Nothing beats a hand written letter

7 Days on a Boat with Nothing but a Kodak

and when I say nothing. I really do mean not that much. 

A party week in Croatia?? On a yacht?? What could be more glamorous or luxurious??

My dreams of all white linen, ripped Croatian deck hands and a cool breeze as a lay on the deck drinking a cocktail were quickly dashed. The first thing I noticed was missing, was a bed for me. I guess I really would be laying on the deck. So that's the first thing to cross of the list, sleep. 

All was going well we were coping with the lack of wifi and power, feeling lucky I bought my Kodak, until ran out of fresh water. I became guilty of water hoarding. We tried to be savvy; washing the dishes with sea water, peeing in the ocean, not showering at all and drinking only ciders (and given it was 38 degrees, a lot of fluid had to be had).

The next thing to go was the food. I had been under the impression that food was provided, but after the fridge broke down and the last of the cornflakes had been eaten, we were left fending for our selves. 

But as I was lying on the deck of the Sauvignon Blanc, delirious with dehydration, hunger and sleep deprivation, I realised it was worth it. I just got my film back and these pictures speak louder than words in describing the week. All smiles and sunshine here. 

Brisbane boys 

  

Louisa + Lauren, docked for the day 

Look how clear the water is

Before they were pushed in 

On the hunt for drinking water 

Smooth sailing without a ripple in sight 

Floating off the back of the boat 

The Girls 

Skipper Luca 

The Beautiful Bondi to Bronte

Calder's Mercury Fountain, Barcelona

After a month of chaotic travelling, nine planes and four countries, I can gladly say, I'm back in my own comfy bed. AND... because it's three in the morning and I have work 9 hours tomorrow, (today???), I thought I should reflect on places I've been and things I've seen. Thanks jet lag!!

Destination: Joan Miró Museum, Barcelona
Favourite piece: Alexander Calder's Mercury Fountain
The fountain itself is pretty simple, full of curves and slides, but what makes it completely mesmerising is that where you would usually look for water, you will find pure mercury. Imagine a wonderful flowing fountain that liquid metal slides and drips over hypnotically, occasionally splashing on to a flat plate, leaving droplets that look like shiny new coins. What makes it even more entrancing is that its highly toxic and however much I wanted to reach out and touch it, I couldn't.

The graceful fountain was commissioned by Spain in 1937 to commemorate the siege of Almadén, Spain, a mine in which many Spanish prisoners and slave labourers died as a result of mercury poisoning.

Unfortunately, you weren't allowed to take photos within the museum but you can find some here.

Sensation Appreciation

We experience every moment through our 5 senses, so it's about time we appreciate all of them individually. Here are my favourite experiences under the magnifying glass.

Taste

Coffee yoghurt with frozen raspberries

I hadn't heard of coffee yoghurt until recently, and boy had I been missing out. The delicious yoghurt is not dissimilar to the velvety mascarpone in tiramisu and the freshness of the raspberries cuts through the creaminess. I have 5am coffee beam flavour yoghurt, but I'm sure there are many different types. Best and quickest breakfast ever.

Smell

Lavender

Despite its spikey exterior, the scent of lavender is sweet and comforting. 

In aromatherapy, lavender is believed to be an antiseptic for treating infections, a circulatory stimulant meaning it relieves muscle spasms, pain and cramping, migraines and other headaches, as well as inflammation.

Studies have also shown anxiety and insomnia. A study conducted by Britain's University of Southampton, found that the scent of lavender eases anxiety and insomnia, which I can’t argue with.

I have a few different lavender scented belongings that I find calm and lull me into sleepiness including;

A lavender pillow handmade by my grandmother with the lavender from her garden; there is nothing more comforting than cuddling a pillow that smells like your grandmother’s garden and knowing it was made just for you.

Lavender essential oil that I use in an oil burner and diluted I use as a body spritz.

A lush body wash called twilight that helps “transition from day to night”.

Touch

Whether it’s your classic farmers flannie, flannelette bed sheets sheets or pyjamas, I cannot get enough of flannelette. It’s super thin and breathable but so soft and warming. It reminds me of a babies blanket, worn thing with love. What’s even better? Checked flannelette shirts (also referred to fondly as flannies) are in fashion at the moment!

Hear

Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to music, I’ve got Soundcloud and Spotify blazing 24/7 but the sweetest song to my ear is spoken word poetry. Check out Sarah Kay & Phil Kaye "An Origin Story" to get a taste and you won’t be disappointed.

Watch

Whale Rider (2002) directed by Niki Caro

“In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.” - Pai

Since 2002,  I’ve watched this movie countless times and every viewing I’m surprise to learn something new. The New Zealand film follows a young Maori girl (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and her community’s struggle to find a new leader to lead them out of the darkness while upholding their ancient traditions. It’s quite a heavy film but I find New Zealand accents provide some comic relief.  

Recipe for Gingerbread with a Lemony Twist

 “But gingerbread is for Christmas?” You say. I know! And I wish I could pull the it’s-Christmas-in-July card but it’s still only May!

Let’s be real here, cookies are delicious regardless of the time of year, and the lemon icing gives them a fresh twist that makes you forget about Christmas.

My Favourite Recipe 

For the ginger cookies

125g butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup, firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup golden syrup

1 egg yolk

2 1/2 cups plain flour

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon mixed spice

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

For the lemon icing

1 ½ cups icing sugar

Juice of half a lemon (varies depending on how juicy your lemon is)

 1. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice, vanilla and bicarbonate of soda and mix till smooth then smoosh all the dough into a big ball. Cover with plastic wrap and leave it in the fridge for 15 minutes. You can be generous with the spices for more flavoursome cookies. Also consider adding cinnamon or ground cloves. 

(Yes our spices are ALMOST in alphabetical order, super handy!) 

 2. While you are waiting for the dough to rest, preheat the oven to 180* and prepare some cookie trays with baking paper. Also flour your bench top ready to roll out the dough. 

3. Take a hunk of dough about the size of your fist out of the fridge. Put this on your floured bench top, flatten then roll out till it’s about half a centimetre thick. Use your favourite cookie cutters and separate them. Keep doing this until all the dough is rolled and cut and bake in the oven for 8 minutes. If your oven is like mine and gets hotter on one side than the other, rotate the tray after 4 minutes to make sure they bake evenly (unfortunately I didn’t think about this till afterwards and on one side of the tray mine got a bit burnt).

4. For the lemon icing, whisk the lemon and icing sugar together using a fork, it should be a bit sloppy (similar consistency to melted chocolate). Add extra sugar or juice accordingly


5. Once the cookies have cooled, dip the tops into the bowl of your runny icing and spread it around with a knife. Put them back on the tray and back into the oven that is off but still a bit warm, leave the door ajar and leave them there for 2 minutes. This helps the icing set. You can then remove the excess icing to neaten them up a bit with a knife or your fingers. 

6. EAT THEM! (or share them…)

  

Recipe adapted from http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/9761/gingerbread+men