How To Cook Roast Chicken On The Cadac And Other Nonsense!

Well, where the heck did that week go?

One minute Im eating pancakes the next its friday, late in the afternoon and nearly beer o'clock!

Its a scarey thing this time thing, it seems to just vanish into thin air. Once its gone its gone, you cant get it back, ever.

This week Ive been down in Bournemouth every day. This does mean that I get nothing done for myself. The challenge this week has been trying to organise some one who admits to being the worst organised person in the world!

Under normal circumstances we get by, but add on top the fact that he is moving house, has meant that all my energy has gone into trying to keep a level head whilst total chaos surrounds me! Not an easy challenge. I must also point out that the gentleman in question suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, Autism and some sort of "ism" where by he cant sit still and flits from one thing to another every 60 seconds!

What this guy has done has used his time wisely and built a website called http://lifebeyondlabels.com/ its designed for people like him who have been labelled throughout their lives. He himself wasnt diagnosed till his late 40's!

I should also point out that its not just for people with similar conditions but anyone who feels that they have been labelled in some way.

The website is live, but it is still under construction, with alot of rough edges, but please take the time to have a look, of course any feedback would be great to hear!

Ive taught autistic kids to drive, it was a massive challenge but all went through and past their tests. Two passed first time! I think this is why I get on well with this guy as you need to be aware of the condition and how easy it is to confuse issues.

I must admit I find working with him extremely hard work, but also very enjoyable.

So thats been my week, exhausting! How about you what have you been upto?

Tonight, roast chicken is on the Cadac! Its been on 20 mins and looks like its doing well. Im cooking it breast down for 30 mins then flipping it over, and leaving it till its done. I did drizzle some olive oil over it to help it on its way.

Its sat on the Cadac pan stand and in a metal baking tray from IKEA. Fits perfectly.

Is there no end to what you can cook on the Cadac! If anyone has any suggestions then Im all ears. I love cooking, especially if it involves cooking for others and having a drink at the same time!

Just "M" and I here this weekend, no guests, yet!

We have decided to move on Sunday, we have booked a site no more than 2 miles away for a couple of nights then the plan is to come back here again! Im looking forward to trying out the new awning!

We are going up to sit with the site owners tomorrow and work through the summer diary. Summer is a bit hectic what with all the shows, so if we can book in now, we will know exactly where we are! Or rather where we should be!

I know I keep going on about the summer, but I cant wait, its been a very long winter!

Just turned the chicken, my, it looks good! "M" due home any second she is supposed to be doing the veg! So hope she hurrys up!

"M" home and straight into action, parsnips now joining the chicken! very cosy!

Tomorrow, being Saturday, Ive got to get some things ready for shipping out, then packing up the awning and my office! Not a job I enjoy, but its got to be done. The awning always looks so much bigger when its empty! Then over 28 days we fill it with junk!

Just on a bottle of Whitstable Bay Organic Ale, very good indeed. Brewed by http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/ Just right for sitting out in the awning in the chilly evening air watching a chicken slow cook! Mind you Ive watched worse things!

We have a dilema in June. Do we go to Canford Magna Vintage weekend, or to the Royal Signals Association reunion. Not sure what to do, Either way we are in the van so thats no problem. Must admit I like the idea of the reunion, all though it would be an extremely messy weekend! Seeing people who I havent seen since the mid 80's! Im still in touch with alot of people via facebook. Some amount of drink will be flowing that weekend!

Just heard on the radio its snowing up north, and here we are in the glorious south (ok grey skys) cooking outside! Glad we live down here!

Just had a check on the chicken, its looking good! The smell is amazing, cant wait as Im bloody starving! Just wondering what our neighbours think. I can see me in the middle of winter wrapped up and cooking outside! It really is a good piece of kit! We have been cooking the chicken on its lowest setting.

Another caravan has arrived, I dont see anyone else on site cooking outside!

China dog is going mad in the awning throwing around my tweed flat cap! Not the best use of my hat, but it will give it character!

Now on Goliath by http://www.wychwood.co.uk/ another fine ale! Guess I wont be doing any work this evening then!

So whats happening about your book I hear you ask! Well, its been sort of put on the back burner, not through lack of interest, but purely through lack of time! I know I should try and do a little each day, but, there always seems to be something that requires my attention.

Over the weekend, probably on Sunday evening when we are settled in Im going to sit down and try and schedule in all the elements Im writing about and put that to a time frame. So realistically it will probably be May before it see's any sort of order.

I have made a start on it, with it all planned out and some of the elements even completed! Its just a case of picking a subject, and writing about our experiences with it.

We will get there, when Ive made some progress Ill update you all.

Praying that the rain stays away, I dont mind moving at all, but it does make it a bit more difficult in the wet!

The site we are going to is only down the road, for us its a bit of a posh one at a cost of £12pn incl EHU. Its got showers, a shop and a laundry! We wont know ourselves mixing with the posh campers. Its still only a small site though! We fancied a change, so for two nights we thought we would give it a go.

Our budget this year is £12pn incl hook up. If we have to spend more for the odd night we will, but at the moment we dont see any reason why we should.

The chicken is cooked perfectly and is now resting, whilst the roast potatoes are given a quick blast on the cadac!

This is an extra special meal tonight as this will be our first roast chicken we have cooked since going full time! Roast beef, pork and lamb are fine in the caravan oven, but a chicken takes up a bit of room!

For some strange reason blogger wont allow me to upload a picture! So will have to add it later!!

Till later.......................

Pancakes In A Caravan - Now Thats A Challenge!

Pancake day today! A time for using all your leftovers up, thankfully with a small fridge there doesnt tend to be alot of leftovers at any time!

We cooked some chicken using the BBQ element on the cadac this evening, "M" did a wonderful salad with olives and pickled bell peppers stuffed with soft cheese! Very tasty.

Then the pancakes. Now, under normal circumstances you tend to have a bit of headroom to be able to flip your pancakes successfully. However, in a caravan with the roof being some what lower this does pose a problem. Mind you "M" is not much taller than a hobbit so no accidents. I did think that there was always the option of standing under the sun roof and flipping them up through that!

Spent the afternoon in Bournemouth, and then back at the caravan where I carried on working till late this evening!

Tomorrow Im back in Bournemouth again for around 1200 hrs. It just seems there is always so much to do!

We still havent decided when we are leaving here, thankfully the site owners are flexible and dont mind what we decide which is great. We are intending to do a very short stay somewhere close then move back here again. Whilst we are away we will get chance to try out our new porch awning!

Ive also got to get on and sort out the show applications, time seems to be flying! We are in March all ready. I printed them off in January!

We will be shortly coming up to our 200th consecutive night in the caravan! Another milestone under our belts! Sounds alot doesnt it? 200 nights!

Im glad though that we started our adventure the time of year that we did. Personally I wouldnt be keen on spending a spring and summer in the van, getting used to easy/warm conditions then having the shock of winter. At least we more or less went into winter, and now have the summer to look forward to!

The BBQ season for us has all ready started, and long may it continue!

Just remembered I still havent sorted out tyres for the trailer either! My to do list is getting longer and longer!

Well, time is dragging on and "M" is up early tomorrow, has to open up the shop at 7.30am! A bit on the early side for me, but its amazing how much more I get done by getting up that little bit earlier!

So till later..............

Karma - Found, Lost, Off To Find It Again!

Monday morning and a frosty start to the day, but the sun was shining, what a great start to the day! My Karma is good!

Myself and China dog headed for Shaston with a quick stop at Wingreen Hill where we had a walk up to the top of the hill. It really is spectacular up there, the views are amazing!

Spent the day listing antiques, very uneventful, a couple of interesting things passed through my hands, but nothing to really shout about!

Headed for home at 1800 via my lockup where I dropped off 3 boxes of books, I didnt want to be lugging them around during our next move!

We then stopped off at Wingreen Hill to give China dog a good run. I normally take my camera everywhere, but today with the most amazing sunset I forgot it!

Up in the carpark was a camper van, obviously setting up for the night! I personally dont have a problem with this as long as no rubbish is left, what harm is there?

Ive seen a few campervans stop over up there and by the time Im back in the morning they have always moved on.

I think that will be the direction that "M" and I take in around 10 years time! Campervan and off we go!

Didnt fire up the Cadac tonight. Instead "M" cooked up a really good spag bog, does anyone else have grated cheese and salted peanuts on theirs? "M" thinks Im weird for liking that. If you have never had peanuts on it you should do!

Tomorrow Im off down to Bournemouth but not till late morning, spend the day there, then I should find out if Im working there again this week!

I did hear that snow may be coming this weekend! Not looking forward to that! Especially as we are due to move, we may have to put it back a few days, as our official 28 days isnt till Wednesday week. So we do have  a bit of leeway if the weather turns nasty!

One of the great things about the way that I work is its total flexibility. If I need a day off, I just have one. No boss to moan at me, no holiday entitlement to use up. In saying that though you have to remember that there is also no sick pay. Hence Im never ill!

Petrol prices - just dont get me started! I really am starting to get a tad annoyed by the high price of fuel. I dont have an answer, but something really does need to be done. Why are prices going up? Civil unrest in Libya? The other Arab states deciding that the west should pay higher prices? or our Government being greedy with the applied tax? or a combination of all of these. One thing is for sure its starting to hurt the ordinary guy in the street.

It affects us all, even the eco freindly green tree hugging hippy non drivers, the cost of every day essentials is rising as a result. So what is the answer, would love to hear your comments!

On that note Im off to stand out in the cold for a few minutes, look at the stars, and regain my karma!

Till later..................

Gone Cadac Crazy!

We or rather I have gone Cadac crazy! If it can be cooked on the cadac, and lets face it nearly everything can, its gone on it this weekend.

Friday evening was a trial run before our friends Sharon and Dave arrived, so Saturday morning I had a go at bacon and eggs - perfect!

When our friends arrived later on in the day, we fired it up and cooked 4 huge pieces of chicken, and it managed to do it perfectly with out burning it to death! Brilliant! We also did some steaks, again no probs, then we did some bannanas in their skins later on. Once more no probs at all.

Cleaning it all up takes seconds so that is also a bonus!

This morning being Sunday, our friends stayed over in the front of the caravan, I cooked loads of sausages, bacon, tomatoes and it cooks eggs wonderfully! All though you do need to have it level to get the best results or the eggs slide to on side!

This evening the fish cakes, potatoes and veg is all on it once more - it really is that good!

The weather is supposed to be good again tomorrow, chicken on the cadac then!

Im up in Shaston all day, "M" is back to work, we really do need to sort out where we are going as our time is up here on Sunday! Another 28 days done and dusted!

Today we were supposed to go out and recce some sites, but it just didnt happen. I ended up doing 5 hrs work, and "M" went off to the laundrette.

I think Im in Bournemouth most days this week so very busy!

So all in all a good weekend, the cadac got a good work out, so if you are thinking of getting one, go and do it, they really are worth it.

Till later..............

1st BBQ Of The Year! Cadac Carri Chef Review

Cadac Review


I managed to finish off in Bournemouth just after lunch time on Friday, made my way back to the caravan, realising that I had left something back in Bournemouth, so turned around and went back to get it. An extra 24 miles onto my journey - very annoying.

By the time I had got back, "M" who had had the day off was in full flow washing the bedroom curtains and spring cleaning the bedroom!

The sun was still shining, and it was a lovely day, not the sort of day where you wanted to start on anything substantial. So I sorted out some paperwork which needed doing, and that was it!

As it was lovely, we decided a quick trip into Morrisons which is around a 10 minute drive was needed to buy some meat for the BBQ and give it a trial run before Sharron and Dave get here on Saturday afternoon for an afternoon/evening of eating and drinking!

We bought some steak, pork chops and some lamb chops. We had some baby sweetcorn and I bought a large tin of new potatoes. Now this is the only time I will admit to buying tinned veg! The reason is they are partially cooked, and of a size that makes BBQing easy.

The Cadac was all ready set up, all I had to do was to connect the hose. This is one of the things that didnt come with it. We had to buy seperately a hose, two jubilee clips and a push fit connector for the hose. The caravan has a quick release valve on it.

All set up, turned on the gas and hey presto! We are in business. The only thing I would say is that you cant see, or rather I couldnt see if the gas was lit or not. The other thing is the control of the gas, the same as on a gas cooker, when you turn it the wrong way it goes off. Sounds obvious, but on a gas cooker you can see the flame go out. On a Cadac you cant.

It took a couple of minutes to heat up the griddle, but once it was up to temperature it cooked the food wonderfully. Very evenly cooked and it tasted great. The lid has a little hook on its inside that you can hook over the rim of the Cadac when your not using it. Very handy. We found due to the air temperature not being exactly a mid summers evening that it was best to cook with the lid on. Unless of course you were wanting a slow cook.

The cadac spatula that we bought at the same time has a magnet in the handle for sticking on the side of the cadac. The only thing I found with this was when laid on the table, I went to pick it up and I ended up looking like a crane at a scrap metal yard as a knife and bottle opener had attached itself to it! Not good when you are juggling a bottle of becks, pitta bread and trying to get various metal implements off your spatula!

We ended up having pork chops rubbed in Chinese 5 spice, a piece of fillet steak each, new potatoes and baby sweetcorn both done on the griddle. I also had a pitta bread warmed as well. "M" knocked up a quick salad of various types of lettuce/rocket leaves with baby tomotoes. All washed down with a few cold beers. The lamb chops remained in the fridge! Thats because I am very aware of the Governments idea that we should only be eating a small quantity of red meat per week - My Arse! I couldnt fit any more on my plate!

The other important thing we noticed was that it cooled down really quick, within 30 minutes of closing it down you could lift the griddle off with your hands ready for a wash in the sink!

So all in all, a great bit of kit, that looks well made and certainly works well using the griddle. So yes a good investment.

Today being Saturday its going to be used again! I can see it getting alot of use, as you can do so much with it.

We will update as we use the other pieces, bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning - no prizes for guessing where they are going to be cooked!

Ive included a few pics below!

Simple Cadac  Kitchen Set Up

Fillet Steak Ready To Go

China Dog Guarding The Blackthorn!

This was the view from the Cadac!

"M" Overseeing Proceedings - China Dog In Door Behind!


You can check out the price by clicking on this link CLICK HERE

Till later.........

So What Do You Do All Day?

So what do you do all day? Its a question that is sometimes asked of me, by those who are mystified as to how I earn a crust. So I thought today I would try and jot down as I go exactly what I do.

It may then give an insight into my day, how I spend it and above all what I actually do for a living!

So as the day technically starts at 0001 hrs Ill go from then.

0400 bursting for a wee, managed to stand on belt buckle which brought me to my senses rather quickly as I stumbled around the bed to the loo! Psst goes the airfreshner, thankfully Im out of range, but its a reminder, its as if its saying Im watching you big boy and Im going to get you!

Then remained awake for just over two blasts of the damn thing, so thats an hour! I nearly got up but when the alarm went at 0630 I was in deep sleep with China Dog snuggled up between us. This isnt where she goes to bed, its just that shes crafty enough to creep up onto the bed during the dead of night!

"M" is up just before 0700 and its a mad rush to get herself ready and be off to work for 0800.

Meantime Im sat at the laptop, checking on various ebay accounts making sure everything is as it should be, then there is the blog to check on, Twitter and email account.

Whilst drinking my first cuppa of the day, I try and read a few blogs and comment if Im feeling witty enough, which is rare! Then I start to think of all the things I have to do today.

0820 sat in my dressing gown typing this, about to go off and do my ablutions, then take China Dog for her morning outing. She is not a morning dog, currently curled up sound asleep on our bed and unless called wouldnt move from there until at least 1000!

Today I could be going into Bournemouth later to get a number of antiques and collectibles ready for shipping. Its probably the job I dislike the most, but it you sell them, you have to send them! I say could, as the person Im supposed to be seeing broke down in Manchester last night, so it all depends if his car can be fixed or not! Will find out more as the day goes on.

Plans for the day though are to check tyres on trailer, something Ive been meaning to do for a while now, then write more descriptions on some mid C20th Pakistani Costume/Dance Jewellery. Ive got postcards that Ive sold that require sending out as well.

Ive then got to get ready a load of images. I scan in 4 postcards at a time, then by using photoshop I duplicate and crop to individual images, then I resize them so that they can be easily uploaded without using to much of my allowance. These are then described and scheduled to be sold. I use Turbolister to list items on ebay, its alot quicker all though it does have its faults.

So all in all a busy day, so will keep you informed as to how well Im doing as the day progresses! Off for a shower!

Back again, Showered and dog walked, breakfast of crumpets and jam! Run out of bannanas so not eating weetabix with nothing sweet, may as well go eat cardboard!

Sat down to the laptop inside the caravan at 0910 and printed out all the paperwork and got 7 postcards ready for postage. May relocate to the awning later but still a bit nippy out there.

Taken a couple of phonecalls, not going to Bournemouth now, instead heading down for 0800 tomorrow morning!

Just about to make a brew and then print out packing slips for the things that sold last night.

1122 all printing now done 19 items require shipping, they are going to the UK, Holland, Germany, China, Brasil, Greece, Portugal, USA, Canada, Australia and Poland! So a diverse range of countries. Some of these will be sent out using Royal Mail, others due to weight/size will be sent out using couriers.

Various emails have also been dealt with over the last hour.

Im now going to sit and edit the scanned in images of the postcards, the jewellery can wait. Im in a postcard sort of mood! I enjoy reading the backs of them, most say normal things but every now and again you get a personal or touching note. A message that often crops up is someone lets say on a Monday, sending a postcard saying they will be with the recipient tomorrow (Tuesday) at 12 o'clock. In the days before telephones were common, thats how it was done. But could you be sure that the card would get there in time today?

Its something I might just try out!

In 1902 you could, so with all the technical advances we have made, what has gone wrong!?

1422 now, Ive edited the postcards and am now describing them, the batch I have at the moment are nearly all from Dorset, 75% being black and white with a 50/50 split pre 1945 or post 1945.

But just to break the day up, a quick trip down to Three Legged Cross post office. When I get back Ill wizz up and empty the cassette, easy here as its a raised drain, so no bending over and risking loosing hats or glasses!

Then a brew!

Whilst at the post office I went to buy a kitkat, but luckily saw the price - 68p -  less calories for me, but what a bloody rip off!

Got back to the van, opened up the door, reached in to put the keys on the side without standing on the steps, and yep psssssssst right in the face! Its an intelligent life form, Im sure of it! Checked the movement sensor and its off! Its just a nasty bit of kit!

I hasnt been making me jump as much today, but I wouldnt want to be holding a hot cuppa when it goes off. Now thats done it, thats whats going to happen next isnt it!

The loo emptying went well, now being an expert of getting more in the drain than over me! Also remembering the trick of keeping you mouth closed, those lumpy splash backs dont taste good! Its also not a good look having a spec of loo roll stuck in your stubble!

Oh well, break over, back to the postcards......

Time no 1812, "M" has gone off straight from work to see her son down in New Milton so wont be back till later, Ive just uploaded 34 postcards, I may even get a few more done later, but doubt it as there are a few other things I want to get done concerning the blog.

Ive also got to wash up, as I normally do it and there are still last nights plates to do! So need it all ship shape before "M" gets back!!

Its only just got dark here, you can still see just about, roll on those light evenings!

So thats been my day - exciting wasnt it! NOT! But hey Im sat in a lovely location doing something I enjoy!

And it earns me a crust, Postcards variably sell from 99p to £36 so its just a numbers game. The more you do the more you earn, it really is that simple. Ive also got 30+ Chinese & Japanese hardwood vase or bowl stands currently on ebay, if your interested you can find them on ebay.co.uk my users name is bakers-cottage just click on the link and it should take you straight there.

This evening Im planning to do some behind the scenes work on the blog, which consists of advertising, looking for sponsors, updating the links and general publicising the blog. Its all go you know!

So off now to tidy up, cook my tea, Chilli and pasta, then crack on.

Till later.............

Airwick Airfreshner Trauma!

Yesterday "M" brought home this all singing and dancing airfreshner, its an Airwick Freshmatic Just as well as we had mackerel for tea and to say that the caravan was smelling a bit fishy this morning was an understatement.

Now, this air freshner can be set to do two things, either give a blast every 30 minutes or everytime you go by, it as it has a sensor that picks up when you move and gives a blast.

Sounds good doesnt it? Well, in a house where its up on a shelf or somewhere else and not right under your nose Im sure they are fine.

I tried it with the movement setting, but I now smell of wild jasmine! each time I went by it, it got me.  It was a bit like Inspector Cleuseu and kato, the air freshner being kato! In a house you could walk around or at least out of its reach, but in the caravan there is no escape! As Im not exactly built for limbo that was out as well!

Then I switched it over to the once every 30 minutes mode. Great, but every 30 minutes it makes me jump as Ive either been unable to work out what the hell the noise was, or, thought we had a gas leak!

So every 30 minutes today Ive jumped a mile, but thats not the worst of it!

Its up next to the sink, where this morning I was chopping up my bannana to have on my weetabix (hows that for healthy) when the 30 minute blast got my bannana fair and square as I was chopping it into my bowl! Wild Jasmin flavoured bannana is not good, and it was the last one so had to have it! So I naturally turned it away, (not thinking) as I wouldnt be still standing there in 30 minutes time. But, then 30 minutes later I get a blast, yep into my left ear as I was sat next to it!

I would never of thought that a harmless air freshner could cause me so much hassle!

Its not smelling so fishy in here now so it may have to reside in the awning! Its been a lovely day so Ive had the sunroof open, all though at the time of writing this 1705hrs its starting to get a bit nippy so will be shutting it shortly!

"M" due home any minute which will be great, as we have run out of milk and Im gasping for a brew!

Till later............