Juice: Getting there was as refreshing as a sharp dose of spunky tomato juice on a lazy Sunday morning. It's only a couple of weeks here before the official arrival of so-called winter, but at least there were some brown and yellowing dried leaves waiting to take off some trees along the drive south of Wollongong. The surrounding landscape still looked like the Swiss countryside - in summer.
Cuppacinno: We chose a relatively warm table under shade and with small potted plants surrounding us. At 9am, the crowd was just right at this cafe - a mix of locals and tourers, families and couples. The coffee was one of the best I have taken, Italian but serevd by Anglos, with a thoughtful design of the froth on top. Lots of reading materials to browse while we waited, with reasonably quick service with a smile from the staff of Hedgehogs, a gem along the main road of Queen Street. Many items to choose to eat, but the big breakfast is always a winner.
The Bacon: There are competing outlets, and what caught my eye was the Post Ghost's haunt on the northern side of Queen Street. In what was the old post office, and next door to a functioning Berry Museum, which actually opens for a few hours like church on Sundays, the post cafe restaurant deserves my attention in my next visit. There are lots of wood to feel and appreciate as one walks inside the various shops or past its various side lanes to be surprised by hidden delights. On rainy days, it can feel real wet, and the nursery garden always maintains a moistured foliage look. A surprise is a shop selling pre-mixed curry pastes. In some shops, the sales staff make it a point to greet you when you walk in - and that's refreshing.
Toast: Parking can get limited, as in Sydney suburbs, if you arrive late for lunch instead of brunch. Food also becomes scarce after 2pm. Today the winds have become cooler. Some parts of the drive between Kiamia and Berry are on narrow roads, and there are aggressive drivers who get the thrill of seemingly nosing their vehicles at ours, before making a show of overtaking, even if they are exceeding the speed limits by doing so. Let them go, for like bread slices, one day they choose to be toasted by continuing such behaviour.
Poached Eggs: Alexander Berry aimed for a site now called his Coolanganta estate, with vineyards, lifestyle and plenty of acreage. The village of Berry, named in his honour, is located not far away from Coolanganta, and proudly reflects its dairy agricultural heritage, with a life-sized cow replica at the entrance to its main supermarket and with a lithany of cottage crafts. Today I visited the community arts shop, with work done by locals for charity - and thoroughly enjoyed the high quality of home-made inspiration. A car driver actually stopped for me to cross along Queen Street, even if she did not have to; ah, such civic charm!
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