The Quest for the Perfect Snack. No. 1. Eat Naturals "Three Bars of Nuts and Fruit with...Almonds Apricots and a Yoghurt Coating... and Nothing Dodgy""

Eat Natural’s “Three Bars of Nuts and Fruit with… Almonds Apricots and a Yoghurt Coating… and Nothing Dodgy” stood out in Tesco’s not only because its super long title but because it was just about the only bar that wasn’t made out of reconstituted orangutan.

The packaging, distressed cardboard and vaguely 70’s design hinted at a level of goodness that could be only rivaled by Jesus wearing an organic hemp smock. This natural and homely appeal obviously worked as when I arrived home and unwrapped them found that there were only three bars. As I searched the box for explanation to this obvious mistake I ashamedly discovered that it did mention this fact several times on the packet… right from the word go. Three though!!! That’s only enough to eat one on the way back from the super market, then eat another to see if it was as good as the first then give the last one to your little brother.

The actual bar however was great with an abundance of real apricot, almonds and that stringy coconut favored by women in the CWA. The combination was delightful and filling but I had trouble with the “yoghurt coating”. Lets call a spade a spade here, or in this case a high tech metal detector a high tech metal detector. There was nothing yoghurty about this yoghurt… It was plainly white chocolate and wouldn’t be allowed within 50 yards of a health food store;  which is probably why “Three Bars of Nuts and Fruit with… Almonds Apricots and a Yoghurt Coating… and Nothing Dodgy”  wasn’t being sold in “Alfalfa Enthusiasts cooperative” and was instead being sold in Tesco.

RIVA week one.

Here is what has been happening in our first week at RIVA

Bees are now officially my favourite animal.

In case you were wondering.

Amy's amazing bee-friendly hive and Deborah's painting.

Honey tasting and bee making.

My illustration of Queen Elizabeth I as a beehive as a demonstration of a bee community representing a  monarchy.

Beautiful community garden and a talk about bees. This proud garden owner has planted her garden entirely for the bees. 

The beginnings of Sophie's Slovenian Bee house. Traditionally in Slovenia panels are painted with myths or quirky scenes (for example a snail chasing tailors up a tree). We encouraged the kids to make up their own bee myths. From the top: me, Zain, Yigit, and my friend Sophie's. 

Bee keepers out side my window. 

In my flat.

A little blurry with laughter because of the wonderful sensation of a camera clicking on top of ones head.

I strongly suggest to all of you to experience this joy and take a photo of your own world from atop your personage.

A homesick day...

A favourite recipe for homesickness of mine is leaving all your shopping on the number 38 bus to Hackney Central because you are too busy thinking about where Harry Potter lives now to notice that you are no longer carrying your bottle of vitamin C tablets or echinacea.

Summer Solstice

Midsummer past in a wave of cakes, flowers, kids, dogs and flamenco. 

I think of winter back in Melbourne and of the mid-winter spiral, of apples, daggy knitted jumpers and bookshops. 

Much love to you all wherever you are.

xoxo

A positive hive of activity...

Avoiding all bee related puns (I do not, after all write for the Mx, or its british counterpart Timeout) we have been very busy. Its summer and a delightfully smoggy warmth has enveloped London. Yesterday I walked around the rooftop wildflower gardens on the south bank and hunted down some of these furry little creatures in Deborah's garden.

My own bee related drawing, and the beginnings of our honeycomb installation for RIVA.

Have a beeutiful day.

Window

This is my new house, my new room and my new window through which I can look out and see an abundance of other windows, trees, gardens, beehives and cats. If you wake early enough you can see three foxes chasing each other over fences and around vegie patches. This is London.

Suitcase

Packing a suitcase isn't simply a matter of getting the right amount of clean knickers. It's about all the songs you've ever sung, books you've ever read, dreams you've ever dreamed. Packing a suitcase is everything to do with your past, your present and your future.

Batwing Coral Tree ~ Erythrina vespertilio

On my journey to central Australia I was shown this most beautiful tree which has now become my favourite tree of all time. The Batwing Coral Tree, or Flame Tree... the same flame tree that Cold Chisel sang about.  Not only does this tree have a name that is both descriptive and poetic (two things that sadly don't often go hand in hand anymore) but beautiful ginko-like leaves and red seeds that the aboriginal women use to make intricate cerimonial jewellery.

A portrait painted on the homeward road from Finke Gorge...