Polly Drinks Liquid Malt-easer

Okay, so I know it's been a while since I last posted here. That's not to say that I haven't been busy elsewhere...

Croagh Patrick

Recently, we seem to have been doing a lot of activities with the Scouts. Namely since we returned after last years Summer Hols, we've been off camping at least four or five times. The most notable would probably have been those in the 'off-season' which is of course the Winter.

Our first camp was in October, when our Leader and I awoke to frost on the back of our tent thankful for the fact that we'd both brought our long-john's and the drop of Drambuie Mr B had put in our hot chocolate. Next was the February camp, when we woke to find frost on the tops of our boots inside the awning of our tent, and most recently the March camp when we were visited by glorious sunny weather during the day and freezing fog at night time. Oh the joys...

Ascent Of The Holy Mountain

Only last weekend, on Holy Saturday we'd ventured to the top of the Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo. Boys, oh boys! Did we ever, that was indeed a pilgrimage and a half; for the younger members of our troup it was little more than a spring jaunt up a big hill, while the older and less fit members will remember it for ever more. Yours truly took at least an additional 45minutes to mount the summit and was greeted with cheers and Mr B's special energy drink - Liquid Malteser's!

Ariel View Of The Reek

I don't know why I was cynical about this magical mixture, I shouldn't have been. After all, I am a great exponant of do-it-yourself medicines for all occasions. Not only was the drink warm, refreshing, welcome and tasty, without a doubt it did have magical properties that enabled me to descend the afore mentioned mountain. Admittedly I could hardly walk by the time I had reached the bottom of the 760-something metres and collapsed into the back of Gary's Atlantic Adventure Centre jeep in a very un-lady-like fashion, but hey, who's looking?

The secret of the Liquid Maltezer's is closely guarded, but I do know that it relies heavily on the presence of refined glucose powder, horlicks and drinking chocolate, all of which are decanted in their dry form into a zip-lock bag and carted up the mountain in readiness for weary travellers. Add to a large sprinkle of this mixture a generous portion of hot water, carried on the back of a trusty pack horse and mix with whatever implement is closest. Drink and enjoy.


Following a light, but calorie packed lunch, prepare oneself for leaping down the mountainside with all the nimble energy of the proverbial mountain goat while waving at a light aircraft emblazoned with the Irish Airforce colours (and yes, he did wave back!), so there...

Happy Easter!

Polly Pierce

Polly's Traditional Medicinal Hot Chocolate

Hot off the back of a weekend out in the wilds of Charleville Castle, this week has been sheer relief in the food stakes. No more Dunne's Stores Beef Curry boiled in a bag for me, or so I thought...

Our evening meal on Saturday had consisted of what I can only refer to pre-digested excreta containing lumps of beef, served with a tiny portion of boiled white rice. Each was given a choice of boil in the bag Beef Curry, Chicken Curry or Spaghetti Bolognaise for those of a weaker disposition.

The emphasis of the weekend being placed firmly on Camp Craft and NOT on cooking resulted in three lines of hungry scouts queuing up for sustenance as the light quickly faded. Considering the offending bags were still frozen solid and each billy can is only able to accommodate one meal at a time this proved to be somewhat of a challenge, but we survived!

Later in the evening, following a star lit hike through Charleville Forest one and all were cold and thirsty, needing something warm and sweet to ward off the imagined companions that'd accompanied us on our hike. Toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate for twenty proved to be just the thing to settle our troup down before bed...

Some five days later, having gladly left the meagre rations behind in the forest I am happy to report that I'm also dying with Coryza! (That's posh for a head cold...) After hours of sneezing fits, streaming eyes and half a box of tissues later I remembered the camp-fire hot chocolate and realised that this was just the cure required.

Admittedly it was just for me which of course simplified its preparation, as did the use of my trusty microwave oven. In just three minutes I was able to make the perfect medicinal hot chocolate. How? I used two teaspoons of Nutella in warmed milk and stirred it frantically for a few moments!

It may not be rocket science, but I can assure you that this rather odd way of making one of life's little childhood luxuries is A1! The hazelnut & chocolate spread can take a while to dissolve, although probably no more than conventional hot chocolate/drinking chocolate or cocoa. It also adds a touch of creamy luxury missing from most other attempts at making your own after ski chocolate drink at home.

There was only one thing missing from this afternoons mug and that was the shot of spiced Drambuie! As I still have to venture out to the school run, I am quite content to forego that particular pleasure, but it does add to what is already divine!

All credit goes to BB, my eldest son for the new method of spoiling oneself. Due to his absolute laziness/imagination there is a new family tradition to pass on to my grandchildren, assuming this horrid cold doesn't finish me off first...

Bon Viveur!

Polly
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