summer : in brooklyn

photos by luisa brimble

Brooklyn is a little fishing town just north of Sydney, well-known for its oyster farms and river views. Whilst the marina, the local pub, the second-hand bookstore, and gallery/cafe lure tourists on the weekend, this pretty village is quiet during the week; the ideal time to visit.

I’ve always thought of places like Brooklyn as perfect fodder for a story. Perhaps its the history, wrapped up in fishing nets and salt air, or the dynamics inherent in a small community where gossip runs rife. Dangar Island is just across the river; accessible only by boat it is inhabited by artists and recluses (and normal folk too). We plan to escape there sometime soon, to stay in a little cottage for a week or so (I’ll be taking notes).

Brooklyn is an easy drive from Sydney or, if you want to plan a little adventure, you can catch the train to Hawkesbury River. There’s a great park for the kids just past the marina; a good hour or two worth of play.

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For good coffee in a beautiful gallery space pop into Hang – Nicole Ruiz Gallery. If you fancy a seafood lunch discover Life Boat Seafood’s leafy courtyard, located right next to the marina.

I’ve been reading the newest release from my very favourite writer, Lily Brett. If you have never read any of her work I would recommend starting with her collections of essays – all absolutely superb – New York, Between Mexico and Poland and In Full View (sometimes hard to find as new publications, try your library or second hand bookstores). Her best fiction works, in my opinion, are Just Like That and the brand new Lola Bensky.

I adore Lily’s sense of humour, her writing style and, most of all, the blur between her autobiographical work and her novels. She still writes with a pencil on paper…and has a fabulous way with words:

“She put the words into sentences and phrases with a peacefulness she rarely felt. She shifted semicolons and quotation marks with the tranquility of a Zen priest. There was a gratifying orderliness about reordering worlds and words. About placing and replacing vows, vowels and events.”

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I’m wearing: hat by Gorman (last season), vintage top, brigitte balloon skirt c/o KissinCussin, fine heart ring in gold by babyanything, bella bag c/o elf, (10% off with code FIDEL) sasha shoes c/o elf (10% off with code FIDEL), mandala beads and bracelets from around and about. Poet wears top by kidsagogo, bloomers c/o udder and sandals c/o saltwater sandals.

I’ll be creating a little feature just like this one every season. Next up? Autumn in Surry Hills (expect a cafe review, or three).

By Jodi