Buttermilk scones

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

With typically good timing I came down with a fever just as I reached Galway, Ireland’s party capital. I soldiered through yesterday, with a daytrip through The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare (photos to come), but today has been all about bed rest. Oh, and scones. There’s only so many hours one can lie warm in bed before the urge to battle through wind, rain and subzero temperatures to the nearest Tesco, in order to procure baking soda, becomes overwhelming.

Buttermilk scones

Makes about eight medium sized scones.

  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 3 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 40g butter, cubed
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup water
  • jam and whipped cream, to serve

Preheat oven to 180ºC. Sift together flour, sugar and baking soda. Add butter, rubbing into mixture with fingertips until crumbly consistency. Add buttermilk and water, and stir until just combined. Spoon onto a greased tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until firm and just crisp on the outside. Serve with whipped Irish cream and strawberry jam.

I would have taken photos, but we ate them too quickly.

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Two days in Dublin

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009


I’ve learned my lesson about leaving cover without an umbrella. The Irish rain takes no prisoners.

Dublin’s a friendly city. Strangers have been wishing me a good morning – although I’m not sure whether this is due to the innate hospitality of Dubliners or simply because I smile them down until they say something.

Apart from some strike action that rendered most of the city closed yesterday, I’ve been having a great time. I follow my usual tourist tactic: rambling through inner-city streets until something catches my eye or I get hungry. Despite my best efforts, I’ve yet to get completely lost. Highlights so far are the Caravaggio room in the national gallery, swans at Stephen’s Green, and a pint of Guinness at the top of the Guinness brewery.

Catching the train to Galway in about an hour.

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Launch!

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Dinner party a moderate success. Noted high correlation between vegetarianism and absenteeism.

Just about to jump on a plane!

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A beginning

Friday, November 20th, 2009

First, a quick catch-up from where I left off: I’ve been home, in Brisbane, for nigh on ten months. I’ve completed a year of a nursing degree without killing anyone – and promisingly, I’m convinced that I’m doing the right thing, and that I’ll actually stick around long enough to graduate, this time.

Along with study, I’ve spent the year making new friends, taking photographs and mastering the art of wok-cooking.

My aims for this blog are several-fold:

  • I want to journal the experience of being a student nurse in Queensland’s healthcare system, although as my name is featured in large type rather prominently on every page of the blog, I’ll be trying to avoid making comments that’ll get me sued/fired/stalked.
  • A showcase for my photography. I occasionally produce work I’m happy with. You’ll see it here.
  • Recipes. I’m working on a book, and many of my recipes and associated photographs will be proofed here.
  • Writing. I remember a time when I actually enjoyed producing prose and poetry. This was probably before I was required to APA reference every statement I make.

I leave for Dublin in two days time.  The night before I fly, I’m hosting a steamboat dinner-party for friends I haven’t seen in weeks, thanks to my exams and hospital practicum. I’ll reach Dublin on Monday morning, and after a little under a week exploring Ireland I’ll cross the sea to Edinburgh, for a long-awaited reunion with my beautiful girlfriend, Hannah.

Can’t wait. I’ll keep you posted.

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