Buona Pasqua 2008!

Accompanied by amazing weather in nearly all regions of New Zealand, Easter is earlier than it has been in years. No complaints here because it gives the opportunity to get in some tramping in fine conditions as opposed to the ever-so-fun soggy slog it can be.

I made a return visit to Taranaki, a place I dearly love, and tramped the Pouakai Circuit. The scenery was breathtaking and the company (locals love to play in their National Park) along the way was as wonderful as ever. If you go, sit back and enjoy their knowledge of the area, it's better than any guidebook.

With the lights of New Plymouth twinkling below, the full moon illuminated the skirt of the mountain, playing off the silvery leaves, casting shape and shadow. I reclined on my pack holding a cuppa.. that's when Easter chocolate tastes best.

Photo of Taranaki to follow.

Happy Easter to all.
***********************************************************************

Where were you in 72?

If you were at the pub in Bannockburn, you'd be paying these prices..

Petit Munster

Petit perfection. As many flatmates (present and former) can attest, I love a good stinky cheese and much to some of their dismay, I am always willing to share.

Except maybe this wee cheese. At 125 grams, it is a tempting morsel but is still beyond what I would consume per sitting. Perfect with bread for two or three people.

This has all your typical munster characteristics. It is pungent and reminiscient of hay, sweet with a rich buttery mouthfeel and aftertaste. The cat's litterbox (!) was mentioned when I first removed it from its paper but that high 'barny' note soon became muted as it sat for about an hour prior to tasting.

The washed rind has a few slightly grainy crystals on the slightly sticky surface but nothing beyond normal.

Delicious.