Visiting the Locals

We are off on our way to say hola to the giant tortoises that live a few minutes walk from the house. One of the nice things about living at the Charles Darwin Research Station is being able to wander down the road to see what the tortoises are up to - which usually isn't that much, they are very slow movers. Where ever we go one of the kids always seems to have a stick. My kids come from a long line of stick carriers.












We don't get far before Rata has to stop and pick flowers.








The gate into the large male tortoise enclosure is a small swing gate with a few rock steps leading to it, I guess they can't climb steps so it is enough to stop them escaping.




















Over the lava rocks to see the giant lumps. You are not allowed to touch them or walk on their feeding platform. They spend a lot of time resting, sprawled out with their neck stretched out and their legs splayed as if they have just had a sudden overwhelming urge for a nap where ever they are.













This is number 53, he came ambling over to have a look at Felix. The tortoises are very used to people and largely just ignore them. As this one walked past it's toenails scraping on the rocks, we could hear it breathing like an old man.
















Tara was a little worried so she just needed to hold my hand for a bit.To Tara the tortoises must seem huge, I imagine for a moment seeing a tortoise nearly as tall as me.




















Off down the boardwalk to see the baby tortoises. The kids love to see them when they have been fed, standing at the fence a quiet munching can be heard as groups of tiny tortoises crunch their way through piles of leaves. Each little enclosure has a rock for them to shelter under and we think to practice climbing over obstacles. We have seen some that have fallen onto their back and watch them struggle to right themselves. We haven't yet seen one manage it and we are reluctant to leave until a keeper comes past and turns it over.












The best bit is climbing on the railing around the baby tortoise pens. We are amused by the tall fences for tiny tortoises and the low stone walls for the giant ones. Much harder to put a giant tortoise in your back pocket and take it home.

Art

Some of the beautiful creations from our art afternoons last week. The top painting was done by Tara, all the others are Rata's.

the magic flower

A story told by Rata.....


Felix saw a flower floating along the bench so he went over to it. It was a magic flower.
It went to the tree, it magic'd stuff like a peacock.
It floated over to Mum's computer and then it went all the way outside to a cactus.


We looked up this flower in our wildlife book. It is called a Lead Tree, it describes the flowers as delicate white balls and the seeds are produced in long pods. We will have to visit the Lead Tree later to look for seed pods.
Rata made the peacock on one of our art afternoons last week.

hot cross buns

Although Easter is celebrated here in the Galapagos they prepare a fish soup instead of hot cross buns. As much as we tried it was hard to get quite as enthusiastic about fish soup so we carried on our annual tradition of making our own hot cross buns. We invited our Australian friends to join us for coffee and freshly baked buns which were so successful that I made another batch to share at a BBQ. They were well enjoyed by the other international people living here so much so I am inspired to make them again soon. Easter does not need to be the only time to enjoy freshly baked spicy buns and they smell so good!














Here is the recipe from the good old Edmonds Cookbook. You need to allow a couple of hours so the dough has time to rise.

Hot Cross Buns
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon sugar (I used rapadura sugar)
1 tablespoon of butter
2 teaspoons active yeast
4 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of mixed spice (couldn't find this here so just added more cinnamon)
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (no luck finding this one either so even more cinnamon)
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 cup sultanas
3/4 cup currants
1/4 cup chopped mixed peel (once again these last three things were not available here so I substituted with raisins and some chopped dried fruity stuff)

Crosses
1/2 cup flour
6 tablespoons of water

Glaze
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon of gelatine

Heat milk until almost boiling. Stir in first measure of sugar and butter until butter melts. Set aside until lukewarm. Sprinkle yeast over and leave in a warm place for 15 minutes or until frothy. Combine 4 cups of the flour, salt, cinnamon and spices in a bowl. Stir in the second measure of sugar. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients. Pour yeast mixture in. Beat to a soft dough, adding more flour if the dough is sticky. Mix in sultanas, currants and mixed peel. Turn onto a lightly floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic or until dough springs back when lightly touched. Lightly brush the bowl with oil. Place dough in bowl. Brush top with oil. Cover and leave in a warm place until double in size. Punch dough down in the centre and knead lightly. Divide mixture into 16 even sized pieces. Shape into balls. Place buns 2 cm apart on a greased oven tray. Cover and leave in a warm place until double in size. Pipe crosses on each bun. Bake at 200 C for 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and brush with glaze. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 16.

Crosses
Mix flour and water together until smooth and able to be piped. More water may be needed. Place mixture into a small plastic bag. Snip across one corner to form a hole for piping. Twist top of bag to hold dough firm, squeeze to pipe.

Glaze
Put all ingredients in a saucepan. Heat until sugar and gelatine have dissolved, stirring constantly.

It's a start

I have started this to help me cope with homesickness while living in the Galapagos Islands.
New Zealand my homeland, and my special people, I miss it all so intensely.

Letters home will share some of our life here with you all.....