An autumnal weekend

I have had such a great three days.


On Sunday, I bundled Kip into the car and we set off to Canberra to meet Ben after the Outdoor trade show. After the three hour drive down, we had not only travelled to a different state but to a different season. There were leaves on the ground, acorns scattered across the grass and a seriously British chill in the air that took me by surprise. 

Luckily I had thrown my down jacket and merino gloves into the boot - not because I believed the legends about how cold Canberra could be but because I hadn't worn either in earnest yet and wanted to take up the excuse to put on new toys. 


Once I had layered up, Ben and I walked the dog around Lake Burley-Griffin on a perrrrfect sunny autumn afternoon.


I had forgotten how good fallen leaves smell. The actually have a scent, and it's so fresh and homely and crunchy. Hmmmmm.


Then we ate Nepalese in an obscure suburb in Canberra because all eateries in Canberra bar Gus' and Essen are in obscure suburbs.


The next day we had breakfast with Ben's sister at Lonsdale Street Roasters. Apparently the coffee is so good that Ben had to mention the visit 3 times in the following 24 hours. I don't drink coffee (oh shut uuuuup already, yes I still have a great life) but I can still recommend that place for the slow-roasted-pork-panini. Happy breakfast. It's so good that it makes up for the hipster vibe in there and even partly for the bikes hanging on the walls. 


After walking the dog again around a different part of the Lake because I was so enjoying the autumnally-yummy-ness, we drove to Braidwood to see our wonderful friend Sam. That afternoon included (and I'm not making this up, it was this good): 
- beef and sauerkraut sandwiches, 
- a bike ride with all accompanying larks, 
- lemon myrtle tea in front of a wood burner, 
- pizza-pizza-pizza, 
- apple crumble 
- and we even fitted in a BBC drama. 


I'm sure living in a small town of 1,100 like Braidwood can't be as perfect as it looks but it can't be far off with a bakery like Dojo Bread. Those chocolate fruit buns (think hot cross bun with a kilo of melted chocolate inside) would make up for a great deal of nosiness/inbreeding/early closing hours.


I got to explore the town some more whilst Ben and Sam played golf like grown ups before meeting me at the Lolly Store and sharing their NINE packets of sweets like children.


Friends, bread, and the smell of fallen leaves. Thank you life.