Thursday 21 April 2011

...and Gandalf said...

"We have to go over there, little Hobbit!
Follow me, through all this high green stuff. We will be well hidden.
Past a place with weird creatures.'Till we reach the magic moss place."

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Mt. Cook

Today we put on our hiking boots.
To tackle Mt. Cook.It seemed a bit high, so we decided to go for a walk in the Tasman Valley instead, to look at the lower Tasman Glacier.
You can swim in the lake in summer. Really? With icebergs floating in there? Yup.We decided to give that a miss, as it is autumn now.
We opted for another walk, but that's another story. :)

Sunrise over Lake Tekapo

Slightly overcast and chilly morning, with a lovely sunrise.

Monday 18 April 2011

From Queenstown...

...via Lindi's Pass...(With plenty of mountains and snow.)

... and Lake Pukaki...
...to Lake Tekapo...View from our apartement a short while ago.
Guess what?! We are having a ball! :)

Sunday 17 April 2011

There is snow on the mountains!

The temperature dropped and it rained in the early morning. When I stepped out of the chalet, I smelled snow! And yes, there is snow on the mountain tops.
So I got out the skis! I'm ready! :)

Saturday 16 April 2011

Lake Wakatipu

Still in Queenstown. Had a great drive to Wanaka via the scenic route. Great food, great scenery, great autumn colours. Hmm... better stop here - I'm being very repetitive. Having a fantastic time. :)

Friday 15 April 2011

From Dunedin to Queenstown

...via the Scottish Highlands, or so it seemed.
Absolutely brilliant autumn weather. Gorgeous colours. Having a marvellous time!

Suberb food everywhere. Tonight's dinner in Queenstown - just fantastic.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Flying

Last year we had a great time flying in a tiny plane with Berry Gnome's nephew. I never posted any pictures. Here is one.
Tonight we shall be flying again. But this time in a 'proper' plane. I may or may not post pictures from our adventures in the next 10 days. Until then, be good! :)

Saturday 9 April 2011

Miner's Lettuce ...

...is coming up everywhere in the garden! I usually let it go to seed at the end of its growing season. Then it pops up with a vengeance as soon as the first good autumn rains hit the soil. It's a pretty plant and delicious in salads (raw) and sautéed leafy veggies.

Friday 8 April 2011

I love nettles!

Aren't they just beautiful!?
And they are really tasty, too!

Today's lunch - Nettle Omelette:

Heat butter/oil, add some chopped garlic (and onion), bung in washed nettle leaves. Cover with lid until nettles are wilted.
Pour in some beaten eggs, seasoned with salt & pepper. Add chopped parsley, and some grated parmesan. Bung lid back on until the omelette is set.
Slide on to a plate, add a dash of home-made chilli sauce, if so desired. YUM!
Don't be put off by the 'hairy' nettles - they have lost their sting and it's fine to eat them.

Thursday 7 April 2011

Autumn beauties

Every year the same kind of pictures, I know. But aren't they just gorgeous?!

Monday 4 April 2011

Eat your nettles!

They are good for you.

Grab a handful of stinging nettles (make sure you wear gloves!).
Wash them. I took them off the main stem.

Sauté in butter, garlic and onion. Throw in a potato cut into cubes, together with your nettles. Sweat a bit. Not you. The ingredients in the pan. Then pour in some good stock.

Cover, let simmer away.

Blend with whatever gadget you have handy.

The colour is not as vibrant green as I wanted it. But I blame the potato and cream that I poured in. And I could have put more nettles in, but I was hungry and wanted to get on with it.
If desired, serve with a bit of parmesan. Or a drizzle of good olive oil. Or whatever you desire.
It's delicious! Oh, and the nettles do lose their sting when cooked. :)

Friday 1 April 2011

Bonsai Egg

The nights are getting pretty cold (6C). During the day it is sunny, but the wind can be unpleasant. Day time temperature is around 16-17C.

The chooks can feel the cold, too. And they are moulting. No pictures of the scraggly beasts. Yet.
No wonder the eggs are getting smaller! (They have also slowed down their egg production.)