Glebe, Newtown

Coogee has been crowded all week. Until yesterday the temperatures were very mild for January, so the streets, the cafes and the beaches have been filled with happy sunseekers.

We took a break from the Eastern beaches last night and headed over to Glebe; time to catch up with some family members there, particularly the gorgeous Z and 10 week old baby A.

Z has grown a lot and seems even more bright and sociable than when we last saw her a few months ago. She was fascinated with our cameras and pretty determined to operate them (correctly too) on her own. Not surprising really!

Baby A was very serene and cuddly throughout our visit and while his mummy and daddy plied us with the most beautiful food (and drink), served outdoors in their Glebe courtyard garden.

We took C's very well informed advice about the best cafes and shopping in Newtown on our visit there today. We were on light rations though after last night's beautiful meal so all we could manage at Black Star Pastry on Australia Street was a cup of tea. The famous watermelon and strawberry cake will have to wait for another day. We sat on the pavement with the other patrons and enjoyed observing the inclusive, diverse and quite bohemian character of Newtown.

I could just manage a papaya salad at Tre Viet by lunchtime. That should last me the rest of the day the way I feel.

We were home in time to see the wonderful (and surprising) Iron Lady at the Randwick Ritz, the first movie we've seen so far in 2012. Meryl Streep does another amazing job (as does her make up artist) with this role.