Yesterday was vilely hot, but we went out to lunch anyway. We chose a brasserie down by the lake which I like for a number of reasons.
The first of my reasons agreed that it was too hot, and were deep in shade perhaps two hundred metres away from our lunch venue.
Clicking on any of the photos will enlarge them.
We only stayed long enough to admire them and take some photographs before going on to the brasserie where we were having lunch. It was a cool oasis.
Lunch was pleasant as always. I really like the way that a very small place caters to the dietary needs of carnivorous omnivores, vegetarians, vegans and the gluten intolerant. They also cater for dogs - who are very welcome.
Lunch over, we ambled back to about a hundred metres away from the kangaroos - who were still lounging in the shade as only kangaroos (or cats) can.
We had brought some bread with us to feed our next encounters. Who were very happy to see us, and not gentle about snatching it from our fingers.
Despite the heat it was a very pleasant interlude.
The first of my reasons agreed that it was too hot, and were deep in shade perhaps two hundred metres away from our lunch venue.
Clicking on any of the photos will enlarge them.
We only stayed long enough to admire them and take some photographs before going on to the brasserie where we were having lunch. It was a cool oasis.
Lunch was pleasant as always. I really like the way that a very small place caters to the dietary needs of carnivorous omnivores, vegetarians, vegans and the gluten intolerant. They also cater for dogs - who are very welcome.
Lunch over, we ambled back to about a hundred metres away from the kangaroos - who were still lounging in the shade as only kangaroos (or cats) can.
We had brought some bread with us to feed our next encounters. Who were very happy to see us, and not gentle about snatching it from our fingers.
Despite the heat it was a very pleasant interlude.
That brasserie looks as if it's a lovely, peaceful spot to eat. The kangaroo and swan pictures are excellent - the swans' bills are so very RED!
ReplyDeleteAlexia: It is a lovely spot. And the swans use those red beaks. Both of us were bitten when we were not fast enough with the bread. And as we left, (breadless)they followed us honking indignantly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty spot. This is the first time I have seen a eating place cater for pets - a wonderful idea.It's amazing how seagulls always turn up at these places -even though you are well inland and metres above sea level.
ReplyDeleteChristine: Catering for pets just adds to its charm. And I suspect that our seagulls have never and will never see the sea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gentle outing. That Joey is a bit big to be still suckling though.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, it looks so very Australian. You take terrific photos!
ReplyDeleteArija: It was a lovely outing. I agree with you about the joey, and its mama's pouch looked suspiciously full. I think there was a brother or sister on board as well.
ReplyDeleteKath: Truly Ostraylian. But I love to see them. I am pleased that you like the photos but my point and shoot gets the kudos.
I have never seen a black swan - those are gorgeous. What a lovely and peaceful time you had. And the restaurant sounds wonderful. I liked the dog menu. :) And how neat that you can see kangeroos.
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely. Can the canines get a doggy bag?
ReplyDeleteThe swans are beautiful, if a little scary with their honking and pecking. Love the dog menu. Maxi would swoon if he could read that.
ReplyDeleteAll the photos are really beautiful. I've never seen swans that close up before.
ReplyDeleteI just love the doggy menu at the cafe. That's so thoughtful of them.
what a great place! and i love the 'roos...
ReplyDeleteLove the photos - what an interesting and unique place. We have lots of gulls (of several species) here in Utah and I'm sure many have them never will experience the sea either, though we do have the Great Salt Lake...
ReplyDeleteYour kangaroos run about like our squirrels. Love the black swans.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a menu for dogs before. That's a great idea, and those who don't want to bring them can stay seated in the middle. How delightful.
ReplyDeleteAnd your pictures are fun, although I think I found the black swans a bit scary with their aggression. I think you did, too... Thanks for bringing a bit of summer's heat into my frigid corner of the world. I always love visiting you. :-)
Oh, what a splendid spot! I think my dog would have ordered the chook and a bag of bickies to go. Gorgeous photos EC! The swans are magnificent, but it appears they become as aggressive as our Canadian Geese when they get used to people feeding them.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing shots! Love the joey with its mum and those graceful black swans - so dramatically stunning.
ReplyDeleteI'd never seen black swans either. One winter, many years ago, they were on the ocean where I was visiting. They looked so graceful and regal floating out there. I went out with bread, and they mobbed me like angry little banshees. It was all I could do to keep my fingers connected to my hands!
ReplyDeleteNot a bad day for you, then, eh mate? Kangaroos, Black Swans, Dogs in a restaurant.... what a life :D
Love that they cater to so many culinary tastes and needs. We need more places like that around here.
Lynn: It is a lovely spot, quite close to where I grew up and less than half an hours drive from home.
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: If, and in my acquaintance with dogs it is a big if, I think they probably could get a doggy bag. Would it be called a catty bag though?
Mrs Catch: I think the dog menu just tops that place off. Water for the dogs and the people just comes automatically.
River: It is nice isn't it. And thank you re the photos.
daisyfae: Thanks.
Ron Dudley: They seem to adapt really well to being around people.
mybabyjohn/Delores: Thanks. I would love to see squirrels.
Djan: There are also a small number of tables inside the restaurant and in busy periods they have a marquee out the back which is dog free.
I love the black swans and think they are majestic and beautiful. I just wish they would take food nicely.
Karen: It is a lovely dog menu isn't it? I didn't know that Canadian Geese became bullies about food.
Ladyfi: Thank you.
Spectra: It was a lovely day. When the black swans first saw us they were quite a way off shore but came steaming in remarkably quickly beaks at the ready.
Not many of our restauranta are as good about catering to different tastes/needs, including the bigger more expensive ones. Humph.
Bonza photos. A most pleasant spot to have a meal surrounded by native fauna and flora. A doggie menu the first of its kind i would say :-).
ReplyDeleteIs that down at Weston Park? I've been wracking my brains trying to work out where it is. What a nice place to go!
ReplyDeleteWindsmoke: It is a lovely spot to have a meal or just a cuppa. If they offerred Doggycinos I would boycott them though.
ReplyDeleteAmpersand Duck: It is indeed at Weston Park and is called Oaks Brasserie. Opposide the nurseries. One of Canberra's better kept secrets. It is just lovely and the roos and the swans who are almost always close by are an extra bonus.
All absolutely lovely, EC: the roos. the swans.the menu, the setting, your photos...this was a loely post to read.
ReplyDeleteFrances: Thank you. It was a really nice day.
ReplyDeleteOMG,
ReplyDeletethose red beaks are sooo grand! WOW. I've never seen that before...
My Inner Chick: Welcome. They are spectacular aren't they.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see kangaroos in their natural world, and to go to a place where there is a menu for our canine friends. Your photos were wonderful. Sounds very hot out there, says I as my nose feels like a Popsicle on this side of the world :)
ReplyDeleteI love the dog menu. At first I didn't look at the title, and I thought What Do they eat down there.
ReplyDeleteNext month I will be in New Zealand. Yea for summer. We are under a layer if ice here just now.
A great way to spend a summer day. Love the kangaroos! And the black swans!
ReplyDeleteDenise: It is very hot. It is vilely hot. It is stinking hot. The kangaroos and the swans go some way to make up for it. I also love the canine addition to the menu.
ReplyDeleteAnne: I love the dog menu too. And no, we don't normally eat the things on their menu. I envy you your ice. How long will you be in New Zealand for? Business, pleasure or both?
Susan Kane: It was a really nice outing. I love it down there.
Love the pics! Swans and marsupials! With a baby! It's impossible to find a favorite.
ReplyDeleteAnd heck with the doggie menu--any eating place that caters to celiacs gets a thumbs up from me!
I do, however, grow weak and shudder at the thought of the temperature. Don't like heat. At all.
Gorgeous!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe line on the menu about absolutely no dogs on chairs at the table is priceless!
ReplyDeletePaper Chipmunk: The wildlife is/was a treat.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the menu - no need to ring first and ask whether there is something suitable on offer (and get lied to). You are also right about the heat. It is truly vile.
Melissa Ann Goodwin: Thank you.
jenny_o: Welcome. That line cracked me up too.
It does look hot there..but the beauty of the kangeroos and black swans are gorgeous
ReplyDeleteKim @ Stuff: Thank you - they are beautiful. I see them quite often and I smile every time.
ReplyDeletetest/test/DELETE!!!!!
ReplyDelete(o:
I envy your location; I hate the heat, but I'd love to lunch in proximity to kangaroos! Looks like a nice place for lunch.
ReplyDeleteAnon: As I am sure you are aware, you could delete your own comment using the garbage bin immediately beneath it. While this comment is both off topic and incomprehensible to me, it is not offensive so I won't be deleting it.
ReplyDeletesarcastic test guy: I hate the heat too, but kangaroos and black swans (nearly) make up for it.
Dear Pam,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this delightful trip to the restaurant and all the sights you shared with us. I so liked the menu that had four entrees for canines! Such a quiet, peaceful amble.
Peace.
Dee Ready: I am so glad that you liked my amble and the dog menu. I should however add that I am not Pam.
ReplyDeleteNice day out; even better when there are non-humans involved.
ReplyDeleteBut heat? Lucky you, My canine took me for a bitterly cold walk.
Friko: I will have bitterly cold any day. The heat melts my bones and my brain.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI apologize for calling you Pam here and on my response to your comment on my blog. What a dunderhead I am!
Thanks for being so understanding.
Peace.
Dee Ready: Not a problem at all. I was just concerned that the real Pam might be feeling a little unappreciated.
ReplyDeleteDee Ready: PS. Not a dunderhead at all. Simple mistake. Who doesn't make them?
ReplyDeletei say wow to the kangaroos, the lovely lovely brasserie - and isn't it just darlin' with a dog menu too, <3 such places! - and the black swans! looks and sounds like the finest of days (despite heat).
ReplyDeletePia K: Thank you. It was my birthday - hence the title of the post and it was a lovely, lovely day.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect birthday. I have just been catching up on blogs and I saw this particular entry. HOW I want to visit your country. I can't, but boy I would love to. To see kangaroos and be able to simply snap a few pictures on your way to that paradise of a spot. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI have lived in New England (USA) most of my life and been to New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine more times than I can count. There are moose crossing signs all over. In sixty years, I've never seen a one. I think that's probably comparable to your seeing kangaroos, but perhaps I am mistaken. Perhaps it's commonplace.
Nothing commonplace about your pictures though. I always enjoy visiting you vicariously. Always.
JeannetteLS: Thank you. That was an absolutely lovely comment. I am so glad you enjoy visiting.
ReplyDeleteWe do see kangaroos often here - but we go out of our way to ensure it as well. We live in a city - but there are pockets of green throughout. A friend of mine frequently has them in her street. And yes, seeing a moose would be amazing.
EC - what a huge response to this post! Late to the party again, it seems. It was such fun looking at these photos from what may as well be another planet, not just halfway around this one. Many thanks and enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteTwo Tigers: You are welcome whether you come early or late. It is a lovely spot, and a great week ahead to you too.
ReplyDeleteHello! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a kind comment. I must say, when I see your gorgeous photos I think the photos I post are laughable. I would just love to live in a place with such an array of wildlife. Truly amazing! Your photos are really wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteJenn June: Welcome and thank you. Nothing laughable about your photos at all. They capture beauty and peace. We are really lucky to have the kangaroos, the black swans and all the other birds so close to us. A never ending joy.
ReplyDeleteOur summers here in south Florida can be brutally hot also. Shade is in high demand when lunching outside.
ReplyDeleteI love your bird photos, I have only seen but one black swan here and it lives by a pond on a golf course.
Hugs n smiles across the miles,
Pam :)
Pam: I am really pleased you like my bird photos - they are a bit of an obsession. Black swans are native to Australia so the one on the golf course is a looong way from home. It appears to have adapted well.
ReplyDeleteDarling, do I ever have a song for you--Magpie by Western singer Ian Tyson:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7o9-Anzrso
I just think you're going to love this.
Snowbrush: You have been on a bit of a commenting binge over here today. Thank you. And you are right, your magpie is much prettier than ours but I did love that link.
ReplyDelete"you are right, your magpie is much prettier than ours"
ReplyDeleteOh, horrors, when did I say that our magpie is pretty than your magpie? If I ever said anything that sounded like that, I was communicating very badly indeed.
I'm so glad you liked the link. He's Canadian, by the way.
"You have been on a bit of a commenting binge over here today."
Just catching up, kiddo.
Snowbrush: I am sorry I was not making myself clear. The bad/lazy communication was mine. I am tired and a little brain dead tonight. I sandwiched two thoughts into one sentence. I did love the link. Your magpie, and it seems the Canadian magpie, are both prettier than ours.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to see you over here, but please don't ever feel you need to catch up. You are always welcome.
"please don't ever feel you need to catch up."
ReplyDeleteYou know, sweetheart, you give so much beauty and sweetness to others that catching up with you is hardly a chore.
Snowbrush: What a lovely thing to say. A blushing, shuffling feet thank you.
ReplyDelete