Sam's 26th birthday

A delicious breakfast to celebrate Sam's birthday. Jo was hiking the Plett Camino so was away. The restaurant was awesome. Most of us had Shakshouka. Sam loved the song I created for her.

A very cute and delightful doggie we met at the restaurant

Memorable moments: The lone tooth legend

My Gramps was a world-class flirt, a trait he carried with effortless grace well into his later years. It was entirely harmless, and Gran never really minded; it was simply a part of his nature—he just couldn't help himself.

One evening, Ally and I took him to the Spur in Cape Town. He loved the place, particularly the steaks. As soon as we sat down, he was in top form, grinning at our waitress, teasing her with practiced ease, and offering charming compliments that had her beaming. He was the undisputed king of the table.

He was midway through enjoying his steak when disaster—of a very specific, mechanical nature—struck.

Gramps suddenly began to choke. Before we could even react, a rogue piece of steak went flying out of his mouth, followed immediately by his entire set of dentures. They hit his plate with a clatter and began to bounce up and down like a pair of porcelain castanets.

He scrambled to retrieve them, but the physics of the moment were against him. He couldn't get them back in. He was left sitting there with exactly one solitary tooth remaining in the front of his mouth.

Most men would have signaled for the check and buried their face in a napkin. But Gramps was made of sterner stuff.

When the waitress returned to the table a moment later, he didn't flinch. He leaned back and gave her a brilliant, confident grin, his single remaining tooth gleaming under the Spur’s warm lighting. He picked up the conversation exactly where he had left off, as charming and self-assured as if he were a Hollywood lead.

He proved that night that true charisma doesn't require a Hollywood smile. It just requires the guts to keep flirting even when your teeth are still vibrating on the dinner plate. I looked at Ally and realized I was watching a master at work; the dentures were gone, but the legend was very much intact.

Memorable moments: Dessert heaven

While living in London, my wife, Ally, invited me to a social work function, and while the networking was fine, the dessert spread was magnificent. I found myself drawn back to the buffet table like a moth to a very sugary flame.

Eventually, Ally caught up with me, looking more than a little irritated.

"Don't you feel embarrassed?" she whispered, eyeing my latest haul. "That’s the fifth plate of dessert you’ve gone up for!"

I didn't miss a beat. I gave her my most charming, sugar-dusted grin.

"Not at all," I replied. "Every time I go up, I just tell them it’s for you."

Xenia birthday lunch at Frenchy's

We love Frenchy's cafe in Mosman. It has very much become our regular haunt. Xenia had her 55th birthday while she was in Tasmania but we celebrated it now that she was back.  Afterwards, I went for a wonderful walk to Taronga Zoo.

Wearing Shushann's glasses for fun. Very clear !!

Middle Head with Xenia

Xenia and I went for lunch at Middle Head cafe and then went for a little stroll for a view over Chowder Bay. The Butcher Bird came and visited us while we were having lunch. 

Lunch with Michael and the gang at The Little Snail

Always so lovely to catch up with Michael and Sue's friends. We meet at The Little Snail, a wonderful French restaurant in Pyrmont. They do a three course meal for $50. I had mushroom crepe, kangaroo fillet and a profiterole. So delicious!

Frenchies with friends

Lovely catching up with dear friends after I got back from Cape Town.

 

Sydney Vivid Festival 2025

Gavin, Srini and I went for a walk from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay to check out the Vivid Festival.  We then enjoyed a delicious steak dinner.

St James for walk and pizza

A short but lovely walk to St James with Jo, Ant, Leanne and Steve for a delicious chorizo and pineapple pizza.