Wednesday, January 8, 2014

An adventure with a difference


The week before the 'horsey' one came home at Christmas she had an adventure with a difference. The school she is at in the UK has an association with a charity Affecting Real Change and has projects in Gambia in Africa and in India. They take groups of students each year to work on these and a limited amount of the Gap students get an opportunity to accompany them. The 'horsey' one went on a trip to Gambia and had a rewarding week but one that opened her eyes to the conditions that other people live in. They were divided into 3 groups, one worked at the hospital cleaning and painting children's wards, they saw children with terrible burns and illnesses. The other 2 groups worked at a school, one group putting windows into a classroom and the 'horsey' ones group preparing for a new toilet block. In the hot sun they dug with shovels and picks a hole 2.5 m deep for a new septic to go in. She said the hardest part was getting the dirt out of the hole as it got deeper. They then mixed concrete and made bricks by hand that will form the building. The rest of it will be completed by others but they made a difference getting that done. They slept in a classroom on a concrete floor. She said they were ok, they had food to eat and water to drink and these purchases helped the community but she realised the children from the school were not so lucky. Although these kids have nothing they are always smiling and happy, a lesson we could all take on board. Another amazing opportunity she has had. I am so proud of her.






Monday, January 6, 2014

Home alone

I am home alone this week ( or almost, still 2 cats and 2 dogs here!) , 'horsey' girl is back in the UK and HS and his dog Bella have set off to NSW for the week on a hunting trip. He was so excited ! Not my thing but as I don't have to go guess it doesn't matter! Will be happy to have him home safely next Sunday.


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Overworked !

An at home day today and Thermie had a workout! Anzac biscuits and Basil and spinach pesto!



Saturday, January 4, 2014

Christmas 2013

For Christmas the kids, Mum and I ran away to Broome to stay with special friends. We had wonderful memories of Christmas from the years we lived in Broome so somehow it seemed just right. The ' horsey' one flew in there from the UK and the freezing cold! It was a Christmas of warmth, sun, friendship, good food, sparkling Shiraz, champagne, cocktails, fishing, mud crabs, camel rides, sunsets, Broome style boab Christmas tree, cyclone Christine, Matso's brewery and swimming. It was lovely and so nice to be together.
I can highly recommend Broometown b & b, best accommodation ever!













Friday, January 3, 2014

Bon Voyage


At 3.30am this morning my girl headed off back to the UK for another 12 months of adventure. In the last month she has crossed numerous time zones and experienced all weather conditions, UK to Gambia in Africa, back to the UK, to Sydney, Perth, then Broome to Melbourne, Hamilton, Robe and  back to the airport again! A whirlwind 10 days home but oh so nice to have her here but so much harder saying goodbye this time .....

Thursday, January 2, 2014

My new friend!

At the beginning of December I took delivery of Thermie! A purchase not made lightly and without a lot of thought over about 18 months. With the silly season I have not used it an awful lot yet, often days on end just making my morning juice but I am determined during 2014 to try a new recipe in it each week. I made this flourless chocolate almond torte yesterday to take out for dinner last night. Super easy ,satisfying making your own almond meal for it and so nice having chocolate ganache with no lumps!




Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014 - A New Year

Happy New Year to all, may all your dreams come true in 2014. For my family I am praying 2014 is a year of healing and peace .