Experiences - priceless

Warning, no quilt content.
Mr Q and I did a photography course in Sydney last weekend and it was a consolation treat for me since missing out on going to the last quilt show there. We had held out hotel booking so used it for the weekend away which was sorely needed. Batteries are now charged.

                                                St Mary's Cathedral from Hyde Park., Sydney

The course was very good and aimed at beginners of DSLR photography. Learning about how to use the camera out of auto mode is a good thing. I think I forgot a lot of what I learnt on the day as it was very intensive. I was note keeper, Mr Q was memory keeper. Now it's all down to practice. Photos above and below are shots taken on the day using different modes and settings.

Panning, blurring backgrounds and water effects from the Archibald fountain, Hyde park.

On the way back to the hotel, we were going to stop for a coffee at the Lindt cafe but the queue was a bit long for us. Not to worry, Sydney has chocolate cafes popping up like mushrooms and down a bit is the newly opened Guylian chocolate cafe.

I can say that this was the best custard tart I have ever had in my life.

A couple of days ago we decided to head out to the Brasserie Bread cafe for brunch. I am mad about this place and it's a must to visit again. All their breads are made with GM free, organic ingredients and they set up a tasting table with baskets of bread to taste with olive oil and jams. There are glass doors where you can watch the cooking classes going on and since it's school holidays, they had 10 little rug rats making fruit pies and bread sticks.  All the kids classes are provided FREE and they all get their own masterchef aprons embroidered with their names.  You have to give them a big pat on the back for being an educational business as well as providing something to the community.

This is what I had, poached eggs with smoked trout and feta on sourdough. Low GI food I was told.

And I just had to have a plate of sourdough pancakes with berry couli and honeycomb cream. I have to make these at home sometime, what a taste sensation and quite different to normal pancakes.

Between dishes, I stood up, turned around and watched through the glass where the bakers were hard at work on the breads. That visit to the Artisan bakery fired up my enthusiasm for home made sourdough so out came the starter, a good recipe and a healthy dose of enthusiasm.

Dear bread, how I love thee, I nurtured you and handled you with gentle care and you have rewarded me with your thin crackly crust, your pretty little bubbles that I asked you for....

and your divine soft custard crumb. You rose to the challenge and gave me beautiful holes. I shall be making you again.

One’s own simple bread is much better than someone else’s pilaf. ~ Azerbaijani Proverb