Last week I bought some vegetable stock from Maggie Beer's range. It was delicious in a stew but it cost $8. Here is how I usually make vegetable stock since reading Simplicious. It costs nothing but the gas to cook it. I got this tip from Sarah Wilson's Simplicious book. It is a really simple … Continue reading Make your own stock for nothing!
Tag: Melbourne
Where will you live when you are old? What are the options? This article gives my perspective on some Australian options. You can live independently, in your own home. This is possible as long as you stay physically and mentally well. In Australia you can get help with showering, shopping and cleaning, and you can … Continue reading Growing older
Specialized Como electric bike The bike I am test riding is a pedelec- it only gives power when the bike is pedalled, and the harder you pedal the more help you get. Up to a maximum speed of 25 kph., that is. After that speed, you get no more extra power. This is fine for … Continue reading Turbo speed on the new ebike
This is a typical holiday shop on Phillip Island. Everything in the window is made from cheap imported plastic. It will last for a holiday but it will not keep until next year. If we didn't import such rubbish, we could hire out better quality beach toys, and reduce the need to dispose of such … Continue reading Stop selling plastic junk
Glimpses of Melbourne- including The State Library It is summer, but our weather is very unpredictable. 16 degrees one day, and 35 the next. But the city centre is a delight at this time of the year. One of my favourite places for a coffee is The Block Arcade. It has an eclectic mix of … Continue reading Christmas in the sun in Melbourne
I have been teaching English to two delightful German girls aged 6 and 9. It has been a fascinating time because they needed basic English, but they absorbed language like little sponges, and are so incredibly enthusiastic. I have tried to build on this natural curiosity, but also tried to give them useful language for … Continue reading Winter English in Melbourne
This week I went to an exhibition in a beautiful old building that was built during the Gold Rush (about 1880). It is beside the Melbourne Museum, and you can walk there from the city centre. If you walk along Nicholson Street from here, you can find some cute old houses. This is a pleasant … Continue reading More Melbourne
Sunflowers grow really well in suburban gardens in sunny spots. And if you can get away from the city do so, even if it is only for the day. The lookout at Mount Donna which is 1250 metres above sea level If you do not want to travel too far, try Warburton. It is only … Continue reading Still summer in Melbourne
A horse drawn carriage ride for anyone?The Yarra River flows close to the main train station. You can sit or walk and watch people stroll along the walkways. Southbank has some good bars and restaurants, where you can watch the world go by. In summer (December-February), it is sometimes very hot, so you might like … Continue reading Melbourne on the Yarra
Our old buildings are not old by world standards. Fremantle, or "Freo" as the locals call it, has some buildings dating from the early days of white settlement. This is still a busy market, and a great place to buy fruit and vegetables. The sweetest, juiciest mangoes I have ever tasted were from here. It … Continue reading A little bit of history
