THE WATTLE CAFE—A WINTER RETREAT

The Wattle Cafe, on the Great Western Highway at Blackheath, has been around since the 1940s. My Blackheath born friend Larraine tells me they used to serve hot milkshakes, which had to be drunk quickly, before the straw melted.

It is such a warm sanctuary on a freezing winter’s day. Yes it does get a bit chilly here in the Blue Mountains. It’s lovely for a writer like me to be out and about again now that lock-down is easing.

My young associate Editor Des enjoys an old favourite, raisin toast. It’s the ultimate comfort snack. Mind you, toasted banana bread is my own choice.

I’m usually working if I’m there on my own, but (Covid-19 notwithstanding) there is a little shelf library and a stack of magazines for those with a bit of time on their hands.

The best thing about The Wattle is the wood fire. I like to sit directly opposite, on the red sofa seat.

Here comes lunch……sweet potato chips as a side with sour cream and chilli sauce ($5) And a BLT ($15). It was all delicious, but a bit much for me. I had to take half the BLT home.

Another joy of winter in the upper Blue Mountains is that the various wattle trees (acacias) bloom. Makes the cold easier to cope with, just like the cafe that carry’s its name.