Wandering Cooks new Home is up and running

Wandering Cooks has a new home now at 63 Vulture St, West End, 4101 and is up and running from Wed- Sunday. I met them in Fish Lane and was impressed by how they supported young cooks helping them fulfil their dreams. Their commercial kitchens which could be shared, meant cooks could produce the food quantities they needed, putting on cooking events and tasting menus we could all share. This is a message from Ange who runs it all and I hope she doesn't mind me reproducing it here as what she says in her few words of thanks resonates so very strongly. This is Australia and its people. 

"We're back, but not without you. A few words of thanks.   "Friends, family, customers…community. Welcome to what we here at Wandering Cooks are calling, rather understatedly, phase two.  As I fired up the burners and went back into a smooth service last week, it was hard to even begin to fully process just how much had changed in the last year. There I was, operating in a wholly new location, running a seriously pivoted business, working in a role I had long ago stepped back from, amid new key team members, on the other side (fingers crossed!) of the worst of a thankless global pandemic that did everything but scatter our dreams into the winds. I can’t pretend otherwise; we were oh-so-nearly ground to fragrant powder between the blunt pestle of bad luck and the mortar of our bottom line. Oh-so-nearly. But…there I was.  There I was doing what I love most - cooking for my community - in the most beautiful new kitchen. Serving familiar and curious new faces. Looking over a space that already felt more intimate and warmer than the old warehouse that had seemed too wonderfully haunted by our strange history to ever be replaced. My team, who have gone way, way beyond even the loosest interpretation of their job descriptions over the past couple of months, were already in full swing after just a couple of hours back to their true professions. There I was, watching them from the kitchen doorway as they welcomed, served, informed, charmed and cleaned with the eagerness of remote inn-keepers at the end of a long, quiet off-season.  There I was, indeed, looking out at living proof of what stubbornness, ingenuity, hard work, extreme frugality, lollies, late-night pizza, coffee, beer, imagination, expertise, good advice, an infinite sense of humour, a little pride and whole lot of care for one another can achieve against a terminated lease and unprecedented economic odds.  There I was, indeed, recalling the phenomenal response to our pleas for support from our community. To those who pledged to our wishing tree. To those who turned up unannounced in recent weeks to load and unload moving trucks. To paint. To work an unpaid bar. To the little girls who painted our little clay fundraising fruits. To the kids who spruiked their homemade lemonade. To everyone who paid with their hearts for beer and wine and afternoon tea at our Fish Lane farewell. To the generous suppliers who handed over an abundance of stock for our fundraising efforts. To the various businesses who contributed to hampers. To our Mums and Dads and siblings and lovers, who washed clothes and wiped tears and walked dogs. To those familiar faces that were coming back through our doors already.  There I was.  Never before had I felt so powerfully the presence of a community in and around me. A community I only now perhaps realised the true privilege it was to variously employ, serve and contribute to.  Because simply to be there, looking out across Wandering Cooks’ fledgling second life, was to understand of who and what my dream was truly made.  And to be a humble cook, indeed.  So yes, we’re back open. Serving food and drinks Wednesday through Saturday. And the farm gate isn’t too far away. And yes, there’s unfinished bits everywhere. But there always was, and probably always will be.  Can’t wait to see you all in again soon. Ange."

WANDERING COOKS BAR + KITCHEN Wednesday 4-late Thursday 4-late Friday 3-late Saturday 12-late   COMING SOON FARM GATE Saturdays, 8-2pm

A P for Pamphlett

Hubby needed a pee so he ducked into Olio at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Grey St.  I wandered around and was drawn to some beautiful artwork which appeared in seating alcoves all along the foyer of the building and a beautiful story of art and history, two of my absolute favourite things, unfolded.

The art works were created by Bruce Reynolds when he was commissioned in 2010. The resulting artwork of linoleum, paintwork and photography allowed him to pursue his interest in history, the early settlement of the Brisbane River and industrial buildings, while dedicating the whole project to Thomas Pamphlet(t).

Thomas Pamphlet also Pamphlett was a convict and a castaway. 

This is an abridged extract from https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/pamphlett-thomas-2536 written by J.H Hornibrook: 

He was charged with stealing five pieces of woollen cloth and a bay mare in the County of Chester. He was found guilty and his death sentence was commuted to transportation for fourteen years. He arrived in Sydney in the Guildford in January 1812.  Subsequent good conduct earned him a conditional pardon on 31 January 1818.

In March 1823 with three other ticket-of-leave men, John Finnegan, Richard Parsons and John Thompson, he set out for the Five Islands (Illawarra) to cut cedar. The boat was wrecked on the outer shore of Moreton Island. They were helped by Aboriginals and crossed to the mainland. Believing themselves south of Sydney they sought a northward route homewards. Aboriginals again helped them with food and directions and they soon came upon a large river (Brisbane). As it was too wide to cross they followed its banks upwards almost to the present site of Goodna. Finding a canoe they crossed the stream and returned along the opposite bank, again living with Aboriginals for some weeks.

In September 1823 Pamphlett and the Aboriginals attracted the attention of John Oxley, who was then exploring in the Mermaid for the site of a new penal settlement at Moreton Bay. Pamphlett was taken on board . Oxley was interested to hear of the large river and, explored it as far as the point reached by the castaways. Oxley then took the two men with him to Sydney.

On 11 October 1826 Pamphlett was found guilty of larceny and sent for seven years to Moreton Bay. He left Moreton Bay eventually and lived uneventfully until his death on 1 December 1838 at Penrith.

Chris Pearce whose blog I have tagged below has actually written a non fiction book called through the Eyes of Thomas Pamphlett : Convict and castaway. 

https://chrispearce52.wordpress.com/2014/03/01/through-the-eyes-of-thomas-pamphlett-convict-and-

castaway/

Pamphlett lead Oxley to the Brisbane River and to the subsequent establishment of a new penal colony, which was the start of our very own Brisbane city. 

Escape from OZ

This Sunday we escaped from the Australian Mainland. Yes, boldly going "overseas", without permission and without a single test I note, but properly masked, and yes it was only 10 mins off the mainland but it felt fleetingly liberating and we explored the new shores with gusto and joy. 

Our destination- Coochiemudlo island in the southern part of Moreton Bay. Population 753. This was the  elegant vessel that transported us to the island. 

We took the Ferry and sped off. It was a beautiful winter's day, the sun uninterrupted in the antipodean sky and the breeze just enough to keep us cool. We ate our picnic on the foreshore and set off to explore the island which boasts some beautiful sandy beaches and calm waters and Melaleuca Wetlands. 

Flinders had discovered the island and called it the Sixth island but the Aboriginal name for it was Coochiemudlo affectionately known as Coochie. Flinders landed on the island on the 19th of July 1799!

A couple of hundred years to the day. 

A little offering of Buddhas, barnacles and cockles, an unexpected discovery in a fallen trunk by the sea.

Walking through the Melaleuca Wetlands we heard and saw plenty of birds, rainbow lorikeets, fig birds, kingfishers and these two lovely kookaburras sitting on the branch looking down at us. 

A local house of some note. The owner clearly has a passion of sorts. 

Transport round the island barely even needs a bike. The bears need it more as a resting place. 

A place for all pedestrians to lay down their boots and have some R and R. 

The colour of the ocean we loved to watch with pelicans and cormorants flying around. 

Dare I say where there is a will there is a watery way. 

Paradiso and Pine o Cleen

Last night the hubby and I had the pleasure of attending a book launch at Avid Reader - Australia's best independent bookshop and one which we are delighted to support and have so close to us. The launch was Steve Capelin's book "Paradiso" and he was interviewed by the lovely Bianca Millroy. They discovered common Italian heritage which set them off into an editor and writer relationship. Paradiso is the result. We were treated to some beautiful Italian songs and accordion music to start and finish the session.The setting was the intimate bougainvillea- bound back yard of Avid Reader. A real sign of the times a bottle of Pine o Cleen to wipe down the mike every time it was passed to someone else.  

 Avid describes the book as follows: 

In 1880 three hundred Italian peasants abandon the fields of Veneto to follow a dream. They join an expedition to establish a utopian colony in the islands of the Pacific. Wealth, independence and liberty await them.

The venture is a disaster. The expedition leaders abandon them, the dream disintegrates. Struggling to survive in the jungles of New Guinea, the Italians are desperate to escape. Australia beckons but unseen events threaten to frustrate their quest for liberty.

The story is told through the eyes of two children in the context of the poverty of 1880s Italy, and the final days of the Great War in 1918. It is a tale of emigrant hope, betrayal and resilience, and Australia’s response to a group of 19th Century refugees.

Thanks to https://www.facebook.com/fiona.stager and everyone at https://avidreader.com.au/ for keeping reading books and live events available to us despite covid and the hoops they have to jump through to keep everyone safe.  

Discoveries with Dougall 39

It has been a while and I suspect his exuberance at being allowed out of his gate explained his turbo charged start to the walk. Imagine a 5ft something female flying down the road, (the emphasis is on flying) pleading with him  "Dougall, Dougall slow down" - I may have to call him Tornado or Turbo or something else more apt. 

He did - eeeeeventually slow down and it allowed us, phew, to stop and admire a fair few leaves on the path and the most amazing bromeliad flower. 

This looks like a Brazilian Cherry tree which is so pretty with its lantern like fruit. 

It is rare that we head out and don't find something to arrest both of us in our tracks - of course arresting him a little more often would be so useful - perhaps chopped hot dogs might be a good incentive!

World Press Photography Exhibition

The World Press Photography Exhibition is currently on in Brisbane. From its headquarters  in Amsterdam, The World Press Photo Foundation organises this exhibition which travels to 120 cities. It attracts 4,315 photographers who submit their images for the coveted prizes of the world's top photo journalists and documentary photographers. This year is especially anticipated after a year of covid, climate events, territorial conflicts and protests and it did not disappoint. I am sharing a few of my favourites. The exhibition is on until the 18th of July. Catch it if you can. 

Ralph Pace United States 

A California sea lion swims towards a face mask. The BBC reported that 129 billion disposable face masks and 65 billion disposable gloves were being used during the pandemic EVERY MONTH.

Hkun Lat Myanmar 

A buddhist temple occupies half of the mountain and the other half is a massive jade mine. 

Alisa Martynova Russia 

More than a million Africans have come to Italy to live making perilous journeys over the Med and living in poverty. There are many undocumented migrants.

Antonio Faccilongo - Getty Reportage 

Reporting on the plight of some 4,200 Palestinians who are imprisoned in Israeli prisons for as long as 20 years. Conjugal visits are denied and physical contact is not allowed except for children under 10 years. Since the 2000s Palestinian prisoners have smuggled out semen hidden in gifts to the children. Iman Nafi keeps all her husbands clothes and shoes in place in their home. Nael Al Bharghouthi was arrested in 1978. He is the longest serving Palestinian prisoner. 

Ivan Macias Mexico 

A doctor stands at the end of her shift, the marks left by the protective masks and goggle visible on her face. 

There are many more stories and images. Some won prizes but all our worthy of our attention. 

Memories / Moments

It was a strange blend of memories and visions of the future -our own boys' connection to the Danish Brick and these little stand- in- kids who were kind enough to come out with hubby and me to a day at the Lego Exhibition in Brisbane. Our boys spent hours building and pulling things apart. Towers to the ceiling, spacecraft, castles and super charged cars. Every overseas trip on an aeroplane promised a new Lego set for each of them according to age.They were as good as gold sitting there working their way through the instructions until, until...

A vital bit inevitably fell to the floor of the aeroplane....

The detail was astonishing - from the Crown Jewels to Faberge Eggs to Big Ben with a man fixing the clock face. 

The Titanic perched and broken, sinking fast in that ocean with the little safety rafts gathering below it.

The incredible colours of the Great Barrier Reef and myriads of sea life suspended above. 

We encountered the seven wonders of the world, existing monuments and works of art. It was monumental in terms of construction hours. The thousands and thousands of pieces that went into each creation mind boggling. We remembered the joy of entertaining three lively boys, their delight in all and their comments and questions. Which was their favourite and why? Which would they like to make ? 

C came along today he told me out of a sense of duty - I had asked him to, as I did not think I could handle three lively little boys all together. In the end he thoroughly enjoyed the interaction, answering all their questions and looking at the exhibits and there were so many wonderful ones to see including Georges Seurat Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jette this time a la lego. 

The name Lego is an abbreviation of two Danish words "leg godt" meaning "play well" 

and playing well is what we did all day today. Moments of monumental Lego madness.