Christchurch Graffiti Art

September 27, 2007 | Filed Under Daily Photo | 10 Comments 

Graffiti. Art or vandalism? It’s a contentious issue, but if you were to contend that grafitti is in fact art, this example would certainly help your argument.

I’m not sure why, but I’m personally quite drawn to this type of drawing, perhaps its the vibrant use of colour.

The shot was taken from the Waltham Road over bridge which goes over the railway line. If you ever walk over it, look down and you will see there is a wall of quite stunning graffiti art running parallel to the train tracks. I also happened to find a great YouTube video of some Christchurch graffiti artists in action - in fact parts of the video look like they’ve been filmed near the the location of this picture (watch as one graffiti artist gets a little too close for comfort to an oncoming train).

Alice in Videoland Entrance

September 26, 2007 | Filed Under Daily Photo | Leave a Comment 

This is the entrance to Alice in Videoland with Charlie Chaplin cardboard cutout on the pavement. This is the place to go in Christchurch if you are after classic films or as their website says “art house, foreign, cult, classic, documentary and hard-to-find titles”. They’re located on the Cnr Tuam and High Streets. Website is www.aliceinvideoland.co.nz

Oh, and Christchurch residents take note! If you’re a member and register with their website, you can reserve DVD’s online and they will post them out to you with a reply envelope! Yes, lovers of good cinema never need to leave the house again.

Anzac Biscuits from my Kitchen

September 25, 2007 | Filed Under Daily Photo | 5 Comments 

Here’s a domestic Christchurch pic today, which covers the process of baking Anzac biscuits (made in my kitchen at home in Christchurch). It’s not Anzac Day (April 25th) but any day is a good day to bake Anzac Biscuits.

Anzac biscuits are delicious and very popular Australasian biscuits (that’s cookies for the Americans) that were apparently based on a Scottish Oatmeal Biscuit. I always make mine with Coconut and throw in some sultanas and dried fruit - which makes them extra yummy.

I make my Anzac Biscuits from the Edmonds Cookbook recipe (shown in the photo below). As you might be able to guess, my Edmonds book is covered in baking splodges (and a few notes)!

I think one top secret to making a really good Anzac biscuit, is to make sure that the golden syrup and butter mixture is quite hot when you add the baking soda so it’s really frothy.

Syrup and Soda mixed together - nice and frothy

Next step is folding the frothy syrup mixture into the dried ingredients.

The mixture is quite wet and roll into balls really easy. Then just press them down a little (but not too much). Bake for about 15 minutes depending on how hot your oven is. I take mine out when they spring back from the touch - they are usually still quite soft but harden up once cold.

Hungry yet? This was the final product and I made three dozen. I’m taking them into one of my client’s offices for an afternoon treat, though I had to taste test a couple, just to make sure they were up to my high standard!

And, here’s the recipe I used - from the Edmonds Cookery Book. By the way, you can buy the cookery book online from Whitcoulls a New Zealand book store.

Oh, and if you have a crack at making them, leave me a comment about how it went!

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