The Elves and the Shoemaker
She recounts about the poor shoemaker who finds clothes made for him and his wife in the mornings. He is bemused, and so stays up late one night to watch and discovers little people who come and make these beautiful handmade clothes. He wants to thank them, and so he leaves food and small leather boots. They accept with glee, but never come back. The moral of the story is if one is poked, accept the poking without asking for more. Take what is given with appreciation and don't push for more. Mind you, let's find out what it means to accept the food and the little leather boots and never come back.........that's slightly different.
There was a time in a distant past and a distant country place
March 10, 2010
Al Di Meola
Guitar legend Al Di Meola played at Town Hall yesterday. I was rather surprised to see an artist of such fame in such a small town, but apparently the local sound guy (a girl named Annie) convinced them that Bellingen is a cool place to be. Particularly the virtuoso accordion player Fausto Beccalossi made an incredible impression.
I illegally recorded a little soundbite on my iPhone.
Al Di Meola World Sinfonia
Line-up: Al Di Meola – guitars, Fausto Beccalossi – accordion, Gumbi Ortiz – percussion, Peter Kaszas – drums, Kevin Seddiki – guitar, Victor Miranda – bass
4$ Salad
This is the small salad at Hearthfire Bakery. Garden salad with avocado and feta and grilled veggie salad with eggplant, tomato and choko’s. Naturally it’s 100% organic. 4 Aussie dollars is €2,70.
If there’s any establishment in Holland that can beat this, I’ll change my ticket and fly back tonight…!
4$ Salad
March 7, 2010
Frogs
What is green and makes a hell of a noise?
These buggers start making noise at dawn, together with the crickets and the arrival of the mozzies (mosquitos) and the flight of the flying foxes from across the river.
Frog
Raw Food
This weekend I attended some uncooking classes at Denene’s health and living foods retreat. They demonstrated how to make key lime pie and raw cashew nut cream, sprouted choc fudge cake with macadamia cream and cashew nut gelato. And last but not least a green smoothie with freshly picked greens from the side of the road river.
March 6, 2010
For the Birds
All sorts of birds gather on the telephone lines in front of the house. My favourite is the regal Kookaburra, which the Aussies like to call laughing bird.
When they ruffle themselves up they’re pretty big—I almost mistook one for an owl the other day. This picture was taken this morning.
Kookaburra on Telephone Line
March 5, 2010
John’s Garden
‘John the Gardener’ is our neighbour. He has a wealth of knowledge about gardening and is often willing to share. His bio organic garden is very impressive.
He provides mixed salads, with about 20 different varieties and some edible flowers, for a few local grower’s markets and for his neighbours too!
Inspired by a series of photos that Nicole shot—she used to be a professional photographer—I gave myself the assignment to imitate that series. This is a preview of the results.
I also made a little slideshow that you can watch fullscreen.
March 4, 2010
Gelato Bar
The Gelato Bar consistently has the best coffee in town. Hence it is my office of choice. They also have home made gelato. Good stuff!
Ice Cream at the Bellingin Gelato Bar
March 2, 2010
Big Country
This is Europe superimposed over Australia. Have I travelled Australia? I feel I’ve only scratched the surface (but then the same holds true for Europe).
Look at the map and consider these numbers: Netherlands – 16,5 million people, Australia, 22 million people.
It’s been said that in Europe 200 kilometers is a long way, while in Australia 200 years is a long time.
Big country, big ideas—Australians invented notepads (1902), the surf lifesaving reel (1906), aspirin (1915), the pacemaker (1926), penicillin (1940) the Hills Hoist clothesline (1946), the plastic disposable syringe (1949), the wine cask (1965), the bionic ear (1978), dual-flush toilet flush (1980) anti-counterfeiting technology for banknotes (1992) and long-wearing contact lenses (1999).
posted by Eelco Menkveld The Hague 2010
thank you Eelco.
posted by Julian Fairfax Mayhem at 1:53 PM
