Hockley Heights Gazette

Australia and the UK are in the grip of myths about each other. For instance, the boys have had to endure endless questions about kangaroos hopping down the main street - are they dangerous, etc. Everyone here seems to assume we have met Steve Irwin and a traumatised by his death. In the meantime, many people from Oz told us with great authority before we left that good fresh produce was either not available or very expensive here in England. In fact, we were astounded by the variety. The exception is chinese vegetables, which we made great use of in Leeming, but which are very hard to find here (so far). So last night I was making a little vegetarian pasta dish, and I thought I'd pop a pic so you can see that we are eating well. The total cost for the meal was around £3 (about AU$7.50) for the four of us. Wine to accompany was extra! We are currently trying to source a good wine supplier - and slowly figuring out the market over here - it is very different to Australia, but the newspaper wine guides are very useful. The two litres of Baileys Irish Cream that we bought on the ferry back from France is a real treat though!
It is Mitchell's 12th birthday tomorrow and we are organising to go into London to the Dungeons to "celebrate" - you have to be 12 to get in! I'm scared already! If you wish to send a birthday greeting - please do - I'm sure he will appreciate it...