Are We There Yet?

The lead-in to the silly season begins here. We don't really do it in a huge way, but I do like the trimmings - the tree and the food. For some reason red and green seem festively-themed, so here is meal number one: roast beef with jalapeno dressing served with radish and edamame salad with horseradish sour cream.  

Roast beef with jalapeno dressing 

Radish and edamame salad with horseradish sour cream

Meal number two is also rocking the red and green theme.

Spicy Thai-style red curry chicken and noodle soup

 

On the morning of Him Outdoors' birthday, we went for a walk around a new-ish track, the Ian Loiterton Track. Named in honour of Ian Loiterton (surprise!), the walk features information boards which explain the history, flora and fauna, and geology of the land. Ian Loiterton majored in geology for his BSc degree at the Australian National University.

Another information board tells us that the first European settlement of Aranda Bushland was in the mid-nineteenth century, when Francis Mowatt was granted land here, in the distyrict known as Weetangera. There was never a homestead in this area, the nearest being at the foot of Mount Painter. Cattle and sheep were grazed, and several old fence posts are still visible on this walk, as well as two farm dams and a low stone wall, probably built to control erosion.

Finneran's Road divides the forested upper part of Aranda Bushland for the woodland and grassland below. It was one of the earliest roads in the district, servicing the farms along the Molongo river, including this area, later called Glenloch. From the 1960s, when the suburb of Aranda was established, the forested slopes behind the houses were progressively excised from Glenloch and added to Canberra Nature Park. Later still, part of the lower grassland was excised to protect a patch of snow gums, rare survivors of the many that used to grow at this level in pre-European times.

"This walk is located on Ngunnawal Country, occupied by the Ngunnawal people for tens of thousands of years. We recognise the special relationship and connection that Ngunnawal people have with this Country. For time immemorial they have maintained a tangible and intangible cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to these lands and waters.

"Within this forested landscape evidence of Ngunnawal occupancy can be found. This evidence includes stone tools, scarred trees, and a nearby 'ring tree' signposting an ancient pathway. Our walk has been designed to avoid recorded Aboriginal Heritage sites, and any Aboriginal artifacts seen must be left undisturbed. 

"The area contains a major creek running south west from Black Mountain, edged on the east by a stee rocky ridge. The predominant underlying rock is the Pittman Formation-Acton Shale, which contains bands of chert, a hard rock used by the Ngunnawal for making cutting and scraping tools. There are also bands of quartz, which also were used for scrapers, though more difficult to shape into fine designs."

As we finished our walk, we were farewelled by this fellow. 

Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata)

Later in the day, we went on a tram-based pub crawl for birthday celebrations, taking in six drinking establishments, with several friends and fellow imbibers. I'll write a full post elsewhere, but here are the highlights.

North-side birthday tram crawl

We had planned a Christmas Eve event, but unfortunate events meant we had to cancel. We did have a couple of friends (Dr Kay and Patience Itself - oddly not pictured) drop by to share in the canapes and festive drinks we had prepared. 

Salmon and beetroot bites

Goat-cheese strawberries

Truffle chocolates homemade by Patience Itself

Canapes with rosé sangria

While we had friends here, we were able to share the birthday boy's cake, which is great, as we will be eating it for weeks!

Christmas tree mud cake

You are my sunshine

There is some software doing the rounds that can change a portrait image into that of a cartoon character. Calamity Sue made this picture of me that's a little bit freaky and proves what a wonky smile I've got: hence only one dimple.

At this time of year the morning sun shines directly into our hallway. It gives a golden glow to the start of the day and is, again, slightly alien, especially when it highlights the hatstand just so.

The very lovely Dr Kay and Patience Itself had organised a get-together which, being mid-winter, incorporated a three-course soup meal. We had French onion; pea and ham; pumpkin, potato and kumara, followed by (not pictured) Poires Belle Helene for dessert. I was very tired and very happy to see people, and the food was so delicious that I completely forgot I'm supposed to be on a low FODMAP diet. Three hours later, my stomach reminded me with a cramping, exploding vengeance. Oops! It was still a fun evening (the night; not so much).

We wandered down to The Pot Belly pub intending to see The Ginger Nuts perform, but we got the wrong weekend and so saw The Dirty Sunflowers supported by Gin on the Rocks instead. And they were good too. As was the beer, brewed by Him Outdoors. 

And when they find the sunny spots, the kittens like to play in them.

Scenic views and friendly brews

Things I see on my bike rides and runs...

I'll be the judge of that...

BJCP Session 4 was held at The Wig & Pen as we learned about Scottish lights, heavies and exports, Irish reds, dark milds, and British browns and strongs. Very tasty!

One of the best values for money is the soup at Bean & Grain at the Fyshwick Markets; hot and tasty and served in a cob roll for only $10. Today's offering was French Onion.

French Onion Soup

I know my friends are geeks; lovely bonkers geeks that is. Here they are in their matching t-shirts.

Calamity Sue and General Philosopher in His & Hers geek-wear