Of France and Greece and Ducks and Geese...

You know those days that just seemed to happen, the ones that start out with a small amount of planning and end up so much more than what had been planned?
Today was one of those days...
Earlier in the year H and I had decided to take J back to Goolwa to enjoy some of the things we had loved there. Little shops, cafes and the beach, a place that she adores. As many of our plans are wont to end, time flew by and they were replaced with the 'must dos' of life. Last week tho' saw the perfect opportunity to revisit our idea and off we went.
J was given minimal information about our plans, mostly because we had minimal plans. An early start saw us head to the Willunga Farmer's Market via Nairne (dropping off a grand daughter.) With 'Karen' our Aussie GPS voice leading the way we were 'up the creek' in no time, literally. Paris Creek that is. A rather large mud rut stood in our way and the ever cautious H handed over the '4WDing' to me. The little white car did us proud and soon we hit the market.

Complete with the obligatory 'hippies and yuppies with puppies' we wandered the gourmet stalls. Chai tea, Chai honey, mmmm cheese, some tomatoes, mushrooms, bread and dukkah later, we began the third leg of our journey. Conversation flitted from scenery to life and all its complexities, as it does in a car of sistachicks.
Goolwa finally loomed on the horizon and we found ourselves perusing the art galleries and gift shops. Very cultured, very chic, then after much giggling and gasping over price tags we realized that the thunder in the distance was actually our rumbling tummies and headed off to find some lunch.
A short time later we could be found enjoying coffee and fish'n'chips at The Flying Fish Cafe at Pt Elliot. Complete with an awesome view of the crashing waves of Horshoe Bay. Perfect!
Now for the trip home... Step 1. Set the GPS to Francine the French direction giver, Step 2. Try to translate her French to our English. Step 3. Stop abruptly as we were blown away by the most gorgeous little house that came into view!
It turns out that 'Maison Blue' is a B&B and a High Tea and cupcake venue!
So our next trip is planned.


Oh and the title, Paris Creek, Feta Cheese, Tall, Duck & Handsome and us silly geese...of course.

PS. What is the correct French translation of, "sucking on white rice"?

Detox Dramas

Last week the family began the 'great detox!' After complaints of feeling 'yucky', overweight and just unhealthy, I began plans to get some 'healthy' into our eating lives. A bit of a spring clean for the digestive system, you might say. So armed with what little knowledge of nutrition that I had, it began.
Day 1 was fruit and water, yes, for breakfast, lunch and all snacks. Being that it was also a cold, grey, miserable day we finished off with roasted veges for tea.
Day 2 was fruit and veges and then the complaints began... no butter? no milk? no bread?... Number two son felt it the hardest, probably because he is the most active of us all. For snacks we had raw nuts and then some steamed fish and grilled chicken for tea.
Day 3 and some carbohydrates were added, organic puffed rice cereal with fruit and some wholegrain bread with tea.
Day 4 was a combination of all the above. Fruit, veges, protein and carbs but still no dairy or refined and processed foods.
So how did we survive on hardly any processed food and almost no refined sugar? The weekend confirmed our worst fears. Jack had coke and chocolate on Friday night and Ryan ate corn chips on Saturday and both complained of bellyaches. So, the general consensus was ...we love fruit and veg and want to eat healthier on a regular basis. This week is much more salad and fruit than usual. I haven't even bought any chips or processed snacks for two weeks now and we really aren't missing them. I can't say I am feeling any spectacular improvement in health and vitality but I am enjoying making our ordinary eating a little more healthy.
PS Hubby says he's lost 3 kilos so far!