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    Friday, March 14, 2008

    On the Road again

    It’s 4 in the morning… now just to digress a little …as there are so many famous first lines in novels
    e.g. “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again” and
    “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” etc
    "It’s 4 in the morning" immediately conjures up Leonard Cohen’s “Famous Blue Raincoat” the title song of my favourite album…so now of course it is running through my head.

    Anyway back to It’s 4 in the morning and I am up early…Dale and our friend Pete have sailed our boat Cajun Moon up north to the beautiful Whangaroa Harbour.

    Pete’s wife Elphie and I are driving up this morning to join them. We need to get on the road fairly early. It’s a 4 hour drive. and we are anxious to get up there and join them.

    I just wanted to make a quick last post before we leave. It’s a little difficult and very slow from that region.

    So…some nice things have been happening.
    On Thursday I went to visit a fellow food Blogger Arfi from HomemadeS
    Arfi lives way out in the country. I have never been to that part of New Zealand before so it was an adventure.
    It took me about an hour to get out there. But it was worth it.
    It’s lovely, Arfi and her family have a lifestyle block with an orchard and they keep chickens and sell the chicks.
    2 lovely little children…it’s nice to meet another Blogger.
    Arfi made us coffee and accompanying it was a wonderful moist ginger cake.
    But the best was yet to come.
    Arfi gave me her homemade Damson Plum Cheese.
    I have had quince cheese before but this is divine.
    The depth of colour and flavour are quite exceptional

    Took a quick photo…this is coming up north with us.
    can see fresh bread, blue cheese, Damson Plum cheese. Yum
    On my way home as I drove over a hill this wonderful view hit me


    The Waikato River. Magnificent.
    How about this for a quirky letterbox?

    Thank you Arfi it was fun.

    We had family dinner last week and I made a divine Prawn and Orzo salad
    Courtesy Barefoot Contessa plus an excellent Pear Vinaigrette which is goes really well on a rocket walnut and blue cheese dressing.
    Roasted 3 fat chickens with a truffle butter and lots of herbs.

    A veritable feast but more about all of that next time.
    My driver awaits me.

    5 comments:

    FH said...

    Homemade Damson Plum Cheese!! How lucky are you? Looks delcious and Arfi has a big smile, like her already!
    Love Ina Garten too, she is great cook, looks like she eats well too. You know what they say "NEVER trust a skinny cook!" ;D

    Got a busy weekend ahead for us, 17th and 13th birthdays for kids, 4 teenagers are coming too tomorrow. Phew!!:)

    Anonymous said...

    That sunrise photo is beautiful! Have a good trip!

    Barbara said...

    How lovely you got to meet Arfi. I remember her plum cheese. It was fabulous. I remember she made an apple cider one that was nice also.

    Unknown said...

    Gilli, have a great trip!! It was lovely to meet you. The tomato ketchup is superb with fish and chips! hehehe

    cheers,
    ab

    Katie Zeller said...

    What gorgeous views - and sunrise!
    How fun to meet a fellow blogger and get sent off with treats!
    Have a great trip!