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Postcards and morsels - Autumn picnic BBQ at The Cotter River

24/4/2014

 
Autumn colour by Liz Posmyk
Just a perfect day
Problems all left alone
Weekenders on our own
It's such fun;

Oh such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you;

Just a perfect day
Drink sangria in the park
And then later, when it gets dark
We go home.

Lyrics: Perfect Day (Lou Reed)

'Good morning sweetheart, are we doing anything today?' Peter said when we opened our eyes yesterday morning. 'Well, that'll depend on the weather. Remember we talked about driving out to The Cotter River for a picnic or BBQ,' I replied. 'Oh yes,' he nodded. It was overcast when we first emerged, but within an hour it had transformed into a glorious autumn day, the kind that should be celebrated. After breakfast, I baked a batch of ANZAC biscuits, made a thermos of sweet milky coffee and packed a few bits and pieces into a picnic basket. On our way, we popped in to a shopping centre and bought some Wagyu steaks from a small butchery, and freshly baked Turkish bread rolls from the baker next door. We arrived at The Cotter at midday and parked the car at my favourite picnic spot. To our great delight, we were the only ones in that area.
Autumn picnic by Liz Posmyk

Back in the 60s...

Having migrated from Hungary, my parents celebrated the great Aussie outdoors and, no matter what the weather, Sundays were dedicated to 'going for a drive' for a picnic or barbecue. Even the family dog came along (see photo bottom right, that's our dachshund, Zsa Zsa!). The Cotter was one of my father's favourite destinations and my mother was always well prepared with travel sweets, a picnic rug, a wet facecloth in a plastic bag in case someone felt ill, an esky full of food, and a thermos of her home made café au lait.
1960s picnics at The Cotter by Liz Posmyk
Research indicates that the Cotter River was named after Garrett Cotter, an Irishman and former convict who was transported for life to Australia at the age of 19 for firing at British troops during an uprising. For a time, he lived beyond the river which would eventually bear his name. You can read more about Cotter here.

Recommendations from the BBQ chef...

'Keep it simple' is our advice if you are planning a delicious day outdoors. Sure, you can cook for a few hours beforehand if you prefer, but a few fresh ingredients can form a most enjoyable lunch. Here's what went into our picnic basket:
2 Turkish bread rolls
2 Wagyu steaks
1 large brown onion, sliced
butter to grease the BBQ and spread on the rolls
BBQ sauce 
chorizo sausage
sweet, milky, thermos coffee
freshly baked biscuits
paper towelling (so you can make a chef's hat and clean up the BBQ)
plates, cups, BBQ tools (tongs and scraper), small knife

A picnic rug, fold up chairs, umbrellas and rain jackets were also in the car.
My Peter the BBQ chef by Liz Posmyk

The sound of silence: birdsong and water...

Peter lit the barbecue and cooked our lunch while I channelled my inner child, chased a few ducks and skimmed flat stones on the river. We sat and ate lunch, sipping on hot coffee and talking about times past. For a while we sat quietly, the sun on our faces, simply enjoying the sound of silence, birdsong and gentle running water. 
Autumn by the River by Liz Posmyk

The Cotter Dam discovery trail...

After lunch, during a light rain shower, we walked along the new 'discovery trail'. According to ACTEW's web site: The Cotter Dam Discovery Trail runs along the hillside adjacent to Cotter Avenue, near Cotter Road. A walk along the river commences near the new car park, opposite Cotter Avenue (the old Cotter Pub site) and continues along the Cotter River for 1.4 kilometres towards the viewing platform. The viewing platform is situated above the heritage listed Cotter Trout Hatchery and approximately 350 metres southeast of the new dam site. Standing on the platform you will be approximately the same height as the half-way mark on the 80 metre high enlarged Cotter Dam.' The views from that platform are indeed breathtaking!
Eucalypt with the Dam behind by Liz Posmyk

The Cotter Dam...

The water that flows into the Cotter River from catchment areas provides water for the ACT and region. The River was first dammed in 1912 when Canberra was first established and in 1951 the dam wall was raised to 102 feet to increase the capacity of the reservoir. The 'new' and enlarged Dam, completed in October 2013, was built around 100 metres downstream from the old dam, is 80 metres or 26 storeys tall and comprises some 400,000 cubic metres of concrete. 
The Cotter Dam, Canberra by Liz Posmyk

A plaque 'memories of the Cotter' on site...

The Cotter has been a key recreational park and swimming hole for Canberrans, and long-time (or lifelong) residents (like me) have very fond memories of family outings to the area. Unfortunately, the old wooden suspension bridge across the river was destroyed in the 2003 bush fires. There is a new bridge leading to the discovery trail, and the playground at The Avenue was recently upgraded too. 
Memories of the Cotter - plaque

Celebrating a glorious autumn day...

Just look at the colours! That's a European wasp on the Jeep badge. And, while taking photographs during a rain shower, we were almost clunked on the head by the hard balls of fruit falling from the towering Liquidambar trees!
Autumn colours by Liz Posmyk

And the Lou Reed song, 'Perfect Day', just because...


Tell me dear readers, what constitutes 'a perfect day' for you? And do you take the opportunity to celebrate a glorious day by 'going for a drive' and having a picnic or barbecue?
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
23/4/2014 06:32:07 pm

What a lovely way to spend the long weekend! I am so excited that we have another three days coming up. Perhaps if the weather is good, we'll do a picnic!

Lizzy
23/4/2014 08:01:48 pm

Thanks Lorraine... I hope the weather is perfect for you : )

Krista Bjorn link
23/4/2014 10:24:50 pm

I had such a happy sigh when I opened this post, Liz. :-) So many gorgeous images, but I love the top one best. It is pure peace. :-)

Lizzy
23/4/2014 10:29:50 pm

Krista, thank you so much : )

Jane Way link
24/4/2014 03:57:19 pm

Oh Lizzy, what a perfect day for sure! Just loved reading this post and listening to Lou. I enjoyed it with a cup of tea, but I'm thinking the sweet milky coffee from a Thermos would be even better!

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:26:02 pm

Jane, thanks so much! I love your kind comment : ) Thank you for stopping by!

Anne link
25/4/2014 09:11:57 pm

Transformer now playing! Gosh that brings back some memories. When we visited Australia I loved the way that everyone arrives at a place with barbecues ready to use and the whole community thing that springs up. Here in England everyone sits in their car by the side of a busy road eating McDonalds and then throws the rubbish out onto the verge and drives off. Well, OK I exaggerate. A little.
Looks idyllic.

A Rhubarb Rhapsody link
23/4/2014 10:30:01 pm

How utterly idyllic. GREAT song choice by the way. It was one of the 4 songs I had played at my wedding.

Lizzy
23/4/2014 11:12:42 pm

Oh Lily, how lovely! xo

Andrea
23/4/2014 11:51:59 pm

Another gorgeous spot to add to my to-do list. This has all aspects of a glorious day out filled with all that my husband Geoff and I love!!! Love your flask ! A touch of whimsy indeed! X

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:26:52 pm

Andrea, thank you. Yes, yes, yes, The Cotter is a must visit when you come to Canberra! Thanks for your kind words. The thermos was given to me by my parents. I think they (my dad) won it at lawn bowls in the 70s!

Rosa link
24/4/2014 02:16:13 am

Lovely pictures and post! I love this song.

Cheers,

Rosa

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:27:04 pm

Rosa, thank you so much, me too!

Zsuzsa link
24/4/2014 03:58:57 am

Lizzy this sure souns like the perfect day. We are kindred spirits liking a quiet spot for a picnic. One year we were happily munching on our sandwiches yakking away when we heard a crack and looked across the road and there was a black bear family also having a picnic. That was the end of the picnic for this family.

But the funniest thing is the way you are standing ever so casually, and in the other picture looking down from the glare of the sun. You should see pictures of my younger poses, my feet in particular, and always, always averting looking at the sun. I can still hear it "look at the camera Zsuzsa" haha.

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:28:07 pm

Wow, a bear! Now that is a dampener for a picnic, Zsuzsa. LOL, you made me laugh with the comment about not looking at the camera. I seem to have been looking at the dog, but I was also moody sometimes around family friends that bossed me around : )

Liz link
24/4/2014 06:13:45 am

Sundays growing up were the days my dad got us out of my mom's hair. We'd have adventures like this...hiking and treats. The Cotter looks like a gorgeous destination!

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:28:30 pm

Oh Liz, how wonderful that you have those memories of times with your dad xo

Mary Pisarkiewicz link
24/4/2014 09:29:07 am

Cotter river looks like a beautiful place for a picnic. I definitely need one of those chef's hats next time I grill.

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:28:46 pm

Peter's chef's hat is a cracker, isn't it Mary : )

Francesca link
24/4/2014 12:13:39 pm

What a beautiful looking picnic spot. I haven't had a picnic in ages, though we do eat outdoors whenever the sun shines. Cotter looks like a good spot. Love your old photos too.

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:29:13 pm

Francesca, thanks so much! The Cotter is so beautiful! You must take some time out for a picnic, love.

Maureen link
24/4/2014 12:58:20 pm

OMG that photo of Peter is smashing! He didn't look so animated when I met him. He must have been using his company manners at the restaurant. I want to go on a picnic with you two now. What a fantastic location and even better lunch!

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:29:49 pm

Oh Maureen, you are too funny! I'm sure if you came along on a picnic with us, Peter would drop his guard xox

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
24/4/2014 01:34:21 pm

Beautiful photos, what a perfect autumn picnic!

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:30:00 pm

Laura, thanks so much! : )

Eha
24/4/2014 02:07:16 pm

A peaceful spot, a loving guy, a sunny day and comfort food! How could one go wrong :) ? But you well know which photos I double-scrolled and compared to the few left of my childhood and my parents . . .

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:30:18 pm

Eha, we are like to little peas in a pod xox

Eha
25/4/2014 05:17:55 pm

Uhuh . . . lovely, methinks . . .

Hotly Spiced link
24/4/2014 04:57:30 pm

It looks like a perfect day. What a lovely picnic you prepared. I too, grew up with parents who always wanted to go for a Sunday drive and take us on a picnic. I don't remember too many warm days either (being NZ) so usually I couldn't wait to get back into the car! How lovely that you also grew up with dachshunds - such a fabulous breed, full of personality! xx

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:31:05 pm

Thanks Charlie… dachshunds make cute pets, don't they! I used to dress mine up in baby clothes! Though she wasn't so nice to visitors and people who tried to pat her when she didn't know them! : )

ela@GrayApron link
24/4/2014 05:00:51 pm

We love picnics...Yours looks like a total success, you even got a little rain :) ela

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:31:21 pm

Just a little rain shower, Ela, very pretty actually!

John @ Kitchen Riffs link
24/4/2014 05:28:17 pm

Lou Reed was so great, wasn't he? Anyway, fun post! Love the pictures, and it sounds like a delightful day. Good read -- thanks.

Lizzy
24/4/2014 09:31:47 pm

Lou Reed was indeed great, John. Glad you liked him too! It was a lovely day out. Thanks for stopping by : )

MandyTheCompleteBook link
25/4/2014 01:25:42 am

Absolutely wonderful Lizzy!
Have a beautiful weekend.
:-) Mandy xo

Lizzy
27/4/2014 05:18:58 pm

Thanks so much, Mandy. Have a great week xo

David Scott Allen link
26/4/2014 02:58:40 am

What an idyllic day! The steaks look amazing (Yay, Peter!) and you ruminations had me sitting there right next to you. Thanks for sharing, and have a great weekend!

Lizzy
27/4/2014 05:19:22 pm

Oh, thanks so much, David, that's very kind of you! Have a great week!

Peter
27/4/2014 05:20:10 pm

David, we menfolk have to take the bull (or the steak) by the horns occasionally, pop on a chef's hat and prove ourselves, no?

Lizzy
26/5/2014 10:01:34 am

And you sure wore that chef's hat well, my Peter xox

Jennifer Milk and Honey link
27/4/2014 11:39:44 am

A Perfect Day indeed. Lovely images and reflections.

Lizzy
27/4/2014 05:20:24 pm

Thanks so much, Jennifer : )

Fiona @TIFFIN bite sized food adventures link
27/4/2014 11:42:02 pm

Lovely, lovely, lovely. So glad it turned out to be a nice day. As we have chatted, still blazing in Qld so a trip to the Capital tops me up for my Autumn fix. I spied the Thermos in the photo - you can't keep a good Thermos down can you? A very nice interlude Liz. Fxx

Lizzy
28/4/2014 12:51:08 pm

Thanks so much, Fiona, that is very kind of you. Have you been out to The Cotter on one of your visits? I hear you may be in for a cool change now too! The thermos is a beauty, a real old one, but very treasured. Thanks for stopping by xo

Emme link
28/4/2014 08:28:14 pm

Love the mix of history with your afternoon outing, and rather licking my jobs at your picnic spread!

Lizzy
26/5/2014 10:02:18 am

Emme, thank you kindly! : )

Anna Johnston link
29/4/2014 09:36:18 pm

Yes, yes, yes. What a magical day! Love a good drive in the country, throw a picnic in the mix and I'm in heaven. :)

Lizzy
26/5/2014 10:02:44 am

Can't beat a great picnic, huh Anna!

Adri link
3/5/2014 02:26:28 am

It sure does look like a perfect day. Picture perfect, I'd say. I always enjoy your photo essays. Your part of the world is glorious indeed.

Lizzy
26/5/2014 10:03:32 am

Adri, thank you so much for your very kind words. Australia is indeed very beautiful : )

Zsuzsa link
15/5/2014 04:25:50 am

What a great post - I thoroughly enjoyed reading up on your family tradition, so you too had a dog named after me? It was not the only one you know. And a perfect picnic on an empty campsite - that's my kind of spot for a great day. And the chef's hat is very fetching too and Lou Reed - girl you know how to have a good time. :-)

Lizzy
26/5/2014 10:04:27 am

Zsuzsa, you made me smile! Yes, this was a wonderful day, yes, we had a cheeky dog named Zsa Zsa... and I'm so glad you like the chef's hat on Peter xo


Comments are closed.

    Welcome...

    Üdvözölöm
    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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