Awww shucks

I'm back. Straight from the 0C (32F) temps of a wintry New York and into the dizzying humidity of a sweltering Sydney. Sure 30C / 86F may be mild compared to the 45C / 113F temps Sydneysiders basked in over Christmas, but trust me. I am dyyyyyying.

The perfect welcome home? A freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oyster. These ones came from Port Stephens.

Nothing beats a freshly opened oyster. As the shell is slowly prised open, the smell of the sea wafts towards you with its briney allure. Soft, sweet, salty, raw. It was so good I almost wept.

But this is no time for crying. There is much work to do. I am woefully behind in my New York posts, and yes, there are plenty of photos to be uploaded too.

Keep scrolling down to check the latest (I'll be keeping the posts in their correct chronological order) and, whilst you're waiting, why not vote for your favourite in the 2005 Food Blog Awards. Thanks to all those who nominated me in the Best Food Blog - Restaurant Reviews category and congrats to all the other nominees.

Awww shucks. You guys are the best =)

22 Comments:

At 1/10/2006 3:44 pm, deborah said…

hey! welcome back. i didnt realise you were updating while on vacation. i look forward to reading all about your adventures. so did you love new york or were you ready to come back by the end of it?
At 1/10/2006 4:09 pm, Reid said…

Hi AG,

Welcome back and CONGRATULATIONS on the nomination! Good luck to you! I hope you do well! =)
At 1/10/2006 5:13 pm, Sam said…

hooray - welcome home!!!!
At 1/10/2006 5:17 pm, Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

Hi Saffron - I was indeed, albeit rather tardily (there are never enough hours in the day when you're travelling!).

NY was great. There was still so much more to eat! =) I could've stayed another month at least, but Sydney will always be home =)

Hi Reid - Thanks and thanks. I'm aghast that you didn't secure a nomination. What happened?

I have so many blogs to catch up on. Yours will be one of the first =)
At 1/10/2006 9:05 pm, jismgor said…

Can't wait to see what you think of the new Paramatta.
At 1/11/2006 12:46 am, Nic said…

Welcome home, AG! I can't wait to hear all you've been up to!
At 1/11/2006 1:32 am, Chubby Hubby said…

Welcome back and congrats on the nomination!
At 1/11/2006 10:03 am, Kelly said…

Hi Helen, welcome home! And happy new year! Looking forward to sitting down and reading all of your New York entries :)
At 1/11/2006 4:21 pm, Rose said…

Congrats on your nom!!!
At 1/11/2006 7:37 pm, Anonymous said…

Welcome back..!! i voted for you too..! congrats..!!
At 1/12/2006 12:36 am, Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

Hi Sam - Thanks. It's always great to sleep in your own bed *sigh* Still adjusting to 30C temps though! Argh!

Hi Jismgor - In time, in time.

Hi Nic - Thanks. In a word - eating! Lots! Posts are coming, pics too. I wish I could multiply myself!

Hi Chubby Hubby - Thank you. Congrats to you on your nom as well! Your pics are always fantastic.

Hi Kelly - Happy New Year to you too! I have so many photos to edit! I hope you've been enjoying the NY posts so far.

Hi Rose - Thanks. It's always nice to have things like this to keep the spirits up. Or is that just the egotism? =)

Hi Mama Bok - Thank you, and thanks again! It's good to be home. Now I have to get stuck into all the posting I need to do!
At 1/12/2006 10:52 am, Kirsten said…

Welcome home AG, I look forward to reading about the rest of your NY experiences and seeing all the photos..

Congrats on your Food Blog Award nomination & good luck.
At 1/12/2006 4:36 pm, Veruca Salt said…

Welcome back! Enjoyed reading your blurbs. Can't wait to see the photos.

Congrats on your nominated. I thought Reid was robbed too!
At 1/12/2006 7:16 pm, Rachel said…

Ahh glad your back Helen :) safe and sound and cooking (literally and figuratively) back on our shores. Good luck on your nomination !!
Btw do you prefer pacific or rock oysters? I much prefer pacific as they have less "bite" and taste more creamy ... mmm with a dash of tabasco salt is my favourite!
At 1/12/2006 10:07 pm, Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

Hi Kirsten - Thanks. It's great to be back. I'm so glad the heatwave has stopped, even if it does mean cloud and showers!

Hi Veruca - Yes, I agree! The first lot of pics are up. Plenty more where they came from!

Hi Rachel - Thank you. I'm back in one piece, and thankfully not bigger either (those American portion sizes are scary!)

I'm a devout Sydney Rock oyster fan. The whole 'bite' is the whole joy of it. I find Pacifics too creamy and not as tasty. The zing's the thing! =)
At 1/13/2006 9:22 am, Anonymous said…

My, those oysters look nice!
Congratulations on your nomination. I linked you to my blog! Keep it up!

Bea
At 1/14/2006 2:55 pm, Chick Pea said…

Man o man o man, those oysters look divine. Nothing beats a Pacific oyster. Atlantic oysters are great, but no where near as creamy. *drool*

Looking foward to your updates and pics of NY!!

Congrats on your nomination, and best of luck! :)
At 1/14/2006 4:56 pm, Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

Hi Bea - The oysters were divine. And thanks, glad you like it!

Hi Chick Pea - Thanks, and yes I'm working hard on the pics posts at the moment!
At 1/16/2006 6:22 pm, Joycelyn said…

hi helen, congratulations! it is very well-deserved...and welcome back!
At 1/16/2006 9:40 pm, Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

Hi J - Congrats to you too! Your photos are awesome.

It's good to be home. Shame about having to work though =)
At 1/21/2006 3:45 pm, Rachel said…

Hi again Helen,

I had to come back to comment on this post and say that you were right... rock oysters are pretty yummy when fresh and I got to find that out a most interesting way. If you could spare a moment and if it interests you, you could peruse it on my blog. Thanks again for keeping the flame of good food burning.
At 1/24/2006 3:59 pm, Helen (AugustusGloop) said…

Hi Rachel - You did have fun. Great job too!