New digs

We are moving the end of June. It is a brand new house (we will be the first renters). It is in the suburb of Blacks Beach.

Property Photos

Big Load

I have just uploaded a new video to YouTube. Big Load: Met this truck while driving back from Coppabella today.
via IFTTT

McGuyver'd Puffed Wheat Squares

Sometimes recreating the tastes of the "Old Country" is difficult due to the materials just not existing here. Prime examples are Jet-puffed style marshmallows (the marshmallows in Australia don't make Rice Krispie squares at all. Just a marshmallow lump. Blech.), canned pumpkin pie filling and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. We were fortunate to stumble onto OCanada.com.au and thus have (expensive) access to some of our faves for a treat. The other day we ran into A&W rootbeer at the local IGA and bought every can on the shelf.
We are doubly fortunate to have my parents send me care packages of Tim Hortons coffee (my weakness) CoffeeCrisp and Twizzlers. Rob's mom also sends regular Twizzlers (Rob's weakness)!

Then there is innovation where you are. I love Asian grocery stores. I recently checked out the one on Victoria street- and they had PUFFED WHEAT, labelled as "Korean cookies". So I had to make puffed wheat squares.  The corn syrup was sourced from an Asian/Italian grocery (Right next to an Indian grocery- I adore that mix!) on Shakespeare St. here in Mackay.
 Et Voila! Puffed wheat squares. Om nomnomnom.

Recipe:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup of corn syrup
3 tbsp cocoa powder (more dependent on your taste)
1 tbsp vanilla
mix in the bottom of a large-ish pot. Bring to a good rolling boil.
remove from heat
add 5 ish cups of puffed wheat and toss to coat. Press into an 8"x8" pan (use baking paper to line ahead of time). Let cool. slice and eat! YUM.

Pimp My Ride - Bradshaw Edition

 The last few weeks Barb & I have been modifying Nigel, our 2003 Toyota Echo.  Mechanically it is in fine shape, but the Aussie sun has not been kind to it.  The paint on the roof is peeling quite badly and the damage is extending to the hood and other parts of the car.  Instead of painting we decided to do a vinyl wrap.  Our website has the full story.

Now officially a bikie

Over the weekend I took the QRide course and passed.  Today I was able to get to Queensland Transport and upgrade my license to a RE.  I then went to the Bullet Bikes and picked up my new bike.
  After supper I went for a short bike ride and ended up driving over a 110km, oops.  I drove to beach at Seaforth because I had never been there.  I literally ran into hundreds of bugs.  I don't think I have ever seen more insects flying about.
  I had a blast.  This bike thing is a good idea.

Barb is back in town

  As of Sunday, Barb has finished to 10 weeks in Proserpine.  For those how don't know, Prossie is a small town about 1 3/4 hours drive north of Mackay near the Whitsunday Island.  Barb has been working in the Emergency department.  Last night she finished her last shift.

  To celebrate her arrival back in Mackay, we went to the Emeio Pacific Pub for supper.  It is a nice little place on a clifftop overlooking the Pacific.

  It is good to have her back.

  She has now finished her last as an intern and she is now a fully registered doctor.  She now begins her job as a JHO (Junior House Officer) at the Mackay Base Hospital.