Week 22: Highgate Hill to River Bar (12km, 71min)

A few accommodations were made for the run this weekend.  With a birthday boy in the house, we decided on a little sleep in and a shorter distance.  In the spirit of birthdays, we pumped up on a pre-emptive loading of glycogen, via a solid portion of birthday Rocky Road before departing.  It was The Husband (birthday boy), Milly (happy Labrador) and I en route.  The departure was too late for Bronwyn, who has usually completed 15km, put on 2 loads of washing, and attended a basketball game before heading out to work.
The trail was one of my favourites starting along beneath the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.   The first kilometre was the slowest split we have ever achieved, exacerbated by the multiple comfort stops for the dog.  Our well-trod path was via Kangaroo Point Cliffs, through to the Story Bridge Hotel and up the stairs on the eastern side of the bridge.  We enjoyed the gentle slope from the bridge down Bowen Terrace and onto the river front, through Merthyr Park.  The river frontage here is some of the best in Brisbane, the combination of grass and shady trees is beautiful.  It’s a small hop past the Legless & Limbless Club to New Farm Park where the free Tai Chi session at New Farm Park was in full swing with a large diverse crowd.  Milly tried to break in to show them how the Downward Dog should be done.
To return to the city, we kept on the river walk and floating walkway. Where else would one want to be on one of Brisbane’s balmy winter days?
As a dining destination, the River Bar is location, location, location. Well patronised, and open for all meals, it is a great spot to while away some time in the river city. In summer, it is best at night, but for a winter morning, an idyllic spot to soak in the warm rays.  I will hope, however, that it performs better for lunch and dinner than it did for breakfast.  My toasted smoked salmon panini with ricotta, capers and rocket was a disappointment. The salmon looked pale and dry, combined with the ricotta, was chalky. I gave most of it to Milly (who declared it was delicious).  The Husband’s poached eggs, sourdough, bacon and tomato was tasty but unlikely to woo me back for more than wine and the view.  The coffee was reportedly cool & watery and poorly rated by the husband.  Perhaps you can serve mediocre and tasteless food when you possess such picture-perfect real-estate?  If rating is on food alone, River Bar sits at the end of the cafés visited by BOTR so far.

Salmon panini

Poached eggs