As soon I woke up this morning something felt different.... what was it... I know! It's warm! The sun was shining, the sky was bright. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Summer had finally arrived. Well, there was nothing else for it, with carefree abandon we bunked school, piled in the car and heading for the nearest beach. (Not before packing nappies, wipes, swimming nappies, swimmers, hats, towels, sunscreen, bucket, spades, picnic blanket, drinks, cups and nutritionally sound yet delicious snacks. You know how it goes!)
The car thermometer confirmed what my instincts told me - the mercury had hit a sweltering 15C ph-ew - get me to the beach!
We drove to our favourite little secret beach, known as Fossil beach by some. It was pretty crowded by Tasmanian standards, with one family of three already taking up one end of the beach. Which is just how I like it, half a beach to yourself, with the comfort of knowing someone reliable is nearby in case you get bitten by a tiger snake (no phone signal here).
we made our own rock pool
we scrambled over rocks
we got our feet wet
Miss E drew mermaids in the sand
and made funny seaweed people.
Our first visit to the beach this summer.
We're warm and tired. Sandy and happy.
We had a lovely time at the Mothers Market - it's such a stylish but cruisey market. Lots of cake and beautiful things to buy, all washed down with plenty of Cuvee. My kind of market!
I worked with my good friend Jo - who is not only an amazing chef, but she just loves cake as much as I do - a rare talent. We made six flavours: an old fashioned chocolate (really cakie - the type of cake you ate as a kid - Nigella would be "nostalgically drawn to this solid offering") with vanilla (with real vanilla beans) or chocolate buttercream; lemon;
Vietnamese coffee, above; vanilla vanilla (with more vanilla beans); and the most amazing super rich chocolate made with ground almonds and finished with a chocolate ganache, sigh, I can't stop dreaming about that one! We sold nearly all of them - with just enough left over for husbands and children.
I think I spent most of my profits on the day - brooches from Harriet and Verna & Hilda, gorgeous cards from gorgeous Catherine. And this most beautiful apron from Cherish by Bek Burrows. Beautiful soft linen with the most generous cut. Incredible stitching that I've never seen before. Amazing detail. It feels like a big linen hug when I wear it.
