Wet and Wild

No not the fun park - the weather and the animals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. We decided to take a risk and visit the sanctuary although the weather was marginal and we had a great time. This guy had his eye on Nicholas which was fun...through the glass
If you ever make it to the Gold Coast, you must visit this place. It is great and all done by volunteers

It was pouring pouring pouring rain at the end of the visit and we were soaked to the skin but we did get to see some cool stuff like snake licking the back of a tree frog as it fled for its life and clung to a wall. We had been there before but for Jasmine it was her first encounter with some of these animals. She loved it.

Everyone was in good cheer although the rain was horrendous but this was the last day we could pretend that it was ok to be wet all the time. Spirits were low but we found a way to lift them. Tell you about that tomorrow.

Back from the Gold Coast

All back to normal after our little trans-Tasman adventure. Almost normal, still school holidays. We had a good time away and I am not exactly sure what we did each day as they tend to blend in to each other on the sunny GC, especially when it rains for days on end. Being the outdoor mecca for the Aussies and Kiwi's there isn't a hell of a lot to do when the weather is crap. However, we did manage to get out and about.

Sitting in the airport in quiet contemplation I saw a young woman wandering through the place that looked so much like Jasmine, and it was. Jonty had organised a surprise in Jasmine coming with us - a first time full family holiday. What a great surprise. That changed everything about the holiday. It was Jasmine's first out of NZ experience and although Australia is the country most like ours in the world, there are differences and it is a fun place to visit.

The great thing about the Gold Coast is the weather and the beaches. That hot and damp heat is like a tonic for chilly South Islanders, however, a Southerly wind prevailed for all but two days of the holiday so there was no humidity. It was a bit chilly but we still swum most days and I walked on the beach at 6.15 every morning. I was addicted to it and loved my alone time each morning.

This is my destination each morning - Flat Rock

...and the view south to Coolangatta.

Each morning we hot footed it down to the Currumbin Estuary for a swim in the pool that John swims in 365 days a year. It is tidal and warm and all the oldies go there for the slow swim that keeps them young and vital. We were there about 8 or 9 o'clock each day and it was perfect...except on the very wet days when we didn't visit.

The fish are gorgeous and come right up to you looking for tasty bread treats. People feed them as we did one morning. In a feeding frenzy Nic got bitten by one and was screaming the place down for a few minutes but recovered enough to see his bleeding and bruise as a badge of honour of an intrepid traveller. Next holiday instalment tomorrow.

Holiday

We are off to the Gold Coast for a week or so, so there wont be any posts from me for a while. Catch up when we get back.

The day after

So, because we get up so early in our house and being at Moeraki we just had to get up and see what was happening at the wharf. Many bleary eyed people were getting themselves aboard the charter fishing boats. It was a perfect still morning and although cold, the sun was almost up. We then went for a walk up the hill and around the back of the town. After breakfast the whole family headed for the Katiki Lighthouse and discovered a penguin hospital. One adult penguin was in the wards about to be released so we saw a Hoiho up close which was a first for all of us. When then descended to the seal colony lookout and watched the seals flopping about in the water and fighting on the rocks. Great fun.

Of course we had to visit the boulders as you do. Then off to Waimate to see bees and got a tiny jar of perfect honey... and a quick visit with Marie-Anne in Timaru. It was a perfect day to be travelling up the country. Sunny and not too hot, still and stunning.

Birthday

We have just come back from a great weekend away in North Otago celebrating my mother's 70th birthday. All the family and some friends rocked up to Moeraki for the day on Saturday with the family staying overnight and enjoying a day roaming around on Sunday as we journeyed home. I think I have blogged Fleur's Place before and it is so worth a revisit. Anyone who eats there will always plan a return visit. We were 15 in number and everyone loved their meals. We also had a gorgeous chocolate mousse cake for dessert and some lovely Two Paddock wines. Yummy Groper

Jasmine and David came up from Dunedin which was brilliant. Marie-Anne came from Timaru and Susan and Craig from Waimate so it was a southern affair. Auntie B and all of us made the trip from Christchurch.
Granny and her adoring grand children --- and the cake

Jasmine and Dave in the groovy little car and the whole party outside Fleur's

Daylight saving

It is the same every year, well twice a year actually. The weirdness of the first day after daylight saving starts or ends. Today was my sleep in day and I actually did which is unheard of. Of course Nic was up at 5.45 full of beans. However, he did keep a low profile after a honey sandwich and a screaming fit over a large mosquito in the toilet. I had no energy today and just wafted about the house and garden pathetically moving things about and weeding tiny pieces of the garden. Highlight of the day was a walk around Hagley Park in the late afternoon. Nic had his bike and we just pounded on behind him.

So I did get to do a couple of the things I dreamed of for the weekend. However, no leaf shuffling as it is a bit early in the season for mountains of leaves. Lovely to be out and about with all the other families and walkers, bikers and tourists. Very pleasant. Yesterday I got to soak in the pools at Hanmer after a 4 hour rain soaked session watching mad people racing in the 12 hour mountain bike race. It was fun to watch and support friends and family. We felt a little guilty slinking off to the warmth of the pools but thought being there to support in the first place was the key thing to focus on. Simon and his team were 18th in their section and Cath (above) was 2nd in hers. Even though the 12 hours race was downgraded to 8 hours, that is still bloody impressive. 8 hours racing in the mud and rain. Madness. Would love to have a go one day though. Something to look forward to.

Different eyes

Lately I have been feeling really bored with everything. Not sure if it is a comedown after all the fun parties and celebrations or the inevitability of winter but whatever, I have felt trapped in my boringness. Today however, there was a glimmer of hope - actually more than a glimmer, more like a flash. Brought on by the need to use my car today and not wanting to pay for parking, I parked about 1km from work and walked the last 10 minutes of my journey. What transpired on my way back after work was a bit of a revelation. So simple in the telling but rather fantastic in the execution.
The wind had moved from the relentless north east drone I bike home in every night to a chilly southerly. That in itself could have really pissed me off as the one day I don't bike I could have had a lovely sweeping tail wind home. It didn't though. I had the pleasure of walking through Victoria Square in the very late afternoon autumn light - shinning through gorgeous golden leaves. Tourists were wandering about, leaning over the bridge watching the punt struggle gently against the river flow. It was all slow and relaxing. Then I scooted across the road and headed up Durham St towards the car and made a mental list of the things that I could do this weekend that would make me happy. And it goes like this

• get out in to the park and shuffle through mountains of crispy leaves
  
• head up to Hanmer to watch the 12 hour bike race AND have a super soak in the hot pools. The trees will be fantastic


• get over to Lyttelton Market and buy some new herbs, organic vegetables and lovely pesto


• commence the autumn clean up in the garden


• go for a bike ride in the park


• climb up the Bridle Path


• go to Blax for a coffee and wander through the deli really slowly
  and so on and on and on...

The joy that walking home instead of biking afforded me was that my mind was allowed to wander - not having to constantly ensure my life is not in danger and keep an eye on all the crazy car drivers and without the distraction of my MP3 player, I had room to think... something not to be underestimated.

Every now and then I need to take a different route and see the world a little differently ... so simple ... so perfect

A quicky to finish off Easter

I still haven't finished my Easter post for some reason. I was going to talk about the food I cooked and some other animal adventures but my excitement about those things have wained this week now that the work routine has taken hold and the loveliness of family time has eroded a little.

However, here are a few more pictures of our weekend. We had a great visit out to Justine and Zac's house to see their lovely new puppies. German short haired pointers. Gorgeous puppies and even lovelier mother. Nic loved the puppies and spent a lot of time picking them up and rearranging them. I think they got a lifetimes worth of handling in one session. Loved the house and the farm and the location. A lovely morning out in the country. When we got home Nic spent all afternoon in his pool. We had to drag him out when he turned blue and get him in to a hot shower.Although we did heaps of great stuff this weekend, chatting with Jonty's family in the UK using the webcam was a real hoot. They are off to Dorset for a week. I didn't really get why they hooted with laughter after I asked about swimming in the ocean until I saw the news that night and saw there was snow in England. Funny how you forget sometimes that it is not balmy Autumn everywhere.

Quince jelly. I final rave about quince jelly. To me this is the most gorgeous of all the jam/jelly flavours. Not only is the taste unique and evocative, the jars of wonder. I can't even begin to think of a way to describe the colour. Quince jelly on hot cross buns mmmmmmmm.....

And I haven't even talked about Jonty and Justin's quick dash down to Warbirds over Wanaka or a whole heap of other stuff including the very cool onion skin eggs we made and so on and on and on.... I think I will move on from Easter now and think about something else.

Fantastic and full on

What a great weekend. I love Easter! It is amazing what you can pack in to 4 days when - it is the sum being greater than the parts. I guess the themes of the weekend could be food, friends, family, kilometres and SUNSHINE! Nothing like Summer weather in Autumn.

Marie-Anne's gorgeous backyard

Yesterday we went swimming in an outdoor pool in the late afternoon and it was glorious. We went with Alex and Joseph and Oliver and afterwards sat in the sun eating freshly made afghans (biscuits). One of the many bowls/plates of food I made and consumed over the weekend. When you eat a home made afghan you know that you should NEVER EVER spend money on a packet of bought ones. They are an insult to your taste buds.

Alex and I also caught a movie one night. It was a bit mad and although funny, got a bit annoying and Woody Allen angsty at the end. I did enjoy being back in Paris though and it got my itchy feet going again. Not a good sign. However, glad I saw it.

Sunday we spent the day in Timaru with Marie-Anne and her two (of three) terrorised cats. Nic and Emma, the baby cat, spent literally hours playing in the garden. Both seemed unable to to tear themselves away from each other. It was rather exhausting to watch and I have no doubt that Emma slept the sleep of the dead that night.

Nic and Emma Nic on the other hand extended his great day into night, staying at his grandparents while we went to a Mexican themed potluck dinner. It was one of the rare occasions where everyone pretty much made the same thing. Except for the hosts who made an array of really delicious starters and dessert tasty things. The rest of us summoned up all of our creativity and made variations on the mince, beans and chili theme. I am ashamed of myself.


Nic posing at Port Timaru...he has just decided to pose for photos for the first time in his life so I am making the most of that for as long as it lasts

Caroline Bay - I never realised how lovely it was. Shame on me.

to be continued....(morning duties are calling)

Playing with Flickr

Got a few moments up my sleeve this morning waiting to take Nic to a party...he is 'cello taping' - a strange and mesmerising activity for him. But this is what I made using some images from our visit to Paris last year

What do you think?

Easter

Although we don't really celebrate Easter in the way my family did when I was growing up, I always love the Easter break. Four whole days of fun activity. I remember some of the best parties and fun times at Easter. Last year we went to Oamaru with Jasmine. This year we are staying round home so we can afford our trip to the Gold Coast in April. However, we are planning some fun days out and about. The weather looks like it is going to be fair. Nothing like an Indian Summer weekend with relaxing on the horizon. It is a good opportunity for Nic to rest up after his first two weeks at school. Another thing to celebrate this Easter is the arrival of Hazel Anya Beth Stewart. Another gorgeous girl to add to our family. Yay Gill and Andrew!

Happy Easter Everyone

Party season draws to a close

Ben's 3rd birthday party today. A family affair, we gathered at the bach. Usual suspects, cute girls in pink and blue boys. All for the last Davis/Thompson party for a few weeks at least. Next one is mother's 70th in Moeraki. Something to look forward to...I digressBen was very underwhelmed by the gathering and took it in his stride. Not one for a great show of emotion, he looked passively at his orange robot cake as we oohed and aahed. He did make more than one journey to the 'traffic light biscuit' plate though, and I suspect pretty much cleaned them up. Happy Birthday Ben, you gorgeous little boy.
My boy had a less than fantastic day as a week of school obviously took its toll. Jonty and I have lost the plot more than once this weekend and are very much looking forward to going to work tomorrow. Things must get better...surely. I am relieved to see others smiling and nodding when I describe the new and challenging behaviour and live in hope that things will improve in the next 12 years. Having said this, that ratbag boy then goes and gets excited about goggles in the shower and produces a gorgeous moment of swimming practise on the floor afterwards. Little bugger

Ode to Ray

I know there are lots of chefs and cookbooks in the world and I have a reasonable number of them in my bookcase. However, when I am looking for a dish or two that I know will taste divine I always go for my Ray McVinnie collection of dishes and delights. Last night Julian came over for a short dinner visit. I rolled out Ray's 'Greek Beef Stew' - a once a week favourite in our house during the winter. Here is the link to this recipe on the Cuisine website. You will love it ... the cinnamon quills are the key ingredient. I of course don't make 1kg of meat type stews so adjust the amounts I have at random. Always tastes delicious with mashed spud.

To follow this I attempted a new pudding recipe. I love making desserts generally because you can work in layers of flavour and they are always a treat. Again, I went to the 'altar or Ray 'with a request for a pudding using pears as I had been given a bag of them from someones garden. I found the perfect pudding and proceeded to make it while not concentrating and made a few mistakes, however, the result was unutterably delicious. Even without the butterscotch sauce that just seemed a bit hard for a casual meal outside....also too lazy by this time. Warm from the oven it was just perfect. So, thanks again Ray for the Pear & Walnut Gingerbread Pudding With Butterscotch Sauce. And as usual, I didn't have all the ingredients but it still tasted great. No walnuts or dark brown sugar but I used a combo of brown and raw. Plus no treacle, just used golden syrup. I know Ray would have approved.


I have just served the pudding up to the boys for dinner with a large dollop of my homemade strawberry jam, still warm. As you can see I am no food stylist but thought I would add a little pic of my efforts. Yum. Not burnt either. So, my rant about homemade jam.


5 reasons why homemade jam is the best

• 9 jars of jam for under $15 (retail $3-$5 a jar)
• recycled jars (most on a 3rd or 4th use)
• local produce (good for the local economy and I know where it came from)
• NO preservatives, additives and unpronounceable ingredients
• fantastic taste

This is of course, of no great surprise to any of us who make jam all the time or to our mothers and grandmothers who always made preserves from seasonal produce. I have been making preserves for years since I left home but now I am even more committed to it as a small, one household at a time attempt to preserve (excuse the pun), the art of good honest healthy real food cookery. Quince jelly this week.

Empathy

'Lemmiwinks is dead and in a box' said the text from Jasmine. It was all I could do to stop myself crying about a little cat I have never met. I think my sadness was for Jasmine, her first grown up pet which she loved, died at the wheel of car. Still a kitty really. Jonty and she talked on the phone and then Nic wanted to ring and talk about the demise of the cat. This morning he and I were talking face to face about the phone call and I said 'I feel so sad' and Nic said 'I feel sad I for her. I feel sorry for her'. From my child who has never felt sad or sorry for anyone before this was an amazing utterance and indication that he does have empathy for others. Warmed my heart to know this. Out of others sadness comes a little ray of light...selfish of me to find this in Jasmine's sadness. Sorry Jasmine