Lockdown

While we are sort of at the office and sort of not, we are encouraged to work from home, but every now and then we go into work - mainly on days where we have arranged to meet up together for lunch, which we usually do at The Turkish Pide House, where I like to order one of the chef's fusion dishes. 

Akendiz - swordfish infused with garlic, olive oil, tahini, and lemon sauce, served with saffron risotto

And then, due to COVID cases in the ACT, we went into lockdown - for the next two weeks we are only allowed to leave the house to get vaccinated, get groceries and medications, if one is an essential worker, or for one hour of exercise per day. In a fortuitous coincidence I received a parcel that very day. And I had also walked to the shops to get my 'non-panic-buying groceries. That's my essential shopping done for the week, then.

Typical weekly shop

Naturally there was consternation and much sadness about the news. So a group of us raised an on-line glass to commiserate with each other. Cheers!

 

Joking aside, once again I appreciate how lucky we are to have our garden in which we can relax with the butterflies and Melantho can prove that Tiggers don't climb trees. 

At the weekend I was able to go for a (carefully-timed) bike ride in Black Mountain Nature Reserve with Him Outdoors. Once again, I am very grateful to live where we do.

Shortest Days: Longest Nights: Coming Home

We have reached the middle of the year, and here in the Southern Hemisphere, that means the days are short and the nights are long. It's also cold. Penelope spends much of her time in her snuggly bed, and she isn't keen to be disturbed.

Is it coming home? We hope so. On our family chat group, we are all watching the Euro 2020 and commenting on England's progress. Big Brother and I are proudly sporting our colours. Yes, I look tired - it was 5am. 

The weather has been cold and wet, but when it clears up and the sun shines, the walks are always beautiful around here.

Black Mountain Nature Reserve

Walking with the Walking Crew at the weekend was cold again, but we had a mission - get to the café for breakfast - so we wrapped up warm and off we went!

I loved coming across these feathers in a tree-stump. Native American culture traditionally considers feathers to be gifts from the sky, which carry with them the power of the birds, wind and air, and the power of the sky gods. The central hollow shaft of the feather can be seen as a way to send prayers to the Creator and also to receive blessings or messages.

Apparently, feathers represent freedom of mind and heart, and the ability to travel, change, and move through life freely. Feathers are a symbol of flight and freedom; like a bird that soars through the boundless sky and has a view of all things from high above, feathers symbolise the ability to transcend and move beyond mental barriers and limitations; to see the larger picture and understand what really matters. This may all sound a bit naff, but I find it quite meaningful, particularly in these times of Covid. 

I read an article about symbolism in nature, which suggested that when you see a feather a tree, you are being asked to 'go out on a limb' for a situation to gain fruition. You are being guided to stretch your limits; push yourself higher; approach things from a different angle. Your goals and dreams are within reach: you just need to apply a little more effort to reach them. Whatever, I like them.

Cold hands: warm hearts with The Luminosity and Purple Lady

At Winter Solstice, I tend to indulge my pagan side. I sweep out the house, removing the bad energy through the back door and I bring in the new growth and colour (rosemary, lavender and hebe) through the front. I drink a dark beer and/or a mulled wine (not pictured) and I light a candle to represent the beginning of the lengthening of days and bring in the light.

Indoor and Outdoor Hobbies

We have been watching The Handmaid's Tale. So, it seems, have many other people judging by this sign outside the Gosford Anglican Church, equating repressive legislation with the fiction regime of Gilead in Margaret Atwood's tale of dystopian society. I made the cross-stitch for a friend's birthday - we watched each episode of the show and avidly discussed it - and we particularly liked the episode in which 'muffins mean yes'.

Him Outdoors got all creative with his designated night's cooking. There's a duck breast under all that. 

Another nice morning's walk for breakfast - this time through The Pinnacles to Rocksalt. 

Corned Beef Hash

Vegetable Stack

Our next puzzle begins to take shape...

And things are blooming in the garden, even though it's mid-winter. 

The tracks and trails around Black Mountain and through Aranda Bushland are perfect for biking at this time of year. 

Spectacularly busy social life

Still not yet permitted to run due to probable torn meniscus, but I can still ride, and so I do.

Black Mountain

Aranda Bushland

 

Graffito at Aranda Playing Fields

Meeting friends for lunch is still one of life's great pleasures - especially when it's Calamity Sue at Rocksalt with bacon chocolate stout cheesecake (topped with candied bacon caramel) on the menu.

Calamity Sue poised to attack dessert

The emergence of a new brewery is always exciting news. We went along to the launch of Capital Brewing Company, which is a collaboration between the founders of Batlow Cider Co. and the owners of Honky Tonks and Hippo Co. bars. So far their beers are a version of a California Common (Coast Ale), a Pale Ale (Trail), and a Red IPA (Evil-Eyed Red). They're all pretty good (the Red IPA was my favourite), and they plan to use the locally-grown hops at Batlow, previously famed for its apples, so that's another industry we can all support.

On our long weekend, the boys experimented with brewing in the garage.

Him Outdoors and General Philosopher working hard...

...apparently.

Meanwhile, the girls went to the National Gallery of Australia, where we experienced, art, culture, conversation and lunch - what a great day!

Patience Itself, Design Diva, and Calamity Sue at the NGA

And then we reconvened to enjoy a well-deserved high tea at The Poggle & Bucket.