Sinclair lookout gwydir highway glen innes

17 kms west of Glen Innes is a Panoramic lookout which is popular with bird watchers. We saw a Wallaby with A very  full pouch, quite a few native birds glad of the sunshine after the recent unrelenting yet welcome rain. The storms had knocked down a tree over the entrance so the dogs and I walked up the gravel track to the summit. Not realising it was so far, steep or rocky the road was too much for  the veteran chihuahua, who despite her best efforts ,had to be carried quite a way. You see ,there was no carpet or sand on the track and our little Mexican feet were footsore from the terrain. The view at the top was worth it. Richo missed it though, some one had to mind the boat and camper, which was just off the highway. Next time I will definitely drive up. 

The sun is finally out.

Here we are on the wall of the dam . In wetter times we would've been completely under water. There are goats everywhere and a fox came to the camp last night. I doubt it's intentions were honorable. Finally dried the wood enough to make a wood fired bacon , eggs, tomato & toast for breakfast. A welcome change from breakfast cereal and it's not even Sunday. Richo made friends with some fellow campers and has taken their family out in the boat to survey the dam environs. They have 3 small children and Tilly had to stay behind with me because she is a bit Full on with her favourite things, kids, boats, fish and water. Safer and more comfortable for all concerned.

The girls are roughing it

Here we are camped at Pindari Dam. The water level is at 16% which is incredibly low. The boat ramp is half way up the hill and where we tied the boat last time is about 30 metres above a road which was on the dam floor. There is a guy camped here and every afternoon while walking his kids he picks up fishing lures and rods that have been previously lost overboard. Now they are in the middle of a paddock. How the landscape changes in a few short months. We have brought the rain with us and plenty of it. Everything is damp and sticky. The girls have been running crazy through the bush in the rain and drinking water from puddles, bush dog style. It's good to come home to camp with our big purple rabbit I imaginatively called Bugs and a warm feed and dry blanket. Still sussing out the boat launching prospects as we don't want to get stuck on the muddy road to the low water boat ramp. 

Fun with Salads, introducing ...... The Salad Jar

Richo wanted lunch and was busy replumbing the water system in the slide on camper. I was busy making Spicy tomato Relish which was close to bottling stage. He couldn't come in for lunch and I couldn't go out to eat it with him. Solution SALAD JAR all layered up in a screwyop jar you can eat it while you work with a spork, one our favourite camp eatin' irons. Make a real meal of it by adding something canned, whether it be ham, tuna, pate, chicken or crab this is an appetising handy portable salad idea using all our home grown and home made fare. Guaranteed to entice even the diehard salad dodgers this makes a great kayak or picnic idea too. Check it out this week on our cheekyricho YouTube channel.

Fun with Salads

We love Salads and as the days get shorter we want to make the most of the remaing warm weather by making some grab n go salads. This idea came about by accident. Out camping Richo put my bread in the esky to keep it safe. Right next to the melting ice. My anticipate Fresh ham Salad roll was not destined to be. The soggy sodden crushed mess made suitable bait and Bentley for his fishing. Still trying to determine if this was an accident??? He's low carb so he doesn't care. I decided to make a ham salad roll without my crusty loaf. I was hungry but this was amazing. So filling healthy colourful and full of texture. Why didn't I think of it sooner? Easy to eat wrapped in foil. The only available surface is the one you're eating so that sorted the flies. No cutlery and no mess. We make them to fit in a stubby holder do that keeps them cool and fresh in the kayak too. I am gonna miss you summer ;-((

Mocha Mochi

Cheekyricho YouTube Recipe Mocha Mochi. You are going to need some smooth creamy Chocolate Ganache & some aromatic Strong Espresso Coffee this moreish Japanese Microwave Dessert Has to be tasted to appreciate. The filling is soft and sweet but the real surprise is the chewy elastic Robust Coffee flavoured and scented outer shell. It never gets hard. Keeps well in the fridge and is great fun to make. The very simplicity of the dish just another bonus. Check it out and so many more interesting recipes on our cheekyricho YouTube channel. 

Tefal Actifry & Me

In 2009 I bought this revolutionary (no pun intended) Tefal Actifry. It's claim to fame... Cook chips in a tablespoon of oil. It makes good chips, potato. Sweet potato and a mixture. Tried it with store bought chicken nuggets and wasn't that happy with the result. This week I got to thinking how to stir fry without having to stand there and 'stir fry' would the Actifry Stir Fry? I am hear to tell you YES💃💃💃🐾🐾🐾🎶🎶🎶🎉🎊♨️♨️ YES  just doing a little happy dance around the kitchen. First we did fish pieces in a dribble of home made ghee✔️✔️✔️ Delish!  Now for something sweet... Caramel Apples. Richo reckons they are the best apples in the world. They a puffed tart sweet separate wedges of Granny Smith Apples with an almost toffee like outer coating of caramel stickiness, 2 apples, a sprinkle of cinnamon, 25g each of butter & brown sugar and 15 minutes of Actifry Magic. Should've served 3-4 persons but 2 of us gobbled down the lip smacking lot. Now for a uber lean Turkey Teriyaki Stirfry. Now that needed a little a little tweaking of a splash more cheekyricho Teriyaki Sauce just before serving but it's the first no fat stir fry I have cooked to perfection WHILST I swam laps of the pool 10 metres away from the kitchen. What to make next? Risotto, curry, Larb Whole chicken legs in a smoky BBQ marinade maybe. Gotta go Actifry & I have work to do ;-))

The government gave me something.

I just went renew my licence and was feeling a bit sad about having to part with $166 for my drivers licence. As I have never had a driving conviction recorded in the last 5 years (or ever actually) I got a half price licence. I think that's less than I paid 5 years ago. Mmmm what to spend my change on. After not the best week maybe my luck is turning around. Here's hoping. 

Chicken Curry a cheekyricho recipe

It's sweet warm, fragrant and delicious. Serve it with papadums  a wedge of lime and steamed rice.  Guaranteed to to convert even non curry lovers. Check it out on our cheekyricho YouTube channel. http://youtu.be/3S7UxKxVEAQ

Hummus in 40 seconds

Low in fat & oil this vegan dip is easy quick and tasty. Probably the most versatile dip in your entertainers arsenal. Serve it with Crudités, pita or corn chips or warm crusty Turkish of Lavash Bread. http://youtu.be/tEj0gOVvNFc

Mango Lassi cheekyricho 2 ingredients

2 ingredient cheekyricho Mango Lassi using home grown organic Mangoes and home made natural yoghurt, add some ice & a sprig of mint for a refreshing meal in a glass check it out this week on our cheekyricho YouTube channel, just another simple addition to our extensive  Mango Playlist.

Healthy budget breakfast in a Piemaker

You would have trouble believing me if I told you it was possible to make a filling easy grab n go breakfast for 2 using only 2 eggs, 2 potatoes, 30grams each of cheese & lean bacon and 2 slices of toast. BUT it is very possible when you make our cheekyricho YouTube piemaker breakfast cups. They taste great, are made in minutes are easy to eat on the run, are healthy and satisfying. They also make terrific lunch box fillers too. It's the perfect fusion of an omelette and a hash brown.