Wednesday, 19 February 2014

While I would have been quite happy to head back to World Square in search of breakfast, Madam had other ideas and our morning jaunt took us to Macchiato, where, for the first time, I had pizza for breakfast.

And, I must say, the particular incarnation of pizza worked rather well as a breakfast dish. Light on for tomato, not overpoweringly cheesy, an interesting variation on the standard pastry options when it comes to breaking the fast.

From there,  we headed back to the hotel, where I was inclined towards rest and recuperation or recharging of batteries while Madam explored the wilds of Surry Hills. There had been thoughts of heading that way myself, but the  tiredness factor over recent days suggested it wasn't a good idea. 

Checking in on Monday afternoon had produced an offer of a free movie, two for one breakfast or a midday checkout, and the choice had been rather close to a no-brainer. Even without the tiredness factor once the late checkout kicked in I'd probably have gone for the R&R, but recent events meant I was never going to be frittering away the opportunity to squeeze in a bit more recovery time.

Madam returned just after eleven-thirty, and the transfer to the Rendezvous was made on foot, towing The Black Monster along Goulburn and Pitt streets with drizzle threatening without actually arriving. It arrived when we set out for a look around the neighbourhood in search of herbal medicine. 

Madam knew where she was going, and once that particular mission had been accomplished we headed to Sydney Central! where the IGA has Asian ingredients you can 'to obtain elsewhere, then back to the hotel to rest up and contemplate weather-related matters.

Memory has a way of playing tricks on you, and I was looking to set out for Allphones around a quarter to four, having conveniently forgotten that last time I headed out that way I got on a train that didn't stop at Liscombe and had to backtrack.

Last time around I had compounded the early arrival factor by doing a circuit around ANZ Stadium while I looked for the venue, something I wouldn't have been inclined to do in the prevailing weather conditions.

So I could, and probably should have left later, but that would have raised its own issues. 

It was drizzling as I left the station and up went the umbrella as I headed along the shortest route between two points. There were changes of direction, so it wasn't quite a straight line. I arrived to find the doors weren't open yet, but that gave the chance to divert to the merchandise operation while things were still relatively uncrowded.

Having secured the souvenir t-shirt and stubby cooler I headed back to the main doors, which still weren't open. That gave the opportunity to eavesdrop on a couple of Yanks who were obviously not previously acquainted. Eavesdropping while a retired court official from Wisconsin or somewhere similar and a bloke who appeared to have a background in finance and investment from Austin recounted their experiences following Bruce across the countryside seemed like a reasonable way to kill the time until five-thirty.

Around the Allphones

© Ian Hughes 2012