Imagine my surprise

As most of you are aware, back in March of 2006, me, Andrew, Dave and Deb braved the challenging route of the "Milford Track" in New Zealand. One of the most beautiful places in the world, without a doubt. But, I digress from the point of this particular post...

Joining us and some other 40 odd walkers and guides on the trek, was a television crew! Word soon got around that the crew would be filming a documentary of the trek. Rumour had it that we would be able to see the documentary on the 'Discovery' channel. Unfortunately we would only spot the crew at breakfast and/or dinner, as they were always the first to rise and leave each day. This made them all the more elusive to me. Not to mention how gorgeous they looked, with their tall physiques and photography gear. Oh the lens envy was indeed punishable!

When enough time had elapsed and we thought a documentary would certainly have been produced I started asking anyone with pay TV and my illegal downloader friends, to seek out a Milford Track documentary... to no avail. Eventually the idea of ever seeing this documentary became a distant memory. Until today.

Imagine my surprise when I happened to turn on the television this afternoon, and there invading the whole 42 inches of my plasma, is the blonde tall gorgeous man I once occupied space with, in a lodge in New Zealand. He was wading his way through knee deep water, undoubtedly day 2 of the trek. And there I was one more time, transported back to the place of so much beauty (and the pain a faint memory).

Pilot Guides - New Zealand 2

I will try and find a suitable photo of the route to post here soon.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to last syllable of recorded time. And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle. Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Act V, Tragedy of MacBeth
by W Shakespeare

Thank you to Aldo for sharing this with me many moons ago.... I kept it.

Peanut Butter Fudge

On my last trip to New Zealand we stumbled across "The Remarkable Sweet Shop", where besides lollies and chocolates, they sold their very own home made "Peanut Butter Fudge". This fudge would have to be one of the most delectable things I've ever eaten.

Today I made some of my own. Now whilst I don't believe this version lives up to one etched in my memory, it's still bloody good.



To make:

1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups icing sugar

Melt the butter in a saucepan then stir in the brown sugar and milk. Boil this mixture for 2 mins stirring frequently.

Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla.

Sift the icing sugar into a large bowl, and pour the mixture over the sugar. Stir until it is well combined and has no lumps.

Pour the fudge into an 8x8in tray that has been lined with foil.

Refrigerate until firm then cut into small squares to serve.

Sabrina turns 11

I have made my infamous chocolate mud cake for Sabrina's 11th birthday. Where do the years go?

Happy Birthday my sweet.

Laura Marling ... discover her

Laura Marling, the next big thing in folk music....I hope. She is great, and just 18 years old. She has the voice of an angel, plays like a pro, and writes lyrics like a 30 year old.

I have had to order her CD online because a certain music store or two doesn't stock it - who selects their music for God's sake? So I am waiting (im)patiently for it to arrive.

Check her out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XonJJbV54BE

Right brain at work

Julianne asked me to do her engagement invitations. This is the end result which I am very pleased with. Congratulations guys!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Finished reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A book I strongly recommend. But, grab the tissues. It is a heart-wrenching tragic story about two women. A story set in Afghanistan. A bit slow to start, but I liked that it provided political history of the country which set the scene for major affects on the lives of ordinary people. At the same time, it didn't bore the reader with the details.

A big thanks to Pooja for buying it for me, as it is unlikely that I would have picked it up otherwise.

Chocolate Self-saucing Pudding

I have become very popular lately because of this recipe. Taken from David Herbert's "Perfect" cookbook, he once again delivers a faultless recipe.

1 cup SR flour
1/3 cup cocoa
salt
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
60g butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar

Preheat oven to 180c

Sift together the flour, half the cocoa, salt. Stir in the caster sugar and make a well in centre.

In separate bowl, combine the egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla. Mix into the dry ingredients until smooth.

Spoon the mixture into four ramekins and place on an oven tray. Combine the brown sugar and remaining cocoa and sprinkle evenly over the top of each pudding. Carefully pour 1 cup of boiling water (using the back of a spoon) over the puddings.

Bake for 20-25 mins or until the puddings have risen and are firm to the touch.

NB. I tried this recipe substituting the milk for butter milk, but I think they are slightly better with the plain milk.

Northern Lights

Fringe 2008 created a light spectacular using some of Adelaide's most beautiful buildings as the backdrop.

Survivor

EVERYONE is talking about the heat. Went to late night comedy last night, and all nine comedians discussed the heat at some point. I have been waiting for a power outage, but so far so good in Grange. Thank God.

The comedy last night was great. $20; nine comedians; gotta love the Fringe Festival. The highlight though would have to be the Northern Lights!