Biking with friends

Last weekend we took to the tracks near Waihi to cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail. Some people would think coordinating six adults, eight kids and 14 bikes was a recipe for disaster, but we would prove them wrong.

This was, in fact, our third attempt to do the trip. The first time around I broke my arm so that put an end to our plans. The second time cyclone Lusi was looming and we took heed of the severe weather warnings. Really, we decided it would not be a good look if we lot stuck in the storm and needed rescuing with all those kids and ended up on the six o'clock news for all the wrong reasons!

Finally, on our third attempt, we finally got there. The weather could not have been more perfect. The kids were all brilliant considering there was little (or no) preparation.

With the first leg completed we decided we had earned a coffee so took a break at Waikino train station. The kids also scored an ice cream.

The final part of our ride took us through the old goldfields train tunnel. It was about 1km in length and quite dark inside making it difficult to see oncoming cyclists and pedestrians who didn't have lights and/or reflectors.

We got through to the other side, re-grouped, then turned around and came back again.

Mission accomplished!

We back tracked to the halfway point for lunch, encouraging tired, hungry kids along the way. Pizza and a beer!

Some people were happy to take the train from Waikino back to Waihi while others cycled the last leg. Of course the race was on to see who would win. Needless to say, it wasn't me. Those last couple of hills really slowed me down but I hear it was pretty close at the finish line.

Back at the log cabin. There wasn't much room left in the hot tub.

Santa parade

Last weekend Eadie and Ava took part in the Farmer's Santa Parade. We braved the crowds and stood in the scorching sun to see the Minnie Girls pass by. Sadly the music got mixed up so instead of doing their choreographed dance, they waved and high-fived the crowd. 

After the Minnie Girls, my next favourite thing was watching the Man of Steel fly overhead even if it was because he blocked the sun for a fleeting moment.

Then there were some [Kiwi flavoured] classics.

Sadly I didn't get a photo of the man in the red suit. The girls loved taking part and Ruby said next year she wants to do it too. So I' guess I'll get a photo of him then.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

Well folks, it has been a while but I'd just like to say:
Happy Australia Day!

When friends of ours from Cairns dropped in yesterday on their way home from travels in South America, we took the opportunity to kick off our Australia Day celebrations a day early. As we all know, no Aussie BBQ is complete without steak, lamb chops, snags and my favourite brown rice salad all washed down with some beer and wine. And to top it off? An Aussie pavlova of course (just don't tell the Kiwis).

PS. There have been some requests for pics of our new home. I had planned to blog about it when all the boxes were unpacked however I now realise that could take a while. Watch this space...

Eggplant Curry

Eggplant is one of my favourit-est foods in the whole world!! There is a Malaysian restaurant not far from where we live that is famous for it's eggplant curry. Then when we were in Sri Lanka Aunty Daisy made it for us. It was to die for!

Aunty Daisy told me how she did it then I Googled it when I got back home and came up with a recipe that seemed like a good blend.

I've never been very good at cooking curries and Asian food. Perhaps it has something to do with my Anglo-Italian upbringing. Anyway, this curry turned out really gooood.

In a nutshell:

• Prepare the eggplant then fry it up (no, it's not health food)
• Fry an onion with a mixture of spices
• Add some chopped tomatoes
• Stir through some coconut milk
• Lastly, stir through the eggplant.

Delish! Leave a comment if you want the full list of ingredients/instructions.

OK, you asked for it; here it is.

Ingredients

3 medium sized eggplants, chopped into bite-sized pieces

1 onion, chopped

4 tomatoes, chopped

1 teaspoon curry powder

ginger

chilli

2 cloves garlic, crushed

½ cup coconut milk

salt

sugar

Method

Sprinkle the chopped eggplant with salt and let sit for at least ten minutes to extract the bitter juice. Wash and dry, then fry in some oil.

Fry the onion and garlic in a small amount of oil until soft. Add the curry powder, ginger and chilli and cook until aromatic. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and coconut milk until combined. Lastly add the eggplant pieces and stir. Add sugar to taste.

I hope you like it as much as I did.

Omaha girls' weekend

Last weekend I managed to escape to Omaha with a few friends. No husbands; no kids. There was however, plenty of good food, good wine and copious amounts of coffee.

We did manage to drag ourselves of the sofa for a couple of walks on the beach. Other  than that, it was pure relaxation.

Look at this tiny starfish Ali found!

Back to Briz

If we have time, going to GoMA is always on our "to do" list when we are in Brisbane.

Some people were spoilers.

Busy making birds and nests. It's not often I see Ruby so focused.

Then there was the trip to a certain Swedish shop in Logan with the Aspros girls. That's how I tried playing it down to Steve but I couldn't fool him. There was no flat pack furniture on my trolley but I did pick up a couple of small things – that is the best thing about IKEA after all.

We also went up to Caloundra for a couple of nights and caught up with old friends – as in long-standing not over-the-hill! Was so great to have a few laughs. [Sorry no pics but that's probably a good thing!] You guys make me feel normal. Thank you!

Sadly, I had to return to NZ ahead of Steve and the girls for work. Ho hum. Had take-aways last night and off to the movies tonight with some girl friends [sigh].

Happy Easter!

I'm not sure what it's like in your little part of the world but here in NZ we've been a bit ripped off with what this summer has had to offer. That is until now. In the past week, despite forecasts of weather bombs, we've had the most amazing weather [they often get it wrong here]. Good weather is not normally associated with Easter here but it's as though summer has finally kicked in. Sitting at work on Thursday, looking out the window, it was hard to imagine the weather could get any better but then Good Friday turned out to be Spectacular Friday!

Luckily for us, we have Kiwi friends with baches. One of our friends have just finished building a bach at Omaha, moving in last weekend. Just an hour's drive north of Auckland, yesterday we took a drive up for a visit. I should clarify that it is normally an hour's drive in good traffic and even though we left home after lunch, we hit the dreaded Auckland long weekend traffic making it more like a two hour drive. I just couldn't understand why all the holiday makers left it so late to hit the road for their holidays.

Anyway, we got there – eventually, and enjoyed good company, good food, a quick swim and a few wines before heading back home just after 10pm.

Today began as another fantastic day but by the afternoon a cold change had come through and we used the fire place for the first time this year.

Happy Easter everyone! I hope the EB visits you overnight.
m, xox

Something to smile about

Last Saturday was the last swim in the State Ocean Swim series for this summer. My swimming buddies, Helen and Charmaine, were all smiles as we squeezed into our wetsuits.

As usual, just before the start, things got a bit more serious.

I crossed the finish line with a time of 19:38.

When it was all over, we had something to smile about. I'm so pleased I did the swims. It was a good challenge and very rewarding. And maybe even a bit competitive – watch out Helen!

It wasn't just about the mums. Some of the kids swam too. Nice style Eadie! And Steve of course, who we have aptly named Coach Steve. Sorry, no pics coach.