Thursday, September 09, 2021

KNOWING MY LIMITS.....


A view to the west...a part of my drive along to the supermarket

Cardwell, North Queensland

                                                      Victor Creek boat ramp


I try to do my best to not over-step the limits.  No doubt, there are instances, in the eyes or ears of some, I cross the line.  In my defence, sometimes the lines move without prior warning, which is very
unsporting.  In case the need arises I always carry a piece of chalk with me to enable me to redraw the line.   Even though I take a Size 11 shoe my footprint on the earth up here on the mountain (also elsewhere) is limited to the smallest extent.  My car’s tyre print, also, is barely noticeable because I never travel far afield.  A suitcase is not necessary; nor is a flask, nor a cut lunch. 

Once a week...there are times more than a week passes by...I travel the vast distance from home to the mountain’s local supermarket, IGA, and to the newsagency which is next door, and return. The trip to and fro adds up to a grand total of 8kms. Grey, I am; grey nomad I am not. 

Once a month I do a run to the ATM at the Post Office to withdraw cash for my monthly rental payment.  Actually, I don’t run...I drive my car.

I’ve ventured as far as Eagle Heights only once in the past 12 months, which was, and still is, a 13km return trip from my humble abode. My crumpled road map had to be straightened out and dusted off.  I fitted a GPS to assist me in case I got lost getting there and back again.  To ensure further that I’d not become lost, I left a breadcrumb trail, too. I suppose the birds have snaffled it up by now.

As you can see, I’m not a well-travelled, long-distance traveller.  From not being a gadabout, or social butterfly or dragonfly, the soles of my shoes and the tread on my car tyres don’t wear out.  My little car would shake nervously if I asked it to venture further. I would, too, probably.  Like me, my car knows its limits, preferring to remain at home gathering moss.  As for driving out and about at night, I’ve not driven at night for many years.  I have no desire to do so any time soon, either.  Take heed, wild life...your life is safe!

I may not travel far from my home base nowadays, and nights never, but things were different years ago.

A couple of examples...one day in the late 80s I drove from Hobart to Launceston and return.  Of course, it’s not very far between the two cities...about 400kms return.  On that particular day I was akin to a wandering troubadour, without the instrument playing.  I probably sang a tune or two along the way, though...out of tune. 

Around 4.30 pm on the same day at Hobart airport I boarded a flight to Melbourne, pausing in Sydney before finishing up in Brisbane.  The car I hired in Hobart couldn’t make it across Bass Strait, hence my hitching a ride on an Ansett jet.   I finally ended up in Townsville the following day, and from there I drove to Cardwell, eager to jump aboard the “Reef Cat” and be ferried across the waters of Missionary Bay to Cape Richards, on the northern tip of Hinchinbrook Island, in north Queensland.

The night of 25th April, 1998, I drove from Mackay to Gympie, departing Mackay at 7pm.  A distance of 785kms, or thereabouts, I arrived at my destination the following morning at 4am...or thereabouts, after a couple of pit stops along the way.

When living in North Queensland, which I did for 13 years, I preferred to drive long distances at night, mostly doing so when the need arose to relocate from area to area.  One Sunday I drove from Clifton Beach, a northern beach suburb of Cairns, south to Seaforth, a distance of 725kms.  On that day I ended up across the ocean on Newry Island.  (Don’t be silly!  I didn’t drive my car across...I left my car at the Victor Creek boat ramp, and was transported by boat to the island!)

Working in restaurants, which I did for quite a number of years, naturally also meant I drove late at night from my workplace to my residence.   How life changes when one is older, and an idler...

For my own safety, when driving home late at night back in those years, and when travelling long distances from one area to another, I always carried my kitchen knives...my work tools...on the passenger seat of my car, along with a can of hairspray.  I also always kept a tomahawk under the front seat of my car.  If anyone wanted to play silly buggers, a surprise burst of hairspray into their eyes would put them off their target....

These days I know my limits...chosen limits...so does my little car.  It goes nowhere without me. Digging in its tyres, my little bus refuses to budge. We’re joined at the hips.  Being the hermits we are, the 8kms a week, and the 10kms once a month, suit the both of us just fine, thank you very much. 

I know the route like the back of my hand, and could drive it blindfolded.  Don’t panic!  I’ve no intention to do so. As bidden, I wear a mask when visiting the shops, but the mask doesn’t covers my eyes.  That’d be a bit silly!

The money I save on fuel I spend on Cherry Ripes.  That’s not silly...not even a bit.  Cherry Ripes have no limits!

 

Cherry Ripe Slice: Blitz 250g Arnott’s Nice biscuits for about 5 secs. Break up 5x52g Cherry Ripes; add to biscuit mix; blitz 5 sec, until crumbs. Add 85g desiccated coconut, 2tbs cocoa and 300g condensed milk; mix 10 seconds, until combined. Shape into teaspoon-size balls; roll in coconut; chill.

 Cherry Ripe Bars: Preheat oven 180C. Grease and line an 18cmx28cm slice pan, leaving 3cm overhang for easy removal of slice.  Process to crumbs 250g Choc Ripple biscuits; add 100g melted unsalted butter; combine well. Spoon into base of prepared pan; firmly and evenly press into pan. Chill. Add 1-1/2c desiccated coconut, 395g condensed milk and 300g glace cherries to clean bowl; process until well combined and consistent in colour; add 4 drops of red food colouring, 1 drop at a time, processing in between until desired colour is reached.  Roughly chop 100g glace cherries; stir through coconut mixture. Spread evenly over base: bake 20-25mins, or until edges begin to brown. Stir together 200g roughly chopped dark chocolate and 1tsp canola oil; melt. Spread melted chocolate over warm slice; create ripple effect over top; chill 1-2hrs. Remove from pan; cut into 24 even squares.

Easy-Peasy Cherry Ripe Ice Cream: Mix together 1tbs cocoa, 1tbs soft coconut oil and 1tbs maple syrup. Place 1 chopped, frozen banana, 1c frozen pitted cherries and 2tbs coconut cream in processor; blend until mixture resembles ice cream. Spoon into a bowl; top with the chocolate mixture.  Enjoy! 

 

 


23 comments:

  1. Well,these days we are not to travel far from our surroundings.It's Covid time.
    Your cherry ripe recipes are a promise for great delight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My habits have changed not at all over the past 19 months or so, DUTA...I don't need anyone to tell me to stay at home. I love staying at home!

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  2. You were and are quite intrepid:)
    Those cherry ripes look delish.
    Take special care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I only drive now to go and get my Cherry Ripes, Dandra! (Joking!) Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  3. Ansett! I haven't heard that name in yonks!
    I'd say you've done enough driving around for a couple of lifetimes, you've earned your rest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, those were the days, River. When I was managing the resort on Hinchinbrook Island Ansett and the resort had a special arrangement...re their flight customers and my resort guests. The Ansett folk often visited the resort to keep abreast with what was going on, and where they were advising their customers they should holiday.

      I've no desire to drive further afield nowadays. Keeping within my own little corner of the world suits me. :)

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  4. You had me dwelling on the long drives I've enjoyed in the past. Until you mentioned Cherry Ripes. And then Cherry Ripe recipes. Cherry Ripes and Iced Vovos are an integral part of my childhood, special treats we never had at home but my girlfriend's mother loved to join in our Let's Pretend games and would serve those special treats to her pretend princesses.

    You and your little car have earned the right to travel exactly as much or as little as you want to!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Pauline...Cherry Ripes are always resident in my fridge. And often, when the desire takes hold, in my hand...then in my mouth! :)

      I enjoy remaining at home, and don't need anyone from governments telling me I should do so! lol

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  5. Like you I drove much farther when I was young. Now I drive to the store once a week and otherwise I go out if I have a medical appointment. Especially since the pandemic I am a big homebody and that's okay. Cherry Ripe Ice Cream - yum!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and I sound very similar, Bonnie. I'm content to remain at home...with my own company and that of my two furry mates. I never get lonely.

      Take care...thanks for coming by. :)

      Delete
  6. We have always travelled long distances by car but not these days as we've been there and done that as the saying goes.
    Love
    Cardwell, met long life friends there and a few others.
    The Cherry Ripe Slices is looking attractive Lee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Hi Margaret, Cardwell, of course, was the stepping off point to travel across to the then resort over on Cape Richards. The resort, sadly, no longer exists. Many fun times I had there when I managed the island resort.

      No long distance travelling for me these days...and that suits me at this stage in my life.

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  7. I have no doubt that it is true for many that the wanderlust of youth is replaced with the security of staying close to home. Familiarity becomes more reassuring than wondering what's on the other side of the hill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. G'day David...I'm ancient now, and retired...I've no desire to travel far, or travel far often. I'm content to remain at home with my two furry mates...they are indoor cats, as am I! We're not social animals.

      I'm not really interested in what's over the hill now that I'm over the hill! :)

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  8. My world has also grown smaller. I used to defy that, but COVID came along. I hate that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tabor...Covid has not made any difference to my day to day habits. Nothing has changed here with me. I'm in lockdown, by my own choice, most of the time...and have been living this reclusive lifestyle, by choice, for ages...and enjoying it! lol

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  9. Your world has grown smaller, but is no less rich in the things that matter i am sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. By choice my world has grown smaller, messymimi...there's just me and my two furry best mates...we don't take up much room...and we enjoy each other's company. :)

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

      Delete
  10. With Covid travel opportunities have of course changed to what they were.
    We stay local now and prefer it.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jan...Covid has made no difference to my daily (and nightly) habits. Nothing has changed as far as I'm concerned. I have no desire to travel anywhere, and have felt this way for ages. I happy to remain at home. I, too, prefer doing so.

      Take good care...thanks for coming by. :)

      Delete
  11. Travel for us is not like it was in years past, Lee. We renewed our passports but no idea when they will be used, not that we travel far on the previous ones, Canada only. But we have been taking adventures within New England in recent weeks because we can visit several states less than 2 hours from our now home in NH. I enjoyed reading about your non travels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. G'day, Beatrice...I'm a real homebody...even though my little abode is very humble it is where I prefer to be. We're all different in many of our ways, likes and dislikes. My two furry mates wouldn't know what had happened if I disappeared from their view!

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete