travels continue

I just realized I have to abbreviate my musings about our trip somewhat otherwise there will be nothing else but "travelling" in my blog! Anyway, on we drove towards the coast, the Gulf of Mexico and on to Houston. There we went to the Space Center, well worth a visit while in the vicinity! To see all the bits and pieces to travel in space and back is most impressiv.

From desert with its many yucca plants to the swampy countryside of Louisiana was just a couple of days drive. Wise mans beard hang in thick bunches in many of the trees.


So called Antebellum Mansions grace the countryside. Sugarcane Barons used to reside in the sprawling estates. 

Unusually shaped bridges span the numerous waterways. They are built this way to allow easy passage for the ships travelling far inland. 

Alligators are very territorial and can be spotted everywhere.

Holidays continue

We had planned to go hiking in Big Bend National Park in Texas bordering on to Mexiko.
However, while we where there temperatures reached 44 degrees at 10 o clock in the morning so we had to change our plans. To somewhat cool of we went swimming in the muddy Rio Grande as much as possible and tried to find a shady spot during the day. Not easy in the desert region which is bare of any decent size trees. 

 Many of the cacti still bloomed. 

 

 We were not popular with the ranger for parking in the shelter which has been built to house the picnic table!

I am back and glad to be home again!

Almost a forth night has passed since we returned and I still have not been updating my blog.  My apologies, I was snowed under with  other issues, computer problems, assisting sick friends, doctors visits etc. But now let me give you a bit of an overview what we have been up to during our 3 monthly absence.
From Sydney we flew to Los Angeles and on to Dallas/Texas. Getting through customs is a real pain in the neck and even though we had almost 3 hours layover, there was hardly any time to spare. Arriving in Dallas we picked up our car, a Dodge Caravan. The back seats can be laid flat and stored in the floor of the car therefore enabling us to sleep in it. 

 

 We bought an esky  and one large pillow which I cut in half to make two small ones. The rest we brought with us in the second suitcase, sleeping bags, airmattresses, a small cooking set and last but not least a one cup italian coffee maker to go on the gas cooker. A cup, wineglass and paper plates and a small assortment of herbs and spices completed the camping kitchen.

This was our first camp on a lake shore somewhere in the southwest of Texas.

Bush walk

We often go for a walk in the bush which is really just across the road. A few impression from a couple of days ago. Its a bit of feast and famine with me in blog land. 
Well, that's it from me for a couple of months. We are heading overseas in a few days time and I will have some pictures and new impressions when we get back!   

We even have a bunch of Bananas growing in our backyard!

A few new pots

I am experimenting with some different techniques with making and decorating dishes. Will only find out once they are glazed and fired how they turn out and if they live up to my expectations.

Designs sgraffity through slip or under glaze  

Rolled out flatware with added on uneven edging

Pieces decorated and ready to fire

   

Flying visit

Living so close to the bush there are a lot of Kookaburras about. Sometimes they even come onto our deck waiting for some mince or meat off cuts.

Super easy bread

More baking! This time I would like to share a "super easy" bread recipe with you. The bread stays nice and fresh for much longer than normal bread and the taste is simply delicious.

Recipe makes 2 loaves
4 1/2 cups of flour either store bought bread mix or your own combination. 
You can add Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pepita, nuts, oatbran etc
I use wholemeal spelt flour and sometimes 1/3 of the quantity white flour
2 1/2 tea spoon salt, careful with salt when using bread mix, check packet re added salt
1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
600ml water

Put all dry ingredients in bowl, pour in water and use spatula to mix. It is to sticky to use your hands and knead.
Cover with bowl gladwrap and leave for 12-18 hours
Then turn mixture out onto some flour and turn and fold over several times, sprinkle with flour if to wet. Leave ca 15min
Prepare 2 teatowels with sprinkled flour
Take mix and split into 2 sections, again just gently fold over twice, place onto tea towels and leave for 2 hours. Dust with flour all over (sticks less to tea towel)
1/2 hour prior to baking place 2 ovenproof dishes in oven (must have lids, pyrex dish etc)
at 220 degrees
Place dough into dishes and cover with lids, bake for 40mins
Take of lid, reduce heat to 200degrees and bake further 20 mins to make a crust

Bon appetit!