The new decade – my new decade at least, was celebrated this past week with appropriate decadence. In many ways I don’t know why I waited so long to get this old. There is so much fun to be had, so many indulgences, so little guilt! The knees still work for the bicycle, the hair is yet to reveal it’s true colours and my fingers can still pull the cork on a bottle of champagne. Or two. The best part is having good friends to celebrate with. And that meant an outstanding brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda, a Soho spot with an almost permanent line waiting for a table. I went Mediterranean with creamy yogurt and Greek salad, but next time I will know the thing to have is Emi’s choice, a croque madam hiding duck prosciutto within layers of cheese béchamel. Delicious! Champagne flowed not just for me but for the establishment’s birthday, so there was much gaiety. And it didn’t stop there. By evening, Australian lamb was high on the list at Babu Ji’s in the east Village, a quirky establishment with an honours system for the beer fridge. It was all go. But I had a premonition. At 6 o’clock that morning, Friday the thirteenth, I awoke to a full moon tinged pink by the rising sun. It was a glorious start to the day and to the year, and I know it’s going to be one of the best…
TheFitzyreport 
Thanks heaps Gabrielle for your report. I often hear you on ABC Overnights and have subscribed to your report for a while. I have recommended you to a number of friends who have visited the Big Apple. I will get there one day.
Please keep up the reports. Oh and welcome to your new decade.
Thank you Jo! And thank you for listening – I hope your sleeplessness overnight means you are working on your travel plans…
Love the effortless photoshop! Yes, as I say, getting old sucks, but not getting old sucks more! Happy Birthday! Normally I’d say from lovely Tasmania, but working in Townsville so greetings from the oppressively hot and humid north.
Thank you Marta. What an extreme – Tasmania to Townsville! Hope you have something cool in the fridge…
Happy Birthday for last week Gabrielle! It sounds like you had a great day. My turn next in August!
Thanks Chris! It was a great birthday indeed and you have this great celebration still to come. The year of O!!!
Dear Gabrielle, you celebrate your birthday as you do in life, i.e. to the full. You will never die wondering! Anyone else awakening to a red dawn (sailors bewarned) on Friday 13th! Good luck to you. Peter.
Thank you for this endearing comment Peter. It just keeps getting better – as you would know with all those gorgeous girls around you…
wow What a birthday and card– may all your wishes come true Love from Irene and Sarah from Tassie.
Thank you both and hello to Tassie! Yes, the card was especially made for me and I just love it…
Congrats, We enjoy your little blog, your photos are always nice and crisp , the text is upbeat. I relay your entries back to friends and relatives in Sydney who just love them. Best, Harry.
Hey, thanks Harry. Hope all goes well with you over the bridge. I aim to only have good news, or at least to make it entertaining regardless…