Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park

A few weeks ago there was a special series sponsored by the Sydney Morning Herald called Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park. Basically, all these delicious Asian restaurants come set up booths for a massive food fest and everyone enjoys the park lit up at night. Louise, Matt and I met for an incredible evening of skewers, dumplings and noooooodles.

Hunter Valley.

Our wine-tasting tour to Hunter Valley was so wonderful and relaxing! We caught a tour that picked us up from Central Station and then took us to five vineyards, the famous smelly cheese shop and a chocolate/gelato place. I mean, heavenly. And we lucked out and got incredible weather!

I think my facebook photos document the trip a little better than this, but here are some highlights:

Suuuuuuuper serious about the tasting.






Our tour group! :)


Ending the day with some gelato.

Picnic Rally in the Botanic Gardens.

Hannah was so sweet and invited me out to her friend's picnic-rally called Justice for Jock a couple weekends ago. Long story short, her friend Lauren's ex-boyfriend's brother (convoluted, I know) has been imprisoned in Bulgaria for the past three years for a crime he committed in self-defense. It's a pretty complicated story, so if you're really curious you can read more at www.freejock.com. The actual rally was pretty heartbreaking -- testimonials from his family/friends, explanations about the case and preparation for his appeals hearing the next week. I guess it's been a pretty sensationalized news story, so it was interesting to get to be there for the rally.

The rest of the day was so lovely, though, to just celebrate Jock's positivity and hope for the future. We just lounged in the gardens (overlooking the Harbour Bridge) and enjoyed some delicious snacks.

Remember how I said I'd take a better picture from Matt's window once we were better friends? Well, he's practically my brother now so I do a photo shoot nearly every time we hang out. Haha. GORGEOUS day this day, eh? Can you see the Harbour Bridge and the tip of the Opera House in the distance?

Breakfast boyfriend looking adorable in the park. :)


Our FEAST. I wish I'd set it up to look more attractive but it includes: Matt's homemade guacamole, olives + stuffed tomatoes, crackers/dip and the most delicious cheese selection from a fancy cheese shop on Bourke Street. Seriously -- when I bought (or, invested in rather) in these fancy cheese I got to sample like dozens of options. HEAVEN.

Botanic Gardens. Lovely day with a lovely lady.