Read Map Magazine 
Mercedes-Benz Brisbane
How do you like to start your weekend?
Brew a cup of coffee using my vintage Melitta 102 then take the dogs for a long walk along the creek.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Since I work Saturdays, it has to be a chat with my regulars at Commodity. We are well on the way of becoming a bit of a community around the espresso machine. It can be highly entertaining at times, but one can also learn a lot by listening.
How do you like to unwind?
By being close to nature. A walk along the beach or in the rainforest, or even just sitting under a tree can be very calming.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Depends. Good food, good wine, and, of course, good coffee shared with family and friends. Or a spade, gardening gloves and manure to grow some of the food that will be shared later.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Another passion of mine is to make cheese. Unfortunately that hasn’t happened for a while and the cheese fridge is starting to look dangerously bare.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
At this time of the year, I love to sit by the fire with a glass of wine, put my feet up and read a good book.
What are you looking forward to this weekend?
The World Press Photo exhibition at Brisbane Powerhouse.
What are you reading at the moment?
There is a bit of a story to go with this one. I met this fascinating woman while waiting for a tram in Melbourne. We started talking and kept talking all the way to the city. Turned out she was a writer – Shirley Shackleton. It happened quite a number of months ago and I have only now found the time to start reading her very compelling book, The Circle of Silence.
What inspires you?
People. Creative people, people who push the limits and go beyond the possible, people who are not a afraid to speak up for what they believe in.
What was your childhood dream?
To be an explorer and to discover the world. I have made it to Australia, many more countries are still on the agenda.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Definitely my children.
What is success to you?
If you have found your purpose in life, to be comfortable with who you are and to have learnt to overlook what is not important.
What are your words of wisdom?
I am tempted to say “Life is too short to drink bad coffee”. Instead I will quote the words of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard: “To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.”
Only a local would know that … under no circumstance should you park your car in the tow away zones on McLachlan Street. Contracted tow trucks will jump at the opportunity to tow 24/7 on weekends!
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Dandelion and Driftwood, Hendra
Relax … My veggie garden
Dine … Lunchtime Bento boxes at Mizu, Teneriffe
Indulge … Gelateria Cremona, Rosalie
Shop … Artisan on Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Catch-up …. Picnic somewhere along the Brisbane River
Be inspired … GOMA
