Glamping - Camping Round Hill Style

You probably know that I'm not much of a camper, but I knew that I was in the right place when we drove up to the camping valet.  I'm not kidding - imagine driving to the local glam golf club, unloading your tent, sleeping bag and silky pj's into a golf buggy and having it chauffeur driven to your camp site.  This was followed by games for the kids, gourmet grill (BBQ) and star gazing.  

It so happened that we camped on the night of the Super Moon, and with some amazing equipment we saw a very big moon, Saturn and the International Space Station.

We also had our first experience of eating a Smore.  Imagine a thin sweet biscuit, a thin slice of chocolate, melted marshmallow (courtesy of our personal fire place on the golf driving range) and biscuit.  It is a gooey mess, but a camping treat.

The biscuit is referred to as a 'Gram Cracker'.  Spelt Graham, pronounced Gram.  I found this all a bit confusing, especially as one of Cameron's mates is called Graham, pronouned Gram.  So Gram did eat a Smore made with Gram crackers!

The morning after - Hayley, with Grace and Caitlin.  Buddies from the Club and School, gorgeous girls.

Golf Bugg - to return our sleeping bags to the Car Park!  Cameron and Hayley got to drive.

Monterey to Big Sur

Day 2 of the Monterey Road Trip took us to Pebble Beach, Carmel by the Sea and the Big Sur.  

The significance of the Pebble Beach Golf Links was lost on me, but Brad had a good time checking out the club and standing near the famous 18th hole.  The Club is (surprisingly) open to Visitors, and we enjoyed a great lunch overlooking the manicured greens.

Carmel by the Sea is a celebrity hot spot, Clint Eastwood was Mayor once.  It's a town to go back to, quaint and good shopping.  The Big Sur is a gorgeous stretch of the California coast with stunning views down to the Pacific.

Carmel Mission Basilica
P.S Its time to get Photoshop to edit out the extra visitor!

The trip home was interesting, and we drove through a huge farming area where many fruit and vegetables grow.  Did you know that Marilyn Monroe came from Watsonville, and she was the queen of the 1st Artichoke Festival?  95% of all artichokes distributed in the US are grown in Watsonville, how bizarre!

Road Trip to Monterey

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Our new car arrived a couple of weeks ago and last weekend was a perfect time to take a road trip.  The temperatures in Alamo were 105+ and to cool off people in this area head to the coast where it's cooler.  30 degrees cooler.  It felt very odd to head to the beach to escape the heat.

Monterey is ~115 miles south and the main attractions are Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  The Aquarium is one of the best in the USA, and our favourite exhibit were the Jellyfish.  Cameron's highlight of Monterey were the Paddle Boats.

Look closely, there is a fish in there!

Elote Asado (Grilled Corn Cob Bites with Chile & Lime)

My spanish is pretty much limited to 'Beunos Dias Josie' meaning Good Morning Josie (our cleaner) however I have picked up a couple of Mexican recipes.  This corn is great on the Grill (otherwise known to us Aussies as a BBQ).  Hope you like it.

6 large ears of corn, husked and silks removed
1/2 cup snipped fresh cilantro (coriander)
1 tablespoon ground ancho chile pepper
2 teaspoons finely shredded lime peel
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice

The corn in season at the moment is white corn, apparently sweeter at this time of the year.  I hope you can find the ancho chile pepper.  If you love a lime in your G&T this is the place to buy them - 3 for $1.

1 - Cut corn into halves or thirds, place in a large pot and cover with water.  Let soak for 10 minutes.

2 - In a small bowl mix cilantro, ancho pepper, lime peel and cayenne pepper.  Set aside.

3 - In a large bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream and lime juice.  Set aside. Note - the recipe suggests adding 1/4 cup melted butter, but I think it's nicer without.  The mayo and sour cream combo is delicious.

4 - Drain corn.  Place corn on the grill (not the hot plate), medium to high heat.  Cover and grill for 15-20 minutes or until corn is tender. Turn regularly and brush with some of the sour cream mixture during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

5 - Place grilled corn and remaining sour cream mixture in the bowl and toss to coat. Sprinkle cilantro mixture over corn. Season to taste with salt.

Makes 6 servings.

As to the famous Mexican beverage the Margarita, I'm on a self imposed ban.  The bartenders mix them pretty strong here.  No pictures required!