I was a bit disappointed when Blackheath’s Altitude Café moved last year, even if it was only next door. It had lost some of its ambience I thought. However, when I called in some time later everything had changed. One whole wall was devoted to a series of  extraordinary wood panels, featuring Australian birds and animals carved in relief. They date from the 1970s and are the work of Robert Keen, who called in to inspect them recently. Robert  works in many genres.  He lived in the  Lower Blue Mountains for some years, where he met and was influenced by Norman Lindsay.

I adore the panels. And what a treat they are  for our tourists.

Altitude Cafe., Blackheath
Carved kookaburra
Kooka
Lyrebird
Lyrebird
Cheeky Cocky!

The echidna is a joy to behold.

Echidna
My  favourite, much as I love birds.

ON THE INSIDE LOOKING OUT… TO A BLACKHEATH CULTURAL TREASURE

If you sit at the back near the counter you can also enjoy a great view of Jenny Kee’s  wonderful mural on the wall of the Victory Antiques Centre.  Plenty of Australian flora and fauna showcased there.

Jenny Kee Mural
Local flora and fauna.

Grab yourself a bottle of chilled water; they are nearly as colorful as the mural.

And back to the theme of Aussie icons….what about an  Anzac biscuit or (my special favourite) a home made  Melting Moment?  Oh, such memories of my childhood.

Anzac biscuit
The good old Anzac
A Melting Moment at Altitude in Blackheath
Sorry, messed up the coffee art before I took this pic.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD.

The breakfasts are great too.

Breakfast at Altitude in Blackheath
Breakfast, or in my case more like Brunch.

Yes, they do cater for vegetarians

Menu at Altitude Cafe

Well done Altitude. I am very impressed . I still don’t like the fact that  food orders cease so early, but I guess the café opens before I am out of bed.

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