our nations capital

it has been a long week. A good week, but a long week nonetheless. 48 hours was spent in Canberra, spread over 3 days, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for work. It was a suprisingly easy drive there from the office and back to the office on Wednesday, where I worked until 7pm. Madness! and will explain why I am so tried and crabby today, I guess, it might also have something to do with the late nights this week.

Enough whinging, I had a great 48 hours in Canberra, the drive down saw me accomplish a fair bit of knitting of the new scarf (not sure what my Manager thought of that one). And dinner on the first night with the participants of the Alliance was pretty sensational. We went to a restaurant called Benchmark, which is a short walk from the hotel. I dined on the pan fried western australian goat's cheese with semi dried tomatoes and an oregano balsamic syrup as an entree, frenched lamb rack with paris mash and forest berries finished with a rosemary jus for my main, and then super indulged by having the rhubarb and apple crumble with cinnamon and rosewater ice cream for desert. Each dish was served with a specially matched glass of wine. I slept really well that night.

On Tuesday night, I was lucky enough to have dinner with Uncle R, Auntie B and Cousin M1. Uncle R was kind enough to collect me from the hotel, I was too chicken to borrow the Managers car and drive myself as I have the uncanny knack when in Canberra of getting lost. I get disoriented at the best of times, so add in a circular grid pattern kind of development, and well forget it. Anyway, I thought the dinner the night before was great, but my Auntie B cooked a sensational 3 course meal; kumera and peanut soup, tasmanian salmon accompanied by steamed veges and a salad that had almonds in it, and a sticky date pudding (the whole thing made from scratch, yes even the sauce). Following dinner we had coffee and more Auntie B delights (dried apricots and fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate) at M1's new abode. Great food and company, it was a lovely evening. I am very fortunate to have such a warm and welcoming extended family.