We had an afternoon picnic of delicious macarons at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair in the Botanic Gardens first. n.b. I always thought it was "macaroons" but apparently those are an entirely different beast. They came in attractive flavors like passion fruit, jasmine, and rose.
She told me about her adventuring in Italy earlier this year and played with my Diana. She was attacked by a magpie in the middle of explaining their belligerent tendencies to me, and told me to make sure I saw a galah while I was in Australia. [I did, when I was with my Perth beautifuls.]
We walked and walked around around the western side of the city. Woolamaloo, King's Cross, a little Paddington, some other names I can't remember now, and back to the city center.
She gave me the name of the beautiful purple-blossomed trees I'd seen around the city--jacaranda--and we played the accent/vocabulary game, and she assured me I didn't need to worry about looking first right, then left as I crossed streets, because nobody looks before crossing the street in Sydney. [Too much sky? That would be my explanation. In Australia, you must look up.]
She brought me to a park in her neighborhood where some clever knitters had clothed some of the tree branches, sculptures, bike racks, and sign posts in woolly sleeves.
And where there was a DANDELION FOUNTAIN. I shrieked a little when I figured it out.
She pointed to this apartment building. I like this name, she said. Me too.
And she showed me one of the fanciest (in a modern way) bathrooms I have ever seen. It was in an upscale shopping gallery. Very sleek. Very modern. Oui.
If you don't read Rachel's blog, you should start now with this post. I think if you like me, you will like her, because she is definitely a kindred spirit.
Rachel - thank you again for the nicest afternoon. If/when I move to Sydney, you will be the first person I tell.
