Food! Glorious Food!

Sunday 28th April, 2013

Even though Friday was Robyn's birthday, we went out to lunch today to celebrate.  As it was she put in a 12 hour shift at work on Friday.  I suppose with Thursday being a Public Holiday, any operations scheduled for that day were put onto Friday's list.

This time we thought we would try some of the eateries down south.  We ended up going down to the Southern Vales, another wine growing area about an hour south of Adelaide. Robyn had read and heard some rave reviews about a Cafe Restaurant in McLaren Vale, Carmel's, and so she thought she would like to try it.

No-one had told us about a Vintage Car Festival being held there and that the main road into McLaren Vale would be closed.  We had to park in a side street, walk down to the main road and then try and find the cafe.

Luckily one of the locals  pointed us in the right direction.  Soon after we started to walk there the road was re-opened and so Tony went back and got the car.

For lunch I ordered the "Pulled Pork", a pig cooked on the spit for at least 12 hours,  the meat is then pulled off, hence the name, and then cooked again in a sauce.  I don't normally eat pork but this sounded nice and being cooked twice I knew it would be well cooked. 

Robyn had Spare Ribs and Tony and Bob had the Seafood Platter which had oysters, prawns, salmon, salt and pepper squid and squid tentacles, garfish and soft shell mud crab.

For dessert I had warm Pecan Pie, Robyn had Apple Crumble and Tony and Bob had Chocolate Indulgence with Tia Maria.
The food was nice but nothing out of the ordinary.  Bob was disappointed with the Seafood Platter.  He said that the fish was dry and the crab was very greasy.  Tony didn't eat his crab or the salmon.

The ambience of the place was great and the staff were very friendly.

We came home via Meadows, Kangarilla and Blackwood.  Last night Robyn made a White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake.  When we got back home we had coffee and some of this cheesecake.  Yum! Yum! the cheesecake was delicious.   

She said she got the recipe off the internet.  

Another Year Older!

Friday 26th April, 2013


Happy Birthday Robyn!!   We hope that you have a wonderful day and a year where all your wishes and dreams are realised.  Sending you all our love and hugs.......Tony, Judy and Katie xxoooxxx

We Will Remember Them

Thursday 25th April, 2013

                                       ANZAC DAY

Made with Carena Designs "Lest we Forget"

The Weather Is A Changin'

Wednesday 24th April, 2013

I don't know where the last few days have gone but it's Wednesday already.

Last Friday night we had Katie stay.   She had arranged to sleep at her friends Maddies' place but we suggested that she sleep there on Saturday night instead if it was OK with Maddies' mum.....which it was.   She wanted to go with Tony on Saturday while he did his Flight Experience flight but she thought he was doing it in the afternoon.  

After picking her up we went back into the city.  While there we went and showed her the "Chocolate Wardrobe".  Unfortunately the chocolate has started to be affected by heat and in some places it was starting to discolour.  Such a shame!  I don't know how much longer they will have it on display.

After getting home Katie changed into her pyjamas.  She told me that she had to 'grow' them in water before she could wear them.  What???  This is how she bought them......

And this is Katie wearing them..........

OMG what will they think of next!!!  I can see a benefit in having to soak the clothes you want to wear in water.  Imagine travelling.....never again having to worry about excess baggage.

On Saturday morning Bob and Robyn came around early and we went off to the Flight Experience.  Tony loves his planes.  I suppose that comes from working at the Airport for over 23 years .  I bought him a Flight Experience voucher and he was allowed to take 2 passengers with him along for the "ride".  Katie and Bob volunteered.

The experience was for an hour and so Robyn and I went and did some window shopping.  When we came back they were just finishing up.  Tony thoroughly enjoyed his experience and said it was money well spent.  He flew out of New York and Hong Kong airports.

Flight Experience is a replica Boeing 737-800 fixed base simulator.  Tony was the pilot and he got to experience what it is like to fly a commercial jet airliner.

After we left there we went and had a coffee.  We decided to go to Prospect Road and Muratti Cakes and Gateaux.  We decided to go here because we have been watching My Kitchen Rules and this year one of the contestants, Jenna (known as Little Miss Cupcake) works there.  We enjoyed a lovely coffee and one of their yummy cakes.

From here it was down to the Rosewater Hotel (again) and some lunch.  Yum!!  After lunch Katie wanted to take Robyn and Bob to the Go-kart track.  At first we were just going to watch but it didn't take long before Tony and Katie decided they wanted to have a drive.  Robyn was also game and so she had a go. 

Robyn felt at home in a hair net.....after all she is a theatre nurse

OMG did we laugh! Since it was her first time she was so slow and had no idea on how to drive the thing.  We wondered if she would even be able to complete 1 lap in the 10 minute time allowed.

To her credit she completed 5 laps.  She ended up with quite a cheer squad.  Several other people were also watching and after she completed a lap they would clap and cheer her on.  When it was all over they all came over and congratulated her for having a go.  It was so funny watching her.  Bob and I couldn't stop laughing.  We were laughing so hard to the point of not being able to breathe.  Way to go Robyn!!  Bob said he is going to have a go next time!

It was nearly time to go and meet Kahra and drop Katie off.  Firstly we had to go and get an icecream on the way and so we called into Largs.  After dropping Katie off we came home and Robyn and Bob left soon after.  

On Sunday morning we woke to rain.  It was lovely laying in bed listening to it on the roof.  We were desperate for it, especially the farmers, they need to prepare their land ready for seeding.

We had planned to go to Fort Glanville but because it was wet and cold Tony decided to go for a drive instead.  We ended up at Tarlee, then drove across to Kapunda, Eudunda and Truro.  We had coffee at Truro and then drove to Sedan, Angaston and back home through the Barossa Valley. 

So close to finding the pot of gold

They had had plenty of rain up there as there was lots laying around in the paddocks and on the side of the road.  In the low lying areas the water was across the road making driving a bit tricky.  We ended up with 24mm of rain which was a good soaking.

The weather this week has been cool and it feels as if winter is just around the corner.  I hope it gets here in a hurry and leaves just as quick like the days that seem to fly by.  Before we know it Spring will be here with the warmer temps.

Yesterday I had arranged to go out to lunch with Dianne and meet up with Tori.  We had arranged to meet her at 1.00pm but she didn't show up.  She rang Dianne to apologise and said she would catch up with us another time.  

Today I am off to the hairdresser. 

It Doesn't Make Sense

Tuesday 16th April, 2013

When will these senseless acts end?  This morning we woke to the news of twin bombings during the Boston Marathon. Two bombs exploded close to where the finish line was.  It has killed 3 people with many more in a critical condition and over a hundred injured.  

The bombs went off about 3 hours after the elite runners finished the marathon but there were thousands more that still had to finish.  Some 27,000 people had registered to compete.  There were runners from Adelaide as well as many others from all over Australia but the good news is that they  are all safe.

The London Marathon is this weekend and so tight security will be in place for that.  Let's hope and pray that nothing will happen during that marathon.

I just hope that the perpetrators of this insidious act are quickly brought to justice.  What makes someone want to do it?  

Yay To People Power!!

Monday 15th April, 2013

Credit must be given where credit is due.  Due to an overwhelming response from the public of South Australia they have gone out over the weekend and purchased Spring Gully products from every supermarket in the state to try and keep the company going.  Congratulations must go to Coles who have awarded Spring Gully the contract to make Coles brand Pickled Onions.  It looks as if this company may be saved.

Last Friday night while we were at Fork on the Road Tony picked up a mobile phone.  He decided to bring it home and see if he could find out who the owner was.  Unfortunately we couldn't get any information off the phone as it was locked but he was going to remove the sim card to get the phone provider details, the serial number and then contact the provider to get a message to the owner to let them know where their phone was.

When we got home Friday night the mobile phone rang, but being unfamiliar with the phone (a Samsung Galaxy) we couldn't answer it.  Shortly afterwards it rang again and we noticed it came up with a phone number but we were too slow in jotting the number down.  It also needed charging and so we didn't hold out much hope.  Tony realised it had a USB port and he had a USB charger and so he plugged it in.  Luckily it rang again and we managed to get the number.

I rang the number and the phone belonged to a young girl.  She was extremely happy that her phone had been found.  We made arrangements for her to pick it up from Tony at his work on Monday morning.

This morning she collected her phone and left Tony these............

Haigh's Dark Chocolate coated Macadamias

Art And Some Culture!

Sunday 14th April, 2013

Well the rains didn't come.  While we desperately need some rain it was also good to enjoy another day of perfect weather. It was a bit cooler than the past week but still great to be out and about.

Last night while having cake with our coffee Dianne mentioned that we would have to walk for at least 90 minutes to work off the calories that we had just consumed.  Well today Tony and I went for a walk through the parklands and we happened to come across the "Indofest".

Several food tents had been set up offering food from the different regions of Indonesia.  We were hoping to have some real authentic Nasi Goreng but it was sold out. We opted for Beef Rendang and Sate Ayam (chicken).  We stayed for a couple of hours enjoying the music and watching some performers and then decided to continue our walk.

We came across this pond and several people were on it enjoying these little rowboats.  Tony thought Katie might enjoy coming here too one of the days when we want something to do for the weekend.

We drove home by The Parade and came across this.  Is it Art?  They are pieces of bread that have been toasted to varying degrees and assembled into this collage titled "Bread Astaire".  I don't know how long this has been on the wall but unfortunately several slices of the bread have fallen off much to the delight of the birds.

  

Whoever made it is very creative.  I would classify it as Art!

Good Food, Good Company

Saturday 13th April, 2013

Today was a relatively quiet day.  We slept in this morning, something which Tony relished after a busy week a work.

Tonight we went out to dinner with Rick and Dianne.  It was partly to belatedly celebrate Tony's birthday with them (they were away for his birthday) and to catch up.  We ended up going to the Rosewater Hotel.  They had never been there.   Tony and  I again had the Thai Chilli Prawns......so delicious, Rick had the seafood platter which he enjoyed and Dianne had a pasta.  She also enjoyed hers.

Thanks to Robyn and Bob this hotel is becoming a favourite of ours.  The prices are good, they have lots of specials on the board if you want them and the food is fresh.  I think Rick and Dianne will go back there because they were impressed with it as well

Rick enjoys playing the pokies and so we spent about an hour doing that after dinner.  I put through $25 and took back $25, Rick took out $100, I don't know how much he put in,  and Tony and Dianne don't play them.  

After we finished at the hotel we went to Semaphore looking for a coffee shop but didn't find one and so we ended up at Henley Beach at Evida for coffee and cake.  It was a lovely way to end a great evening.

 

Coles And Woolworths Have A Lot To Answer For

Friday 12th April, 2012

The two duopolies Coles and Woolworths,  have a lot to answer for in this country  At the moment they are forcing out small businesses all over the country and importing cheap crap food under their own labels.

Today another South Australian owned company has been forced to go to the wall............Spring Gully.  Apparently Coles and Woolworths have cancelled their contracts with them.  Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on them as it is also their customers who are at fault, they obviously buy the cheaper brands that they offer and not the local brands.

Spring Gully was established in 1946 and make a range of sauces, jams, chutneys, gherkins, pickled onions, and produce honey under the name of Leabrook.  We love the Spring Gully green tomato pickle, gherkins, pickled onions and the honey.

I don't shop at Coles or Woolworths unless I absolutely, positively have to.  I prefer Foodland, a good old SA icon.  They also sell a lot of South Australian produce.   I only go to C or W when I can't get what I want at Foodland which is not very often.  Many people think that Foodland is too expensive, but we have found it not to be the case.  Some items are dearer but overall I think they are fairly competitive.  Having Woolworths and Foodland at our shopping centre is good for making each other honest.

Woolworths own the majority of hotels and pokie venues.  They also have a large proportion of the liquor stores, fashion stores, discount variety stores, and Caltex petrol stations.

Coles have some hotels and pokie venues. fashion stores, discount variety stores, office and school stationery stores,  liquor stores and the Shell petrol stations.

They are now talking of wanting to be able to sell alcohol in their supermarkets.  This will force a lot of small family owned liquor stores to close their doors.

If you shop at either of these stores and spend over a certain amount ($30) you get a voucher for 4 cents off per litre for your petrol.  They have been running a promotion since before Christmas for 8c off.  It's no real saving as you are paying for it when you buy your groceries.  Since these corporations have taken over the petrol stations hundreds of small operators have gone out of business.

Currently there is a storm brewing with the dairy farmers.  Many of the farmers have walked away from their farms as they can't survive what is being paid to them by these companies.  Coles and Woolies have been selling milk for $1 a litre, way below the production costs of the farmers.  By the way I buy South Australian milk, Paris Creek or Fleurieu Milk.

Once these companies force out small business and farmers one thing will happen.  Prices will go up and the consumer will be left wondering....why?

We have to vote with our feet.  We should boycott their stores until they start to supply Australian made produce.

In the not too distant future I can see other iconic businesses going to the wall, the likes of Beerenberg, Bickfords, Balfours, San Remo and the list goes on.  We HAVE to start supporting these companies!  If we let Coles and Woolworths get away with it where will the jobs be in the future for your children and grandchildren.

While I'm on my soap box, several months ago I wrote about the government handout that was given to Holden's supposedly to help them secure the future of Holden in Australia.    Well during the week they announced that 400 workers here in South Australia will lose their jobs plus another 100 in Victoria.  This will also have a flow on effect for other job losses by companies that supply automotive parts to Holden.

Nice one State and Federal Governments!  No amount of money will guarantee to keep GM in this country.
Their sales have been slipping only because they are making a car that no-one wants to buy.  When will the powers that be at Holden wake up and realise this.  Why is Mazda and Hyundai and Toyota outselling Holden?  Perhaps it's time to visit Korea and Japan and see what the average car buyer wants.  

Fork On The Road

Friday 12th April, 2013

This week has been one of great weather.....temperatures have been in the high 20's........actually it has been way above average for the month of April.  I haven't heard anyone complaining except for maybe wanting some rain.  They are promising that for us on Sunday, fingers crossed.

Tonight after Tony came home from work we went back into the city to "Fork on the Road".  We first heard about it during the Fringe Festival and Tony and his work colleagues sampled the food back then but I have always wanted to go and see what it was all about.  Well tonight was the night.  I don't know how much longer it will go for seeing that daylight saving has finished and winter is fast approaching.

This time they had it set up in Light Square.  It consisted of around 50 food and drink vans all selling various food such as Mexican, Spanish, Chinese, Indian, Cambodian, Burgers, Grills, Gelato, Ice Cream, Churros, Cupcakes, Macarons, Lemonade, Coffee and the list goes on.  Tony said that they went there for lunch today.....this time they had Burgers.   After his burger he tried a Tarragon Icy Pole but wasn't impressed.  He said there were hundreds of people there for lunch.

When we got there at around 6.45pm there were still hundreds of people enjoying the beautiful balmy night and the great food that they had on offer.  Tony and I opted for Indian.  It was so yum, we thoroughly enjoyed it.  I would have loved to try the Spanish paella but we were so full from the curry.  We also had an icy cold lemonade made from freshly squeezed lemons and bought some Macarons for later.

Now typical Adelaide and it's wowsers!  There are some who don't like this idea of setting up food vans.  They say it is hurting the food businesses that have their stores and have to pay rent and shop overheads.  There is talk of the city council cutting these food vans down to around 20 if it is going to continue to allow them to set up "shop" throughout the city. Then there are those people who think that these vans might not have health and cleanliness as their top priority.

Well to those businesses who provide lunch to city workers and shoppers I say maybe it's about time to "cook" up some new ideas.  Perhaps the general public are sick of baguettes, foccacias, and sushi.  As they say "variety is the spice of life" and it's about time some of these food vendors realised that.  No matter where you go in the city there's a sushi shop within 20 paces of each other or a baguette shop.  Glad I don't have to buy lunch in the city every day.

Several hundred people can't be wrong.  Over the course of the day there would have been several thousand people that visited these food vans.  They obviously want more than what's on offer for them at the moment.  

Long live the food vans!!

Clowns and Scarecrows

Sunday 7th April, 2013

Today we decided to take a drive to the Valley.......Barossa Valley.  They are holding their bi-annual Barossa Vintage Festival and again had lots of scarecrows out for the public to enjoy.

A circus had also come to the valley and so we saw lots of these advertising it.  I think there may have been more of these placed throughout the towns than scarecrows.

Two years ago when we were here a house in Tanunda had several  scarecrows in their front yard.  Again, this year they put on an excellent display.

We drove through the main towns, Nuriootpa, Tanunda and Angaston.  I don't think there were as many scarecrows as they have had previously.  We photographed the ones we liked. 

We also noticed that Easter Bunny was still around.........

The Barossa Valley is a premium wine growing area producing some world class wine.  Wineries such as Penfolds, Jacob Creek, Orlando, Seppelts, Wolf Blass, Yalumba to name a few all have vineyards here.