Bhuira

I've been a fan of the Bhuira range of marmalades for some years now. Now available around India via stores such as FabIndia, it used to be available only in the small Giant (heh, heh) supermarket at Noida where I stay when in India.

Their marmalades are out of this world, especially the bitter orange marmalade and the 3-fruit marmalade that has the local kinoo fruit too. Very old-fashioned taste and old-fashioned presentation too: I was intrigued by the the thick plug of wax at the top of the jam in each bottle that is used to seal it off.


I find out now that they are made by a small enterprise started by Linnet Mushram. She is British born, married to a Kashmiri and has settled in Bhuira village in Himachal. Starting off by making these jams for herself because that's the way her mum did it, she was coaxed into making the operation more commercial. Now it seems, the business runs mainly as a way to help the women of the area be economically independent. Perhaps the next time I go to Himachal I might drop in on her and express my appreciation.

If any of you are coming to Sydney from India, be sure to pick up a couple of bottles of Bhuira Bitter Orange Marmalade for me.

powered by performancing firefox

Goodness

As an amused observer of the buzzword filled world of marketing types, I love the word 'goodness' that is used to describe most anything, especially breakfast cereals and things for kids. The only thing that's better than goodness is 'wholesome goodness'.

Well, I have finally found out that the meaning of 'goodness'- it is the smell and taste of my favourite muesli- Carman's Muesli.



It is by far the best muesli I have ever had and I have been looking for over 20 years.

They also have muesli bars that are moist and chewy and in the same flavours as the muesli. I like the red muesli bars but the green (untoasted) muesli as my breakfast cereal (one of the ingredients).

One quirky bit of trivia- when I first started buying them, they came with a big plastic clip inside the box to seal the plastic bag inside, once opened. Then they changed to giving a much smaller but still usable clip. But now, with the grocery chains no doubt squeezing their margins, they have done away with the clip altogether. No matter, it still tastes fantastic.

Just browsing through their website to update myself as I write this, I see that they have a very loyal following with people ordering this from distant USA among other places. It also seems to have become something of an export success story.

Their website is here and if you want to buy it, you can get it at Coles and Woolworths or from here.

powered by performancing firefox

Motorbikes, more on

I always wanted a motorbike when I was growing up in India- just like most urban teenagers. It seemed to be the ultimate in coolth and of course, essential if you wanted to attract the chicks....

Never did get one in college but I did end up buying one in Bombay where I was working for a year or so before moving off to Bangkok. What I really wanted then was a Royal Enfield Bullet 350cc but I think a) it was more expensive and b) there was a longish wait to get one.

So I bought a Yezdi (though I'd have preferred a Jawa). It was great! It reduced my commute from Andheri to Chembur by 30 minutes each way and, I believe, did get me the chick (singular, my first real girlfriend). We used to scoot around town having a drink here and a meal there and generally having fun.


When I moved off to Bangkok in 1981, I presented the bike to my brother. He still has it with him in the tea gardens of Assam where he is based and it still has the MMI 801 number plate (how, I do not know).

As I start on the path to get a motorcycle riders licence here in Sydney, I was surprised to find that Royal Enfield bikes are being imported here and sold here to enthusiasts. There even is a Royal Enfield Club for owners and enthusiasts.

I'm signing up. Maybe I will finally get the Bullet that I lusted for all those years ago!

powered by performancing firefox

Back to the future!

After years of dilly-dallying, I've finally signed up to start the process to get a motorcycle rider licence here. It's a long process involving a compulsory initial 7 hour training course that gets you a learner licence. As a learner you can only ride specific approved bikes, or as they say,

moderately powered motorcycles with an engine capacity up to and
including 660ml and which do not exceed a power to weight ratio of 150
kilowatts per tonne

There seems to be a profusion of tests, including the Driver Qualification Test, the Hazard Perception Test and the Motorcycle Operator Skill Test (MOST).

It seems that you need to hold the 'P' licence for at least 12 months before you can get a full licence. And in this period you are not allowed to ride after drinking (zero blood alcohol) and cannot carry a pillion passenger!

On the bright side, there seem to be some shortcuts for mature-age (over 30!) people who have held a car driving licence for at least 5 years.

My first training course is booked in for January 8 9....

powered by performancing firefox

Friday Unwinder

Since it's close to Christmas you might appreciate this clip from animated pop star Boymongoose- who is still complaining about his totally insufficient dowry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owK5tHjL0aE

He's an Aussie, by the way.

And those of you eagerly climbing corporate ladders- here is something you already know:

'till next week...

Tagra Raho!