australia, day 12: another crimson grail.

The Powerball randomness of hourly/daytime temperatures this week in Sydney. Two Chaps for brunch: great coffee; beet and watermelon juice; corn sourdough crumpets.

Then I went to sound check and performance number two. While waiting for the bus my nose caught the scent of my first Australian barbie. Sniff sniff.

Sniff sniff.

But I had no time to investigate further. Instead I had to revisit my shattered plectrum and my orchestral section who was having a quick huddle after having gone a bit mushy the night before.

Meanwhile Nelson had an enviably good pizza from Manoosh, Sydney's #1 (Lebanese) takeout pizza.

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australia, day 11: a crimson grail.

Nelson was off in the Blue Mountains and I had some practical matters to attend to: printing tickets, buying a white t-shirt, and putting my tooth on Sydney’s best banh mi at Marrickville Pork Roll.

Everything I’ve read about this place warns that there is always a line, any time, night or day. Might I recommend 09:27 Friday morning. No line. And yes, the best banh mi I’ve had, which isn’t saying much, but it was a great sandwich. 

Then, printing: 2 dollars. T-shirt: 4 dollars. 

australia, day 10: coogee to bondi walk.

Above, Coffee Alchemy, worth the mile walk because we finally figured out what kind of coffee Nelson should be ordering: a soy or oat latte with an extra shot. Below, the outset of our 1 hour bus ride to the eastern beaches; San Antonio Sourdough in Coogee and their version of the ubiquitous bacon and egg roll, my first, and one of the absolute best things I’ve eaten here. I’ve had some since this one and all they really did was help me to understand what makes this one succeed: serve it in brioche; add aioli with a little hit of good garlic; and throw in half a handful of wilted arugula. Chicken biscuit level good. Then we walked from Coogee to Bondi, 3 hours’ worth. Then had a bunch of pretty healthy vegetables at Drake. I had a couple of oysters. Then an epic bus ride back. Then Chatham. Then Corridor, Istanbul, and Mary’s, to where I would like to return.

australia, day 9: morning commute, manly snorkel, insulting quesadilla, lord nelson, gig bag success, opal abuse, where’s nick.