The Community Cup
After a long ride to Elsternwick Park on our bikes, we finally arrived at the oval where the Community Cup is held. The Community Cup happens each year and is a footy match between radio people and live music people for charity. I was so rugged up that I looked like a bundle of scarves and jackets! We locked up our bikes and found ourselves a spot on the grass.
Men were drinking beer. Dogs were barking. Footballers were running amok on the oval. Yes, everything on the oval was alive! The siren rang and everybody run off the oval ready for the match. The teams, the mascots and cheerleaders ran on.
The teams were the ‘Espy Rockdogs’ and ‘Megahetz’. I had always gone for the Rockdogs and was definitely positively sure they would win. I settled myself down and started to watch. The Rockdogs had already got a goal and were in the lead. I delved into my pocket and drew out a green tea lolly. This was going well.
The Rockdog cheerleaders yelled and sang the Rockdog anthem. I squinted in the sunlight and saw that the Megahertz were sneaking up behind one of the Rockdog players. “Watch out!” I yelled. Luckily, the Rockdog player swung round and they got into a big fight.
The Rockdogs retrieved the ball and kicked. What a beauty! But as it sailed through the air, it unfortunately landed in the points section. “Oh bother” I muttered angrily. But never mind, at least we’re ahead, I told myself.
The first quarter had entered and it was 15 minutes ’till the next one. Mum made some green tea and I got out my drawing set.
The second quarter I didn’t see much because I was mostly drawing, but I can tell you about the third. Megahertz were catching up and had scored two goals already. I tensed up.
It was only two more goals. Megahertz kept scoring until they were almost even with the Rockdogs!!! I started jumping up and down in my seat. Rockdogs scored another goal, but that didn’t even comfort me! Minutes passed and Megahertz got three more goals. Wah! At least we’ve got more points than them, that voice in my head said.
We were in the last quarter now and there was 30 seconds to go. I relaxed. Rockdogs were going to win! Hang on a second … what is the crowd cheering for? I looked up at the board. MEGAHERTZ HAD SCORED A GOAL! I panicked. Come on Rockdogs, score a goal, I thought. NOW! 5.4.3.2.1 and …. I squeezed my eyes shut. Oh! Megahertz had won!
I shrugged and walked back to unlock the bikes. But, even though I go for Rockdogs, I would love to say WELL DONE MEGAHERTZ!
Winter Artists’ Market
I may have mentioned some Japanese Cat books that I wrote at the start of the year. Well guess what? Last week I got to sell them at a placed called the Artists’ Market in Geelong. I’ll tell you the story from the start …
On a cold winter’s morning we rode down to a special house that a lady called Emma lives in. Emma and her friend Lucy organise the Market. We were met with Emma to order a stall at the Artists’ Market. I had only been to the Artists’ Market once but I had really enjoyed it. Stuffed toys, knitted clothes, multi-coloured clay bowls! So when I heard that I was going to be selling my books there, I was utterly gobsmacked!
Onto the day of the Market. The first task was to walk all the props from the house to the Market. This took six whole trips! The second task was to set up the stall. This was actually quite fun! We hooked and hanged and laid out goodies and dressed the table with all the other artists.
When that was done, we relaxed for a few seconds. Before we knew it customers were rushing through. Many were looking at other stalls, however a lot of people were interested in our display. Our boxes of books and goodies attracted them like magnets to our stall.
I had to do many autographs and introduce myself for each customer, “Hello, I have written and illustrated this series of books and they are all about Japanese Cats”.
I really enjoyed the event and I’d love to do it again! Go Japanese Cats!
Fantastical Raspberry Tart!
It was my special birthday weekend. We’d spent the day adventuring, we drove back to the holiday house, I read the Horrible Histories Annual and was listening to ‘The Beatles’, Dad made a yummy mushroom risotto, then Mum suddenly switched off the lights. What was happening?
Mum and Dad were holding a box with a very special looking raspberry tart inside. My mouth was watering and I could barely blow out the candles, but Mum and Dad cheered and sang Happy Birthday.
I found out later that the tart was from La Madre, my favourite bakery! It tasted so good. La Madre are definitely aficionados at baking!
Dad does dinner!
After a day of adventures in the Otways, we travelled back to the holiday house and were sitting in front of the first warming ourselves. We were trying to think what we could have for dinner. “Maybe curry?” Mum suggested. “Pizza?” I asked. “Or …” Dad wondered “… Or Risotto?”.
That was the winning answer. Risotto is the best!
We decided on mushroom risotto (my favourite!) and Dad volunteered to cook it. Dad is a great cook, so it was agreed.
When it came out, it smelt so good and looked superb. Without any ado, I took my time and let the delicious taste sink in. As for the aroma, oh, it smelt just as good as it tasted!
Here’s the evidence!
Mushroom Risotto with swiss and chanterelle mushrooms, topped with a sage, garlic and saffron oil
My birthday adventure
Most years we invite guests across to our house to celebrate my birthday party. But this year we did something different.
First of all, we borrowed a car and drove across to Apollo Bay. We were going on a birthday adventure! I was very excited! I had never been to Apollo Bay before. When we finally got to the holiday house, I fell in love with it.
Next up, we went to a fantastic forest to visit the Otway Fly. The Otway Fly is a metal bridge walkway that takes you up into the treetops. It’s very noisy and wobbly when you run or jump on it!
We also went down a track called called the ‘Prehistoric Path’. It’s a track where lifelike sculptures of dinosaurs stare down at you with fierce eyes and little places of information are laid beneath them.
Next, we went to a town called Forrest to go rowing with the platypus. We all hopped in a canoe with Bruce who take the tours.
Now you might think that the platypus swam right near the boat but they are very shy. We did see little silver streaks along the lake, and then they got a bit closer so we could see them clearly.
After that, Bruce did something very cool! He made milo and handed out biscuits to everybody whilst we sat in the boats. Then we did another lap around the lake and headed back while passing some glittering glow-worms!
So that was my birthday adventure. I’d love to go and do it again. It was so much fun!
Visit the Otway Fly
http://www.otwayfly.com/
Paddle with the platypus
http://www.platypustours.net.au/
Burger madness!
Burgers, burgers, bowl of chips
All suited for my tummy
Tomato sauce, mushroom chaos
All is triple yummy!
Behold the giant pepper
That is upon my plate
If you go to A Bottle of Milk
You’ll find out that tomatoes are your best mates!
Oh the weather is windy
And the rain pours outside
Bit in the warmth and the luxury
Our time we must bide
I’d love to stay here
And eat and eat
While the waiters welcome us
And say ‘Take a seat’!
But as you know readers
You know I cannot stay
I’ve got to go on another adventure
Without any delay
So that is all, my ladies and gents
I’d love to stay and say more
And tell you about why A Bottle of Milk
Is never ever a bore
But as you see, I have no time
No time at all to talk
So I now will go on
My Otway Fly walk!
When in Lorne we ate the mushroom and haloumi burgers at:
The Bottle of Milk
52 Mountjoy Parade
Lorne 3232
03 5289 2005
Maedaya Rap
On a Saturday night, we usually walk when we can
But when it was raining, we took the tram
My tummy was up for edamame
And on the way there Mum was reading Haruki Murakami!
To wash down, I had ramune
Its taste took my way over the moon
Tappanyaki cooked on the grill
Tofu, shiitake, what a lovely meal
Do you like croquettes? Well here are some for you
Vegetable and cheese and that’ll do
Gyoza is my favourite dish
Vegetarian gyoza was my wish!
If you like steak, we’ve got some made of tofu
Tofu steak is certainly the best thing for you
Japanese pancake is called Okonomiyaki
It’s made of vegies and is definitely not yucky!
The last thing of all Matcha Gozen
Green tea fondue with fruit at the end
Green tea iceacream with red beans
That’s what Matcha Gozen means
I will absolutely come to Maedaya again
So thank you everybody and that’s the end!
Maedaya Sake & Grill
400 Bridge Road
Richmond Victoria
03 9428 3918
http://www.sakejapan.com.au
The Mess Hall
We were on our way to surprise Dad at the airport and we felt very hungry. Our tummies were rumbling like volcanoes! To make it worse, it had just started raining! We hurried through the rain, desperately trying to find a good meal. Suddenly, we saw what we wanted. There, glowing in the rain was The Mess Hall.
We rushed over to the door and walked inside. The air smelt tasty and spicy. And it was warm aswell! We sat down and relaxed in the heavenly aroma. I scanned the menu. There was soup, beans, pizza … WAIT! Hang on a second. Pizza? I was delighted and ordered it straight away.
While we waited, we warmed up with some green tea.
When it came out, it was heaven. It was smothered with cubes of pumpkin, fetta and clods of mozzarella. I cut myself a slice and got my fingers ready. This was going to get messy. Well, obviously, because it was called ‘The Mess Hall’.
The pumpkin tasted sweet and delightfully mushy. The fetta was pretty powerful – it gave me a shock since all the other tastes were very mild. And the mozzarella, I love mozzarella so much.
In the end I felt pretty full and my tummy was so big you could play bongos on it! I’ll be heading back to The Mess Hall soon. Perhaps I’ll see you there?!
The Mess Hall
51 Bourke Street
Melbourne
03 9654 6800
http://themesshallmelbourne.blogspot.com/