SWEET DREAMS; PRECIOUS MEMORIES AND A LITTLE DECADENCE

Dappled Glass Windows

Lamberts Beach Circa 1950

2013 XF Jaguar

2016 XJ Jaguar

When do memories become memories of memories? Do memories become memories of memories? Is there a moment in time when a memory switches from being a memory into being a memory of a memory? Maybe some memories are mere memories of dreams. Have I confused you yet?  I know what I mean, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for others to understand.  I am a simple person.  Hold your horses!  Don’t gallop off and jump to conclusions! It doesn’t mean I’m simple-minded. There would be some, of course, who’d dispute this. Never mind – I’ve forgotten who those people are. To put it simply – I erased them from my memory – I can’t remember when. 

Eons ago, before the advent of rock ‘n roll, I was born in Rockhampton.

A memory I’ve retained from my fleeting sojourn in “Rocky”, as the city is affectionately called (or un-affectionately referred to in some cases, I guess), is of me, as a baby, lying in a cot in the sleep-out of the house, in Elphinstone Street, North Rockhampton.  

In case you are, at this moment, scoffing at my declaration - I assure you, I am not lying.

The sleep-out, although stationary, ran across the front of the house.  The sleep-out aka verandah was enclosed with dappled glass windows.  The four corners of each window were portioned into square panels of coloured dappled glass; of amber, green, blue and red. It was a home décor popular in days of yore...and in past days of mine. 

I have only the one memory of my transient Rockhampton period, but it has lingered in my memory as bright as the morning sun reflected through the coloured dappled glass windows. 

When I was a just a toddler, my family, with me in tow, or pushing me ahead in a stroller, left Rockhampton to live in Slade Point, a seaside suburb of Mackay.  Some memories remain with me from our rather brief hiatus at Slade Point. 

In the year 1948, I was a few months short of turning four years old when we packed up our possessions in readiness to move on. We jumped aboard a carriage among carriages led by a coal-fired steam train that pulled us south to Gympie where I spent the rest of my childhood and all of my teenage years.  

I left Gympie for Brisbane in 1965 to broaden my horizons and explore city life; and then later escaped further afield.  I returned to Gympie in April, 1998 where once again lived and worked for the ensuing four years.  In April  2002 I packed everything up once again,  and I moved here to Mount Tamborine.

I’ve memories of relating my story about Slade Point or one including similar details previously.  It was at Slade Point I was given my first pet; the first cat to share my life and heart.  I’ve never forgotten my beautiful, beloved Socksie.   

I wrote an article in my blog on 28^th September, 2013 called “My First Love” about Socksie and what happened to him. 

http://kitconn.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-09-30T21:09:00-07:00&max-results=50&start=15&by-date=false

Both my older brother, Graham and I each learned to swim at an early age. We spent many happy hours building sandcastles, collecting shells and swimming in the waters of the Coral Sea that gently lapped on the beach a hop and a skip from our backyard.  One of our greatest pleasures was watching the fishermen empty the fish traps which still existed in the area in the late 1940s.

Often our Nana took us on hikes to Lamberts Beach on the southern side of the headland at Slade Point. The adventurous hikes entailed conquering a hazardous, narrow path. My memories of clinging on to the side of the cliff for dear life fearful of falling into the unforgiving waters below remained vivid for years. 

Often I’d relate my stories of the perilous, heart-in-mouth, cliff-hugging adventures to my Gympie school mates. In open-eyed wonder they were obviously in awe of my bravery; amazed I’d survived to tell the tale. No heroine in the movies at Saturday afternoon matinees could come within cooee of matching my courage in the face of certain tragedy if I’d lost my tentative footing and had fallen to the depths far below.

Years later, when in my 20s and so much taller, having reached the height of 5ft 9 inches/175cm, barefooted, I ventured forth to view the area of my intrepid derring-do of my younger and shorter-in-stature years, wondering if I still had the mettle to repeat what I had done at the tender age of three.

My bragging rights immediately collapsed and dissipated into the waters below, all of which were less than 0.61m/2 feet away!

It’s a memory I’ve purposely filed away and forgotten. Only once in a while, like now, do I drag it back to the surface.

Cliff-climbing has been taken off my Bucket List...been there; done that!

Now, I must remember what I did this morning.  Hmmmmm.....oh, yes...I had a fun conversation with an elderly couple when I was out shopping. - again, in the car park at IGA.  I seem to always have interesting chats and lots of laughter with people in the IGA car park!  The couple and I have never met before, and probably will never again, but I won't forget the few minutes of pleasure I gained by being in their company.  I feel sure they enjoyed our brief interlude, too.  They were a lovely couple who drive a very nice, well-maintained 2013 XF model Jaguar. They are presently waiting delivery of the 2016 XJ model. 

We said our goodbyes.  They went their way - and I went off to my little Toyoto Echo (which desperately needs a good wash), and I packed my purchases in the boot/trunk.  I must remember to wash my car!!

Baileys Rocky Road: Grease 8cmx20cm bar pan; line with paper, leaving some overhanging. Place 50ml Baileys Irish Cream, 200g quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped, 20g butter and 1/3c condensed milk in bowl over simmering water; don’t let bowl touch water. Melt, then stir gently until smooth; cool slightly; stir in 50g chopped, unsalted pistachios, 200g mini marshmallows and 100g roughly chopped white chocolate. Spread into pan; chill until firm; melt 40g white chocolate; drizzle over choc base; leave to set; then cut into squares.

Rocky Road Sundaes: Combine 1/2c cream, 200g dark chocolate, 2tbs brown sugar and 1-1/2tsp vanilla in saucepan; stir over low heat until melted. Transfer to jug; cool to room temp. Have 150g each blueberries and raspberries at hand. Cut 250g strawberries into slices; place a scoop of vanilla ice cream into base of 4 serving dishes; sprinkle with half the berries. Place another scoop of ice cream into the dishes; top with chocolate sauce, remaining berries, mini marshmallows, 1/4c chopped, unsalted peanuts and 1/4c toasted shredded coconut.

Rocky Road Pudding: Line 8-cup metal pudding steamer with plastic wrap; allow 2cm overhang. Break 10 chocolate biscuits into 2cm pieces. Combine 1.25lts vanilla ice cream, biscuit pieces, 1c vanilla custard, 1c mini marshmallows, 1/4c desiccated coconut, 1/4c granulated nuts and 1c frozen raspberries, roughly crushed; spoon into steamer; smooth top. Top with pieces of choc biscuits; freeze overnight. Turn onto plate; peel off wrap; drizzle with melted dark chocolate; top with sprinkles and chopped berries. Serve with custard.