Crazy whirl

I need to let the grass grow under my feet for a few weeks … but that does not appear to be what the universe has planned for me.

Things have been a bit hectic over the past few days … as per exhaustingly usual …

It was handy to have a blog post about the youngest’s graduation up my sleeve, followed by a guest post from DD, because I’ve been on the go from dawn til bedtime every day.

Let me get you up to speed.

On Sunday night I finally caught up with an old friend and give her a hug after a really tough time. She is such a strong and resilient woman. I am truly awed by her. We ate steaks and too many frites at the pub and laughed and reminisced about our high school years.

On Monday night I met my Newie friends Darren and Kirsten in Sydney’s CBD. Kirsten is dairy and gluten intolerant so I took them to the most delicious restaurant called Esteban for dinner, where absolutely everything on the menu was gluten free. She was sooooooo excited.

We feasted on slow-roasted lamb shoulder with consommé and pickled chilli; smoked kipfler potatoes with roasted jalapeño crema; and grilled chayote squash, yellow squash and radicchio with mole verde and toasted sunflower seed vinaigrette.

Yuuuuum.

Then we popped around the corner to a bar called The Lobo for post-dinner cocktails.

I looked like a nightlife hero because there was a party raging when we walked down the spiral staircase, with flaming cocktails and other excitements.

One of the party attendees was an industry mate called Scott from The Whisky List. He slid into our booth for a chitter chat while we sipped the most delicious cocktail – a Pino Loca, a Cuban twist on the classic French 75. with Bacardi Superior rum, Massenez Pina Coco (whatever that is), clarified pina-lime and prosecco. Mmmmmmm.

There was no rest for the wicked last night. I rallied for cocktails with my friend Claudia at the Paddo Inn’s new pop-up, Rina’s Bar, a Roman-style wine bar.

Rina’s Bar has partnered with Campari to create an aperitivo and cocktail list and I was invited along by the PR company to take it for a test drive. It’s a gorgeous space tucked beside the pub with its own separate entrance and the most lovely, friendly bar staff.

We sipped on cocktails including the Amaro Colada, featuring Braulio Amaro, salted coconut and pineapple; the Green & Gold with Patrón Silver, Ancho Reyes Verde, charred pineapple, lime and Annato; and the House Negroni with Bombay Sapphire, Campari, 1757 Rosso and clarified raspberry.

There was also a divine Prosecco and a tasty selection of antipasto.

We feasted on a salumi misti featuring Parma prosciutto, mortadella, fennel salami and parmigiano reggiano, and fell in love with the tuna carpaccio with fried capers.

It was excellent to catch up with Claudia, who I have known FOREVER. She saved me from homelessness during The Recession by giving me freelance work.

Wow that makes us sound old.

She has just returned from a holiday in Sicily and gave me lots of awesome tips on where to go.

It is apparently traditional to end an evening at Rina’s with limonello shots … who am I to argue with tradition?

And then I treated myself to a cab home.

I would like to say I am slowing down for the rest of the week, but no.

Today features a visit to the dog groomer that will cost me more than a trip to my hairdresser, plus I’m catching up with out-of-town friends tonight. The word “dancing” has been mentioned …

Then Thursday is an exciting whirl of a trip to the neurologist with the youngest, followed by dinner with my former Cosmopolitan colleagues.

Fortunately Friday and Saturday nights are free. Phew … I will need some time to recharge for DD’s return on Sunday!

Song of the day: George Michael & Elton John “Don’t let the sun go down on me”