The Quarterhouse

My brother Matthew announced his intention to come and visit. He wanted to inspect my new flat and to have a Sunday roast in the pub across the road on Bourke Street. Unfortunately, it isn't open on Sundays but there's a fairly new place on Collins Street, near Southern Cross station which looked shiny and bright - and which does a Sunday roast. It's also a ten minute walk from my place

I booked a table.

Matthew and his daughter Sage came. Lindsey and Ian, Freyja and Simon, Wendy came. And so did Christian, Cassie and their two daughter and Suzie, Chris and their two month old baby. Everyone else was unavailable.

I would definitely go there again. Matt was a bit disappointed. He had ordered a Sunday roast which didn't turn up but there was an unclaimed plate of fish and chips kicking around on the table. Eventually he decided he would eat that but it had been sitting on the table for a while. Next time we'll have to make sure he gets the roast because it was magnificent. It was far too big for me. Lindsey had also ordered it. We could easily have shared it with Matt, had we thought about it. Two between three would have been more than enough

Vegan options:

They shared the dishes but there was still
lots left over

These are some of Freyja's photos of the gathering

I was also in a pub on Thursday evening. Lindsey and Ian came over and we had dinner in the Friends of Fire next to Marvel Stadium

There isn't a rooftop garden here. There is a gym, and a foyer, set up with comfy chairs, tables, books and a concierge - and that really is it for communal facilities, apart from a small "community" garden on the stadium concourse which you can arrange to have access to. It belongs to Victoria Point and people grow things in boxes. I shall look into how I go about getting access to it. Eventually! In the meantime, I don't really need a communal garden or pool.  I would probably sit in a rooftop garden if there happened to be one, but since there isn't I take coffee or sandwiches or whatever and sit along the promenade, if I want to sit outside to eat or drink

Lunchtime view on Saturday

I am pleased to report that so far people who have been to inspect my flat have been impressed with it. I realise that people are unlikely to tell me if they hate it, but the "wow" reactions as people walk in seem to be genuine.  This is good. Means I don't have to move again!