Some more work on the Couta Boat

Ribs almost finished. Will now need to work out how to cut the center-board slot in the keel.

Went to Queencliffe Maritime Museum to check out more details on Aerial and found that they have and additional exhibit - this one is a recently built 1" to 1 ' replica of Maud. Looks very nice. The builder has an exceptional eye for detail.

Also for $20 got a set of plans of Hero. These plans are in greater detail that those I am using. They give deck layout, so will be very helpful at this time of the build.

A Couple of Chisels get a new Life

Clive gave me a couple of logs of a eucalypt tree (I think it might be yellow box) he had planted in his back yard (ohh?) 100 years ago, which had died (about 15 years ago). I cut several pieces for him to make up some boxes and turned one piece for a handle for an old Ward chisel. - Its the one on the left. Given the finished colour it's hard to believe it is lying on a slab from the original log. The other handle is made from a piece of peppercorn from a tree just down the road from where we live.

Both are green, so it will be interesting to see if they survive drying out without cracking.

Gaye gets a Garden Step

Couta Boat Model Update

After many months gather dust, I dug out the couta boat and tested various timbers for the ribs. I think I will settle for the NZ kari. It bend well after a little boiling in water. I tried some sassafras, but it doesn't like to be bent al all.

A Home for Maddie's Little Monkeys

Sue gave Maddie the little monkey skittles. They have lots of personality - too much to live in a bag, so I made up a more permanent home and display for the.

Started with a piece of Cyprus Pine I slabbed with Mike Alston about 35 years ago in Bacchus Marsh.

It is a lovely piece of timber to work. I would normally have cut the trenches for top and bottom with the electric router. Now days I prefer the quieter hand cut methods.

Here are the little monkeys on display

The replacement ball has a 'deliberate' bias  so when playing skittles with the girls I will have a little advantage.

WHen I was waiting for the glue to dry I practised my 'lapped dovetails'.

Poulet Cocotte Grandmere

After being rude to Gabriel G all these years, I have finally cooked one of his recipes. This one from the Tour de France. Rather tasty I must say.

Grandmother's chicken casserole recipe (poulet cocotte grandmère)

Ingredients

3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp butter
4 free-range chicken drumsticks
4 free-range chicken thighs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 brown onion, diced
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp rosemary sprigs
150g bacon, diced
100ml white Macon wine or other chardonnay
300g baby mushrooms, washed
4 medium potatoes, cubed

 View conversion table

Preparation

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and the butter in a wide heavy-based pan and brown the chicken pieces for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add the onion, bay leaf and rosemary and stir well. Add the bacon and cook for a few minutes.

Add the white wine and bring to the boil. Stir in the mushrooms, cover with foil and a lid and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes.

Heat the remaining oil in a heavy frypan and cook the potato cubes for about 15 minutes or until they are almost cooked. Transfer the potatoes to the chicken dish and mix gently and cook for a further 5 minutes to combine the wonderful flavours.

Serve two pieces of chicken on each plate with the vegetables.

If you enjoyed this Grandmother's chicken casserole recipe (poulet cocotte grandmère) then browse more French recipes, meat recipes, easy recipes and our most popular leek tart (flamishe aux poireaux) recipe.

Link to video:

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipe/14349/Grandmother's_chicken_casserole_(poulet_cocotte_grandm%C3%A8re)

Holiday in Nelson Bay

Will post a bunch of pics shortly.