Leveling Down

Kia ora Friends,

Following the government's announcement that we will be descending to alert level three our service will recommence on Tuesday 28 April — with some differences! Convenors, please check your inboxes for the latest important information from Barbara or read the full update here on our website.

As more businesses around the country slowly crank back into gear, courier drivers will play a huge part in our new contactless economy. They've always been crucial to BDS, but I wanted to acknowledge that while we catch up on our dispatches, they'll have the additional challenge of catching up on deliveries too. Aside from being patient and giving your driver a friendly wave from a safe distance, give this fun retro game a go to get an appreciation for the great work drivers are doing all over NZ.

In Lockdown Logistics you are an elite driver whose mission is to deliver essential parcels to homes in lockdown. Deliver as many parcels as you can before your shift ends — and don't pop anyone's bubbles!

Now, to more fun stuff...

Read

I've just finished reading new BDS title, Once Upon a River, and I really liked it. Here are my thoughts.

If you enjoyed Life of Pi (as I did) I think you'll really enjoy Once Upon a River too. A central theme is storytelling itself — and as the characters try to make sense of the unusual events, it asks you to decide which is the better story.

The tale is set in the Victorian era and begins at The Swann Inn on the banks of the Thames. An injured stranger arrives with a drowned girl in his arms, who later comes back to life. Local nurse, Rita Sunday, has never seen anything like it, though her scientific brain is determined to find an explanation. The patrons at The Swann begin to weave their own explanations for the girl's arrival and apparent resurrection, which are further complicated when three different families come to claim the girl as their long lost sister, daughter and grandchild.

Who does she belong to? How did she end up in the river? And how is it that she came back to life?

The book slowly gathers pace, drawing you closer to each of the characters and making you want to keep reading to see how everything fits together.

It was mystical without being too fantastical and I found it a wonderful escape from current reality.

Laugh

By now I'm sure we're all experts at staying home — and let's face it: For most of us level three will look a lot like level four.

So let's continue to relax and, if you have them, cherish the extra quality time with your pets — like this little girl, who seems to have developed a wonderful routine with her cat and dog.

Eat

Inspired by last week's simple recipe, I thought I'd share another favourite of my husband and I: Chocolate Caramel Cake. It's stupidly simple, but the results are delicious, and even if it goes wrong, it still tastes so right.

Take any chocolate cake recipe (or buy one of those box kits from the supermarket).
Pour half the cake batter into your chosen vessel and bake almost to completion.
Remove the first half from the oven and pour over caramel (I recommend Barkers Dulce de Leche, but Highlander Caramel also works).
Pour over the remaining cake batter and bake to completion.
I prefer this cake nude, but if you like, top with a chocolate ganache icing.

I once made this and the caramel kind of soaked into the bottom layer more than it was meant to, but holy moly was it tasty. This is why I say that even if it goes wrong, it's still right.

For the full cake 'n' shake experience, scroll down to this week's drink...

Drink

This week's beverage is the strawberry oreo thickshake. It's sweet, it's creamy, and it will have you rolling your way happily into level three heedless of the calories you've consumed.

INGREDIENTS

1 and a 1/2 cups of vanilla (or berry) icecream
1/2 cup milk (you can add more if you like a thinner shake)
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
4 oreo cookies

OPTIONAL

Add 30ml each of vodka and baileys for a boozy version

INSTRUCTIONS

Chuck the ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth. I like my shakes super thick, but you can add more milk if you like — just do it slowly because as you blend the ice cream and strawberries will liquify naturally.

TOP TIP

Let your ice cream soften a little before blending.

Guess the book & win

Folks, we have a winner!

The answer: Dear Mrs Bird

Congratulations to the winner of the $50 Kindle voucher: Dara Shearer, who was the first to email in the correct answer. Highly commended to the five other people who guessed correctly, but got in just after Dara — thanks for playing!

Cryptic Challenge

Each week, our very own Barbara Brown, author of the cryptics in the Your Weekend section of The Press and Dominion newspapers, will also be providing a cryptic clue. Email Renee your answer each week before the next issue where Barbara will explain the clue and issue another one. At the end of the four weeks, all correct entries received will go in the draw to win a mystery book parcel. The more correct entries, the more chances to win.

Your third cryptic clue was: A tirade following jet trips to get a BDS book (7,8)
_ i _ _ a _ _ _ o _ _ _ e _ _

The answer: Migrant Journeys

This is a charade clue. MIG = jet, RANT = tirade, JOURNEYS = trips (A tirade following jet ….)

Your fourth cryptic clue: Look after the doctor with Maori food and a BDS book (7)

Kia Kaha &
Stay Home

(keeping apart, together)

Renee and the BDS Team

Forward to a friend