Christmas Cake

Posted by Elaine on 2 years ago

Good news folks, I found lard to make pastry for my mince pies (and jars of Duerrs mincemeat in New World Supermarket).   Discovered the lard hiding in the meat fridges - not in with the butter etc as in the UK.   Had a christmas cake tasting last week - mine (made in September, with fortnighly additions of brandy) vs the famous (in New Zealand) Ruth Pretty Christmas Cake.  Result was a tie - mine has the traditional almond paste and icing, which to me are the best bits, whereas the Ruth Pretty version is more what us Brits would call a Dundee cake as it has the fruit and nuts on the top, but flavour of cake wise, not much in it!  However mine was much cheaper and bigger, mine cost all of $10 to make, vs the $45 dollar purchased one.

Gearing up for Christmas Day - will it be another picnic on the beach, hopefully not in the rain this time or may go alternative and have fish and chips.   Its great having Christmas in the summer, you dont want to eat as much.

New immigrants tailed off this month as expected, but back to business as usual early in Feb when the next wave arrives.

Moving Pets Abroad

Posted by Elaine on 2 years ago

Have met a lot of people in New Zealand who were advised against flying their cats and dogs with them.  We brought ours, Daisy dog was 15 and Barney cat was 17.  Our vet, Mr Bonham of Bonham Vet Centre, Ramsbottom said they were both fit and well and part of our family and it would do them more harm to leave them with strangers in the UK.  It cost a bit in blood tests etc., but was well worth it.  We used Sharon Jobe of Ladyhaye International in Surrey who arranged their flights, shipping crates and all the paperwork.  We all flew on the same flight from London Heathrow - LA - Auckland - Wellington.  Our pets were not sedated, they were secure in their travel crates with water and comfort bedding, apparently the cabin crew have access to the animal hold and check on them.  They both bounded out of their crates in Wellington non the worse for wear and are doing well in New Zealand.