My new best friend

During the Covid lockdown we were staying at Coconut Grove Resort in Port Douglas.  It was a lovely apartment and thank goodness it had a decent kitchen because there was not a single restaurant opened while we were there. I do rather enjoy cooking when I have plenty of time and lets face it, time was something we all had heaps of during the lockdown.
I stumbled across a recipe in one of the magazines that was made in a pie maker and it looked so simple to make.  I have often looked at these electrical appliances and thought, not for me, even though I love a good pie.  It seemed such an extravagance (even though they are very cheap) and just another appliance that would probably gather dust in the bottom of the cupboard.
Anyway, I thought what the heck, and I went ahead and ordered one online from Myer.  They have one of the best online shops I have ever experienced because five days later I had it in my hot little hands.  I was completely surprised at how big the parcel was and was slightly disheartened to think that I might have purchased something too big and bulky to handle, but thankfully the box was mostly packaging and the pie maker is only the size of my sandwich press.
I was itching to try it out and ooh la laah, our first pies (Mexican mince) were sensational!  I used store bought shortcrust pastry for the base and puff pastry for the top.  I have never been a lover of store bought pastry but honestly the pies just tasted so good!
Since then the pie maker has been on high rotation in my kitchen.  It is fantastic to use up leftovers and you are not limited to the pastry you use.  I have seen recipes for phyllo pastry that I really want to try and today I made apple and custard "donuts".  I had run out of self raising flour so they didn't rise as much as they should have but they are 100% delicious.
So, my new best friend is the Sunbeam Pie Maker and if you don't own one I suggest you order one pronto. I can guarantee you will love it.
PS
I read later that Kmart also sell them at a very good price

Apple and Custard "Donut"

Just a simple chunky meat pie

I'm still here

It's been way too long between posts my friends and for that I am sorry because I love sitting down here and tapping away.  I can offer plenty of excuses. Moving out of home and into a holiday apartment. Moving out of that apartment because it was sold. Moving into the apartment next door, and finally.....moving into our new home (apartment) at Palm Cove.  There has been so much packing up and unpacking since we sold Kuramar on the 24th April.  I don't ever want to see another packing container.  The packing up is actually a lot easier than the unpacking because you have to try and find a place for everything. Downsizing from a home into an apartment means a lot of trips to Lifeline.  We sold all the furniture with Kuramar that was actually a blessing as the apartment we bought came fully furnished.  Most of the furniture is not to my taste but it will do for the time being until we are settled.
So, apart from that what have we been doing.  Lots of socialising, I can tell you that much.  It just feels so right to be living at Palm Cove and so much closer to our friends.  Some are within walking distance that we tested last weekend when we went to their apartment for lunch.  It took us around 30 minutes to stroll to their place with our esky and we were grateful for the walk home after a really enjoyable large lunch. The lunch was a celebration for some young friends who have just become parents to a gorgeous little boy.  He is such a dream baby.  You know, the one that eats and then sleeps.  I certainly had my share of baby hugs.

Last weekend we were invited to another friends place for lunch.  They are not walking distance so we car pooled and drove the 20 minute drive to their place.  It was another very enjoyable meal that I know I will have to reciprocate when we are settled.  Philip's suggestion that we simply take everyone out for lunch is sounding like a very good idea! We are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants as most are within a block of our place.
Philip has been going for long rides with our friends and today he is doing a solo ride.  He is still feeling his way around the place.  He will continue cycling with his friends in Port Douglas though, as he loves the challenge of riding with some very fast cyclists.  He has just put his name forward for a ride next month from Mareeba to Almaden.  I think he said it was 140km so that will put him to the test!
I have been enjoying walks most mornings and also have been trying out different routes.  The Cairns Council is very pro-active with their cycling/walking paths and have made progress with a large wide path that will eventually run all the way from Palm Cove to the City Centre.  I am going to my first yoga class this morning.  That will be interesting as I haven't practiced any yoga since Covid lockdown in March.  I'm sure I will have some aching muscles tomorrow......
The caravan is sitting in the storage shed just waiting for us.  We have booked into a caravan park in Mission Beach the second week in July.  We want to test the batteries in the van to see how long they will last off grid.  We suspect not long and we will probably have a trip to the auto electrician to enhance the battery/solar system.  We will have to wait and see. We still plan on heading south in August. It was originally going to be July but we really need to settle completely into the new apartment first.  Settlement for our Port Douglas apartment will not be until the first week in July so we also have to organise to have it put into the rental pool.  Things take time.
Speaking of things taking time.  The NBN connection has been a nightmare.  We have been here two weeks and I first spoke to someone at Telstra about connection the day after we moved in and then heard nothing more.  I have rung numerous times and nobody can find, or couldn't be bothered finding, our order.  It is so very frustrating as we are in a black spot when it comes to mobile coverage so we really need a landline. Finally, yesterday, I spoke with someone who was at least able to give me a time and date for connection.  It is not going to be until the 30th June but at least it is going to happen.
It's almost time for me to head to yoga so until next time, take care my friends.
xx

This is the view from the bedroom in our new apartment