A wet day makes hot chocolate very welcome

We took a bus into town as I wanted to check out a couple of places for some gifts/trinkets to take home. The road that I wanted is called Lu Xun street which leads into Lu Xun village. He was a poet and wrote many famous poems in China and is quite looked up to, in this part of China. This was his birthplace and he was a very distinguished looking guy. Just as well because there is a very large wall at the entrance with his face on it, he had a moushache and is always shown smoking a cigarette.
When we first came here the village was here and it was a tourist attraction but over the years, it has become bigger and better.
There was a new restaurant just opened, can always tell when a new place opens by the flowers outside of the premises.

A hot chocolate at Starbucks to warm us and prepare us for the 4.6 km walk home

Chocolate factory

We stayed at Junee last night and we had been told (on the road by some other travellers)that there was a chocolate factory in the town. Could hardly miss  it, it was housed in a huge building within 500 metres of the caravan park.

A very enjoyable entrance through a wooden patio covered by cooling grape vines. It was a very mild day so not needed but I could imagine sitting there when the temperatures are high.

We entered into the building and found a small cafe and lots of tables and chairs, there was no tour as such, people were welcome to wander through and watch what was happening.

This had chocolate tumbling through it and the copper tubs had three different types of chocolate covered almonds.

While we were there, two women came and holding a paddle on the rollers, they scrapped chocolate off the it, where it went into the white tubs. There was information written above all the windows so that the process could be followed.

As there was no entry fee, we felt that we should at least have morning tea and what was on offer, coffee and scones. We did only have one scone between us as they were massive and came with jam and cream.

Before leaving we did wander over to the buying counter and bought a couple of blocks, one of rocky road, one ginger and a small packet of freckles, large enough for a sweet treat after dinner

Valentines day

All the hearts and flowers have been out in force and the jewellery catalogues have been clogging up our letterbox for several weeks now. Valentine Day doesn't play a part in our house hold at all. Warren always says that he doesn't need a day set aside to declare his love, oh isn't that sweet (also sounds a bit of a cop out but it doesn't faze me)

Friday evening as we were sitting outside enjoying a coffee I asked "so what are you getting me for Valentines day?..........same as last year?" he sometimes is a little slow on the uptake. I could see that he was racking his brain, so I helped him out "Nothing, same as last year."
"Yep same as last year"

We went on chatting about other things and promptly forgot about Valentines day.

Warren had to go to Bunnings as I has remarked that the paintings would look better on the wall instead of just standing against it. When he came back, I was making morning tea and he said "I got something for you." and held his hands behind his back, I choose the right hand and was given this.

A pink heart chocolate, his was green, then he told me that Bunnings were giving them out so he hadn't bought it I guess he did think of me though (and didn't try to pretend that he had spent money!)

Chocolate slice

I was asked to make something chocolatey (is that even a word?) for dessert on the weekend. Combined mothers day and grandson's seventh birthday lunch/party. Oh boy, I don't cook much these days and didn't want to just make a packet cake. I racked my brain and remembered a chocolate slice that my Uncle used to make, probably 40 odd years ago. He had a real sweet tooth and always had lollies and often this chocolate for when we visited. I didn't know the recipe but could remember some of the things in it.

It had rice bubbles in it and mixed fruit so I went shopping as I had none of those things in my cupboard. My version was a large block of plain chocolate and copha, I melted these together and added to three cups of rice bubble, half a packet of mixed fruit and a packet of small marshmallows. Mixed together and set in the fridge. It worked a treat. Did cost a bit though, I left the rest down at son's place as I figured that we didn't need the extra calories (the above was much fuller than this). We had the last two pieces each for an after lunch treat yesterday and the scales told a sorry tale this morning!

Woody Point

Often we decide (usually me!) to go for a drive in our great state. Today Warren's choice was to go to Woody Point. I had made sausages rolls last night while dinner was cooking, I try to do at least two things in the oven at once. I packed some of the rolls, a sandwich, fruit for afters and a flask to make hot coffee/chocolate.

I love Jarra coffees the favorite is Swiss, which says it has "a hint of chocolate". After paying $6.75 for a small jar a few weeks ago, I had a go at making my own and this is what we use now. Cup of chocolate, coffee, sugar and powered milk, mix together, two teaspoons into a cup and fill with hot water. It makes a nice change from coffee, taste a little bit naughty and saves having to take milk on a trip like today.

 After lunch we walked along to the jetty and there was a wedding taking place, the footpath was just behind the ceremony so we made a detour, as they were saying their vows as we would have been behind them, not too good for photos! It was an enjoyable day out and only cost a bit of petrol to get there. Masses of little fish in the water and we amused ourselves by moving our arms and seeing them scatter in the water