Merry Christmas

To wish you all a very happy Christmas - I think we are the first to celebrate!

Beer Butt Chicken!

Now, the Kiwis are a strange bunch...maybe I have had a sheltered upbringing...I don't know? When I was in Bunnings Warehouse (possibly one of the greatest shops ever...) an old gentleman and I started chatting about BBQ recipes. After he had finished regaling me with his favourite, I called him a pervert and told him never to come near me or my family again. It takes a lot to perturb me, but this did.

By the time I got home curiosity had got the better of me, so onto Google I went. I jumped back in the car, drove to Bunnings and apologised to the old dude. I then stopped in at Countdown and bought a can of beer, and a 'chook' with the largest arse I could find.

Pictures paint a thousand words....

Can you guess what happens next?

Did you see that coming...?

The 'chook' is currently on the Barbie, it is looking good - I will update you with the results!

An artist in our midst!

I am absolutely, totally completely, comprehensively and utterly proud to announce that Jocelyn has produced her first piece of art!

For those of you that did not know, Jocelyn now goes to play group for 2 days a week. She has an absolute ball, and it allows the wonderful parents a small amount of freedom (well from 9 - 3 anyway!) to go and do things like drink coffee in town town or as we did today mountain biking. You would not believe how heavy she is on the back of your bike, and she is none to keen on the bumps either...but i digress....

So here is the first picture she has created, and yes, is is already on the fridge!

It must be worth millions....

What Mum and Dad get up to without the Scroggin!

Almost there!

Being the keen followers of the bench project that you all are, here is the first 'bench-up-date'

A few more bolts to slot in and she'll be finished! I shall let the pictures talk for themselves.

Cutting, sanding, staining....yet absolutely no swearing!

The few final touches (such as bolting the top on...) and almost done

The final picture will be done in the next few days, so those that bet against me had better get their money in the post....and before you ask, yes I do accept bank transfers, and no I do not take credit, debit or EFTPOS - but cheques are fine...(so long as the come with guarantee card).

A quick one from Lake Taupo

We are on our way up to Rotorua, and have justed passed through Taupo. A very cool place, and one we will visit again. Here are the pictures! More to follow from the Rotorua adventure!










- Posted from my iPhone

Mobile Blogging now underway!

Thank you for the kind BBQ comments thus far. I will be making a decision this weekend.

Be it gas or charcoal that you prefer, get your thoughts to me and help me decide!

I have now truly entered the 21st century, with this entry being made from the almighty iPhone. Life is now complete!

Look forward to more mobile blogging soon.


- Posted from my iPhone

Gas or Charcoal?

This being the first blog of December also makes it the first blog of summer.

With all the the lengths of timber cut to size, and nicely angled (no swearing thus far...) I realised that i would need a BBQ to go with it.

Here starts the great debate over gas or charcoal...

The Kiwis are fans of gas, yet i have always been a charcoal BBQ man. So what do i do? Charcoal is fairly hard to come by over here, and when you do, it is the lump wood rubbish, not the briquettes. So the odds are stacked in favour of gas before i even start.

There are some shiny examples of gas BBQs out there. You can get a six burner stainless steel monstrosity with variable this, that, and the other. Where does one begin?

I leave the forum open to you lot, to have your say.

vs