It was such a crazy weekend in Sydney weather wise – glorious blue sky one minute, cyclonic rain the next.
Rain or shine, I crammed the days with the usual whirl of adventures.
Things got off to a fun start with an invitation to help Ron Santiago de Cuba rum celebrate its Australian launch at Sydney’s La Farmacia.
To mark its arrival in Australia, Ron Santiago de Cuba rum cocktails are on offer every Friday and Saturday night in May, including keenly priced Cuba Libres ($10), Mojitos ($15) and Piña Coladas ($12).
We loved the Mojitos, which featured a perfect balance of flavours, including fresh mint, lime and just the right touch of sweetness.
The friendly bar staff also served a fabulous Tropical Pina with Ron de Santiago de Cuba rum, tequila, coco lopez, pineapple and fresh lime.
And they made DD a sensational Mandarin Margarita with a smoked salt rim. Yum!
La Farmacia serves Mexican street food in an eclectic, vibrant setting on Stanley Street in inner-city Darlinghurst, just a few doors down from where I once owned an apartment.
I loved those inner city years, living a short walk across Hyde Park to work at Cosmo magazine. Stanley Street has come a long way since then, it’s crammed with buzzing bars and restaurants.
DD called La Farmacia a “young person’s restaurant” because it’s a bit noisy … in a fun way!
As for the food, we couldn’t go past the tacos on the menu, made with soft corn or flour tortillas. Among the stand-outs were the tacos with cauliflower, pico de gallo and chipotle mayo ($8 each) and the beer-battered barramundi tacos with slaw and habanero salsa ($11 each).
Our bubbly Dutch server also recommended trying the Al Pastor Tacos and we’re so glad we took her advice.
The tacos feature adobo-spiced pork shoulder roasted on a spit and served with pineapple and red onion. The result is a heavenly taste explosion of smoky, spicy flavour. Very delicious!
On Saturday I went for a walk with friends on Balmoral Beach and had delicious brekkie at Pasture. The weather was absolutely glorious for a May day. I ordered poached eggs with field mushrooms, feta and dukkah.
Afterwards, I popped upstairs to see my neighbour Jenny who is off to sing in Carnegie Hall and needs someone to water the plants while she’s gone. Then I met with the departing unofficial head of the apartment block to get the building’s plans and was daunted by her estimate that she spends a day a week on admin.
Then I headed up the coast to visit DD.
The weather was so lovely that I decided a swim was in order. DD wasn’t so keen, but he came along to undertake lifesaving and secret photographer duties while I had a splash in the gorgeous surf. (Must go on a health kick, there’s way too much extra padding on my back.)
After a hot shower we curled up on the lounge with a glass of wine and I ran DD through my proposed holiday plans for 2028, followed by dinner at one of our favourite local haunts.
At bedtime we lay listening to the most torrential storm unfold. The rain was absolutely pelting down. It sounded like we’d been hit by a wild cyclone, but I eventually drifted off.
On Sunday I had an existential crisis for breakfast on DD’s sofa, followed by a succulent Chinese lunch and a surprisingly relaxed afternoon trip to IKEA for some bits and bobs including a new mattress for my spare room.
Then DD dropped me home and we headed off to our respective supermarkets to gather supplies for the week ahead.
Hope you had a good weekend and didn’t spring any leaks.
Now another week begins and my search for purpose and meaning continues.
Song of the day: Savage Garden “Affirmation”
housegoeshome 
Leave a comment