The Blowhole

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THE BLOWHOLE

It blows with a great big 'Oomph!' that startles all who hear it!

And its plume of water drenches anyone who may get near it.

The Blow Hole at Kiama is quite a tourist draw,

And when we were on the South Coast it was something that we saw.

The Aboriginal people knew about it from the start.

Though the Europeans 'discovered' it and thought themselves so smart.

In 1797 George Bass, of Bass Strait fame,

Made a note of the Blow Hole and registered its name.

Charles Jackson made a crossing, in 1889,

On a tightrope! And the Tourists thought this was pretty fine.

Since then it's been a focal point for visitors' satisfaction.

And still the great resounding 'Oomph!' is the Blow Hole's great attraction.

OOOMPH!

A much more impressive publicity shot!

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SOUTH AFRICAN RECIPE

TOMATO BREDIE

Thinking of the poor and needy,

I offer you Tomato Bredie.

South Africans originated

This dish, so very highly rated.

My version's simple to a fault,

Add things to make it more your sort.

(Garlic may appeal to you.

Add anything to this simple stew.)

Cook it slowly, that's the trick,

It wont be 'yum' if you're too quick.

Slice 'some' onions, that's the plan,

Then chopped tomatoes from a can.

Add lamb chops, the cheapest kind;

Fatty ones taste good you'll find.

Trim the fat but not the lot;

Fat adds flavour to this pot.

(This last, no doubt, will horrify you;

But wait! A plan; I'll run it by you.)

Pepper, salt, but liquid no;

Wait till the juices start to flow.

Have you a crockpot? Why not use it?

I have one and I always choose it.

Lots of time but not much heat

Makes a Bredie divine to eat.

You will earn a flash diploma

When the house fills with aroma.

Cooked? Then now's the time to chill it.

Put it in the fridge. Don't spill it!

When it's settled, overnight,

The fat will give you quite a fright.

It will lie on top like a sheet of plastic!

Take it off! Underneath's fantastic!

Fat free, ready for the greedy,

A glorious Tomato Bredie!

But, as the adverts say, 'There's More!'

A further tip from my kitchen lore....

After the family's meal is done

Won't you be the clever one!

So much liquid will be remaining!

Don't make the mistake of straining.

Buy a chunky can of soup,

Mix all together to feed your troop.

Cordon Bleu? Well, not precisely.

Fits the bill? Yes, very nicely.

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