Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Family Bostock visit

Andy, Clare, Andrea and Annabel came over to New Zealand to catch up and enjoy some warmth and sunshine. We spent most of the time around Wellington, going to the local beaches, zoo, and a few visits in to town to see some of the events going on.

We also went over to the Kapiti coast, about 1 hours drive away, where a friend of mine loaned us their family beach house at Peka Peka beach. The weather wasn't always great - but we still managed to go to the beach every day and build lots of sandcastles and go boogie boarding.


Sunset from the beach house at Peka Peka Beach, looking out to Kapiti Island

Daddy and his little girls

One of the many sandcastles that were built and destroyed by Andrea

Andy and Clare out boogie boarding in the surf at Peka Peka beach

We also decided to enter a team triathlon at the local Scorching Bay. Andy swam, Helen biked, Clare ran. Not the most ideal combination, but Andy didn't have any bike shoes, but could fit my wet suit. Still we managed to do it in 1 hour 25 minutes - 5 minutes faster than when I did it on my own, but I blame trying to get my wet suit off last time!

Family Bostock triathlon team


Scorching bay valentines triathlon

It was a lovely 2 weeks of hanging out around Wellington and spending a lot of time at the beach and relaxing with our nieces (and brother and sister in law). It will be quiet around here without you.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Courgette/Zucchini brownie

Well after my last blog about the over supply of zucchini Aaron went searching on the web to find a good cake recipe.... we taste tested this one today and all agreed that it is delicious! It is even vegan/lactose free (apart from the icing/frosting)

Zucchini brownies
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups of plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups of zucchini grated
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Mix all together - don't worry if it looks dry - once you add the zucchini it will be nice and moist. Cook in a brownie tin at 175C for 25-30 minutes

Icing/frosting
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup margarine
2 cups of icing sugar
1/4 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all together and lather on top of the brownie. Yum.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Veggie Garden

Finally everything in the veggie garden is starting to produce - I love this time of year, all the work in the garden pays off with lots of delicious fresh veggies. I have already had quite a few raspberries and constant trickle of strawberries since November and I always have lettuce, but the rocket has now gone to flower as it has been too warm. Fortunately it has been raining quite a bit so I haven't had to water as often and the rain water tank has been refilled regularly.

I dug up the potatoes and had a whole sink full.... that will keep us fed for a couple of weeks!

Lots of lettuce - can't eat it fast enough, and also runner beans starting to climb the trellis

Tomatoes are just starting to turn red, and basil, and spring onions

My rhubarb is looking rather healthy and the artichokes even have a globe on them

Lots of courgette/zucchini, I've been giving it away - anyone got any good recipes?

Finishing the bathrooms and laundry

The en-suite with new floor

The revamped hanging area

Laundry now painted and reassembled


The main bathroom with fancy Park Tools toilet roll holder

And no major disasters despite the fact that Aaron did all the un-plumbing and plumbing himself! Very impressive.