Mandarin Magic

Late on Saturday night (or maybe it was in the wee hours of Sunday morning) whilst I was editing photos from one of the gorgeous newborn shoots I had in the previous few days, I came a cross a Facebook post about mandarin picking around Wisemans Ferry. As you will know from previous posts, we really enjoy picking our own apples.

So on Sunday morning we loaded into the car and headed to the Watkins Family Farm for some DIY Mandarin Picking. It was set in the most beautiful valley and the weather was divine! I was a little concerned that we were late in the season and perhaps there wouldn't be many mandarins left for picking. I needn't have worried. I was concerned that whist Kyah would enjoy roaming free in a orchard, she may get frustrated at not being able to pick the mandarins herself. I was even worried the boys wouldn't be able to reach the high fruit if all the low ones had already been picked. I needn't have worried.

We had an absolutely fabulous time. Everyone got to pick a heap of fruit! And eat it too! There were also mushrooms to pick, and chickens, goats and sheep to feed, and best of all, a tractor to sit on. We ended the day with lunch down at Wisemans Ferry and the boys loved watching the cars being driven onto and off the ferry and seeing it go across the river. It was a wonderful Family Funday Sunday.

Here is my photo essay.

The Details:
Watkins Family Farm
1006 Singleton Rd, Laughtondale (Near Wisemans Ferry)
You only pay for the mandarins and mushrooms that you pick. No entrance fee.
Imperial Mandarins
$10 per bucket for Mandarins
$10 per bag for Mushrooms
Honey and eggs also available for purchase
It took us 1.5 - 1.75 hours from Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Apple Picking

After the success and enjoyment spent apple picking in Bilpin last year, we decided to go again this year. So following the Easter Long Weekend we went back to Bilpin at the foot of the Blue Mountains and once again visited the Bilpin Springs Orchard to pick a few baskets of delicious apples fresh from the tree.

It was a little more crowded than last year but the apples were still delicious, plentiful on the tree and the kids loved racing around eating the fresh apples and enjoying the space and fresh mountain air.

We bought home enough apples for several apple salads, a few apple pies, a heap of apple sauce and a quite a few lunchbox snacks! Delicious!

Here is my photo essay.

Family Fun - Vikings & Vessels

Today was Nathan's Birthday. We had planned a family fun day of bike riding and swimming, but with the mercury soaring into the high 30's we decided indoor activities would be more comfortable for everyone. And whilst the children voted for the Tyrannosaurus exhibition at the Australian Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum was the winner as we have been to see the dinosaurs quite a few times in the last 12 months!

So after a leisurely early morning breakfast at Girdlers on Dee Why Beach, we headed into the Australian National Maritime Museum, and the "Vikings - Beyond the Legend" exhibition. The boys were excited to see what real Vikings were like being that they watch their animated counterparts on "Mike The Knight".

The boys were fascinated by the Viking boat moored in Darling Harbour and the boat inside the exhibition. They were able to try on heavy Viking helmets, hold a Viking sword and try their best at picking up the 20kg Viking armour (as it weighs more then they do, they were very impressed).

There was even a "real Viking" to talk to and ask questions of. However the boys were so frightened of him, they were rendered speechless when he came around the corner in full Viking costume and armour. Whilst they eventually posed, albeit reluctantly, for a photo with the Viking, they didn't utter a single word to him (though he has been the topic of much discussion between them since).

We ventured into the Kids on Deck section of the museum but as it was over-run with vacation-care children we made a hasty retreat and the boys decided they didn't want to make craft anyway. Besides the Viking Exhibition, we also wondered through the core Navy exhibition and the boys enjoyed trying out the bunks which submariners have to share, captaining a submarine and seeing a giant engine at work. Highlights for Nathan were the beer boat and the naval exhibition, and for me the Tasman Light.

In truth, the Maritime Museum was not an entirely perfect choice on such a hot day - as the lure of large ships moored in Darling Harbour was hard to resist for the boys and their dad despite the heat. There was HMAS Vampire, HMAS Onslow - the submarine, Barque James Craig - the tall ship, and the Viking Vessel. They only managed to clamber aboard the Viking Vessel before they got too hot and came back inside to the air conditioning. Thankfully, we took them onboard some of the Navy Ships during the Fleet Review in Sydney back in October.

With the heat, we didn't make it out to the Viking Wetworld before the heat of the day got too much for everyone and we headed home, but we did enjoy sitting in the air-conditioning and watching "Asteriks and the Vikings" animated film whilst Kyah had her lunch. We ate down at the Yots Cafe which was family friendly and had nice food. The kids ate fish and chips and a cheese melt, and we had a BLT and a Wagu burger - totaling $60 (including a Viking Golden Lager).

All up it was a good day. The boys were able to wonder and explore a lot of hands-on exhibits as well as watch an animated movie. It wasn't too busy, and we didn't have to queue up to see anything. Basically, large boats, fast boats and things that go in general are always going to be a winner with our boys. The highlight for the boys was definitely the "real Viking" even if they didn't talk to him.

My Tips:
Buy your tickets online to save the queue at the door.
With a 5yo, 3yo and 9mo we couldn't dwell on detail, just wonder through and get some visual highlights (I think Nathan would have enjoyed more time reading the dearth of information provided by the museum at the various exhibits).

The Details:
The Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
anmm.gov.au
Open daily except Christmas Day from 9.30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Galleries Admission - Adult $7, Child (4 yrs- 15 yrs) $3.50, Family (2 adults + 3 children) $17.50
Big Ticket (Vikings, Galeries, Vessels, Kids on Deck) - Adult $27, Child (4 yrs - 12 yrs) $16, Family (2 adults + 3 children) $70

Family Fun - A Trip to Thomas Land

Last Christmas (i.e., Christmas 2012) the boys were the fortunate recipients of 2 gift vouchers for The Train Shed (in our house a.k.a. Thomas Land) in Luddenham. Embarrassingly, it has taken us 12 months to make it out there.

From the Northern Beaches of Sydney, it was a long drive to Thomas Land at just over an hour. With the incessant "When will we get to Thomas Land" coming from the back seat from 10 minutes into the journey, that hour seemed like 3! Our vouchers gave the boys unlimited rides (worth $35 each) and we decided to buy Kyah 2 rides at $6 a ride. We were able to ride for free with 2 younger children.

We waited no more than about 5 minutes for a ride (with the exception of the final ride on Percy, who was charging his batteries whilst the boys waited). Each ride lasted about 8-10 minutes and there were 4 trains running - Thomas, Percy, Toby & James. The boys were in Thomas & Friends heaven!

Although it was only around 27 degrees, it was hot and dry, and we were all glad for our hats and sunscreen as there was very little shade. We packed our own lunch and snacks, though the cafe was not too over priced. It sold pies, sausage rolls, nuggets and scones, as well as ice creams, chips and other snack items. They also made a fairly decent espresso coffee. The gift shop on the other hand was very pricey and we steered the boys away from that. Thankfully they were happy with watching the little electric railway cars and engines zoom around the track at the entrance to the gift shop.

All up we were at The Train Shed for about 2.5 hours. The Train Shed is co-located with the Vicary's Winery, and had the children not been exhausted, we may have ventured into the cellar door to purchase a couple of bottles of wine. Next time maybe?

My Tips:
Take a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Pack a picnic lunch or plan to eat pies, sausage rolls or nuggets from the cafe.
Arrive at opening (10am) to benefit from a few quick rides and less queuing time.
Prepare your children that some of the trains may not be available.
Prepare your children for a long car ride (if you are heading there from the Northern Beaches as we were).
Allow time for a stop by the Vicary's Winery Cellar Door.
It was well worth the trip for our 5yo and 3yo boys.
One of the best bits? The whole place is Non-Smoking! Family Win!

The Details:
The Train Shed (a.k.a. Thomas Land).
Located at Vicary's Winery, The Northern Rd, 2km South of Luddenham.
Open 10 am - 4 pm Every Saturday and Sunday.
www.thetrainshed.com.au
$35 for unlimited rides or $6 per ride. Adults ride free with children under 2 yrs or children with special needs.

International Fleet Review at Dawn

A Photo Essay

Early on Friday morning, 5.30am actually, we bundled the sleepy-eyed children into their dressing gowns and ugg boots and set off for Dobroyd Head. Why this insanity? The International Fleet Review is taking place in Sydney this weekend. Navy ships from all over the world are coming into our beautiful Harbour. The first 3 boats entered at 6am. There were more entering at 8am and 10am, but we wanted to be there early, see the dawn and have Dad with us before work. 

Boys love boats! Especially big navy boats. It was worth braving the cold and the dawn. We saw ships from China, Malaysia and Singapore enter through The Heads into Sydney Harbour. Spectacular.

Then on Sunday afternoon we headed out to Garden Island to board some of the International Navy Vessels that have come into Sydney Harbour for the Fleet Review. The weather was a sweltering 31 degrees (Celsius) and it was HOT! Once again we had tired kids, but they really managed so well in the heat and the crowds.

There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people on the wharf to board the ships, but in true navy form, everything was under control and well organized. We did have to queue to board the ships and with tired kids we only managed 2 ships - the Japanese and Thai. But it was still worth the whopping $3 entry fee!.

There were boats from New Zealand, Australia (HMAS Darwin and HMAS Sydney), India, Japan and Thailand. The highlights for the boys - rocket launchers, 79mm gun barrels, and getting taken through a "secret" hatch because Noah was overheating on deck. The highlights for Kyah - her first taste of banana and being allowed to drink water from the boys water bottle (you don't take much away from such an event at only 6 months of age).

It was a lot of fun being part of this International Fleet Review. Boys love boats. Esepcially gigantic navy boats. Boys love helicopters and fighter planes. The Harbour was a-buzz with helicopters and fighter jets. Boys love buses and trains. We got to ride on 2 buses and saw lots of trains. Boys love going over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and seeing the Opera House. We went over the bridge twice and saw the Opera House. It was all win-win. We even saw giant snails!

What have you braved the cold and the early morning dawn for? Did you see any of the ships entering Sydney Harbour this morning?

What have you braved crowds and sweltering heat for? Did you make it on board any of the Navy ships in town this weekend?

All Things Apple

A couple of years ago in New York we took a friend from Switzerland and her son apple picking inthe farmlands in New Jersey. We had such a wonderful day, Noah thought picking and eating apples directly from the tree was wonderful. Even better were the raspberries directly from the bush! Ever since I have wanted to do it again.

Last weekend we drove up to the Blue Mountains and went apple picking in Bilpin, "home of the mountain apple". I was so excited to discover that it took us under 2 hours to drive there - perfect for timing driving between feeds for Kyah, and just about the boys car tolerance limit.

My research had presented us with a couple of options for picking our own apples and we decided to pick at the Bilpin Springs Orchard on the Bells Line Of Road. It was beautiful. The boys grandparents and cousins met us there and everyone had a great time. What is not to love about eating apples, crisp and fresh from the tree?! It was hard trying to stop the boys from picking (& eating) the apples, and so we have come home with almost 20 kg of Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples! Hence there are going to be a few posts in the coming weeks about recipes where apples are the star!

When we arrived home from the Blue Mountains on Sunday afternoon we went to the grandparents house to pick up our share of the apples they had brought home for us on Saturday whilst we continued to explore the Blue Mountains. We ended up staying at their house for dinner and of course, apples were included.

On the menu was steak, sausages and apple salad with prosciutto. Yum! A great casual Sunday family meal.

The ingredients:
85g prosciutto
2 small apples (we used the pink ladies for this recipe)
2 cups mixed greens (I actually used more like 3-4 handfuls)
100g walnuts (this wasn't in the recipe but we added them for extra crunch)
2 tsp pure maple syrup
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 tbs olive oil
Salt and pepper (to taste)

The recipe:
In a dry non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, saute prosciutto until it becomes crispy and curls around the edges (3-5 minutes). Set aside.
Toss the apples, greens and walnuts in a medium bowl.
Whisk together the syrup, vinegar and oil. Drizzle over the apples and greens (less is more as this is quite sweet). Toss to coat.
Add the prosciutto and toss gently.

The result:
Delicious. Crisp. Fresh. This salad was great paired with the steak (seasoned with The Best Steak Marinade) and sausages, perfect for the unusually warm April evening that will no doubt be one of the last flashes of summer we see.

I had promised the kids apples for dinner and they were both pretty happy to see their plates of sausage and apples. My youngest was unexpectedly eager to eat our salad as well, though I soon realised it was just the crispy prosciutto he was after!

We are busy eating and cooking all the apples. On the menu are apple pie, mini apple charlottes, apple pancakes, pork with apple sauce and much more. So stay tuned for more yummy apple recipes!

Santa Visit Take 2

Although it is already New Year, and the season of Christmas is well behind us as people return to work and the post-Christmas sales die-down, I have been wanting to post about our second New York Santa experience since well before "the night before Christmas".

Following our disappointing experience at Bloomingdales (see Santa Visit) we headed to Macy's on 34th Street - 'the largest department store in the world' with "Believe" written in Christmas lights across its facade and windows adorned with miniature scenes from Miracle on 34th Street.

We thought Bloomingdales was packed to the rafters - well Macy's was bursting at the seams. Thankfully they had elevators designated solely for families with strollers running express from the Ground floor to "SantaLand". And this time it was a Santa wonderland.

We first stepped onto, what can only be described as The Polar Express train, in which we rode to the North Pole (actually first we walked through the maze that was the roped queuing area but thankfully the queue moved rather fast). Upon stepping off the train we found ourselves in a winter wonderland, complete with elaborately adorned elves to direct us on our way, sign posts to well-known magical places, and an enchanted forest.

There were snow bears ice-skating and playing on see-saws, a miniature city complete with electric trains and buses, and a Santa Tracking Station. We wandered through this magical land for almost 30 minutes before being whisked through an snow-covered forest of Christmas Trees by our personal tour-guide-elf to Santa's cabin (ssshhh - it was one of 6 such cabins operating on that day) where we waited to see Santa.

And indeed Santa lived up to the description laid down in the well known poem "The Night Before Christmas", with rosy cheeks, and twinkling eyes, and a belly that jiggled like a bowl full of jelly. It was at this point that Noah's awe and excitement turned to logical practicality,

"All done Santa. No fine. Bye Bye Santa."

But with some coaxing and encouragement - and two eager parents - Noah reluctantly agreed to sit next to Santa with Mummy and Daddy for a photo. He eagerly waved goodbye to Santa and kept a firm grasp of the badges he was given by the resident Cabin elf. He talked about seeing Santa for the rest of the day, and about the train and skating bears.

It was a Santa experience we were all happy with - well except for Nathan who had to stand in line for 40 minutes to buy the photos. But all in all, it was a great trip to the North Pole!