Favourite bits.
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The story of the estate. São Lourenço do Barrocal has been in the same family for more than 200 years, and it was José António Uva (who is eight generation of the same family) who had a vision to turn the family property into a farm retreat he could share with others. The passion and dedication behind José António’s dream, and what he has created, is incredibly inspiring.
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The interiors. Perfectly simple and calming. The interior design was led by José António’s wife Ana’s design studio, AnahoryAlmeida (also responsible for the interiors of many of Lisbon’s finest restaurants) and it is a dream.
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Hortelão, their outdoor restaurant. The most beautiful place to dine between Spring through Autumn, this slow-food, farm to fork restaurant is located next to the pool, right by the organic kitchen garden, and is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner under the stars.
Spotlight on Sydney.
Local insider interview with Caroline Clements, Writer/Producer, Places We Swim.
Name: Caroline Clements
Star Sign: Aries
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia.
Why Sydney?
To live near the beach!
Describe yourself in 3 words or less...
Excitable, active, impatient.
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Describe Sydney in 3 words or less...
Sunny, charming, outside.
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What inspires you here?
The people, the energy, the natural beauty, the food culture and the different communities. The lifestyle in Sydney feels so charged by being close to the water – whether it’s the harbour or the ocean.
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What does a normal day look like for you?
I wake up at around 6am, and do something active, a run, some yoga, or a swim. I like doing exercise with others - usually my bf Dillon, friends or our neighbours – it’s more fun and motivating. We have breakfast together, then the workday begins. If I’m working somewhere else (a shared workspace or library) I might ride my bike, or catch a bus/train (good time to read or catch up on emails), otherwise I often work at home. Mostly I spend the day at a computer but will try to get outside to eat lunch or sit in the sun at some point. At night, depending on the light, there might be some other activities, a pottery class, an early evening swim or dinner with friends, or we’ll cook dinner at home and relax. Then in bed by about 10pm with a book.
Favourite places in Sydney for:
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best coffee: Paramount Coffee Project, Surry Hills
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delicious food: Pizza Madre, Marrickville
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something to sip: Love Tilly Devine, Darlinghurst
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somewhere to shop: Poepke, Paddington
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for culture: Carriageworks, Redfern
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for nature: Sydney Royal National Park
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for live music: Freda’s, Chippendale
What does a perfect Sydney weekend look like for you?
Dinner with friends on Friday night / maybe a board game, a swim on Saturday morning, homemade pancakes for breakfast, a bike ride, a movie at the cinema, some yin yoga. Any or all with friends. Sleep in Sunday, read in bed. I might flick through some cookbooks and decide on what to cook, and hopefully another great meal with friends.
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You have found some pretty amazing places to swim all over Australia. Can you share a few of your favourites in and around Sydney?
What is your favourite weekend getaway outside Sydney?
The Royal National Park or down further south to Stanwell Park, Austinmer, and Kiama in our van. Also love visiting up around Newcastle and into the Blue Mountains.
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Do you have any other Sydney secrets you can share?
A protected little beach called Camp Cove up past Watsons Bay with a beach kiosk on the sand.
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Where are you travelling to next?
NSW coast, Melbourne, New Zealand, Philadelphia, New Mexico.
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Window or aisle seat? Aisle.
What 3 things are always in your suitcase?
A swimsuit, runners, coconut oil for my skin.
Favourite 3 hotels in the world?
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia); Fort Bazaar (Galle, Sri Lanka); Pumphouse Point (Lake St Clair, Tasmania).
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Who is inspiring you right now?
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What is on your stereo?
Julia Jackson, Methyl Ethel, #1 Dads, Nicola Cruz, Cool Sounds.
Words you live by…
Done not perfect.
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Instagram: @placesweswim