Here is Part I of Greenpatch travel diaries, for those unfamiliar with the area 'south of Sydney', five hours from the New South Wales capital there is a little slice of paradise called Booderee National Park. It is here that you will find a frame to capture "Australian" iconography (beach, roo's & bush) This first post will feature bush sights of Greenpatch and those in the Jervis Bay area and the second post will highlight the beach.

I spent a few nights in February camping with my sister and grandma close to Bristol Point. We chose to camp at Greenpatch this time of the year because it was a uni break, my employers excused me from my work duties and the weather is a little cooler. Camping is an experience easily forgotten, whether it is my body's mechanism of convincing me that nothing went wrong last time, and camping will be a alternative summertime pastime than to binge watch tv shows. I personally believe it is similar to the memory loss that mother's suffer when recalling childbirth; overall the outcome outweighs the burden of suffering.

List of things I always forget about camping:
+birds are loud
+there is a 99% chance that your air mattress will deflate
+the way the tent becomes a fiery furnace courtesy of the blazing morning sun
+camping food isn't the healthiest diet and won't be featured on a morning tv program anytime soon
+sunburn will sting and one application of sunblock will not make you tanner quicker, just stupider
+the smell of open air campground bathroom facilities
+children cycling by (at all hours) 20cm from your tent/face is the perfect alarm for your contraception
+birds are LOUD
+what people did pre-internet times after the sun sets at 8pm?
+alcohol is okay with/after lunch
+erecting a tent isn't all fun and games
+birds are bastards

My personal highlight reel of this mini-vacay includes chasing possums out of my tent and away from the Cocopops at midnight & the cozy blanket fort vibes. Greenpatch is guaranteed to provide the answer to whatever you are looking for. Whether that might be the answer to someone asking you to join in on a outdoor activity; the vitamin d will do you some good

Brunch | Kettle Black

Kettle Black | thekettleblack.com.au

A: 50 Albert Road, South Melbourne P: (03) 9088 072 

If Daenerys Targaryen is the mother of dragons, Kettle Black is the mother of pancakes. This cafe was first on my Melbourne 'to-do' list and it did not disappoint. I will admit Instagram lead me to this cafe, however not even the most photogenic filter can capture it's chic hybrid atmosphere of resort spa meets contemporary cafe. 

Kettle Black diners are welcomed by a heritage terrence house exterior yet the modern design interior is 'contemporary industrial chic'. Subway tiling, clean lines, circle patterns, white marble and gold trimmings is everything this architecture and room styling nerd could dream of.

I am more of a savoury gal but I knew from the recommendations that the signature hotcake was the way to go, and boy did I consider ordering seconds. The menu description reads "Hotcakes with house made ricotta, blueberries, maple syrup, double cream & seeds." They were especially delectable in both the flavours and presentation.

In terms of service we expected less wait on a mid-morning weekday and were surprised by the amount of diners. We were seated outside at the entrance and politely given a estimated wait for a table that was close to a coffee trolley. Our coffee was pretty dismal, it arrived and both our drinks were starting to cool, however waitstaff were polite and friendly. We were unimpressed with waiting, but what can you do? Despite the waiting, Kettle Black provided a beautiful sensory dining experience. I occasionally joke that I would drive ten hours to have this breakfast again. But sometimes I wonder if this is a serious statement.

Hours

Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday 8:00am - 4:00pm