Sunday, April 1, 2012

Off to Tully....

It was a great day for riding today, so we were surprised only a few turned up for the Ulysses weekly Sunday ride. This week we rode 210 kilometres north to Tully. For those who remember the 'super cyclone' Yasi that hit the coast as a category 5 last year, you may also remember that Tully was one of the small communities right in it's eye.
With a population of around 2,500, Tully is banana and sugar cane growing territory, but it's also known as the wettest town in Australia! I guess that is made clear by 'The Big Rain Boot' on display as you enter the main street. I got Mr E to pose for a tourist shot.
We all had lunch at the aptly named 'Ulysses Cafe', but this cafe is named after the Ulysses Butterfly, not our biker club.
I discovered a beautifully refreshing drink here - organic Peppermint and Ginger soda....
An Irish backpacker working as a fruit picker was kind enough to take a group photo of us. I was the only girl today, but the guys are lovely so I never feel left out.
On the return trip to Townsville we stopped for gelato at the Frosty Mango, just past Ingham. 
Mr E had mango and passionfruit, and I drooled over a coconut and pineapple. The Frosty Mango make their gelato from fruits they grow themselves.
We were all pretty hot at this stage so the grassy acreage around Frosty Mango was perfect for a rest....
After our rest it was home again. A really great day - thanks guys!!
~~~~~ 
In our home this week we've had to make huge changes to the pantry. 
Mr E is definitely lactose and gluten intolerant, a side effect of a medical condition, so we could no longer manage life with wheat and dairy. I also have health issues with wheat and milk fats.
I overhauled the pantry supplies...
...and delved into my bookshelf for menu ideas.
I have a LOT of food intolerance cookbooks due to the year our son had to spend off gluten and dairy, so I will pull them out as well this week and begin a master plan. 
Pre-made foods are so expensive, so I've been and stocked up on plenty of base ingredients and will begin cooking most things from scratch every day.
I baked a gluten/dairy free apple teacake yesterday to satisfy Mr E's sweet tooth...yummy. A cherry and almond crumble also went down a treat. 
So that was my weekend. What did you do?
Hugs
Jenny
xx

10 comments:

Lida said...

Here Sunday has just begon and although the sun hides behind clouts now and then and the wind is fresh with all the blooming bulbs Spring is here and we enjoy it as much as possible! Making some stitches and visiting my Mum is the idea for today!
I cook fresh food every day, it is much tastier than all that pre-made food and also much healthier! I also cannot use diary products, but there is enough good stuff to replace that! Have a fantastic week and enjoy!
Lida

Scottish Nanna said...

Hi Jenny it looks like you had a good time and that cherry tart looks yummy.making my mouth water.
Hugs Mary xx.

Anonymous said...

Jenny what a wonderful day you had,i have been busy making cards today,the weekend has gone so quick.xx

Abby and Stephanie said...

I love the photo of the guys lazing on the grass. They look like it might be difficult to get up and get on the move again! I think our natural food sources are so altered the people are becoming more sensitive. Best of luck.

donna said...

Looks like a fun day! And your cherry-almond crumble looks amazingly good. I also have to eat gluten-free and I can tell you the prices on pre-made g-f items here in the states are high, too. I've been doing more from-scratch cooking, but still nowhere near what I should be doing...

Carrie P. said...

YOu guys certainly do know how to enjoy a beautiful day.

Fee said...

It looks like you had a wonderful relaxing day Jen. Just what you needed. Like the sound of that drink and can't wait so see what you come up with from your recipe books.

Hugs - Fee X

Allie said...

What a fun weekend, girl! Except for delving into the pantry - but I know you love to cook. I'm a little envious of the t-shirts, we're still in winter coats here!

Robin in New Jersey said...

I missed you this week. Glad to see you had a wonderful time. :)

Kristen King said...

Jenny, my son and are are allergic to wheat and milk which means gluten-free and dairy free...we have been for the last 2 years now and we feel so much better! I'm also diabetic so it makes it hard to eat out, but I always manage...and to feel this good, you can't describe it unless you've been there. I did the overhaul of the pantry too...I never realized how much gluten and dairy we were eating and just how sick it was making us. I hope all goes well for you and your husband!