SWF

Woke late, abluted, then 372-431-size-14-ed it to the Sydney Writers' Festival at swanky Walsh Bay.

Was disappointed that the "replica Shakespearean street" I'd been promised was just some Ye Olde Shoppes.

There was absolutely nothing disappointing about the pair of talks I attended, though.

Publisher Louise Adler interviewed England's Lucy Hughes-Hallet (right) about her biography of Italian proto-fascist and all-round fascinating character Gabriele D'Annunzio.

While that event cost $20, the next was free - and cents-pinching punters were lining up an hour beforehand!

Towards the end of the wait, we were entertained by the excellent spoken-word poetry (or was it lyrical rapping?) of Zohab Khan.

Nicked that image from his Instagram feed. Hope the young fella doesn't mind.

So, anyway, the other talk I attended was mathematician/comedian Adam Spencer interviewing America's Vikram Chandra (right) about the connections between fiction (and language in general) and computer code, as explored in his book "Geek Sublime".

It was thought-provoking and, to his credit, AS interjected only to clarify concepts, not to make gags for the sake of it.

Brain full but belly empty, I then indulged my epicurean side at nearby Dedes On The Wharf, where the service was superb and every ingredient was spot-on...

Seared scallops and quinoa served with a crispy piece of pancetta, caramel palm sauce and cauliflower cheese sauce. Barramundi fillet with saucy lentils, little slices of chorizo, carrots and baby leek. Rhubarb tart (perfect pastry) with pear ice-cream. A white wine with each course :-)

Scrotes notes

My friend AP (the Sydders one) is in a rock band called Scrotal Trauma. For his 40th, they did a '90s-themed gig.

Last time I saw 'em perform, they were a two-piece - guitar and drums. These days, they're a quintet with a serious amount of gear.

On the tables were posters for pretend concerts past. There were even humorous fake magazine articles about the group.

Here are the Scrotes in full flight (AP is second from the left, doing his best Kurt Cobain impression) -

The lads skilfully covered songs by Hunters & Collectors, Blink-182, Ash, Supergrass, Spiderbait, The Cure, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Nirvana, Weezer, The Dandy Warhols, Blur, Hole, Ratcat, Queens Of The Stone Age and Blur.

Having opened with "Holy Grail", they returned to H&C territory for the encore, "Throw Your Arms Around Me".

For the rest of the night, a laptop hooked into the speakers pumped out more sounds of the '90s - a decade I must stop claiming not to like.

Programming wizard

"I happened to have knowledge of element-based magic, so I simply applied it" - Makoto Uchida, lead producer on the classic videogame "Golden Axe" (speaking in "Retro Gamer #128").

FCBD

Had a shameful breakfast (two Adriano Zumbo Tim Tams), smashed my housework, then headed to the city for Free Comic Book Day.

Was done with "The Saturday Paper" by Martin Place. Photographed the huge Ben Chifley statue because reasons.

First stop: Books Kinokuniya. Queued for ~20 minutes for four gratis funnybooks - I chose the two on the right. Kitty for the nieces.

Swung by EB with half a mind to purchasing "Child Of Light". Alas, they were only selling a download code or a d/c + ephemera.

Picked up my "Journey Into Nyx" Fat Pack from GG (pre-ordered at a discount). Would I open a "divine" booster with all 15 gods?

No. Nor did I jag this wrecking ball -

Second stop: Kings. The line was laughably long, so I kept on walking...while accidentally capturing a cute fan interaction.

Third stop: Superhero Comics, Enmore. No queueing whatsoever and these friendly folks allowed me to choose five titles.

Made my way to The Henson for a "Dirty Bird" (10-spice chicken, yellow rice and dry slaw) and a Young Henrys Real Ale.

Asked about the pinball room. The barman told me it's presently closed due to their licence not covering coin-operated machines.

Watched the Jets narrowly lose to the Sea Eagles. When Newtown score a try, a bloke on a penny farthing does a lap of the oval.

Pay no attention to that crowd figure - it's a running joke. They even announce it over the PA.

Trudged from Marrickville to Railway Square and spied plenty of freaky graffiti. I dug this piece -

Lithgow

Last Friday, following the ANZAC Day dawn service and a kip, CM, AM and I drove to Lithgow. This is C.'s trusty chariot.

There was just enough light left before we reached their parents' place (our digs for the weekend) to visit Govetts Leap.

Full of seafood and Pabst, we played the Phryne Fisher version of "Cluedo". I jumped the gun - or rather, wrench - and A. won.

We then set up Mrs M.'s telescope for a bit of stargazing. Unfortunately, it was clouding over, and the next night was starless.

This is an LED-lined display case containing some of AM's figures, which range from unmodified to heavily customised.

On Saturday, we attended Ironfest, an annual celebration of historical re-enactment, steampunk and every other fandom, really.

We ate Danish hotdogs from the family that used to run The Gourmet Viking in Enmore (once a pre-gig favourite).

We saw author Tara Moss, who was just as beautiful as when she hosted a Pirelli Calendar launch I went to many moons ago.

There was a drone flying over the festival, sending footage to a giant screen situated at the showground entrance.

I didn't snap any of those things. I did, however, snap these -

Look closely at that second pic and you'll see the "bodger" is turning wood using only the resistance of a bent tree.

These shots merely hint at what was on offer at Ironfest. We spent six-plus hours there and never grew bored.

Returning to M. Mansions, we enjoyed a meaty feast (mussels in bacon, quail, boerewors) accompanied by a keg of Heineken.

There was talk of another boardgame. We reviewed a few candidates...then fell asleep in armchairs in front of an ep of "Hustle".

On Sunday, we checked out the Hassans Walls lookout, a ruined blast furnace and the Small Arms Factory Museum.

Facebook informed us that Tony Robinson had been at the museum the previous day, filming a new war-related documentary.

And any wonder - its collection of guns is amazing. I particularly liked this arrangement of Corellian blasters.

On our way back to Sydney, we tested the excellent rep of Alchemy Pizza in Little Hartley and found it well deserved.

Best vego pizza I've ever eaten - sweet potato, capsicum, eggplant, artichoke and bocconcini. Nice dessert and wine, too.

The fairly heavy traffic was made manageable by a backroads shortcut and much-loved albums on the stereo...