}

31 August 2010

Progress (2010)


General

  • Dex
  • Aussie citizen


Teaching

  • A new lease on life.
  • Creating lessons, getting passionate again.


Blog

  • Blog my life memories
  • Inspire mum's memories


Finances

  • Foresight to open bank account for Ally
  • Getting Investment Frontiers out myself
  • Handling financial settlement.
  • Spdr fund with Brendan


Purchases

  • Bought i-Phone



26 August 2010

I've never seen a Flow Chart described so clearly...



Of course to all my old Volvo friends, this doesn't apply to you! But I thought it was quite a hoot!
.

25 August 2010

Lucas

I went fishing with Doug and Claudia off their boat. Lucas caught a fish within two minutes, I caught nothing in three hours. Go figure. I'm just not much of a fisherman. But its still fun. We got caught in the middle of a big storm so I kept my camera under wraps - but managed to snap a couple of Lucas. He's as adorable as ever .


Andreas and Ingrid's new house

I went round to see Andreas and Ingrid's new home. It is a wonderful family home in French's Forest that ticks all their boxes. They are delighted to be able to settle down into their own home without having to ask permission to knock nails into the walls or give up their weekends house hunting. I just can't believe how fast Anna is growing - she's already walking down steps - with a little help from mum and dad of course.





23 August 2010

Rusty the Hunk of Spunk

Here are some photos that Russel had taken professionally for his dating profile on Cupid






Small Print: Only, joking, they were taken at work. Not sure, how they'll he used, maybe for their corporate site. I think they're wonderful. Capture's Russel's cheeky spirit!

Some lovely photos of the kids

Thanks for the photos, Jo.



22 August 2010

Bitter Love

Unfortunately I don't think this story is original. I faintly remember reading something with a similar theme when I was young. Hopefully, it'll leave you hanging till the end.

Rupert was a very rich man. He had everything his heart could desire. A penthouse apartment in New York with a view of Central Park. A modern and stylish holiday house right on the coast. The choice of a Ferrari or a Porsche to drive between them. He ate at all the top restaurants. He went to all the right parties. He wore all the latest fashions. And he had a bank account so fat he didn't need to work if he didn't want to. He had all his heart could desire, except for one thing: the woman he wanted. Because the woman he desired and indeed, loved, more than anything else was already married. And she refused to leave her husband for him.

Every time they saw each other, he would beg and plead. It was always the same promise, "Marry me, Wendy, and I'll give you the world." And each time, it was the same reply, "You know I care deeply for you, Rupert. But I can't leave my husband. Since his accident, he's become totally dependent on me. It would kill him if I left him. And I couldn't live with that."

Rupert was used to getting his own way. Usually his money and his power made things easy for him. He felt frustrated and bitter. He loved and desired Wendy. And he knew she desired him too. If it were not for her useless, crippled husband, he could have what he wanted. For once in his life, it seemed, money could not buy him happiness. But, maybe it could. His mind started to work.

Rupert knew that Wendy lived with her husband in a double story house in the suburbs. He knew the house well because sometimes he hid outside and watched them through the windows. He realised this was a clear sign of obsession but he could not help himself. He needed her like he needed oxygen. He knew that Wendy's husband, a university professor before his accident, now spent almost all of his time lost in research in his study on the second floor . He also had a fair idea of Wendy's comings and goings. He knew, for example, that she attended Yoga classes on Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. The plan in Rupert's mind started to take shape.

Two weeks later, on a Tuesday night, Rupert, dressed himself in old clothes. He wore a battered baseball cap on his head and several days of stubble on his face. He caught the train to the Bronx. It was a dirty suburb that he knew his rich friends would never think of visiting. He stepped off the train and walked to a crowded, seedy bar called "The Cock and Whistle." He sat at a table at the back of the bar and waited.

Ten minutes later, a small but muscular man sat down next to him. "Are you Mr Smith?" the muscular man asked with a quiet voice. Rupert felt a stab of anxiety pierce his chest. "Yes," he replied.
The man looked at Rupert with a calm stare, "Are you sure you want it done tonight?"
"Yes, I'm sure," said Rupert. "Do it like we said. Let yourself in at 8 p.m. Use these keys. You'll find him on the second floor. Do it quick. I don't want him to suffer. And make sure it looks like a robbery gone wrong."
"It will be done," said the quiet voice. "I'll meet you back here at nine o'clock. I expect you to pay me in full."

Rupert sat in his seat in the bar. Time stood still. He felt too anxious to eat or drink. He sat, lost in his thoughts. Apart from his anxiety, his emotions felt stifled. He felt like he was in someone else's body, somehow dissociated from himself. He stared at his watch, wishing time would pass.

9:00 came and went. Then 9:10. Rupert felt the anxiety writhe like a snake in his stomach. Then suddenly the short, muscular man was back in his seat. And he heard the quiet voice say, "It all went fine. He died quickly and painlessly."

Rupert's shoulders dropped and he breathed out slowly. His relief was tinged with a flickering of elation.

The short, muscular man looked at Rupert with his calm stare and said, "But there was one little problem. After I killed the guy in the study, some woman suddenly came into the room . Said something about coming home early because she was feeling ill. She was pretty surprised to see me, I can tell you. But don't worry, she won't cause any trouble. I killed her too."

A brand new kitchen for the family

Joanne, Antony and the children have been through a hellish 6 weeks while their kitchen was totally gutted, their floor in the dining room, kitchen and corridors was torn up and a gaping hole (to make a door) was smashed through their wall. Dust. Dirt. Mountains of rubble. Workers coming and going. Loud hammering. No kitchen. That was their constant lot for weeks on end.

But, I think you'll agree the final result - a modern, stylish, open plan kitchen and a much lighter and airier dining room - have been well worth it. The kitchen has now been christened with their first dinner party and all their friends were very impressed. But I don't think the Botings will be in a rush to do any more large renovations for a while. They are enjoying their new kitchen and some much needed peace and quiet.


During





The result!



21 August 2010

Just Good Friends

This is a story I remember reading as a child. I hope you enjoy my interpretation:

As usual, I wake up early and I gaze at the man who is sleeping next to me. He has such a kind, loving face, even when he sleeps, and I feel deep affection for him. It will be some time before he wakes. I let my mind wander and I remember back to how we met.

We met at a pub called "The Cat and Whistle" which I visited often. I was first attracted to him, not because he was good looking, but because he seemed kind and gentle. Every night, he used to sit at the same table alone and drink his beer and watch people playing darts.

Then one night, a blonde woman came and sat at his table and started talking to him. From then on, each night, they sat together. To be honest, I felt very jealous. Then after 20 days, they had an argument and she went away. I felt extremely happy. The next night, I went straight over to his table and I sat beside him. I fluttered my eyelids and he smiled at me. There was no need to talk. We were just two lonely souls connecting. Spontaneously, he put his out his hand and caressed my cheek. Later that night, it just seemed natural to leave with him. And we have been living together ever since.

We have never spoken about our pasts. And that is a good thing because life was very hard for me before we met. I am one of four and our father deserted us when I was very young. I had two babies of my own, but they were taken away from me. It is a very painful memory.

My attention comes back to the man sleeping next to me. I cannot imagine life without him. Suddenly the alarm goes and he wakes up. I pretend to be asleep and through closed eyelids, I watch him get out of bed. As usual he puts his foot into the wrong slipper and he groans. Then he turns round to me and says "Wake up, lazy bones!" but as usual, I roll over and lie in the warm hollow that his body has left. "I suppose you want me to get you breakfast in bed again, do you!" he says.

He walks out the bedroom and I can hear his footstep as he goes to the kitchen. Then, I can hear the clinks and clanks of him making breakfast. It's time to get up, I think. I leap out of bed and I go to join him in the kitchen. He is at the table, eating cornflakes from a bowl. "Nice of you to join me!" he says. He pushes my bowl over to me and I lap it up happily. It's not true that we cats only swish our tails when angry.

12 August 2010

Sam's Poem

Sam has been studying about Pirates at school and she wrote a poem. Pretty fabulous considering she's 10 and wrote it in ten minutes flat. Must have the Sorrel genes!

I am going to tell you a story from long ago
about a pirate, our enemy and foe.
It all started that night
when I was in bed wrapped up tight
and then I heard a noise from the door
I looked down and saw a letter on the floor.
I picked it up and I read "you shall be
DEAD DEAD DEAD"
That noise again I heard from the door
I dropped the letter on the floor
And then it came in and it wouldn't go back
"Oh no", it's Calico Jack!!!

1 August 2010

Favourite meals

Food is a gift and should be treated reverentially - romanced and ritualized and seasoned with memory.  Chris Bohjalian

2025
  • Cattle Baron
  • Peanut butter smoothie at Woodside
  • Kirsten's Kick Ass Icecream


2024
  • Raspberry tart @ Harrods, Doha
  • Tender beef on Sylvia Earle
  • Double thick peanut butter shake (Simons Town)
  • Cattle Baron Fillet Madagascar (Cape Town)
  • Frozen orange and mango at top of Devils's Peak (thanks Brandon!)
  • Kirsten's Kick Ass Icecream: Cherry
  • Kalk Bay ice cream: Cinnamon, ginger, cherry
  • Salad at Third Rail during fast
  • Kolfi with dried fruit (Grace of India)
  • Roast chicken meal (Dom in Carcoar)
  • Black cherries
  • Balmoral grilled sea food (octopus, calamari, prawns)
  • Frozen yoghurt with nuts and white chocolate
  • Plougman's lunch in the Blue Mountains (Thank you Michelle and Petros)
  • The Little Snail in Pyrmont: Kanagaroo steak
  • Fish Bowl salmon
  • Thai Beef Salad at the pub after tennis near St Peters station


2023
  • Chocolate pannacotta & flake
  • Banana and mango smoothy
  • Mushroom on toast in Orange with Tina and Dom
  • Take sushi with Tina, Dom, Shushann (x2)
  • Passion Fruit cheesecake (Bamboo Buddha)
  • Messina Icecream (Macedamia Nut Crunch, Lychee & Coconut)
  • Steak final night Buenos Airies
  • Roast chicken in Airfryer with Martin's seasoning
  • Almond nougat (Cape Town)
  • Duck, Pork Belly, Steak tapas as Silk (Cape Town)
  • Peanut butter smoothie (Nepal & Woodside)
  • Lassies in Kathmandu
  • Mango and yoghurt
  • Bowral hot donuts
  • Prawn dumplings at home


2022
  • Portuguese Charcoal chicken with Srini after hike
  • Messina icecream
  • Jo's coffee and rum & raisin icecream
  • Thick chocolate milkshake in Cape Town
  • Eat Greek prawn wrap after Coastal Track walk
  • Cape Town meat & fish: Cattlebaron steak, Ocean Basket, Ribs at market
  • Xmas feasts: Ruth: Duck, pork belly, chicken, amazing potato bake Xmas day at Shalow: Lemon curd trifle, turkey


2021
  • Lamb after Dune
  • Botanica breakfast bowl
  • Four Cheese Toastie at The Flying Bear
  • Love.Fish with Elna to celebrate new year


2019
  • Prawn soup  (The Botanica)
  • Ko Pla (Thai) with Brendan and Eva
  • Ginger drink   (The Botanica)
  • Oven roasted vegetables with smoked almonds (my speciality)
  • Hummus and Mushrooms  (Grumpy Baker)
  • Monkfish with Chris, Xenia, Christina, Shushan
  • Meal at Devil’s Pools
  • Jo’s rum and raisin ice-cream  


2016
  • Ape Crepe & Malaysian Toast
  • Botanica Quiche
  • Pizza in Wilderness: Fig, blue cheese, ham


2015
  • The Edge of the Bay. Seafood chowder, scollop liguine, choc mousse.
  • Lamb salad with Liza (Jagos on Miller)
  • Bondi Pizza (Parramatta lamb pizza and prawn and chorizo)
  • Liz meal. Cheese, salami, tomato and onion pastry, goulash, sticky date pud
  • Roast chicken, pumpkin, potato (made by Matt and Shamista)
  • MaryAnn meal (pap starter, feshwado, granadilla mousse.)
  • Cattle Baron (sirloin with bacon, avo, camembert), chocolate mousse
  • Woodside with mum (steak n chips, calamari)
  • Stormsriver ribs & Malva Pudding
  • Big braai at Geoergian House
  • Vetkoek
  • Hogsback pizza
  • Mutton pie and muffins (waiting for bus). Pancakes at Sani. 
  • Amphithetre:  Butternut soup, pork belly, apple crumble and custard. 
  • Best braai ever with Chrisel's family?  Ribs, steak, potato bake, carrot cake.  
  • Lamb potjie (Amphitheatre, Utopia)
  • Camps Bay Retreat:  Mushroom risotto, Kudu loin, chocolate mousse (with cereal?)
  • I cooked lamb in slow cooker with red wine for family.
  • Steak and chips at Brendan and Eva
  • Veal at Casa Ristorante
  • Indian food (Shamista)
  • Thai restaurant with Srini (Duck curry)
  • Chicken soup (I make for Chris, Jilly, Craig).
  • Chicken soup. Jagos lamb salad with Liza
  • Kirribili meals with Srini (lamb shanks, ribs)
  • Botanica with Yogi - Almighty, lamb skewers, ginger drink.
  • Botanica lamb skeers, All Mighty
  • Eggs and toast



2013

Meals
  • Salad at Brendan's
  • Mexican at Eva and Brendan (lamb)
  • Turkey Roast with Sue
  • Thai duck at Waverton
  • Dani's Belgian pancakes
  • Turkey dinners with Sue
  • My slow cooker meals (ossu buco , apricot chicken etc.)


Restaurants
  • Fancy restaurant for scollops
  • Mexican restaurant after Two Creeks
  • Nepalese restaurant
  • Spanish Tapas
  • Thai (Neutral Bay)
  • Radio Cairo
  • French restaurant (anniversary)
  • Nandos
  • Bavarian Beer caffee (Pork belly with Andreas)


2012

  • Mocha
  • Pad See Ew 
  • Dani's tiramisu
  • Belgian waffles


Restaurant
  • Thai Waverton
  • Blue Mountains (Italian, Chinese)
  • Mexican (after hike)



2006
  • Bull's testicles
  • Guineapig
  • Offal hotpot (Brazil)
  • Doug and Claudia's pepper-corn steak
  • Buffet by weight (Rio)
  • Torres del Paine fry up
  • Seafood with Doug & Claudia
  • Buenos Airies steak
  • Lamb chops (El Calafate)
  • Isla Grande self service icecream


2004 - 2005 

Food
  • Iced coffee and vanilla frappocino at Liverpool Street
  • Meal at web council
  • lamb rack in Gothenberg - best lamb ever
  • Volvo Thursday roasts
  • Steve Fuhrter's strawberry juice
  • Brooklands court sunday picnics in the lounge
  • Glue Vine (and Swedish Glug)
  • Meals at La Taska (Gothenberg)
  • Volvo caffeteria
  • Cambridge crepes
  • pork ribs @ John Barleycorn
  • North Carolina onion rings
  • Wilga and Normon's garden picnics


Restaurant
  • Codfather
  • John Barleycorn ribs
  • Smaka
  • Eating at Nandos (Cambridge)


2000 - 2003

London
  • Putney gourmet burgers
  • North Acton lamb and mint burgers
  • Biltong from The South African shop, London
  • Tescos Crème Caramel (London)
  • Roast beef & yorkshire pudding (touch rugby)


Travels
  • Thick shake & Blue Moon Pancake (Dahab)
  • Food after 2 weeks of dahl baht in Nepal
  • Yak steak (Nepal)
  • Camel steaks (Damascus)
  • Pistachio Icecream (Damascus)


Restaurant
  • The Grove rib-eye steak 
  • Scollops in Knightsbridge, London
  • Dessert wine at The Oxo Towers, London
  • Pocara steak (Nepal)


1990 - 2000

Food
  • Kendal Mint Cake (Granchester, Lake District)
  • Pint of prawns (Plett)
  • Rosemarie's chocolate gateau and risotto
  • Melissa's French Nougat
  • Ally's apple pie with ginger
  • Ally's lemon merengue pie
  • Mexican wrap and berry smoothy from Kuali
  • Woolies picnics
  • Crepes and thick-shakes at Dulces
  • Allies Jamie Oliver's sweet and sour chicken
  • South African Don Pedro
  • Ally's lamb & pavlova
  • The food in Istanbul
  • Hagendaaz Icecream (Kensington)
  • Sea food hot pot (Ko Bulan, Thailand)
  • Cream tea in Devon
  • Yoghurt and honey (Olympos, Turkey)
  • Squirrel
  • meals at George's Place (Butterfly Valley, Turkey)


Restaurants
  • Le Petite Fermet lunches
  • Lamb in pastry at The Wild Fig
  • Barrister's Madagascan Fillet
  • Nandos chicken, chips with perinase and olives
  • Desserts at The Village restaurant
  • Boschedahl buffet
  • Kushiri (Cairo)


1980 - 1988 

Food
  • Spring rolls from Dean Street Chineese
  • Frozen Yogurt Blizzard
  • Roast beef & veggies & kiersch (Gran)
  • South African braais with sizzling boerewors
  • Cassanova veal and cassata
  • Spur Hero Burger
  • Ribs at The Spur


Restaurant
  • Cassanova veal and cassata
  • Spur Hero Burger
  • Ribs at The Spur


1970 - 1980

Food
  • Granny Station's roast chicken & junket
  • mum's chocolate mousse, banana pudding & crème caramel
  • Leche sorbet at San Marcos (Sea Point)
  • Mum's chicken soup
  • Mum's Xmas cake
  • Jam donuts and custard slice at Silwood bakery
  • Mum's Xmas dinners, particularly xmas pudding and brandy butter
  • Granadilla lollies, St James
  • Caramel crisp icecreams as a kid
  • Mum's Sunday Roasts
  • Coffee and Top Deck wtching TV on Saturday nights
  • Mum's rice pudding
  • Welsh Rarebit
  • Appletizer on the beach with grandpa as a kid
  • Granny's chicken lunch


Restaurants
  • Mount Nelson lunches with the family as a kid
  • Birkenhead dinners with granny and grandpa as a kid
  • Spur Hot Rock & Pecan Nut Sunday
  • Pancake place


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