Many of you have asked how I never plan a weekend but still manage so many escapades! I have chronicled one of the weekends here to put an end to the mystery -
SATURDAY, Aug.26
I wake up around 9 am. That's early for a weekend by my standard. Prashant is not by my side. I get off the bed groggy-eyed and feel terrible about missing the body-pump class yet again. Prashant must have tried to wake me up but no matter what, nidra-devi, or the goddess of sleep, never betrays me. I get on to Facebook as you do first thing in the morning and see a colleague chilling in a Canberra hotel watching Spongebob Squarepants; a cousin had posted pictures of festivities back in India while the ruthless social media app was throwing up pictures from eons ago of me frolicking in Goa. I ache to go home. I think about how my work-out routine has gone awry, I haven't read a book in a while and my blogging has taken a backseat.
9.30 am
I call my kid sister. She is a comic (not by profession) who rips me apart with her cheeky one-liners aimed solely at me. I can have the most serious discussions with her while being facetious at the same time. We talk for almost an hour every day and I laugh the most when we are together. But, the hour long chat can't go on today as its almost time for Prashant to get back so I hang up... because it's embarrassing to wake up late and then while away time on the phone when you should be killing it in the gym!
1015 am
While chatting with the sister I google some weekend getaways around Sydney. As soon as Prashant enters, I declare we are going to the Southern Highlands, that it's a short drive and I'll be at the wheels. Prashant is not impressed. He isn't a spur-of-the-moment person but gives in. Who wants to argue with their wife when the weekend has only just begun?
I book a farmstay on Hume Highway while Prashant beats up some healthy smoothies for us. Shamelessly, I gulp down a glass at a lightening pace because it's so delicious.
12.30 pm
Time to clear the fridge for some leftovers, wrap-up lunch, pack for the night away and get going.
1.30 pm
Driving on Australian roads at 110 kmph with some good music for company is my cheap thrill. I wrote about how much I love it in my previous blog so won't bore you with more of the same. It helps that Prashant is not such a driving enthusiast and is happy to be just a charming road companion. We see lots of dead kangaroos and possums on the highway and that same night, I am afraid, Prashant may have killed one on a pitch dark road with no street lights.
4 pm
A couple of wrong turns later we reach our destination - the Forest Farm. Maria's expansive property is right on the highway so it's quite abrupt to go from 110 kmph to 0 kmph in 30 seconds. A white metal gate leads us into an endlessly long driveway lined with tall trees on both sides. Across the wired fence, adjacent to the driveway, several sheep stand static while some hens romp around a small yard. As we drive in, some horses show up too, although we learn later they aren't owned by our generous hosts. We meet Maria at the porch as we park the car. She leads us into her woodfired-warm living area which gives way to our assigned cosy little bedroom.
6 pm
It's freezing outside as we abandon our room for the cold unease of our surrounds. We take pictures of all and sundry, but within minutes find ourselves returning for some piping-hot tea. Maria joins us in the kitchen and we share our life's stories, biting into peanut biscuits and home-baked Italian cake which our host is very generous to share. We learn that Maria has spent several years in Tasmania and so we start taking tips for November. What fun, planning a holiday while on a holiday!
7 pm
An hour of chatting and tea later we decide to head out for an early dinner as Maria warns most restaurants shut early. Since the Forest Farm is quite remote, we drive about 15 minutes to Moss Vale. We are craving for pizzas so we head to the highly recommended and well-rated Fraccaro's Italian Restaurant The place is buzzing with boisterous laughs, clinking of wine glasses and clattering of cutlery. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, enough to stir up our appetite. We are prepared to wait as the place is choc-a-block but the unexpected happens -- We find a table for two in no time but the restaurant has now run out of pizza bases so they are only serving pastas for the night. I love pastas, don't get me wrong, but today is not the day. We walk out disappointed and head for our second best option... any guesses?
(If you follow my blog, you'd already be surprised at not finding any mention of Thai so far)
It's never too late! Thankfully we are only a stone's throw away from Sattahip Thai Restaurant - We drive about 100 metres from Fraccaro's because it's too chilly and windy to walk. I gobble up a vegetarian Pad Thai while Prashant sticks to his chicken cashewnut and steam rice. The food, while slightly dearer than Sydney, is quite delicious.
SUNDAY, Aug 27
10 am: We eat a delectable breakfast of fruits, cereals, cakes and breads at Maria's, cuddle the little Cleo and check-out, hoping to visit again. On the way back we stop at Berrima - a picture-postcard town which boasts of some of the best restaurants in the Southern Highlands. We walk along cherry blossom-lined roads and admire the quaint cottages and beautiful gardens along the way. We go to the Berrima Sunday Markets as well, but don't buy or eat anything. Next stop Bowral.
12.30 pm
Bowral is the largest town in the Southern Highlands. It is also known for the International Cricket Hall of Fame in honour of its most famous resident - Don Bradman. We'll visit Bowral again for a cricket and heritage tour, but it's almost lunch time and we're both hungry now. We stop at Centennial Vineyards, one of scores of wineries in Bowral, which also houses a supremely popular restaurant. We buy a bottle of Chardonnay there and then head to fill our appetite. The waiting staff apologises to us as the restaurant is booked out weeks in advance. For the second time in less than 24 hours we are unable to eat at a restaurant of our choice -- just goes to show how popular this region is. We look up TripAdvisor for other lunch options and head to Gumnut Pattiserie - one of the best bakeries in Bowral. We order some croissants and savoury pasties and pack some for the way back. It's a must stop if you are anywhere near Bowral - whether it's for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea - Gumnut will have something for you.
3.30 pm
Back in Sydney... and back to the grind!
