Busy Wednesday
It’s my new Wednesday night routine… Swedish class at 6.30, meeting friends at the pub at 8.30. Wednesday’s shouldn’t be so hectic :)
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Day At The Pub
Two or three times a year a bunch of us catch up for an afternoon of lunch, drinks and chatter.
Sometimes we’ll head over to Manly, though mostly it’s at a pub fairly close to Central Station in Sydney.
The common connection is that we’re all “ABBA Fans”. Well, not all of us anymore, and so it’s a connection which has transcended that connection somewhat.
The usual thing is meet for lunch, have a few drinks and a chat, have another meal, and then head off.
And so that’s how I spent my Saturday.
We started off at the Royal Exhibition Hotel. After a while, though, the combination of Port Power supporters and horse-racing enthusiasts became all too much, and so we headed up to the recently refurbished Strawberry Hills Hotel.
They’ve done a nice job refurbishing the Strawberry Hills. They’ve managed to maintain some of the “flavour” of the downstairs bar, and briefly taking a peak at the upstairs, they’ve managed to create a great new space.
After several hours of chatting, drinking and eating, and it was time to come home and settle on the couch to watch Eurovision and, in particular, Eric Saade’s spectacular performance. Sweden has a chance this year, I reckon.
From ‘Murder Mall’ to Modern Marvel
For the three decades I’ve lived in this area, my local shopping centre in Surry Hills was affectionately, or perhaps ironically, known as the “Murder Mall.” I, however, preferred to call it the “Methadone Mall.”
But as gentrification swept through the neighborhood, so too did an upscale makeover for our mall. Now, it boasts a Harris Farm, new upmarket restaurants, and a massive Coles, shedding its old, grungier vibe.
I found myself heading back there for lunch today with former colleagues, a cherished annual tradition. Our destination was Olympus, a Greek restaurant that has generated considerable buzz over the past year. Everyone I’d spoken to raved about it, so I suggested it for our special catch-up.
As we settled in, the conversation naturally turned to our lives, our careers, and, hilariously, our impending or recently passed 60th birthdays. I playfully asked, “So, what pills are we all on?” This led to a lighthearted, yet surprisingly bonding, discussion about our current medications. Even our fittest friend, we discovered, is now on a few prescriptions! It was a lovely, relatable moment with colleagues I’d worked very closely with for years.
Olympus certainly lived up to its hype. The space itself is striking, designed to accommodate 240 people without feeling crowded. Unlike many modern restaurants that cram in too many tables, Olympus offers ample room, allowing for easy conversation without needing to shout. A truly unique feature is the large tree in the center of the dining area and an overhead opening window. While it was closed due to winter, this million-dollar window, as our waiter informed us, floods the space with natural light, making it easy to read menus – a welcome change from dimly lit establishments.
We sampled several dishes, all excellent. Here are a few of them.
It was a genuinely great meal, and surprisingly affordable given the quality. Only two of us opted for a glass of wine each, so the bill wasn’t astronomical – a far cry from the indulgent, office-ditching lunches of the 80s! But it’s also not a cheap meal, either. I’d highly recommend Olympus, though be prepared for a higher-end experience if you choose to truly indulge.
Beyond the Mall: Bingo, ABBA, and Back to Reality
Also this week, I enjoyed a different kind of outing, attending “Bingay” at the Beresford Hotel.” This fun event was a fundraiser for the AIDS Council of New South Wales, set to a fantastic ABBA soundtrack. One of the drag kings even channeled an ABBA member in their costume, adding to the entertainment. It was a joy to reconnect with friends who’d attended previous events and meet new people, making for a truly enjoyable evening.
Aside from these outings, it’s been a week of settling back into work and life in Sydney after my break in Lismore. I had a funny moment this morning when a colleague asked about my weekend plans, and I realized I couldn’t instantly answer. I’m back to that stage where plans get added to the diary and sometimes completely forgotten until they’re upon me! Such is life right now.
First Sunday Roast Club (Update)
If you grew up in Australia, and think of a “Sunday Roast” your mind probably jumps straight to the classic clichés of a predominantly English/Irish heritage: a slightly overcooked leg of lamb, a bowl of soft boiled peas, a mountain of mashed potato, and a sea of thick, salty gravy. It’s the traditional English and Irish style that dominated our family kitchens and local RSL carveries for generations. Comforting? Absolutely. Predictable? Always. Tasty? Mostly.
But there is a whole world of roast lunches out there that completely defies those old clichés.
Exactly twelve months after I found myself in a hospital bed recovering from a lower leg amputation, a few of my closest friends and I got together for a makeshift “Thanksgiving” lunch. It was a chance to celebrate milestones, look forward, and simply enjoy being around a table together.
We loved the ritual so much that we decided to keep it going. Almost every month since that first gathering, the First Sunday Roast Club has met up to explore the wildly diverse roast lunches hidden across Sydney’s pubs, restaurants, and clubs.
What we discovered is that Sydney has taken the humble weekend tradition and blown it wide open. By tracking our monthly rounds, we have mapped out (so far) a number of completely distinct styles that prove the modern roast is anything but boring.
The plate features generously sliced, tender roast beef as its centerpiece, cooked to a rustic doneness that retains its rich, savoury depth. Rather than modern fusion twists, this dish confidently honors classic cliches while ensuring execution of the highest standard.
The trimmings are meticulously arranged to strike a balance between texture and nostalgia. The plate is packed with bright green, snappy garden peas, alongside vibrant stalks of broccolini and slender, skin-on roasted baby carrots that carry a natural sweetness. A signature, heavily puffed Yorkshire pudding sits proudly at the forefront, boasting a beautifully craggy, golden-brown crust ready to handle a heavy pour. Accompanying the feast is a deep, glossy, traditional pan gravy served in a classic metal pouring jug, allowing you to coat the dish to your liking. It is a wonderfully faithful, unpretentious homage to the historic English roasts many grew up with.
The star of this plate is a beautifully rolled roast pork loin, boasting a crown of deeply golden, blistered crackling that promises a magnificent crunch. The meat itself is exceptionally tender, locking in its natural juices alongside a deeply savoury herb stuffing visible right at its centre.
Rather than standard boiled sides, Morrison’s opts for a beautifully textured arrangement. The plate is built upon a foundation of chunkily cut, deeply roasted potatoes with crisp edges, nested alongside wilted dark leafy greens, caramelised baby carrots, and a large, deeply browned Yorkshire pudding that acts as the perfect vessel for absorbing the meal’s juices. Tying it all together is a concentrated, glossy pan gravy served in a dedicated metal ramekin, allowing you to control the exact level of richness on your plate. It is a hearty, classic roast that values satisfying textures and time-honoured flavours above all else.
Tucked deep inside this pastry fortress are generous slices of traditional roast beef, completely smothered in a rich, glossy gravy that pools perfectly within the pudding’s base. The trimmings are unashamedly hearty, featuring chunkily cut, deeply roasted potatoes, sweet wedges of roasted pumpkin, a thick roasted carrot, and a handful of bright green garden peas scattered over the top. It is a wonderfully fun, theatrical, and exceptionally filling take on the tradition, proving that some Sydney venues prefer to reinvent the roast through sheer, glorious scale.
The plate features a meticulously prepared, succulent roast pork loin with an immaculate border of perfectly rendered, golden crackling that adds a crucial textured crunch. Rather than feeling overly heavy for its oceanside setting, the kitchen balances the dish with incredibly bright and thoughtful accompaniments.
The protein sits in a shallow pool of rich, translucent pan reduction, topped with a vibrant bundle of snap-fresh, char-grilled broccolini and glazed heirloom carrots that lend a subtle sweetness. Alongside the greens are exceptionally crisp, deep-golden roast potatoes boasting a beautifully fluffy interior, paired with a prominent, tightly structured Yorkshire pudding that is deeply browned and crisp on the edges. It is an impressive, beautifully balanced plate that elevates traditional elements, making it the ideal reward after a coastal Sunday walk.
Rather than relying on basic boiled vegetables, the kitchen elevates the trimmings with superb texture and charred flair. The plate is piled with long spears of char-grilled broccolini, a deeply caramelised split roast carrot, a crispy hassleback potato, and a beautifully puffed, golden Yorkshire pudding.
Tying the whole dish together is a rich, glossy pool of house-made pan jus. True to the venue’s focus on native Australian ingredients, this gravy features a unique twist by incorporating apple and native muntries, cutting the rich beef with a subtle fruit sweetness. It is a showstopping roast that respects tradition while refining it completely.
The undisputed centrepiece of the giant platter is a massive, slow-roasted lamb shoulder. It is beautifully rustic, heavily seasoned with dried oregano and garlic, and cooked until the meat is incredibly tender and ready to pull apart with a pair of tongs.
True to its Greek-inspired style, the traditional English gravy is nowhere to be seen. Instead, the platter is punctuated with fresh lemon wedges for cutting through the rich meat, alongside a cooling bowl of creamy, herb-flecked tzatziki. The sides are equally rustic and generous, featuring large, golden Greek-style roast potatoes, thick wedges of roasted pumpkin, and a separate, vibrant bowl of classic Greek salad loaded with crumbled feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Served right in the middle of the table, it is a magnificent example of a social weekend roast designed to be lingeringly shared over a glass of red wine.
The star of this vibrant plate is a beautifully roasted duck breast, sliced into elegant medallions. The meat is tender and blushed, showcasing a flawlessly rendered, deeply spiced skin that provides a beautiful, crispy snap.
True to its street-food inspiration, knives and forks are entirely optional here. Instead of a Yorkshire pudding, the foundation is a fan of delicate, warm Peking duck-style pancakes. The traditional trimmings are completely swapped out for crisp cucumber batons, curls of fresh spring onion, a tangy mountain of kimchi, and pickled white radish to cut beautifully through the rich duck. Finished with a dedicated dipping cup of glossy, sweet hoisin sauce, it is a magnificent example of a modern, border-crossing roast that perfectly reflects the multicultural reality of Sydney’s inner west.
Over lunch we enjoy some great conversation over a bottle, sometimes two, of red wine.
There are so many other places we have visited, but I thought this gives an interesting summary of what we’ve experienced so far. There will be many more, I’m sure.
The Ponds
Today, my interest in genealogy took me to Dundas Valley near Eastwood. In particular, I wanted to find out more about the land granted to my GGGGG-grandparents, John and Martha Love, who came to Australia in 1791.
John Love, who was a member of the NSW Corps, was granted 30 acres of land at “The Ponds” (February 20, 1794) and a further 90 acres of prime land at “The Field Of Mars” (March 14, 1795). Later, however, he leased the land out to Captain William Kent, the nephew of Governor Hunter. The land was in the modern day suburb of Eastwood, with the historic “Eastwood House” now located on the land given to him.
A few weeks ago, fellow researcher, June Love alerted me to a plaque of some sorts which recognised the early land grant at “The Ponds” awarded to our common ancestor.
June wrote…
If my memory serves me well, the land at The Ponds was sold to Gregory Blaxland, nephew of The ‘Blaxland’ Lawson & Wentworth fame. William Cox who built the first road across the Blue Mountains also gets a mention. All the records of land transactions involving John Love were able to be viewed at The Heritage Centre, Parramatta. There is a Notice erected by Parramatta Council in Dundas Valley near the Rugby Club where John Love is listed as an original land holder (30 acres), and overlaid on the original land grants survey is the present subdivision. Because Eastwood historical records are quite comprehensive, the succession of ownership of the 90 acres on which Eastwood CBD is now situated is well documented.
Getting there was reasonably simple…
Dep: 10:45am Central Station Platform 9: Take the Central Coast And Newcastle Line train (CityRail)
Arr: 11:06am Eastwood Station Platform 3Dep: 11:19am Eastwood, West St Nr Eastwood Station – Take the 545 bus
Arr: 11:28am Dundas Valley, Yates Av Nr Alexander StWalk to Quarry Rd, Dundas Valley – 352 metres
The signpost is very near the Dundas Valley R.U. Club – maybe known as Parramatta Leagues Club (sub-branch) – in Quarry Road, Dundas Valley near the intersection with David Street. Signs are dark blue with semicircular curve over the top and the sign at eye level. UBD Map Ref 192 F9. Nearest main Street intersection Evans Road and Yates Avenue. Although somewhat defaced more recently, it was still readable. Bronze in colour with black dots showing surveys, and resembles a lithograph (On the side where you are facing south/west as you read it). (A bit of a story on the reverse side)
What happened to John and Martha?
John’s career in the NSW Corps was at best mixed. Arriving in Australia as Private, he was promoted to Corporal (March 25, 1791) and then to Sergeant (June 26, 1791), though reduced to being a Private several months later (December 27, 1791). According to the book, “Sydney Cove 1791-1792″ by John Cobley, this later demotion resulted from depositions about an incident which occured on April 30, 1791 on board the Matilda. I have yet to discover what this was.
He was discharged from the NSW Corps on July 14, 1798, though he later re-enlisted, as the 1799 Muster records him as a Private in the Col. Francis Grose Company of the NSW Corps. Years later, he was reportedly mentioned in the Sydney Gazette (1814) for his capture of a deserter from the 73rd Regiment, one of a group of 17 bandits.
Despite being a member of the NSW Corps, whose job was to uphold the law, John Love had several convictions himself.
In common with other members of the NSW Corps, the “Rum Corps” John Love was involved in the production of rum. On Monday, June 1806, he was arrested and fined 100 Spanish dollars (one of the currencies in use at the time) after the discovery on his property at the Field of Mars of a still and other appartus for distilling liquor. The incident was reported in the Sydney Gazette of Wednesday June 6.
On Monday, in consequence of a like information, several Constables were sent to search for a still and other apparatus on the farm of J. Love at the Field of Mars; from whence a large boiler was produced, supposed to be for the purpose of distilling. The owner was in consequence ordered to find bail for his good behaviour.
In December 3 1816, John Love was convicted of stealing government cattle in collusion with two of his convict servants (Joseph Jones, Patrick McGinty) and all were sentenced to hang (NSW Records Reel 6006; 4/3495 p. 421).
His family appealed successfully for clemency, though it appears he may have been sent to Newcastle on the “Lady Nelson” for a period of time.
On account of some favourable circumstances in mitigation of his offence I am induced to extend Grace & Mercy unto him and to grant unto him the said John Love a Pardon for his said crime as the sole and express condition that the said John Love shall continue to reside as a convict in the Territory of NSW and the dependancies during the term of his natural life and be kept at hard labour ‘Macquarie’” The pardon was to be null and void if he were found outside NSW.
In a petition to the governor, the Superintendent of John Oxley’s farm requested the sum of 100-pounds to be repaid for the forfeited property.
Several years later on June 11, 1822, he was also fined Đ2.10 Shillings for employing a bushranger named Murphy (possibly, Patrick Murphy who later worked on nearby Harrington Farm).
It’s difficult to know whether these brushes with the law were the consequence or the cause of long-term economic problems.
The Court of Civil Jurisdiction, for example, ordered that the Seymour Farm had to be sold in 1814 to recover debt.
Ex parte William Packer, in the matter of Joseph and John Love: Pursuant to an Order of the Court of Civil Jurisdiction, ande in the above matter, the Provest Marshal will cause to be set up for sale by public auction at the Market Place, Sydney, on Thursday the 25th instant at Twelve o’clock, a certain farm and lands, called Seymour’s Farm; containing 80 acres, more or less and situated in the Field of Mars (unless the Debt Costs and all incidental expenses are previously liquidated.) Wm Gorr, Provest Marshal.
And after John’s conviction for stealing cattle, Martha was forced to mortgage the farm (on August 13, 1817) and a mare and foal were sold to Thomas Moore for 45 pounds.
Further evidence of their economic woes came in 1824 when their young son John (well, reportedly their son, but perhaps more likely their grandson since he was too young to be there son) was placed in the Orphan’s Home and died, aged 9 with dysentery June 29th, 1824.
Aged 74, and living at Appin, Martha died on November 28, 1822 (V1822 5579 2B/1822) and was buried at St Luke’s Church, Liverpool.
Just over four years later, John Love also died, aged 94 on January 4, 1827 (V1827196 2C/1827) and (182772 11/1827).
The Passing Of Time
Though I can’t be sure of the exact date, it was sometime in February 1988 (thirty years ago) when I got my first full time “paid job” in radio, working at 2WEB, Bourke. Prior to that, I was a volunteer at 2NCR-FM, Lismore (since 1978), and worked as the phone answerer for Saturday nights requests at 2LM, Lismore (since 1981), where I was paid $10 for three hours work. 2WEB was an awesome station to start out with. I was 22 years old!
I turn 53 this year, and being in a defined benefit superannuation scheme, where there are strong advantages to retiring at the age of 60, I’m starting to think more seriously about where I’ll spend my later years. It’s not like I feel I “should retire”. “There’s plenty of life in the old girl yet”, I’ve said to a number of people. Will I stay in Sydney? Unlikely, due to the cost of living, and because I don’t think Sydney is a friendly place for older people, so more likely it will be somewhere I’ve lived previously.
As a result of this reflection, I’ve been re-connecting lately with some people from my days in Bourke, and with my extended family in Lismore and Brisbane.
And with the recent elevation of Michael McCormack to the role of Deputy Prime Minister (replacing Barnaby Joyce), I’ve been chatting with friends about my days in Wagga Wagga.
A friend from that time, who also lives in Sydney now, located this long forgotten photograph of a Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras float in 1994. Take a close look to see the face of Deputy PM, Michael McCormack. He was the Editor of the Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser back then, and wrote a number of deeply nasty editorials about LGBTQI people. These editorials led to a successful case for homosexual vilification brought to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board by our late friend, Chris Jones. Wagga Waggacommunity members concerned at being identified in the media area at Mardi Gras held up MM masks to hide their identity and protest his homophobic newspaper editorials. I should note he has since distanced himself from those editorials. Oh, I’m in the photograph too!
Twenty-something years later, I hardly blinked when walking home on Crown Street, Surry Hills the other night. To my surprise, there was a woman, completely naked, standing outside the Via Napoli pizza restaurant. It was close to 10.00pm, so, thankfully, there were no children in the restaurant, and thus no parents who had to explain, what was going on. The responses of those seated is something to behold.
So there you have it, thirty years of history. So much change. What’s next?
Bongiorno Roma
“It’s normally 22, but I’ll give it to you for 18”, the guy selling the “I Love Rome” bag told me. He didn’t need to convince me. I really wanted it as a “safe” over the shoulder bag to carry my camera and phone, and I already thought that was a pretty good price anyway. And, after only a few hours here, I already really agreed with the sentiment.
“The thing about Rome that will amaze you”, a colleague told me, “is that you’re just randomly walking along and all of a sudden you go ‘Oh, there’s The Colosseum'”. And indeed she was right. At least three times today I just randomly walked past Colosseum. I even had dinner overlooking the place. Pizza and beer, of course.
I arrived in Rome with no set plans for the day. I’ve booked myself on a “Rome In A Day Tour” tomorrow, and I’m heading to Venice on Friday and Saturday. So, after arriving at the airport, catching the bus into town, and checking into my hotel, I set out to simply wander around the city to see what I could find, and to “get my bearings”.
As I wandered around I was overwhelmed by the historic beauty of the place. The architecture is both big and bold, and tiny and detailed. And in the midst of all of the current use standing buildings, there are those historical two-thousand year old buildings, as well as historic sites still being uncovered.
Although I don’t think this is the peak of the tourist season, it’s pretty busy. There are tourists everywhere. There’s a certain level of apparent chaos about the place. You know how when you see images of Rome, you see people driving cars in what seems to be quite an erratic matter, and with people running in an out of the cars, and you wonder how on earth it all works? Well, it does work, somehow. I’m sure people and cars collide often, but my experience from the day so far was that I quickly adapted to being able to confidently walk and cross the road in the midst of this apparent “chaos”.
Due to the heat (34-35 degrees), I took a late afternoon break in my exploration to come back to the hotel where I’m staying. A former colleague put me on to “Domus Australia” a couple of years ago, as he and his wife had stayed there previously. When you read the online reviews, it’s hard to believe somewhere could so consistently get 9s and 10s. It’s a former monastery (or something that like that) which has been purchased and renovated by the Catholic Church in Australia. Apparently the Diocese of Lismore (my home town) was a major contributor. Subsequently there’s a lot of religious iconography around the place. There’s even a chapel. If that stuff worries you, it’s probably not the kind of place for you. But if you’re looking for a spacious hotel in a quiet area that’s modern and clean, with large rooms, friendly staff, and which I picked up for at a TERRIFIC rate via booking.com, it’s worth investigating. After only a few hours, I’d definitely come back and stay here again because, afterall, already I Love Roma.
Stockholm, you have some competition.
