Our back yard!

When not travelling around the world on our many adventures, we reside in a very special part of Australia. Cairns is a unique part of tropical Far North Queensland and with a population of just over 150000, it is more like a big country town than a city. The weather is always warm, rarely getting under 20 degrees Celsius. We only experience two seasons; wet and dry! When it is wet, it is very, very wet and when it is dry it is hot! Our abode is in the leafy suburb of Edge Hill. Edge Hill Village is home to a number of lovely little coffee shops and restaurants as well as The Botanical gardens, The Lakes area and Mt Whitfield's red and blue arrow walks. As you can imagine it is a beautiful area and when the rain ceased this morning, we decided to take a stroll around and try out the new camera.

Gypsy's muse!

Blogger books!

The Rosie project.
This entertaining story by Graeme Simsìon is a delight to read. It highlights the complexity of different personalities and the importance of  respect for other people.  Worth a read!

Gypsy's muse!

Saint Patrick's Day!

Top of the morning to you all. We could not let this special day pass without  a tribute to our Irish pals; Emer and Sarah Jane. Having never been to the land of leprechauns, we dearly wish to visit the beautiful green hill of Eirinn one day soon.

Irish soda bread

Ingredient
4 cups plain flour
2 teas bicarbonate soda
1 tea salt
60 g butter
2  1/4 cups butter milk.

Method

Preheat oven to 190 degrees, line baking tray with baking paper.  Sift flour and mix in buttermilk to form dough (use floured board).  Form into a ball.  Shape dough into a 20cm round.  Place on tray and bake for 35-45 mins.  Serve with butter and golden syrup.

Ìn the world kitchen!

Who can resist the temptation of Mediterranean food? Our last family holiday was Greek themed. Brad, Lea and Lachlan travelled over to Athens to meet up with Elly after she had finished her 6 month internship in Germany. The Greek yoghurt was devine, tomatoes juicy and plump, haloumi and feta cheese delicious and souvlaki a firm favourite. For our sweet treats, we indulged on baklava or caramelised figs. We soaked up Greek mythology; visiting the Temple of Zeus, Delphia and Olympia; where we had a family race on the original Olympic race track. Lea coming in a great 4th place! Spent some summer lovin' at the Greek Island of Santorini before heading back to Athens. A great adventure!

Caramelised figs and yoghurt!

Combine 1 cup low fat yoghurt, 1/4 cup coursely chopped roasted pistacho nuts, 1/4 teas ground nutmeg and 1 tab of sugar in a small bowl. Halve 6 large figs sideways. Brush cut halves with 1 tab of honey. Cook figs in non stick frypan for 5 mins. Turn figs and cook for another 5 mins or until figs are browned. Serve with spiced yoghurt.  Efgefstos!

Sunsets!

Botany bay!

Botany Bay

Farewell to old England forever
Farewell to my rum culls as well
Farewell to the well known Old Bailey
Where I used for to cut such a swell

Singing Tooral liooral liaddity
Singing Tooral liooral liay
Singing Tooral liooral liaddity
And we're bound for Botany Bay

There's the captain as is our commander
There's the bosun and all the ship's crew
There's the first and the second class passengers
Knows what we poor convicts go through

Taint leaving old England we cares about
Taint cos we mis-spells what we knows
But because all we light fingered gentry
Hops around with a log on our toes

These seven long years I've been serving now
And seven long more have to stay
All for bashing a bloke down our alley
And taking his ticker away

Oh had I the wings of a turtle dove
I'd soar on my pinions so high
Slap bang to the arms of my Polly love
And in her sweet presence I'd die

Now all my young Dookies and Dutchesses
Take warning from what I've to say
Mind all is your own as you toucheses
Or you'll find us in Botany Bay

written by Stephens and Yardley

Gypsy's muse!

Gypsy's muse!

Random rainbows!

Word of the week!

Adventure!
An exciting or unusual experience.

Cassowary coast!

Tidal energy
gently breaking
over golden sands.

Sun shining,
water glistening,
Horizon merging.

Breeze caressing,
Palms swaying,
Looking to Dunk.

Lush rainforest,
Cassowary,
Be wary!

Mission Beach,
Sleepy, peaceful,
Serenity!

Blogger's books!

The line up of movie inflight entertainment during our adventure was pretty dismal. Of the 25 flights we took, there was only a few memorable movies.
Our very own Cate Blanchett, portrayal in "Blue Jasmine"  was up to her usual spectacular standard. A brilliant actress as well as a brilliant movie.