老何過耶誕 / merry Christmas!

耶誕快樂! 這是老何 (Andy)成家後的第一個聖誕節, 老何很慎重地準備了一個有濃濃家鄉味的耶誕大餐.

耶誕節前夕, 老何堅持要準備傳統耶誕應景甜點 - 酒漬什錦派, 不管步驟多複雜, 不考慮自己從來沒做過, 秉持著只許成功, 不許失敗的信念, 照著網路上找來的食譜, 仔細斟酌食材, 照單操課, 在缺少派餅模具, 天氣熱, 派皮鬆軟不好塑型的各種難關中, 突破窘境, 花了整整二十個小時 (包括前置做業時間), 老何把酒漬什錦派完成了.  酒漬水果乾雖然不是我的菜, 但在吃完耶誕大餐飽肚的狀態下, 竟能連拼兩個, 不能厚著臉皮, 違背良心說不好吃, 辛苦塑型的派皮很酥脆, 花了一晚醃漬的水果乾濕潤, 不甜膩.

完成應景甜點後, 老何才如吃了定心丸般地開始準備耶誕餐, 老何家的第一個耶誕大餐菜單是: 煙燻鳟魚冷盤, 蜂蜜芥末烤火腿配馬鈴薯, 義式培根高麗菜芽, 巧克力耶誕布丁佐白蘭地奶油 (英式傳統耶誕主菜是烤火雞, 但老何一家只有兩口, 實在消化不了七, 八公斤的火雞, 所以準備了半隻份量的烤火腿), 一個下午, 兩人一道一道吃完後, 唯一能做的事就是攤在沙發上聽耶誕音樂發呆.

傍晚, 老何延續何家傳統 - 吃完耶誕餐後到村子附近走走, 開車到雪梨港灣邊的 Blues Point Reserve, 延著岸邊散步, 經過 Lavender Bay 走到 Luna Park, 邊走邊欣賞坐擁港灣美景房舍的耶誕佈置, 並分享偶爾從屋內傳出的酒杯碰撞聲和笑聲.
耶誕節傍晚, 雪梨港寧靜, 涼爽, 天邊一抹淡橘色彩霞, 伴著岸邊幾個延續耶誕野餐的家庭, 老何在夜幕低垂後返家, 點上燭火, 在電視轉播的耶誕聖歌演唱中交換禮物.

What did Family H. in Australia have for Christmas? Apparently on top of the list were "Mince Pies". By ignoring all food preparation for the main meal, Andy paid all his attention in making mince pies. Despite a long list of ingredients and long hours to prepare, regardless of the lack of experience, after 20 hours of preparation, 20 gorgious mince pies came out from the oven with a delicious smell. (After a big meal, Kelly couldn't resist and had 2 mince pies, you could tell how nice these mince pies were.)

After the mince pies were done, Family H. started the Christmas meal preparation,.The menu was: smoked trout with cucumber, mango, avocardo salad / honey mustard glazed ham with roast potato, Panchetta with Brussels sprouts and squash / Triple chocolate Christmas pudding with brandy butter / mince pies.

After finishing the big meal, the only thing Family H. could do was sit on the sofa and listen to Carols on the TV.

In the late afternoon, Family H. went down to Sydney harbour, strolling from North Sydney to Luna Park. The houses by the harbour shared their Christmas joy through their decorations, a few families were still carrying on their Christmas picnic on the water front. Christmas Day in Sydney was definately not a warm and cosy atmosphere; in the evening the sky was blue with a touch of orange when the sun was setting. It was quiet and peaceful and the Family H. enjoyed the harbour walk with a cool breeze.

專心做派的老何 / the pastry chef in Family H.

送進烤箱前做最後裝飾
Brushing mincd pies with egg mixture before putting into oven

香噴噴, 甜滋滋的什錦派
voila! the tasty mince pies are done!

煙燻鳟魚配小黃瓜, 芒果, 酪梨沙拉
Smoked trout with cucumber slices, mango and avocado salad

24日到城中看聖瑪莉教堂的聲光秀之一
The Light of Christmas at St.Mary's Cathedral in downtown Sydney

生動的動畫影像從遠方精確地投射在教堂立面, 讓人目不轉睛
the images or animations projected precisely on church wall from distance

莊嚴的教堂化身各式美麗建築, 耶誕樹, 美麗夢境...
through the images, St.Mary Cathedral transformed into various beautiful buildings,
Christmas trees, sweet dreams...

- the end -

農婦年報 / Annual report of plants

雖然沒有定時更新農作狀況, 但農婦並沒離職, 還是全年無休地照料苗圃, 雖然期間遇到許多病蟲害的挑戰 我也沒放棄任何一株植物 (自己想不開的不算…).

去年夏天購入的香料植物, 因為盆栽擺在乏人照料, 天敵埋伏的花園裡, 它們經歷了白粉虱, 菜蟲, 蚜蟲, 蛞蝓, 紅蜘蛛輪番上陣蠶食, 負子鼠剃頭式的鯨吞, 竟只有香菜陣亡了, 羅勒, 辣椒, 香菜, 薄荷, 西洋芹雖然長得奄奄一息, 但都生存下來了, 連我自己都不敢相信… (連植物都這麼努力為生命搏鬥, 萬物之靈豈能虛擲人生…, 真勵志啊!), 唯一不須讓我特別照料的是蔥, 因為所有昆蟲, 負子鼠都嫌棄它, 唯一攻擊它的就是我本人 J.

今年同樣的蟲害隨季節更替, 再度輪番登場, 但因換了住處, 這些菜至少可以免除被蛞蝓和負子鼠的攻擊了.

 

目前的盆栽除了舊班底, 我也試著從撒種子開始種香菜, 從超市買來用不完的新鮮香料, 有根的生菜, 我全部拿來扦插種種看, 奧勒崗, 鼠尾草, 百里香很賞臉的生根, 在我的花盆裡住下來了, 生菜雖然長得很抱歉, 但至少沒有”厭世”.

為了彌補空蕩的新居陽台, 我們買了一盆叫”Syzygium Australe”的小灌木, 加一盆叫”冰山” 的白玫瑰, 希望它們也能在新居安頓下來, 漸漸地讓我的農村菜圃轉型成悠雅的花園!

It’s been more than a year since I set up my herbal garden. I am pleased that most of plants are growing well through care of a junior gardener, which is me…. I am actually quite surprised that most of them have survived after seasonal attacks by white flies, aphids, slugs, spider mites, and even a possum almost finished off the herbs while we were away to England.

The current herbal garden has Basil, Chili, Coriander, Mints, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Spring Onion, Thyme and one lettuce. I can’t say that they are in good condition, but they provide enough supply for my daily cooking.

We have also got new plants, an Iceberg Rose and Syzygium Australe, for the empty balcony of the new apartment. Hopefully they will feel at home and grow happy in our balcony and gradually transform my practical herbal garden to a relaxing floral garden.

一直向外發展, 但葉子長不大的羅勒
Booming Basil but with little leaves...

薄荷跟雜草? 是開花的香菜啦...
Mints and Coriander with brooming flowers

香菜花, 近看還蠻可愛的...
Coriader flowers

受紅蜘蛛攻擊, 已起死回生的辣椒
(秘密武器: 牛奶水!)
Chili plant survived from spider mites attack
(the milk with water turned out to be the most efficient spider mite repellent) 

明明是包心生菜, 被我養成招風耳生菜....
The lettus with an "attitude"...

香料盆, 小小一盆裡養了鼠尾草, 奧勒岡, 時蘿, 西洋芹
The herbal plants with sage, oregano, thyme, and parsley 

貪便宜買了很多花苞的玫瑰, 努力的開花中
We bought the Iceberg Rose with most of buds in the shop :-)

這是第一朵經過我照顧而發芽, 長出花苞的玫瑰!
After all flower wilted, this is first rose bud grew from tiny shoot in our balcony!

- the end -

英國行 – 英國食大不同 / UK Trip - the British Food

各位是不是跟我一樣除了 fish & chips 之外, 想不到英國還有什麼好吃的?

記得第一次到英國, 吃了一份派+無味熟爛高麗菜, 就把它跟英國菜劃上等號 – 難吃, 更糟的是, 那份熟爛高麗菜的口感, 深深陷入我的腦袋深層, 想忘也忘不了….

對我這刻薄的形容, 英國人應該是很不服氣的, 因為他們有噴香的的羊肉派 (可惜我不瞭, 也不想瞭羊肉的美味), 有美味火腿, 豬肉凍派 (可惜都是冷的, 天冷吃冷食, 吃完心都寒了), 有私家嚴製香腸 (可惜太油太鹹), 有每家pub隨時都可提供的切達起士, 火腿三明治 (可惜還是冷的, 再加上沒有沙拉醬的生菜... 哀…), 只能說英國菜實在不合台灣胃…

(ps. 說到豬肉凍派 – pork pie, 各位請不要露出閒惡表情, 其實它吃起來就像沒有綠豆沙的綠豆碰, 還蠻合台灣人口味的喔 ;-) )

但我不確定是近幾年美食, 烹飪節目大行其道, Jamie Oliver 走進了每家每戶的廚房, 啟發了英國人對食物的興趣和創意, 還是我接觸英國菜的機會較多了, 現在發現走近英國餐廳, "期待"的心情是多於"挑戰"的, 我漸漸可以把熟爛高麗菜從記憶裡擦去了, 真是感謝老天!

現在就來分享一下這次英國行吃到的菜吧 (這些餐廳可都是在鄉下地方, 不是大城市喔).

When thinking of British food, I believe that I am not the only one to have “Fish & Chips” popping into my mind and no other remarkable food after it. I couldn’t get rid of the image of overcooked, flavourless cabbage I had years ago .The British might say that it’s an unfair statement as there are many famous dishes such as a hearty Shepherd’s Pie, a slice of pork pie, succulent sausages, or a fine healthy cheese and ham sandwich with salad. To the Chinese taste, however, these dishes are either cold, too salty, too greasy or too heavy and rather unappetizing!

However, I am not sure that if it’s because the UK had a food revolution after series after series of gourmet food TV programs or I have had a better chance to explore food in the UK, but I found it a pleasure to go for a meal in a restaurant in the UK, rather than a flavourless expedition :-)

Here are some images of the food I had at some cafés and restaurants during this trip

櫛瓜鑲肉配酥脆薯塊
stuffed courgette with crispy roasted potatoes

燒烤羊肉串配芫荽香米飯
lamb skewer with rice

義大利風乾牛肉沙拉
Bresaola with salad

蔬菜湯佐雜糧麵包
vegetable soup with brown bread

蛋酥派佐沙拉
Quiche with salad

農夫餐 (比歐洲的農夫餐素多了)
Ploughman's lunch

The cafes and Restaurants we visited in Somerset:

Binegar / Hartley's Kitchen http://hartleyskitchen.com
Shepten Mallet / Sharpham Park Cafe www.kilvercourt.com
Wells / Goodfellows Cafe & Seafood Restaurant www.goodfellowswells.co.uk

- the end -

英國行 – 南岸小鎮遊 / UK Trip – Trip to Southern coast

不知何故, 我很難把英國跟海岸線聯想在一起(…明明她就是個島國…), 趁著這次出遊, 好好把我的腦袋裡的資料重整一下…

我們從Wells 出發, 開車不到2個小時就抵達臨英吉利海峽的渡假小鎮, Sidmouth, 延途盡是農田, 牧場, 很難跟海邊扯上關係, 豈知翻過一個山頭, 地勢驟降, 一個海鳥群聚, 海浪拍岸的臨海小鎮就呈現眼前了

 Sidmouth 的海岸以石礫, 岩岸居多, 沙灘很短, 小鎮迷你, 並非一般家庭觀光的理想地點, 但因地方小, 觀光景點和鬧區集中, 小鎮附近丘陵地多, 適合散步, 多數飯店歷史悠久, 且是秉持傳統服務的老字號, 所以這裡很得長青族的青睞.

有多受長青族歡迎呢? 最明顯的例子就是在我下榻的飯店用早, 晚餐時, 餐廳裡聚集了滿滿的白髮長者, 我估計最年輕的也超過六十歲了, 我跟Andy彷彿誤闖了老人國.

在Sidmouth停留期間, 我們還去參觀了驢子保護收容所 (Donkey Sanctuary www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk ), 這是由一位喜愛驢子的Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen創立的慈善機構, 最初是收留在英國 Devon 郡因工作受傷, 或退休的驢子, 但現在這收容所的義行擴及全球, 照顧遠至歐, 非, 亞洲受傷, 老殘的工作驢.

在英國, 我看到很多”不因善小而不為”的實例, 從維持個人生活品質的小事, 到維護整體國民, 全球人類, 動物權益的大事, 每個人都很積極的維護自己, 跟他人的權益, 不論你是多數, 還是少數.

We had a short visit to Sidmouth while we were in UK, which is located on the southern coast of England. On the route from Wells to Sidmouth there were endless farm lands and I was wondering how we could reach UK coast line in less than 2 hours of driving? Then right after we descended the last steep hill, there it was, Sidmouth situated on the English Channel

Sidmouth is a small hilly town with a mainly rocky coastline and beach, without too many entertainment facilities which does not make it an ideal holiday destination for young families. However, as the high street and beach front are within walking distance of the town centre and the hilly coastal roads providing an easy place to stroll along and provide picturesque views it makes a very popular destination for the older tourist. In addition most of the hotels have been in business for decades and provide services in the traditional way which is also popular for the older guest.

Apart from beach scenery, there’s also a nice tourist attraction in Sidmouth called  Donkey Sanctuary (www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk), which was founded by Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen. It’s interesting to pay a visit to see friendly donkeys, getting to know more background of working donkeys, and how they have been taken care of in this sanctuary.

小鎮全覽
Sidmouth from nearby hill

海濱步道
The esplanade I

海濱步道
The Esplanade II

看看這兩位英國人的夏日裝備
Did I mention it's July, in England !?

"偶遇"陽光的海濱步道
The Esplanade in sunshine

驢子保護收容所
Donkey Sanctuary

在特殊幼兒中心陪小朋友玩的驢子
the donkeys in child care center and wait for their turn to accompany children with special care

- the end -

英國行 / UK Trip - somerset

啊..., 可以說我不在家, 所以不能更新網誌嗎? (不知恥ing)


七月陪 Andy 返鄉探親, 大部份的時間都在英國南邊的 Someset County裡, 這裡說起來跟英國其他鄉下地方一樣, 一眼望不盡的農田, 成群的乳牛, 綿羊, 看不到來車的羊腸小徑, 似乎沒人住的寧靜村落, 但因為我待的時間夠久, 很多隱藏在麥田裡秘密都被我發覺了...


首先, 這裡有個英格蘭 (England) 最小的城市 - Wells (www.visitsomerset.co.uk/site/explore-somerset/towns-and-villages/wells-p500273), 事實上它只有小鎮的規模, 但因這裡有建於十二世紀的 Wells 大教堂 www.wellscathedral.org.uk ( 之前只有具城市規模的地方才能設大教堂(cathedral) ), 所以到現在它的編制還是 Wells市.

Wells 因美泉而得名, 行走街上, 可見街旁水道流水涓涓, 湧泉處就在主街上, 另外還有兩個湧泉口在主教宮殿 www.bishopspalacewells.co.uk 的美麗花園裡.

小小的城市裡, 有一個宏偉的大教堂, 美麗的主教宮殿和花園, 加上一個星期兩次的市集, 所以許多前往巴斯 (Bath) 觀光的旅客, 行有餘力, 也會繞到 Wells 參觀.

Wells 之外, Somerset County 裡還有 Cheddar 鎮, 很耳熟嗎? 它就是鼎鼎有名的切達起士 (Cheddars Cheese) 的發源地, 雖然現在全球各地的酪農都會生產 Cheddars Cheese, 但這個鎮還有一個不能複製的觀光重點 - 切達峽谷 (Cheddar Gorge), 車行峽谷中, 好似開了小叮噹隨意門, 開回花蓮太魯閣了, 當然這裡的峽谷是迷你版的 :-)

即使不特地安排觀光行程, 隨意開車於 Somerset 田園間, 偶遇地勢較高處, 停車眺望, 一幅幅恬靜如畫的鄉村景致隨即展現眼前.

參觀完歷史古鎮, 鄉村景觀, 是不是和我一樣快被催眠了呢? 讓我們來點熱血的行程吧! Somerst 裡有個叫 Street 的小鎮, 它是鞋商 Clacks 的總公司和設計中心所在地, Clacks 在 Street 設有大型 outlet 購物中心www.clarksvillage.co.uk , 裡面除了 Clack 的商品外, 還有許多英國和歐洲品牌精品店, 提供許多比市價優惠的商品, 是個讓人又愛又怕的地方… (問我如何自拔嗎? 當然就是有背後靈跟著, 讓妳不能盡興的逛, 就可早早結束購物行程了…)

另外時尚名牌 Mulberry 也是在 Somerset 的 SheptonMallet鎮誕生的, 雖然 Mulberry 已由國際時尚企業收購, 但原來的工作坊還是照常運作, 手工師傅還是數十年如一日地, 在小鎮裡一針一線的製作提包, 這裡另設有 Mulberry factory shop, 賣價約為市價的七, 八折.
Somerset不是英國的觀光重鎮, 但這塊被麥田, 牧場覆蓋的土地上, 卻隱藏著閃閃發光的寶石, 是塊耐人尋味的土地.

Well, I am not going to talk about Downunder, I am going to talk about “North”, the land with “correct” seasons. Me and Andy spent most of July in England, I was quite excited as I hadn’t been to England in the summer time before.

Somerset is the land where we spent most of our time, located in the South West of England, near the well known tourist town of Bath.

The majority of the land is used for farming and growing various kinds of crops, which is the same as other nearby counties, but I am pleased that I have spent my time in Somerset and long enough to be able to discover the hidden secrets of this  farming land.

It’s a land with the smallest city in England – Wells (www.visitsomerset.co.uk/site/explore-somerset/towns-and-villages/wells-p500273), it’s a charming little town, a city with a remarkable Cathedral built in the 12^th century (www.wellscathedral.org.uk). Every time I walked by the splendid exterior I always slowed my pace, the city is also a place with 3 spring water sources right in downtown.

Another well known town in Somerset is Cheddar, where Cheddar Cheese originated from. Nowadays Cheddar Cheese can be produced in any dairy farm around the world, but there is another gem in Cheddar that can not be reproduced – The Cheddar Gorge. It cuts deeply down to the valley, with astonishing scenery when driving along the winding road at the bottom of valley.

In this lush and boundless farming land, you don’t actually need a travel plan, it’s effortless to get picturesque scenery when driving along the country roads, well, in the condition that you don’t find it frustrated in driving along narrow, winding, limited sight country roads.

If you find history and culture a bit overwhelming, Street and Shepton Mallet will be ideal towns to pay a visit.

Street is the headquarter and design center of the International Shoe company, Clark’s, who built a Factory Outlet Center in its home town. In the outlet center, Clark’s product is not the only option, there are many more shops with boutique products from the UK and around the world. www.clarksvillage.co.uk 

One of the UK’s fashion icons is Mulberry, with its first hand bag actually being created in a little Somerset town, Shepton Mallet. Although it’s an international fashion label the factory still produces hand made handbags like they first created in this humble little town. There is a factory shop in Shepton Mallet which provides Mulberry goods at very appealing prices.

Isn’t it a surprise that an ordinary farming land would have so many hidden treasures!?

Wells 一隅, 當天有法式滾球慈善活動, 當天陽光燦爛 ,
典型的英國小鎮搖身變為南法鄉村
Wells Town Square, a charity event - Boules competition was taking place that day,
it was relaxing atmosphere with lots of sunshine, live music, food and drink...,
but the competitions were pretty tense... 

從高點遙望 Somerset 農地, 這種景色應該是英國人最典型的鄉愁了
Viewing Somerset farm land from higher level

窄窄看不到來車的鄉村道路
the narrow, winding, limit sight country road

是雙相道沒錯, 如果沒有遇到會車的空地, 英國的白羊黑羊會怎麼處理呢?
Yes, most of country roads are two lanes

Clark's 購物中心 / Clark's Shopping Village I

幾乎佔了半個小鎮的購物中心
Clark's Shopping Village II

Mulberry Factory Shop I

Mulberry Factory Shop II

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泳池煩惱退散功

1) 深吸一口氣
2) 吐氣, 望著由氣息推起的圈圈水波, 就讓煩惱隨著水波在大大的泳池裡消散, 消散到淨水道,  濾去雜亂, 還原乾淨思緒.

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Eveleigh Market / 週末市集

www.eveleighmarket.com.au

這是在某本雜誌上看到的資料, 當期雜誌專訪一位日本陶藝家, 她固定在 Eveleigh Artisans’ Market 展售她的作品. Eveleigh Market (有人跟我一樣唸不出來嗎? 它的唸法是 Eve-Lee Market) 感覺是一個有質感的市集, 不是賣給觀光客的光鮮商品, 也不是賣舊舊的二手貨, 是當地手作藝術家展示作品的市集.

藝術家市集每個月的第一個星期日舉辦, 同樣的場地每個星期六是農夫市集, 因此熱血的我們就趁4月的第一個週末連去兩天, 把兩種市集都逛了

初次去很乖的依網站指示, 把車停在科技公園 (Australian Technology Park) 但找了半天看不到半個攤位, 後來才發現市集是在隔著Redfern 車站另一頭, 繞了很長的ㄇ字型才到, 隔天我們就不聽話的直接車到市集旁的Wilson Street 停車了.

市集位在就舊火車維修場區的半開放空間裡, 隔壁完整廠房則是藝文空間.

農夫市集攤位眾多, 各種鮮花, 有機蔬果, 肉品, 起士,新鮮麵包, 到現煮熱食的攤位延伸整個長長的廠房, 我的小驚喜是看到澳洲名廚 Kylie Kwong 在她的攤位親自掌廚, 為客人準備食物, 據說她常常在攤位出現, 果然我們第二次去農夫市集時又看到她了.

 隔天農夫退場, 市集搖身一變, 成了夢幻市集, 各種不同風格的手作藝術家, 展示各種不同形態的作品, 從陶藝品, 畫作, 手做飾品, 服裝, 明信片, 家飾品, 玩偶…五花八門, 即使不買東西, 也是賞心悅目的出遊..

I learnt about Eveleigh Market from a magazine which interviewed a Japanese porcelain artist who has a regular exhibition in the Eveleigh Artisan Market..

The Artisan’s market is held on the first Sunday of each month and there is also a Farmers’ Market which takes place every Saturday. We made a big plan to visit both markets on the first weekend of April.

The Eveleigh Market site used to be a railway workshop, which was then transformed into an Art gallery and a site for the weekend markets. The semi-open space is for market use; it is spacious and bright, which provides a comfortable environment for visitors to enjoy shopping and browsing regardless whether it is sunny or raining.

There are many variety of products being sold in the Farmer’s market, including organic vegetables, meats, dairy products, olive oil, ready-made food, dessert, snacks…etc, every kind of food is well presented. We also spotted celebrity chef, Ms Kylie Kwong, preparing food at her stall “Billy Kwong”.

Overnight Eveleigh Market has turned into a magic place, full of talented artists gathering together in the same spot to present their best ideas and works. You may find creative porcelain, cloth, jewelry, dolls, paints, photographs, hand-made crafts and more here.

No matter whether you are a food or an art lover, a shopper, Eveleigh Market will be a nice morning outing for you.

市集入口 / market entrance

舊火車維修場藝文中心
art gallery from heritage railway workshop

半開放空間的市集場地 / semi-open market site 

熱鬧的農夫市集 / busy farmer's market

市集裡仍保留著舊機具 / old machine to forge steels

每個商家都是優質農產品製造商
all good food producers are gethering here to sell their unic products

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