Sunny Sunday

Posted on by Libby Withnall

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We started Sunday with a lovely leisurely breakfast overlooking Manly beach. We couldn’t believe how many people were out walking and spotted a number of Goldies :-).

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It was a beautiful day in Sydney and it was nice that the sat. nav. decided to bring us home over the harbour bridge (usually we use the tunnel).

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And since it was such a beautiful day we decided to stop at the relative new Wollongong Visitors Center at the top of Mount Ousley and take in the glorious views.

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Our last stop on the way home was to the Nan Tien Temple for lunch.

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Serene Sunday

Posted on by Libby Withnall

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Not a bad view for a leisurely breakfast on a Sunday morning. We joined my Aunt and other family members (including the bride & groom when they surfaced) for breakfast in the hotels dining room. We were the first to arrive and the last to leave so must have really enjoyed ourselves.

I wasn’t that impressed with my first walk around the buffet. After almost 12 days of buffet breakfasts on the cruise I just wasn’t into it. However the sign by the front entrance had me a little more excited.

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Eventually I decided to start with tea (can never go wrong with that) and bircher museli – which I have NEVER had before. I still don’t even know what was in in but I quite enjoyed it and ate about half.

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Sometime later I decided on a chef made omelet. Mine had 2 eggs cheese and vegetables and was REALLY lovely.

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Towards the end of our two hour breakfast I had another cup of tea and a raspberry muffin. This was sooooo yummy and unfortunately the last one left :-(.

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After checking out we headed home, stopping to buy so water as I was in desperate need of something to hydrate me.

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We decided to stop for lunch at the Nan Tien Temple for a delicious vegetarian lunch.

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Though it was rather cold outside (we were sitting in the shade), lunch did not dissapoint. Amy and I shared a chai tea – but I really didn’t like it much. Kevin’s chai latte was much better :-).

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I chose the veggie chow for my lunch. So yummy. I’ve never had anything here I haven’t loved.

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And I also had one of Kevin’s dumplings.

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Mid afternoon included more tea and a couple of oatmeal raisen cookies.

After a lazy day dinner was an easy one of cheese on toast. So simple, yet so yummy.

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My cousin got hitched

Posted on by Libby Withnall

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We headed up to Manly (Sydney) yesterday for my cousin Tara’s wedding. We arrived at our hotel at 1pm and checked into our room at the Novotel. Our room was nice, but basic.

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But our view….

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was not quite as good as my Mum & Dad’s…

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We got dressed and had a quick photo taken before we left for the wedding, which was held at the Manly Golf Club.

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It wasn’t long before the bride, with my Auntie Irene and her Dad were walking down the aisle.

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The ceremony was wonderful. It’s so obvious how much Tara and Josh are in love and it was lovely to part of this special day. Isn’t she just beautiful? A real glamorous, radiant bride.

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I love the dress. Quite similar to mine, in fact, but with a nice train.

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My littlest princess was looking especially cute tonight.

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And Amy looked so grown up she was even offered wine.

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More photos from the night…

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The bride and I. We’ve always been close even though we don’t see each other very often these days. Tara was a bridesmaid at my own wedding (many, many years ago) and even came to Disneyworld to help me when Christy was just a baby. I wish her and Josh all the best and know they’ll be very happy together – they are both such wonderful people.

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Those who know me won’t believe it when I say I even hit the dancefloor tonight for the first time in over 15 years. I had a lot of fun too :-).

It was such a great night (and Amy even managed to stay awake – unlike the last wedding we attended).

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Gotta love a wedding

Posted on by Libby Withnall

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Up and at ’em today with a red carpet ready workout, followed by a green smoothie. The best way to start the day if you ask me :-).

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Then it was time to pack and get organised for my cousin’s wedding. Amy made us both a sweet bean burrito (mine was wrapped in mountain bread instead of a tortilla) to have in the car, with my morning cup of tea.

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We then drove to Manly. It took about 2 hours due to heavy traffic. I had a banana along the way and we arrived in time to join my parents (who had come up yesterday) for lunch. I had vegetarian quiche, salad and half a roll.

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We chatted for a bit and then had a cup of tea. I also indugled in an anzac cookie and shortbread.

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Then it was time to get ready for the wedding. You can read a full recap here.IMG_5492

There wasn’t much in the way of vegetarian nibblies but I did have one goats cheese tart.

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The table was beautifully set.

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The meal itself was very uninspired I thought. Being a lacto-ovo vegetarians there are lots of great meal options. Instead I got a salad for entree.

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Pasta for the main

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and fruit for desert.

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It was all rather nice but nothing to rave over. I only ate about half of everything and complimented with a yummy roll.

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and Kevin’s ice-cream…

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Then there was the wedding cake.

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I love the idea of cupcakes and how cakes are personalized these days. Too cute.

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What do you think? Here’s the real bride and groom.

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The cake was delicous. So fresh and light.

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After some dancing I enjoyed a cup of tea and a chocolate.

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