems, Caramelised Pork Satay Dip with Puffed Rice Crackers, Crispy Fried Chicken, Shredded Duck with Rolled Turmeric Wafer and Jumbo Tiger Prawns in Black Pepper Butter.
The menu had a few sections, Eats, Small Plates and Large Plates. We went for a few small plates, before I got too carried away the waitress stopped me and said that’s enough!
Accompanied by a Tasmanian Pinot Noir
I think Perth must be one of the few cities left in Australia where the hospitality industry is booming. I hope before too long that the other capital cities begin to thrive again soon.
PS: I posted some photos on Facebook and Instagram but cut off Hubby’s head! I sure got lots of comments about that.
Posted as part of Six Word Saturday hosted by Debbie at Travel with Intent.
The skies across Perth this week have been vastly different from one day to the next. We are used to the bluest skies, but with bush fires raging across Perth the sky has turned grey.
We live a good 30 minutes away but there has been ash in the garden and the smell of smoke was very strong.
Over 70 homes were lost in these fires, along with all possessions. The fires spread so quickly that residents had to flee as quickly as possible. To make matters worse, thieves took whatever was left!
This restaurant is one that we have been meaning to visit for a long time. I can’t think why we’ve missed this wonderful place, maybe plans got in the way or the dreaded “C” word! Anyway amends have now been made and it was a definite hit for hubby and I.
Meeka’s cuisine is an Australian/Middle Eastern fusion, using local produce to create unique original dishes.
Outside looking in
We were greeted at the counter by the very affable Jack, aka Jacquimo. It didn’t take us long to realise he was running the place almost singlehanded, efficiently and with great humour!
I had a cocktail as usual, this time a Pomegranate Mojito and hubby went straight onto the red wine, and ordered the one below recommended by Jack. I even had a glass and I’m not a red wine drinker! 🍷 A light easy to drink bottle.
Ravensworth Murrumbateman Sangiovese, NSW
While we waited for our food to arrive I asked Jack if I could snap a few shots.
Meeka is very deceptive size wise and seems small on entering, but at the back there is another dining room for around 20 more diners.
Beautiful artwork on the walls and a large array of wines on display.
Slow Cooked Black Garlic Lamb Shoulder / Smokey Eggplant Puree / Green Beans / Spiced Jumbo Cous Cous / Muhammara
All these dishes were packed with flavour and the exotic ingredients used worked perfectly together. The favourite for both of us was the slow cooked black garlic lamb, melt in your mouth tenderness.
We both enjoyed the atmosphere at Meeka, made all the better for the wonderful service from Jack, obviously compliments to the chef too. It will be added to our favourite restaurants in Perth.
Long Chim in Perth is situated in the heritage listed State Building, Cathedral Square. This 140 year old building once housed Public Offices, a Police Court and cellblock, Treasury, Survey Department, GPO, Immigration Offices, office of the Premier and Cabinet, Lands Department and Titles Building. Just recently this building has been renovated to include upmarket bars, cafes and retail spaces, including the luxury COMO The Treasury Hotel.
We recently went for a pre-Christmas dinner to Long Chim to sample the tantalising Thai delights.
The decoration is “unfinished” crumbling brick work with funky murals on the walls. The umbrellas hanging from the ceiling on entry reminded me of Thai street markets.
To start
CRUNCHY PRAWNS herbs shallots chilli
GRILLED PORK SKEWERS
FRIED CHICKEN WINGS shallots cumin dark soy
Hubby said I would never eat prawns like this if he cooked them 🤣, but it felt rude not to try them. Complete with eyes and tail, I ate quite a few.
PINEAPPLE CURRY OF PORK coconut cream betel leaves
RICE NOODLES WITH CHINESE BROCCOLI soy egg bean curd
A perfect way to start our Christmas celebrations
Long Chim is a great place to go for celebrations with large groups. It has a warm and friendly atmosphere and the waitstaff are friendly and quick. Our food was on the table soon after we had ordered it. The menu is perfect for large groups as the dishes are good for sharing. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
After finishing dinner we had a wander around the city to have a look at the beautiful Christmas decorations. I think Perth has done a fantastic job this year.
We drove through Kings Park on our way home to look at the Perth Skyline all lit up.
I don’t walk often enough but now Spring is here it’s about time I got out a bit more! Trouble is I don’t like walking alone so I’ve started to take Rufus again. My dear hubby takes both dogs every day for two hours, so Rufus had a little treat this morning.
Perth skyline
There are still wildflowers in abundance along the path and I also found a raspberry bush, I was tempted to pick a few, maybe I’ll go back! All the footy teams were out for their Saturday matches.
To stop him licking his paws!
Sadly I had to leave Zac as the two of them together can’t behave
Time for another trip to a winery. This time we will be visiting Sittella Winery in Herne Hill, Swan Valley. We visited on a lovely sunny day in the week and it was a good job we had booked as it looked very busy. We had a table overlooking the beautiful vineyards that surround the restaurant.
The winery is named after the Sittella bird and they nest along the banks of the Swan River.
It was opened in 1998 by Simon and Maaike Berns. Maaike is Dutch Indonesian which is why the menu is so interesting.
My mum and dad enjoying the view
The restaurant is called The Nest and the menu had a great variety to select from so it took us a while.
Winemakers Plate; Kangaroo and to finish Sittella Strawberry Basket were just some of the dishes we had.
I have to mention the Sittella Strawberry Basket was without doubt the best dessert I have tasted in a long while!
Inside the restaurant, decorating the walls were some beautiful murals and artwork.
Even though it is winter now, everything is still so green and lush, except perhaps the vines themselves! The gazebo looks to be sinking and it’s not just a wonky photo I took.
Sittella is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. It’s definitely best to book especially on a weekend. As I mentioned it’s situated in the Swan Valley just over 30 minutes from Perth’s CBD. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did if you ever get a chance to visit.
Just minutes to spare before the sun disappeared completely. The sky then changes colour rapidly from a golden orange to a burnt orange.
We were out for dinner last night and I managed to catch this amazing sunset as I stepped out of the car and then around 20 minutes later another one from the restaurant.
Drag the slider to see the squares!
Fisherman catching the evening’s dinner and cargo ships waiting to dock at Fremantle Harbour.
As I live in this beautiful city of Perth I thought it was about time to do a post on Kings Park. It’s great for a short stroll or a longer walk, a picnic or a play with your kids. There are a few cafes and restaurants there where you can eat and enjoy the fantastic…
