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 :-)