Who goes there? Navy Week

 



As a feature of the Festival of Mosman, we were fortunate
to have our own personal naval parade up Military Road.

 Navy week provided Mosmanites with fabulous local experiences, reminding us of the rich history of the area.  While researching "Mosman Meanders & foreshore flavours",  with its fortification history, I didn't come across this tradition described in the Mosman Daily. 

"Who goes there?" was the official challenge to the officers and sailors of HMAS Penguin in Mosman on Tuesday. This apparently dates back hundreds of years when HMAS Penguin sought Freedom of Entry to Mosman.  After halting, they were granted the right to enter Mosman bearing arms by an honorary Sherriff of Mosman.

 What an amazing harbour we have to showcase the naval activities. I felt  thoroughly absorbed with the history of the event;  the establishment of the  RAN being  a national symbol of our emerging sense of independence. Also great that we had a chance to express our thanks for a century of protection.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.
Claire




 Being drenched while waiting for the tall ships to pass
through the heads -  some of them had taken a year to get
from their destination to here.




    Middle Head was our viewing point for the naval ships
 coming through the heads and  then it was great to be out
 on the harbour to experience  the jets.  Wow!
  Monday evening we went on a booked cruise around
Darling Harbour which showed how
alive and well is the tourist industry.   

 

 

 

In Mosman flowering shrubs and trees reign

In Mosman flowering shrubs and trees reign providing constant

 flowers throughout the year, whether it be the 'Alice in Wonderland' Camellias or their  delicate cousins, the Sasanqua, which flower through autumn,winter and spring, leaving paths of pink petals. 
They are a constant delight to the senses as we walk around Mosman, when I can't seem to stop taking photos.

 

Sasanquas leave a path of pink petals

 

Camellias brighten the Autumn landscape

 

 

"My time must be spent doing my work" Ruth Burgess

'Meandering around Mosman'  today involved spending time with Ruth Burgess at Mosman Art Gallery. 

With the  Mosman Art Gallery backdrop of a lifetime of images from her backyard forest, expressed through Ruth's  woodblock prints - she guided us through how it was done. 




Mosman  Art Gallery - 
Ruth Burgess - Artist  

 

 

 

Hand of the printmaker

 

 

Material of the artist




Woodcut with paint applied

 

 

The final woodcut - three block, printed on Japanese paper



Interpretation of  forest 

For a long time I have lived in this forest,  

symbolic inspiration of the printmaker
to express the landscape's power and energy.
Forest canopy and its understory
insects, birds, moon, distant sky, wind
create chaotic order; an  enigma of illusion.

 Meditative Zen-like  process
equalises wood, ink, paper, tools
with the imagery and hand of artist.
There is no formula; you are not alone
wood and paper work with you,

ink the servant of the woodcut.

 

'My time must be spent doing my work'  Ruth Burgess 

Poem from Ruth's words - Claire Mitchell

 

 

 

 



Shopping in Mosman - the right length for skinny jeans?

Hi there

 "I shop therefore I am" - a new twist on an old saying.  And of course the first item we need is a pair of well fitting black jeans to kickstart the season.  In Mosman we have an enviable variety of boutiques which showcase a well chosen selection of the best designs - not always the most expensive.
So today, I found a great pair of semi skinny, not too low rise and in a fabric that kind of keeps you in.

 A few years ago, I visited my friend  R, who owns a beautiful store 'Shop at Next Door' which stocks an extensive range of jeans with fabulous tops and accessories.  I  learnt the ins and outs of how to wear skinny jeans - with boots of course but also with killer heels, flats and flip flops. R says that the worst mistake you can make when taking up jeans is to make them too short - flared jeans need to be almost to the ground but skinny jeans are a little tricky to get right. Have them as long as you can make them without cupping the bottoms too much; a certain amount of cupping however is necessary for the look and with summer jeans you can fold up the bottoms for a casual look.


This is what she says on her site http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/ - click on Jean Scene at bottom of Home Page.


'No, you do not have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans. It's all about how you wear them that makes the difference. Going into a Wisconsin winter, we all know how great it is to throw on your favorite skinny jeans with a pair of boots and a big oversized sweater. It's the one time that living in the frozen tundra makes fashion fun as well as practical. But thankfully that is all behind us for another seven months or so. So now what? Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Wear skinny jeans with killer heels, your favorite flats, barefoot if the moment is right and of course your favorite flip flops. You can wear a skinny jean scrunched around your ankle or cuffed for a casual look. That solves some of the length issues, which is nice for us as well as you. Of course we'll always shorten them for you if need be.'


I'm off now to take up some jeans - because they're usually too  long for me.  I learnt from R how to do a professional job but am under threat of dire consequence if I devulge the secret. Sorry!
Claire
By the way - if you want some tasty food ideas that will help you to be able to fit into your jeans go to www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com
 

Secret wishes with real Christmas pud



Real Christmas pudding remains popular

To many, Christmas is a time for honouring tradition, but in a culinary sense, many here are abandoning the traditional fare for cooler options such as cold turkey and seafood.  

One dish, however, remains popular and will often sit side by side here in Australia, with our iconic pavlova. We enjoyed one such plum pud, a little early, cooked to perfection by my friend, Mary, Queen of Desserts. Much tradition and folklore is attached to the Christmas pudding. Traditionally each member of the family takes a turn stirring the mixture in a clockwise direction, making a secret wish as they go. Many people also bake lucky treats into their puddings. The pudding was usually made up to a year ahead, left to mature, then heated up on Christmas Day and brought to the table flaming with warm brandy and decorated with holly. it can be accompanied by custard ice-cream but it can also be served with cream, and brandy butter or hard sauce.
I'm breaking my tradition of 'fit in your jeans fare' http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com - forgive the straying - just eat a small portion if you can! Or add a little less butter and sugar. I usually reduce sugar by 1/3 and in this case, the fruit is sweet enough.

Claire





Here it is, the real thing - moist and fruity,
with a brandy haze!

This recipe is based on Margaret Fulton's rich Christmas pudding in the Margaret Fulton Cookbook, which was my 'bible' as an aspiring cook in the 60's.The fruit needs to be soaked overnight in brandy or rum.

Serves 8

Prep time 40 mins, cook 6 hrs

• 250 gm / 1/2 lb each raisins, sultanas and currants
• 100 gm / 3 oz candied orange, finely chopped
• 200 ml / 7 fl oz rum or brandy
• 250 gm / 1/2 lb butter, plus extra for greasing
• 275 gm (1¼ cups) firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 orange and 1 lemon, finely grated rind only
• 4 eggs, lightly whisked
• 150 gm (1 cup) plain flour
• ½ tsp each salt, mixed spice, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda
• 60 gm (½ cup) almond meal
• 140 gm (2 cups) fresh breadcrumbs

Combine dried fruit and candied orange in a bowl, scatter with rum or brandy, cover and stand overnight.

Using an electric mixer, beat together butter, sugar and rinds until pale and fluffy, then slowly beat in egg. Sieve together flour, salt, spices and bi-carb soda. Add to mixture in batches, alternating with soaked fruit mixture and almond meal. Stir through breadcrumbs.

Brush a 1.8 litre-capacity pudding bowl with butter, line the base with a circle of baking paper and dust with flour. Pour pudding mixture into bowl and top with another circle of baking paper. Cover with two layers of foil and tie with string.

Place pudding into a large saucepan with a wire rack or tea towel lining the base. Fill with enough water to come halfway up the side of the bowl. Cover and simmer for 6 hours, topping up water when necessary. Pudding may be made ahead and cooled in bowl. Reheat in a large saucepan of simmering water for 2½ hours. Serve with custard, icecream or cream.

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Or send an email - mosmanmeanders@gmail.com






 

Food is passion and brings people together

Hi there Mosman lovers




Are you feeling passionate or are we just friends?

I know you live in your own beautiful part of the world and you have your own providores (new word for me, Italian for providers), but the putting together of the antipasto plate for Christmas, requires skill, research and passion. 
Quattro Formaggi deli  - one of our local providors in Raglan Road, Mosman, has the mantra "Food is passion and brings people together."
Putting together an antipasto plate to serve with Christmas drinks is an easy matter when you have a fantastic variety of cured meats, cheeses and accompaniments such as below.




Barossa Smoked Wagyu Beef
Traditionally cured, cold smoked and heat treated.
Perfect served with a Hunter Valley Shiraz

Taleggio Cheese Proven to be addictive.
Semi-soft, washed-rind from Northern Italy
Serving suggestion - Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

Happy Christmas Drinks

Claire

Quattro Formaggi Deli offers the best from Italy and abroad with a wide range of cheeses, antipasto, cured meats sliced on demand, estate olive oils, vinegars ....
www.quattroformaggideli.com/

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Mosman Meanders is launched!

Hi Mosman Lovers

Mosman Meanders & foreshore flavours is launched! We had a fabulous night at the Mosman Art Gallery with about 200 people passing through. Thanks to Paul Delprat for your entertaining opening speech and to all who attended for your support and interest.

Many bottles of wine were enjoyed, compliments of Tony and Rory  of Watershed PremiumWines Ltd,   www.watershedwines.com.au, 
Beelgara Wines also supplied great wine at a great price.  Sincere thanks to the cafes and delis for the wonderful food platters -  Avenue Road Deli, Bacinos and Ripples at Chowder Bay, Quattro Formaggi on Raglan and Fourth Village on Vista. 

Special thanks to Graham for a great job as MC and Chris for all the innovative organisation  and his family and friends for their generous help.
Here are a few photos of the night thanks to  Bill Lyndon, Photographer.
Thanks for being there - we felt megasupported.  We hope you enjoy the book.
Claire and Chris

 

 

 

Mosman Meanders great for summer reading

 

Hi Mosman lovers

I look forward  to summer reading because that's when I can lose myself in a good book. A favourite activity is to  plonk myself in a comfortable chair, preferably with water views and become immersed in the latest book usually recommended by a friend whose judgement I trust.

 

Then there are books which enhance the holiday and Mosman Meanders is such a book especially if you live in Sydney.  Thanks to public vigilance and the Harbour Trust, the former military reserves have been  preserved, making it possible to walk from Cremorne Point to the Spit via Balmoral.

You can learn about some of the history of the area and sample some foreshore flavours at local cafes.

 

Have fun

Claire

ps Pages and Pages, booksellers in Mosman, included us in their Summer Reading Catalogue.  See below.