WEEKEND | 29-08-2015

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: P E O P L E : E A S Y E A T I N G : B O O K S : D I Y : G A R D E N : T R AV E L : E N T E R T A I N M E N T : F A S H I O N : H O M E

Weekend

DAD’S DAY: Matching beer and food, plus more inside

+ MUSIC BY

CLOCKWORK Jos h P y ke ta lk s about w r it in g his lates t alb u m b e t ween p res c h o ol p ic k-up s an d d rop -offs and h ow fa th erh o o d ha s c han ged him

+ TRAVEL //

W hy M o r o c c o w ill leave yo u e n c ha nted, wiser. . . a n d c lea n

Weekend

+ EASY EATING // Dan and Steph’s watermel on and mi nt popsi cl es

+ SCREEN LIFE //

Jo e l E d ge r ton pu l l s ou t a l l th e tri c ks i n h i s d i re c tori a l d e b u t – The Gift

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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Weekend

welcome // in s id e to d ay

Is beer the ideal recipe for happiness?

WEEKEND EDITOR Kir i te n Do l l e

D

O YOU tofu?

Inside today, meet the chef who claims he can convert a staunch meat-eater to eat the non-carnivorous substitute – with a beer of course.

Ross Dobson explores the marriage of food and beer in his latest book, which he describes as the recipe for happiness.

Beer pairing is no new concept. But with growing interest and demand in craft beers of late, you might say it’s going through a golden era. Beer is now the world’s third most consumed drink, after water and tea.

Dobson calls on research in his book that says beer alone can trigger a pleasure chemical release in the brain that has nothing to do with its intoxicating effects, while hops – a natural preservative which gives a beer its bitter flavour – is said to come from the same family as cannabis.

His tips: A hearty dish deserves a hearty brew, like slow-cooked lamb with a sweet, dark stout. Salty fried food is complemented by lagers and pilseners.

Like peaches and cream, Dobson’s delicious Peking duck pancake recipe inside goes down well with a crisp lager.

No carb counters welcome here – this is one for all the dads.

INSIDE: Spoil dad on Father’s Day with our gift ideas.

EASY EATING

TRAVEL

+ inside today READ // Josh Pyke talks about balancing

family life with a career in the music industry.

EASY EATING // Watermelon and mint popsicles – the taste of summer in an ice block.

SHOP // Father’s Day gift guide.

READ // How to unlock your child’s genius.

How to navigate your Weekend:

: We’ve colour-coded your magazine for easy reference.

Each section listed on the index page is coloured accordingly throughout. If you’d like to skip to Easy Eating, look for a yellow : symbol, or a magenta : symbol to skip to Home.

WHY NOT TRY

TRAVEL // Discover Morocco – the land

of enchantment. Plus, find out if it’s possible to bag a cheap holiday in Greece and at what price?

WHY NOT TRY // Flowboarding – are you up to the challenge?

HOME // Laundry tips to save you money.

YOU // Guy Leech’s secrets to a sexy summer body.

SCREEN LIFE // Joel Edgerton talks about his directorial debut, The Gift, and why it isn’t your typical stalker thriller.

MIND // Compassion – why it’s good for you and your relationships?

: ON THE COVER: Josh Pyke. Photo: Emma McEvoy. : CREATIVE: Kiri ten Dolle and Jen Gourley. : CONTRIBUTORS: Seanna Cronin, Alexia Purcell, Chris Calcino, Tracey Hordern, Maggie Cooper, Matt Sawtell, Regan Drew, Angie Thomas, Maree Curran, Megan Sheehan, Peter Chapman, Ann Rickard, Geoff Egan, Greg Bray, John Grey, Vani Naidoo, Roy O’Reilly, Rowena Hardy and Nick Bennett. : CONTACT US: weekend@apn.com.au : CONTRIBUTE: contributors@apn.com.au : ADVERTISING: Visit apnarm.com.au or contact your local sales consultant.

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rea d

+ Family life in harmony Awa rd - w i n n i n g s i n g e r s o n g w r i te r Jo s h P y ke str i ve s h a rd t o a c h i e ve wo r k- f a m i ly b a l a n c e , w r i te s S e a n n a C r o n i n

‘‘

J

OSH Pyke is a dad with a man shed of a different kind.

The ARIA Award-winning singer songwriter penned his fifth studio album, But For All These Shrinking Hearts, in his backyard studio.

The 50sq m shed is filled with instruments including drums, a piano and guitars.

It’s his workspace, separating his songwriting efforts from the daily routines of his young family’s Sydney home.

“It’s just about being able to have my own space and it is truly mine,” he tells Weekend.

“I can engage in that world and then walk back into family life.”

The 37-year-old has sons Archer, 4, and Augie, 2, with wife Sarah. The boys are allowed in the music shed when Pyke’s not working.

“The youngest, in particular, likes playing the drums,” he says.

“They’re both into music now and discovering music they like. Archer has always been obsessed with songs, while Augie is drawn to playing instruments. But he’s only two; the world is wide open for him. I’m certainly not going to push any expectation on what he’s going to do.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Pyke household is one filled with more than the typical preschool soundtrack of The Wiggles and Dora The Explorer.

“Holly Throsby’s children’s album is amazing. She’s a mate of mine and they’re really into that,” he says.

“Archer is also obsessed with the song Rio from the film (of the same name), and the song We Are Family from the film Ice Age 4.”

Archer can be heard singing in the song Hollering Hearts, from Pyke’s new album, when the song is listened to through headphones.

“He’s piping up in the left (side),” Pyke says.

“He’s super stoked about it.”

But the father-of-two draws the line at including specific references to his children in his lyrics.

“It’s one thing for me to expose things about myself in songs but I don’t think it’s fair for me to expose too much about them in songs,” he says.

“I do try to have enough imagery and metaphor that people will relate to a song as being about them even if it’s obviously about me.”

But For All These Shrinking Hearts marks a turning point in Pyke’s career as he makes the transition from independent artist to the roster of a major label (Sony).

He’s still active in the country’s independent music scene, though, through the Josh Pyke Partnership for unsigned musicians.

The move to Sony hasn’t changed anything creatively, as evidenced by the consistency in the sound of his latest release.

One thing fatherhood has forced upon his songwriting is structure.

Pyke set aside several hours each day to work on But For All These Shrinking Hearts in his shed in between preschool pick-ups and drop-offs.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

M u s i c i a n s a r e o f ten d r i ve n by e g o a n d at ten t i o n . Yo u c a n ’ t b e l i ke t h at w h e n yo u h ave k id s .

: One of Josh Pyke’s sons has a cameo on his new album, But For All These Shrinking Hearts.

PHOTO: EMMA MCEVOY

“Mentally, and for being a comfortably functioning person, structure is what I needed,” he says.

“Having that framework to work within has been good. It makes you more productive and makes you stay more present. In the creative industry it’s easy to disappear into your own mind.

“Walking back into family life, you can’t be dwelling in your own mind and thinking about esoteric concepts.”

His two young sons are still wrapping their heads around what it is daddy does for a job.

“It’s hard for me to quantify what I do to anybody let alone a little kid. They think that every song they ever hear is one of my songs,” he laughs.

“Archer was able to come to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra shows I did earlier this year and that was a really beautiful thing to be able to do so he can understand what it is I do for a living. I think it’s still a little bit odd for them.”

He says that work-family balance, especially when it comes to touring in support of a new album, is a goal he is constantly striving towards.

“It all (fatherhood) happened at a point in my career where it could happen,” he says.

“When I’m touring in Australia I’m only ever away for four nights a week in the peak periods, and that only lasts for four or five weeks. There are months when I’m just at home.

“I used to tour for five or six weeks at a time and I wouldn’t be home at all.”

But all that structure which makes life with two toddlers manageable doesn’t always fuel the creative process.

Pyke can’t just lock himself in the shed and pump out lyrics and melodies on command.

“Essentially what you’re doing is structuring time within which you hope lightning will strike,” he says.

“There’s still an element of magic and unpredictability. You’ve just created this space and time in which you hope it will happen.”

For a man renowned as a lyricist, he can’t help but fall back on clichés when speaking about how fatherhood has changed and surprised him.

“It’s a cliché, but the capacity you have for compassion and empathy and love is limitless,” he says.

“That’s definitely the surprising thing.

You basically become a servant to your children. I mean that in the literal sense but also you realise you’re there to serve these other humans.

“It’s no secret musicians are often driven by ego and attention. You can’t be like that when you have kids, if you want to do a good job at it.

“You have to give yourself fully to that world (of parenting) and it contains many, many surprises – all positive.”

Josh Pyke plays the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers on September 20 and the Caloundra Music Festival on October 2.

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read

DADDY’S JOB: Josh Pyke’s young sons are still unsure about his line of work – and think every song they hear is one of his.

: Josh Pyke’s album, But For All These Shrinking Hearts, is out now.

PHOTO: MICHELLE PITIRIS

Weekend

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ea sy eat in g PHOTO: GLEN DAVID WILSON

+ W I N E WORDS

wi th Re ga n D re w | v i n o n o tebo o k . co m

CHILL OUT WITH THESE HEALTHY WARM WEATHER TREATS

B

+ Once you pop, the fun doesn’t stop

RUCE Dukes is a native Westralian who has crafted wine in Margaret River for lauded wineries like Clairault, Knee Deep and Pierro for more than 20 years. Gold medals and accolades adorn his trophy cabinet. Now he’s taken the plunge with his own label, Domaine Naturaliste, named after the dominant landform in Margaret River: the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. Bruce has focused on what Margaret River does best, cabernet and chardonnay.

Domaine Naturaliste, Purus Chardonnay

Margaret River, 2013: Single vineyard. Aged in 40% new, lightly toasted oak. No malolactic fermentation (which gives that buttery, creamy note to chardonnay).

Fruit-driven, ripe peachy stone fruit, rock melon and grapefruit citrus. The deft oak brings a touch of wheatgerm and nougat. Zipline tight and poised. : Rating: 8.5/10 : RRP: $43 : Alc: 13%

T h e t a ste o f s u m m e r i n a n i c y- c o l d p o p s i c l e

Domaine Naturaliste, Artus Chardonnay

Margaret River, 2013: The cousin to Purus, this has had the winemaking works thrown at it. Barrel ferment with wild yeast, malolactic fermentation, 42% new medium toasted oak and aged for 12 months on its own lees.

Complex, funky and nutty. Creme caramel, struck match, tzatziki yoghurt. Broad palate of baked lemon cake and cashew, yet acidity still buzzes through full barrel flavours, like an electric charge in a suit of armour. : Rating: 8.5/10 : RRP: $43 : Alc: 13%

Domaine Naturaliste, Morus Cabernet Sauvignon

Margaret River, 2012: Named after the plant family of the mulberry tree. Sourced from a single vineyard, aged for 18 months in barrel and then 12 months in bottle .

Deep, plush blackberry and, unsurprisingly, mulberry aromas balanced by a lick of briny soy. Elegant, but not opulent. Just full bodied with dark blackberry/mulberry flavours blanketed with gunsmoke ash. Tannins are super fine and plentiful. : Rating: 9/10 : RRP: $85 : Alc: 13.5%. Find Domaine Naturaliste, for the moment, online at www.domainenaturaliste.com.au.

Watermelon Mint Popsicles

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E AT

wi th D a n a nd Step h M ulheron

W

E HAVE had such amazing weather this week. It’s starting to feel like spring, which means it is time to enjoy a change in produce and the food we are growing and consuming.

There is nothing better than having a tasty iceblock when the sun is shining, but how about making your own so you know exactly what’s in it?

These watermelon and mint popsicles are tasty, healthy and refreshing. Try them for yourselves and kiddies this weekend. If you don’t have iceblock moulds use plastic cups and paddle pop sticks.

Dan and Steph Mulheron won My Kitchen Rules in 2013.

Visit www.danandsteph.com.au or find them on Facebook – Dan & Steph – My Kitchen Rules and Instagram – danandsteph13.

Makes 8 INGREDIENTS: : 100g of caster sugar : 1 tbs of honey : 180ml water : 6 sprigs of fresh mint : 4 sprigs of fresh mint leaves picked and chopped : 900g of cut seedless watermelon : 3 tbs of fresh lemon juice.

METHOD: In a medium saucepan add sugar, honey and water.

Bring to the boil and allow the sugar to dissolve.

Reduce heat and allow to simmer until the syrup becomes slightly thickened (about five mins).

Remove from heat and stir in the mint sprigs. Allow to cool completely.

Drain syrup and squeeze the mint, then discard the sprigs.

Place the watermelon in a blender and puree. Pour into a bowl and then add syrup until you like the taste, add more if you like it sweeter. Stir in chopped mint and lemon juice.

Divide the puree evenly among your popsicle moulds or use some plastic cups and paddle pop sticks.

Be sure to leave some room at the top to allow for expansion Cover with their lids. Place in freezer until solid.

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Phone 1300 387 275 visit www.duraplas.com.au Proudly Australian owned family business manufacturing locally since 1984

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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ea sy eat in g FATHER’S DAY Beer and food feast ideas to inspire

: Food+Beer author Ross Dobson.

Shredded duck pancakes

+ Brew haha C o m b i n e f o o d + b e e r l i ke a b o s s t o m a ke d a d ’ s d ay

BY Kiri Ten Dolle

B

EER and food equals sheer happiness for Ross Dobson.

A slow-cooked lamb shoulder plus a stout – now that’s ultimate euphoria. The chef and restaurateur has just released his latest cookbook, Food+Beer – a culinary celebration of “one of mankind’s greatest inventions”. Just as food is paired with wine, Dobson serves up more than 80 internationally inspired recipes and marries them with the best brew to wash it down. “Nothing really cuts through salty, fried, fatty foods like the bubbly fresh fizz of a cold beer,” he says. “The carbonation cleanses the palate after a bite of deep-fried squid. The coldness will feel good against hot food... There are no wrong answers or hard-and-fast rules when pairing food with beer, although some combinations work better than others.” : Q: Can pairing a beer with a dish make it taste better?

A: I do think really acidic and liquid foods tend not to pair well with beer, like tomatoes, soup and tomato soup (wine is a better partner). But then, I don’t eat tomato soup. A beer can most definitely make food taste better and vice versa. There is a relationship between food and beer that is unique. A bit

like symbiosis in nature. One benefits from the other. : Q: What is your favourite beer-cuisine combo?

A: This would have to start with my favourite type of food rather than cuisine per se. How good is a curry? Indian and Thai are up there as are lesser known Malaysian and Indonesian curries. Fragrant, aromatic and creamy. I prefer creamy coconut-based curries. I can’t eat a curry slowly so I need a beer to keep up the pace. I’m as happy with an ale or lager with a curry. : Q. It’s a Saturday afternoon, what beer do you reach for?

A: This weekend I will reach for James Squire One Fifty Lashes. I am loving this beer right now. It is malty, wheaty, cloudy and really nails it. : Q: You’ve included a tofu recipe in your book – do you believe you can convert a staunch meat-eater?

The answer is yes. The tofu recipe loses any ‘health’ credibility because it is fried. It is hot, crispy and spicy. I’d eat a grasshopper if it were deep fried and served with chilli.

With a beer, of course. : Q: Father’s Day is next Sunday, what dish do you recommend for the dads out there?

A: I would make the shredded duck pancakes. This is something that you can very easily make at home for an authentic Chinese eating experience. This one is fun, easy and exotic. I’d have this with 2 Brothers Kung Foo Rice Lager.

T

HIS is a fabulous at-home version of Peking duck pancakes. There is an awful lot of palaver involved in making authentic Peking duck at home. So, after going to a northern Chinese restaurant where slow-cooked shredded duck meat was served, I realised there was more than one way to skin a cat. Or cook a duck. Serve with any crisp and light lager – the cool crunch of the cucumber here deserves a cool, crisp brew. Makes 12 INGREDIENTS: : 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) dark soy sauce : 1 tbs soft brown sugar : 2 spring onions (scallions) cut into 3–4 cm (1¼–1½ inch) lengths : 3 garlic cloves, crushed : 5 thin slices fresh ginger : 2 star anise : 1 cinnamon stick : 2 duck breast fillets, skin on : 12 ready-made Peking duck pancakes, from Asian food stores : hoisin sauce, cucumber batons and spring onion batons, to serve.

METHOD: Preheat the oven to 150C (300F). Put the soy sauce, sugar, spring onion, garlic, ginger, star anise and cinnamon in a small ceramic baking dish or ovenproof saucepan.

Sit the duck breasts in the dish, cover tightly with foil and bake for three hours. The duck meat should be fork-tender and easy to shred.

Reserving the braising liquid, peel the skin off each duck breast, in one piece. Place the duck skin on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Increase the oven temperature to 240C (475F) and roast the skin for about 10 minutes, or until dark and crisp. Allow the skin to cool, then break or slice into thin strips.

Put the duck breast meat in a bowl with 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼cup) of the reserved braising liquid. Using two forks, finely shred the meat onto a serving plate.

To serve, take the pancakes and spread some hoisin sauce on each. Top with shredded duck, some cucumber and spring onion, then wrap the pancakes up. Serve with the crispy duck skin strips.

Recipes and images from Food + Beer by Ross Dobson, published

by Murdoch Books, rrp $45. Visit www.murdochbooks.com.au.

“THESE GUYS MAKE DANCE LIKE THE COHEN BROTHERS MAKE FILM.” SYDNEY FESTIVAL

cockfight

BY THE FARM

17-19 SEPTEMBER, 7.30pm NORPA at Lismore City Hall

norpa.org.au 1300 066 772 Weekend

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+ Make dad’s day

+

GI FT I DEAS

Sustainable tips for Father’s Day gift giving

S

tuck on what to get dad this Father’s Day? Here are some ideas.

: BUSH WALK BONDING IF YOUR dad is active or looking to up his exercise, why not take him on a bush-walk in your local area? It’s a great opportunity to get out into nature, cost effective and an opportunity to catch up away from everyday distractions. Find a local trail through www.aussiebushwalking.com.

: HELP HIM LOOK THE PART DECK dad out with gear that hasn’t damaged the environment or people in its making. A leader in this field is Patagonia which offers everything from green wetsuits to clothing made from recycled plastic bottles.

: THE GIFT OF THE SUN IF YOUR dad takes pride in his backyard or entertaining, arm him with some solar-powered lights to hang along the fence or through the trees as the weather starts to warm up.

: DIY DAD DIY kits make interesting gifts. From terrariums to tea, there are maker kits for just about every activity anyone might be into.

: DITCH THE DISPOSABLES DESPITE the power used in running an electric razor, it’s a greener choice than disposables and all that plastic going into landfill.

: GO GO GADGET IF YOU’RE arming dad with the latest and greatest technology, make sure he recycles the old ones. Old mobiles, computers and tablets contain precious metals and plastics which can be reused rather than having to mine for new ones, or the old gear ending up in landfill. For mobiles and accessories – www.mobilemuster.com.au and for computers and general electronics – www.techcollect.com.au.

: WRAP IT IF YOU’RE wrapping all the goodies you’ve purchased for dad, do the planet one more favour and pick recycled paper, cards and boxes – www.buyecogreen.com.au.

GIFT IDEAS FOR DAD WITH A TOUCH OF GREEN

Sur pr ise yo u r da d t his Fat h er ’s D ay w i t h a gi f t a s c o o l a s h e i s FIRST ROW: : Creamy Face Scrub, $19.95 and Peppermint Coffee Scrub $16.95, Frank Body : Pigeon and Weasel Coconut and Lime Diffuser, $40, Him & I : Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum 50ml, $298, David Jones : Fossil Hanover Belt, $49, Myer. Electronic Dartboard, $25, Kmart.

SECOND ROW: : TheALU Wine Rack Pyramid Set, $139, Snurk Walter Walnut Throw Pillow, $89, Design House Stockholm Grow Greenhouse, $59, PrinkBox, www.k-co.com.au. : Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge, $39.95, Myer.

THIRD ROW: : FitBit Surge, $349.95, www.fitbit.com/au/store : Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Black, $219, Myer : Little Guy Stovetop Espresso Maker, $699, Myer.

+

P RO D U C TS W E LOV E

Beauty cabinet buys for guys

Saturday, August 29, 2015

: Protecting skin from sun means no sun damage

: Reduce puffiness and dark circles, leaving eyes

: Prada’s newest men’s fragrance Luna Rossa

like sunspots or other pigmentation and, of course, reduced risk of skin cancer. Try the new Cancer Council Sport Foam Spray Sunscreen from www.cancer.org.au/shop. From $13.95.

fresh and rejuvenated. Clarins Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum works to prevent signs of aging.

Available from leading department stores and pharmacies, $48.

Sport combines the scents of ginger, juniper berries and a rich tobacco-inflected note of tonka bean and vanilla. Available from Myer and David Jones, $90/50ml.

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re ad

LOTS TO LEARN: Building creativity, ingenuity and character in children takes time.

You have 18 years to teach them.

+ Unlocking your child’s genius Ch i l d psyc hol o g i st a n d aut h o r Andrew Ful ler s ays we n e e d to b ro a de n o ur de fi n i t i on of s uc ces s a nd gi ve o u r ki ds ro o m – a n d t i m e – to develop

PHOTO: NASTIA

: Children need to be encouraged and stimulated, not pushed.

BY Van i Na i d o o

L

AST weekend the just-turned five-year-old took her first wobbly ride without training wheels.

The neighbours cheered every metre of success as we cajoled her along, applauding and jumping up and down with excitement when, finally, she left her father’s supportive hands far behind.

Now, as much as I would like to think that this was all her idea, born from a desire for independence and achievement, the reality stands in stark contrast.

The truth is that I talked her into it. First, I tried to sway her with all the wonderful adventures we could have if she left the training wheels behind and then, ashamedly, I used her friends who had had success as a yardstick. When that failed, there was bribery – the biggest bowl of ice-cream she could eat.

Of course I was motivated by wanting her to take that next step but I was also worried she was falling behind.

I relate this story to child psychologist and author Andrew Fuller when we talk a few days later and although he doesn’t shake his head in disdain, he does suggest that pushing our children to achieve in what has now become conventional fashion, is misguided.

“As a society we have narrowed our definition of success very dramatically; so for example, our Naplan scores are based solely on numeracy and literacy not on creativity, imagination, or problem solving or a myriad of other skills we need as humans,” he says.

“And we also have this crazy idea that we have to try to help kids to be good at everything – high levels of success don’t work that way. You need to find out what you are good at and do more of it, and do less of what you are not so good at.”

Andrew’s new book, Unlocking Your Child’s Genius, explores ways in which parents and grandparents can discover and support children’s natural talents and examines the skills we need to foster lateral thinking, encourage creativity and develop good learning habits.

Naturally, parents want to assure their children have a bright future with all the advantages we think will bring success.

We push them to be the best at school and then hurry them from one extra-curricular activity to the next, hoping to unleash the next exceptional sport star, dancer or musician.

“It’s almost like there is a constant need to compare our children; we want them to be exceptional performers at an exceptionally young age – it’s a form of madness really,” says Andrew.

Weekend

: Andrew Fuller is the author of Unlocking Your Child’s Genius.

Andrew’s top tips to promote your child’s natural genius

: Be positive about learning ourselves by taking on hobbies and new courses, reading new books and discussing new ideas and inventions. : Have a creativity corner where kids can invent and work on ongoing projects. Expect this area to be messy and wild. Becoming a genius is not always neat. : Experience + reflection = learning. Find ways to do new things, visit new places and try out different ways of seeing the world. : Look for strange and weird ways to connect things.

Imagination and creativity are often about thinking ideas that no one else really thinks. For example, how are the planet Mars and an apple alike? : Know that mistakes are opportunities and if you can’t make a mistake you’ll never do anything new. : Stretch ideas by taking information from multiple sources and recombine them in new and interesting ways.

“Human development has its own pace and that hasn’t changed at all and so we end up with these kids who are information rich but very experience poor because they have been rushed through life or rushed into a very narrow range of things – it’s such a shame.

“The cost of rankings and comparisons is that children limit

their intelligence, become less curious, ask fewer questions, dim down and become more cautious and worried.

“Before the Middle Ages genius was seen as an innate spark or characteristic of inquisitiveness within all people, but the way we talk about genius today is so far removed from that original meaning.

“Today only rare talent or ability is seen as high achievement and we make it all about competition.

“We have forgotten that most kids and people, really, have an inner genius that needs to be let out.

“Our children are 40% brighter than the average young person was in the 1950s. Average IQ scores have increased by three points every decade in the last century and it is estimated that we process five times more information every day than people did in 1986.

“But despite being so much smarter we are very experience poor.”

Beethoven’s symphonies started out as a couple of notes on a piano and it took Shakespeare many tries before he produced a masterpiece – great works often require mistakes to get there.

Cultivating genius, teaching your child to think critically, to question, to use their imagination takes time and dedication.

We need to encourage our children to play more, explore more, analyse and reflect more and have more real-world experiences.

“I have news for you,” says Andrew, “kids actually take time. If you have them you have to put in the time but this is not something you have to do in one week.

“Building creativity, ingenuity and character takes time.

You have 18 years to teach them about the joys of learning. If you have the idea that learning is interesting and fun and take time to explore the world around you, it will rub off on your kids.

“Give them the opportunity to have a range of experiences, teach them to aspire to high ideals, to look for the best within themselves as well as others, teach them to laugh and to play.”

Unlocking Your Child’s Genius is available from good bookshops nationwide and online in paperback ($27.99) and ebook ($9.99) Saturday, August 29, 2015

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t rave l

+ Morocco surprises A fa s c i n at i n g j o ur ney g ua ra nteed to enc h a nt TIME WARP: Take the Marrakesh express to Morocco, a land of memorable experiences, tasty food and friendly people.

Travel tips

: Morocco is an African country and belongs to the Maghreb region. : Arabic is the official language, although French is widely used. : Morocco, like the rest of the Middle East, is an Islamic country. : Giving alms to the poor is a social and cultural obligation designed to reduce the gap between rich and poor. : Overt displays of affection between couples are frowned upon. : The national drink is mint tea, otherwise known as Berber whiskey.

Check out: www.infoplease.com/country/morocco www.visitmorocco.com/index.php/eng/ www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco

: Splendid third-century Roman ruins at Volubilis.

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T RAVEL

wi th Yvo nn e G a rdi n e r

S

ALAM alaikum... I didn’t learn much of the Arabic language of Morocco apart from “peace be upon you”. I was too busy touring the incredible sights and being entranced by the locals.

They say travel broadens the mind and out-of-the-way places like those in Morocco certainly expose a visitor to experiences and sights that an Australian like me would otherwise remain ignorant of.

The more I learnt about the history of the place, the more fascinating it became. I never expected to come across World Heritage sites like the Roman ruins at Volubilis – which contain some of the best floor mosaics ever found – or the 11th century, mud-brick village of Ait Benhaddou, a ready-made film set.

My host that night, who calls himself “Mr Action”, has appeared as an extra in blockbusters like Game of Thrones

PALM COVE

PHOTO: YVONNE GARDINER

and Gladiator. He also serves up a pretty delicious cous cous dinner.

Looking back on a two-week trip, from Casablanca to Marrakesh, I can say that the Moroccans our tour group encountered were unfailingly kind, helpful and hospitable.

Our guide, Tahar, taught us lots about Islam, including its respect for women and tendency towards humility and modesty.

What struck me most about Morocco was its lack of industrial pollution. Much of the manufacturing is done with traditions passed down through generations.

A local baker with a wood-fired oven cooks bread for an entire neighbourhood. Ceramics are made and painted by hand, not machine. Women can still be seen on the riverbanks, scrubbing clothes in the fast-flowing water.

This primitive (some may say desirable) way of life contributes to several tour highlights.

Most memorable is the stunning view of the night sky seen on a camel and camping trek into the Sahara desert.

It’s like standing on the edge of the world with the brightest stars enclosing you in their sparkling embrace.

Escape to Far North Queensland

PALM Cove is an idyllic destination for singles, couples, families and friends Whether it’s a romantic weekend, a school holiday break for the family or a getaway with friends, Mantra Amphora is the place to escape the crowds and relax every minute of the day.

The resort features a spectacular lagoon-style swimming pool and is located directly opposite one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches.

Buzzy Williams Esplanade is on the doorstep with an array of restaurants, bars and cafes. : COSTS: Stay three nights and save up to 15%, from a hotel spa room from $179 per night to a two-bedroom apartment from $315 per night. Offer valid for sale and travel until October 31. : MORE DETAILS: Call 13 15 17 or www.mantra.com.au/amphora.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

A lack of mod-cons also means the food is fresher and tastier. It’s picked when it’s ripe and eaten quickly. As an example, a pomegranate bought at a roadside stall had an unforgettable fragrance and every mouthful was delectable.

If you’re travelling to the Atlas Mountains in November, bring your beanie and thermal underwear.

I took little notice of the tour note that warned of wintry nights, and as a result darn near froze. No heating and a single blanket on the bed at one guesthouse guaranteed an icy night on one snow-strewn mountainside.

An experience you’ll get nowhere else is bathing in the village hammam.

Men and women are, of course, separated for this important ritual. Most families have no access at home to piped water, hot or cold, so the hammam is their way of keeping clean while, at the same time, socialising.

Expecting to be suitably dressed in my one-piece swimming togs, I walked into the first steamy room to find half-naked females of all ages and sizes clothed only in knickers, ladling hot and cold water from buckets over their bodies.

As a tourist, I was given special treatment – a vigorous massage by an overbearing attendant that rubbed off my caked-on dirt, leaving the skin red and throbbing.

Once I resigned myself to the exhibitionist aspects of communal bathing, I actually began to enjoy it. I can think of no better way to find out how the locals behave.

Shukrun (thank you) for your attention.

If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, expect to have lots of memorable experiences and to come home a little wiser ... and cleaner.

MELBOURNE

Take in Melbourne

STAY at the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens and treat Dad to a number of Melbourne’s special Father’s Day events.

Make the most of the hotel’s central location by taking a scenic stroll in Flagstaff Gardens, the oldest park in Melbourne which is right at your doorstep. : COSTS: From $149 per night. Min stay requirement. : MORE DETAILS: au.hotels.com/

Weekend

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Price based on RPVV 28 April 2016 departure. Earlybird offers available until 31 October 2015. EXCLUSIVE HELLOWORLD OFFER: Strictly for new bookings only. Prices listed include discount. Valid for new bookings made from 22 August 2015. Offer valid until 30 September 2015. Pricing correct as of 24 August 2015. For full terms and conditions refer to relevant Scenic Brochure and Earlybird flyer and scenic.com.au/helloworld. Scenic ABN 85 002 715 602. SNPR2445

Weekend

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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Weekend

t rave l GREEK TREAT: Despite its financial woes, Greece still has a lot to offer the visitors who continue to arrive in droves.

: Can you bag a cheap holiday to Greece at the moment?

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

+ Beware Greek soufa F ew bar ga i ns de s p i te t urm o i l , b ut Ka rpath os is one for b udg et- c ons c ious .

T RAVEL

wi th A n n R i c k a rd

M

aybe you’ve been thinking as I have, and had hopes of a cheap holiday in Greece. A country in financial distress usually means bargain holidays.

But apparently not so.

A mate who returned from a visit just last week said the place is still pumping like a full moon party on steroids. He talked of packed tavernas, thronging beaches, soaring temperatures.

So even though we must forget bargain-basement Greek holidays, there are still many islands that present good value.

One of the least expensive in our experience is the charming island of Karpathos. Not nearly as developed as Mykonos, Crete or Santorini, Karpathos still has plenty of good accommodation, glorious beaches, reasonably priced accommodation and lively tavernas.

We stayed in the harbour town of Pigadia in a studio room so modest it needed a new word for modest (humble, unpretentious... awful?)

TEMPTING OFFER

We two were travelling with a mate. She had arranged the accommodation, it was cheap and just a skip down a few steps to all the vibrancy of the harbour. So what if the fridge was located outside on the balcony? And had to be shared with everyone else in the complex? What matter if the bed took up all the space in the tiny room? Our friend thought it was okay and we didn’t want to say otherwise.

But the bed... oh the bed. Called a soufa, it was a traditional Karpathonian bed from days long gone.

A towering wooden platform so high it almost touched the ceiling, the soufa was customarily the place where the entire family slept.

Mum and dad at one end, kids at the other, baby swinging in a hammock above them all.

Two carved blocks attached to the centre of the massive wooden platform posed as steps and had to be climbed to get up onto the soufa which was really just a thin mattress on top of the enormous wooden platform.

Once up the steep wooden steps, it was a question of crawling over the mattress until you manoeuvred yourself into a reasonably comfortable sleeping position.

If you had to get up in the night – and who of a certain age does not? – it was more ungainly crawling over the mattress to back down the steep blocks. Quite the kerfuffle.

Book early for cruise bonuses

Holland America Line Tempts: Book with the Explore 4 promotion and take advantage of four exceptional offers on select January 2016 through April 2017 sailings, also including 2015 holiday cruise dates. Benefits include a free Signature Beverage Package, free Pinnacle Grill dinner for two, reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom and 50% reduced deposits. Bookings must be made by October 30, 2015.

“We know many travellers like to plan in advance, so we’re offering some great incentives to entice them to book a cruise with us sooner,” Orlando Ashford, the president of Holland America Line, said.

Book a cruise in a stateroom and receive the above offers plus an additional US$300 spending money per stateroom and a complimentary Canaletto dinner for two sampling cuisine from regions throughout Italy.

More on 1300 987 322 or hollandamerica.com.au or with your agent.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Karpathos Island

: Karpathos is the second largest island in the Dodecanese between Crete and Rhodes. : About 7000 people live on the island, many who left in the 1950s to immigrate to Australia and have now returned. : It is a long, slim island. : Soaring mountains descend to beautiful coastlines with white sand and blue seas. : The main product produced on the island is olive oil.

Visit: karpathos.org

Our soufa was to accommodate all three of us, two at one end, one at the other, feet touching in the middle.

We were friends so the intimacy didn’t perturb us. But she liked to sleep naked. And that perturbed us very much.

Then there was her mounting the steps before us while we stood shaking and eyes averted below her. Then came an inordinate amount of time crawling over the mattress until she was comfortable.

I don’t think I need to say any more. Other than, the soufa can be found in many types of accommodation all over Karpathos. You’ve been warned. ann.rickard@scnews.com.au

GO IT ALONE

Big savings for singles

Discounts for solo travellers: Cruiseco has solo traveller savings on its Authentic Asia Vietnam and Cambodia tour, starting from $4198 per person, based on single occupancy. Travelling between Saigon and Siem Reap, between August and November 2015, enjoy an 11-night package which includes return airfares.

Visit: cruising.com.au or see your local travel agent.

Weekend

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Weekend

c hallen ge

+ Go with the flow

FLOWBOARDING: “I’m sure this is how a frog feels when it gets flushed down a pipe.”

W H Y N OT T RY

F l ow b o a rd i n g wave m achi ne i s a b s o l u te f un a n d a n a d r e n a l i n e r u s h to remember BY

Reb ecc a G a l l e h aw k

I

WAS at Sentosa Island in Singapore when the flowboarding wave machine caught my eye. I dabble in surfing and stand up paddle boarding, so I skipped the little wave and went straight to the big one, because it couldn’t be that hard, right?

As I watched the pros carve it up and a few fall to their face, I piped up the courage to take up the pipeline and hit the artificial wave.

Playing it safe, I started on my belly and automatically got shot back into the wave and slid down the barrel out the other side.

First go was definitely a test run. Again on my belly and this time I managed to try and stay on the wave for a few more brief seconds until the same movement sucked me into the wave and spat me back out. I’m sure this is how a frog feels when it gets flushed down a pipe.

So after two attempts of failing on my belly, I can now attempt standing up.

I expected a surfboard yet they gave me a board about the

+

CO LO URI NG I N F O R ST R E S S Pass the pencils. Colouring-in books for adult s are popping up in stores everywhere.

Why? The simplicit y of the activit y can help us experience clarit y and mindf ulness.

Weekend

: Rebecca Gallehawk takes on the flowboarding wave machine at Singapore’s Sentosa Island.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

size of a wakeboard, which naturally felt weird.

I learnt to realise this was nothing like surfing. You start standing up and then mass amounts of water are pushed towards you, which then you just hold on and balance for your life, or fall into the flush pipe of a wave.

The first attempt the board was sucked from beneath my feet and I jumped back up on the side.

Again I attempt and I last perhaps 0.5 seconds standing before I realise I’m getting washed up again, and again, and again, falling in all kinds of awkward positions, right on camera, in front of my boyfriend, his family and all the other tourists enjoying this hilarious entertainment.

I am bruised, battered, sore and gasping for air. This was nothing at all like surfing, and not at all easy for my uncoordinated self. But it was absolutely fun and an adrenaline rush to remember.

Waking up the next day was a struggle, with terrible whiplash and so sore I could hardly move.

However #noregrets, I had the time of my life and I would do it again. Why? Why not!

+

+

D O MORE TO G E T MORE Men who take up more of the child-care duties are said to have more satisfaction in their relationship and sex lives, according to research by Georgia State Un iversit y.

: TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Have you tried flowboarding?

Share your experience and photos with us. Email weekend@apn.com.au or on Instagram: #weekendmagchallenge

TRY ‘FUNC TIONAL FITNE SS’ The buzzword used to describe multi-joint exercises based on your primary move ment pat terns and how yo u live your life, ie lunges if you climb stairs regularly.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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Weekend

h ome LAUNDRY TIP: Make your clothes smell nice by adding a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil to your wash.

+

STYL E

with Tracey Ho rde r n

Styling a man’s space?

Leave room for his toys

I

’M NOT joking; styling a man’s space really is child’s play.

Think about it – what men want is generally simple. Somewhere to put their stuff, a case to display their trophies and house their toys – and all preferably designed with lots of dark colours so it doesn’t show the dirt too much.

I’ve worked with designers, styled photo shoots and seen enough designed spaces to tell you there’s a world of difference between a space designed by a woman and those put together by men.

The real fun starts when men and women want to share a space. In 99% of these situations, it’s the women who dictate how a space looks. But the problem is, most women I know will lean towards the feminine.

So what do you do if you want to share a space with a significant other? My advice in a word is compromise. Couples I know who have moved into a home together (rather than one moving into the other’s space) tend to do well, if they start from a position of compromise.

Shopping together for your shared home can be helpful. Another strategy is to start a Pinterest wall.

You can review it together and see what sticks.

But the best advice I’ve garnered from happy cohabitants is to base your space on what interests you both personally.

For instance, if you both love the seaside, easy, a nautical theme. But if you both love and excel at sports then build a big trophy display case.

MEN LIKE A PLACE FOR THEIR STUFF AND COLOURS THAT HIDE THE DIRT

: There are many things you can do to save money.

+ Laundry savings N ot dri pping i n g old? Re a d on for some mon ey-savin g wa shday hin t s .

STAY AT HOME MUM wi th Jo dy Allen

W

ASHING is a chore no one really enjoys. And when you learn the average load of washing costs more than $2 per load to dry (in the dryer if you have one), and add up the cost of laundry powder over a year, there are substantial savings that can be made.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

them smell like fish and chips).

Another great reason to use white vinegar? It stops body odour smells from setting into clothing. Think about the under arms of men’s work shirts – yellow, stinky and nasty.

By adding vinegar to every wash, this won’t be a problem.

Sort Your Washing – The Right Way

In order to get their hands on your dough, laundry powder manufacturers make the scoop far larger than is needed to actually wash your clothing. Plus, too much powder or liquid is bad for your machine, bad for your clothing, and bad for your hip pocket. : Solution: Ditch the scoop altogether – throw that bad boy in the bin and grab out a good old fashion dessert spoon. Even for a large machine a dessert spoon is all that is needed to get your clothing nice and clean.

And by the right way – I mean as follows: : Whites and lights : Towels, tea towels, wash cloths : Darks : Denim and heavy duty work wear : Delicates : Bedding Never wash towels with ANYTHING other than towels. They destroy clothing. Sorting your washing will ensure your colours stay nice and bright (or dark) and will keep them in good condition which will make them last longer, therefore saving you money! And last but not least:

Fabric Softener

Your Dryer

I’m not dead, I simply adore the smell of fabric softener. It is gorgeous, makes the clothing smell clean and amazing. It also can clog up the pipes of your machine if you use it too much (boo). : Solution: Half a cup of plain white vinegar in your fabric softener compartment – white vinegar is cheap and makes your clothes nice and soft (and doesn’t make

If you’re dripping in gold and want to ruin the environment then by all means, don’t clean your dryer filter after every use. Treat that fluff like liquid gold – take it out every time.

Laundry Powder

: Cabin Fever Chic by The Fabulous Mrs Fox.

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

Jody Allen is the founder of www.stayathomemum.com.au

+

P ROD UC TS

Boys’ own styled spaces for any age

Saturday, August 29, 2015

: Sofa so good for him – Jazz Sofa in Groove

: Gentleman’s change room, styled with selected

: It’s a Boy! Inspiration and styling by Dulux, for

Grey, Fantastic Furniture, www.fantasticfurniture.com.au

pieces from the Hemnes range from Ikea, www.ikea.com.au

colours and instructions visit the website, www.dulux.com.au Weekend

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Weekend

g ard en

+ Paws for effect

+

IN MY GARDEN

w i th A n g i e Th o m a s

Prevent garden nasties

K a n g a r o o p aw s c o m e i n m a ny c o l o u r s a n d va r i e t i e s t h e s e d ay s .

BRANCH OUT: Modern cultivars offer colours ranging from white through pink, red, orange, yellow, mauve and even green.

GREEN THUMB w i th M a re e Cu r ra n

K

ANGAROO paw (anigozanthos) are one of the most internationally recognised Australian flowers. Their curiously shaped paw-like blooms come in a range of colours and heights, and provide a wonderful display in the garden and in pots. They make a great cut flower.

Kangaroo paw have a clumping growth habit with strappy leaves. The flowers have a felt-like appearance and are carried on stems above the foliage. A mature plant can produce more than 30 flower stems in a season.

Colours range from white through pink, red, orange, yellow, mauve and even green. Much breeding work has been done over the past 30 years or so, and there are now dozens, possibly hundreds, of varieties available to gardeners.

Pests

MANY insect pests don’t take a break over winter and continue to damage precious home-grown vegies and herbs. Aphids multiply rapidly and literally suck the life out of leafy greens. Aphids can be brown, black, green or grey and often hide underneath leaves and in amongst tender new foliage. Natrasoap is an organically certified way to control sucking insects like aphids. It’s based on insecticidal soap that targets soft bodied insect pests.

Spray over the vegies every five to seven days to protect them from aphid infestation, ensuring both sides of foliage are covered. And there’s no withholding period – simply wash vegies before eating.

‘‘

T he dwarf form s are best t r e ated as an an n ua l or s h o r t- l i ved p eren n ial.

Generally speaking, the taller varieties, and those with green leaves (rather than the bluey or grey foliage) are the stronger growers. They will last for many years in the garden.

The dwarf forms have a shorter life span, flowering almost year-round for a few years. They are best treated as an annual or short-lived perennial. Because they flower so profusely, they are fabulous in pots.

Caring for your kangaroo paw is easy. First, choose a very sunny, well-drained position. When planting, ensure the crown of the plant is no deeper than it was in the pot, as planting too deep will encourage disease.

Once established, they are quite drought tolerant, but they will require some water to flourish. They will appreciate an application of fertiliser a couple of times a year.

Water stress at flowering time will cause the flower stems to bend or fail altogether. Try to keep the foliage and the crown of the plant dry when you water.

Remove spent flower stems at the base, removing the entire flowering shoot, leaves and all. If you are growing the tall varieties, you can prune the whole plant back to ground level after flowering to promote a great flush of flowers the following spring.

In their natural habitat, kangaroo paw have a deep root system, enabling them to survive in dry periods. So if you are growing your paws in pots, it’s best to choose a deep pot to give that root system room to develop and make them less

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

: Treat lawn bindii now.

Weeds

: Mass planting in four different colours.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

reliant on frequent watering.

Leaf blackening will sometimes occur when leaf or flower stem tissue dies. There are many causes, including frost, excessive humidity, too much or too little water, pesticide damage, and disease.

Fungal conditions will also cause black or brown marks on the foliage. Obviously, try to identify what is causing the problem, and correct it. But whatever the cause, removing the affected foliage will help to slow the spread of the disease.

The spectacular flowers more than compensate for the occasional challenges encountered when growing kangaroo paws. Don’t be deterred by the fact that they may not last forever. Think of it as an opportunity to try a new variety next time.

Got a gardening question? Email maree@edenatbyron.com.au.

Did you have bindii prickles in your lawn last summer? If you did you’ll probably have them again this year unless you control them – and now is the perfect time. It’s important to control bindii and other broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, oxalis, cape-weed, chickweed, thistles and clover before they have a chance to set seed. Look for a specially formulated weed killer such as BuffaloPro which is safe for buffalo lawns and can also be used on kikuyu, couch, Queensland blue, bent, fescue, paspalum and rye grass lawns. In the tropics, drier weather creates a great opportunity to feed lawns with a professional grade slow release lawn fertiliser.

This will feed your lawns gradually over 12 weeks for a strong, deep green, healthy lawn by summer.

African black beetle

Larvae of the African black beetle, often referred to as curl grubs, can be damaging to lawns if there is a heavy infestation. They chew through grass roots just below the soil surface. Symptoms of damage include the lawn turning yellow then brown and dying and the lawn can also be lifted and rolled back like a carpet.

Adult beetles are shiny, black and around 15mm long.

Control adult African black beetles in late winter and early spring using insecticide, before they lay their eggs.

These remedies often come in an easy and quick to apply hose-on applicator.

+

P ROD UC TS

Father’s Day gifts for dads with a green thumb PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM BUNNINGS

Weekend

: The Tumbling Composter is designed for hassle-free recycling of food scraps and yard waste. The tumbling function works to speed up the composting process. RRP $139.

: The Holman 20M Retractable Hose Reel with Spray Gun easily mounts to a wall or fence while the retraction mechanism makes it simple to pull out and use. RRP $97.

: Hortex Leather Cowhide Riggers Gloves are a one-size solution to all your gripping and protection needs.

RRP $8.50.

: This 73cm high rectangular raised garden bed, the largest in The Organic Garden Co range, the 200100RX, features superior strength steel construction, RRP $199.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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Weekend

s t uff

+ Big shout-out to the willow bark pioneers

GADGETS

+

with Geoff Egan | @geoffe gan

W i t h o u t t h o s e b rave e x p e r i m e n te r s o f yo r e we m i g h t st i l l b e c h e w i n g a s p i r i n .

‘‘

O N A L I G H T E R N OT E w i th G re g B ray

F

OLKS, I’m not the brightest bulb on Life’s Christmas Tree, but I’m smart enough not to put unknown objects into my gob. That was the job of my childhood mate, Crackers.

Crackers would eat anything we gave him, often with comical results for those of us watching. I often wonder what happened to old Crackers.

Anyway, I recently learned that an ancient remedy for headaches was to chew on some willow bark, and immediately wondered who discovered this remedy. Also, who was the first person to prise open an oyster and think, “Struth!

I wonder if this thing tastes as disgusting as it looks?”

I suspect the answer is some ancient ancestor with a mate like Crackers.

Imagine the scene way back in BC 4305: “Okay folks, listen up! We learned a lot about those purple berries yesterday and so far the death count is seven, oh, make that eight… sorry Mrs Yertt.

“Also, a big hand to good old Graggers here for eating some willow bark yesterday, which he reckons has cured his headache!

“After clubbing several volunteers until they had

+

G ADGET REVI E W

C ra c ke r s wou ld e at a nyt h ing we gave him , o f ten w it h c o m ic a l r e su lt s, fo r th o se o f us wat c hing . I o f ten wonde r w h at happe ne d t o o ld C ra c ke r s? headaches, I gave them willow bark to chew on and am happy to announce that nearly everyone was cured! Except my wife, who said her headache didn’t go away until I went to sleep last night.

“Now, regarding the mushrooms near the river; people, I can’t stress this enough, lay off the fungus!”

So, thanks to these brave, or stupid, prehistoric experimenters, we have a good idea nowadays of what things will sustain us and what will drop us faster than a school bag on a Friday afternoon.

And while this vital research continues today, I’m happy to leave it to others to discover what the side effects are. I may not be real bright, but I’m definitely not Crackers.

Greg Bray blogs at www.gregbraywriter.wordpress.com.

Find him on Facebook: Greg Bray – Writer.

Let’s go fly a Fotokite Phi COMBINE the best things about a drone and a kite and you get the Fotokite Phi. The device, currently being crowd-funded, attaches a quad copter to a “smart leash,” letting it be controlled without piloting, a phone, or GPS equipment.

You can attach a GoPro to the Fotokite, which collapses to the size of a thermos and weighs 350g. The Swiss-made product has been designed as an easy way to capture aerial pictures and videos. Pre-order at $299 on Indiegogo.

: SONY’S second take on a fitness band verges into smartwatch territory – without actually telling you the time. The screenless device measures heart rates and vibrates to notify you of messages. Price TBA

: EVER wished you had an iPad battery in your bag?

6066383ad

The iBackPack, available for pre-order on Indiegogo, has batteries, a Bluetooth speaker, four USB ports and can act as a personal wi-fi hotspot. Pre-order price $275

esteem medi spa Now opeN The STrand CoolangaTTa For over 20 yearS, dr TerrenCe SCamp’S eSTeem medi Spa haS been providing The laTeST, SaFeST, anTi-ageing TreaTmenTS and produCTS. c

front of your ears and play sound through “bone conduction”. The idea is to keep a runner or bike rider’s ears free to listen out for traffic. Price $135

SPECIFICATIONS : Battery life about 10 minutes. : Leash length eight metres.

with Geoff Egan

Sc t fic tst r st n s s, f c t fi l s T c d T c Sc f a st ’s

: THE Trekz Titanium open ear headphones sit in

s ts, est ’s t t ts f s q fi d S c sts w C s t c p st c S s.

t

special opeNiNg offer 50%off All Laser Skin and Laser Hair removal treatments* *T&C’s

gold CoaST | CoolangaTTa | briSbane

eSTeemmediSpa.Com.au 1300mYesteem Saturday, August 29, 2015

Weekend

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Weekend

you

+ The beach beckons L o o k i n g t o l o s e t h at w i n te r f la b ? L e t G u y b e yo u r g u i d e .

: HIIT IT OUT WEEKEND WELLNESS w i th Hel e n H aw ke s

S

UMMER is almost here and that means lighter clothes and, ultimately, more exposure. If you’d like to get a bit more tone, try these tips from fitness guru Guy Leech.

: GET SOCIAL When it comes to fitness, being accountable to yourself sometimes isn’t enough, but being accountable to others can really raise the bar.

Knowing that you have a fitness buddy counting on you to make it to that gym class, meet for a morning walk or be on time to a pre-purchased boot camp makes you far less likely to skip out.

No time? No worries! High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) boosts the metabolism, burns heaps of calories and is a super effective way to train, especially if you’re time poor.

HIIT uses exercises that are broken down into short, intense intervals with regular rest or low-intensity breaks to recover.

“An example of HIIT is going hard for two minutes then resting for 30 seconds and repeating the process for 20 to 30 minutes,” says Leech.

“Aiming to dedicate five one-hour training

GET ON TRACK: Set fitness goals, train with a mate and exercise properly are some of the expert tips you should heed.

sessions per week can be really daunting, so HIIT is really time efficient and super effective.”

For sedentary people starting out, it is essential to get a doctor’s clearance before beginning any type of exercise program. Furthermore, Leech recommends starting out with a more gentle form of exercise, such as walking.

: SET S.M.A.R.T GOALS Set yourself up for success by ensuring your goal is S.M.A.R.T, meaning Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based.

“We’ve heard it all before, but too often I see people making the mistake of setting fitness goals they can’t measure or track. If you can’t measure it, how can you hope to achieve it?” asks Leech.

For more information on Guy Leech, visit: www.guyleech.com.

: LOSE KGS WITH VITAMIN D PHOTO: GMAST3R

A recent study has suggested that getting your recommended dose of vitamin D could also help shift those extra kgs.

According to the study, people with a vitamin D deficiency, who are also overweight, could benefit by taking a supplement or ensuring they get enough vitamin D naturally by catching some sunlight.

“Swimming, biking or walking outdoors in the sun is a great way to get some vitamin D while you exercise,” says Leech.

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Saturday, August 29, 2015

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Weekend

s c reen life A PRESENCE: Joel Edgerton makes his directorial debut in The Gift, which is already a box office success.

The Gift

: Stars: Joel Edgerton, Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Allison Tolman, Tim Griffin. : Rating: M : Director: Joel Edgerton : Reviewer’s last word: In this directorial debut, Joel Edgerton has created a sophisticated, challenging and creepy thriller.

Star profile: Rebecca Hall

: Rebecca Hall, Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton in a scene from The Gift.

PHOTO: MATT KENNEDY

+ Keep an eye on Joel Blue - e ye d boy us e s e ve ry t r i c k t o uns et tle th e au di ence i n h i t new th riller .

S C R E EN LIFE

wi th S e a n n a C ro n i n

J

OEL Edgerton doesn’t take on the film roles expected of him. So it’s no surprise that his directorial debut isn’t your typical thriller.

The AFI Award-winner wrote, directed and stars in The Gift, a psychological thriller that follows a young couple whose lives are thrown into chaos when an acquaintance from the husband’s past brings a horrifying secret to light.

“The thing I said to the people who wrote the cheques was that I would make a movie that had one foot firmly in the genre world,” Edgerton tells Weekend.

“It’s a familiar psychological thriller, but at the same time the movie was designed to have something more important to chew on than a typical stalker thriller.

“What would it be like 20 years after high school to get the

: Quirky fact: Is the daughter of stage director Peter Hall and opera singer Maria Ewing. : Best known for: The Town, Parade’s End, Transcendence, Iron Man 3. : If you like this movie you’ll like these: The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Warrior, The Box. : Quote: “One aspect of my mum’s personality that has influenced me is her love of Hollywood and the golden era of black-and-white films.”

analogue version of a Facebook friend request, and what if you hadn’t been a good person? That created a world of opportunity for me. I was interested in the space between resolution of a good kind and resolution of a bad kind.”

Edgerton plays Gordo, the mysterious man who recognises and approaches one of his old classmates Simon (Jason Bateman), who has just moved back to California with his wife Robyn (Rebecca Hall).

But a chance meeting turns into dinner and then Gordo starts leaving increasingly generous gifts on the couple’s doorstep. Bateman was Edgerton’s first choice for the role.

“When Baz Luhrmann cast me in The Great Gatsby it was such an exciting thing to be asked to do,” he says.

“I knew I wasn’t the obvious choice for anybody, so part of my approach to casting is infected in my interest in what I hope and expect from people casting me as an actor.

“Watching comic actors take a dramatic turn is more often than not a great thing for an audience.

“I feel like I’m lucky that I’m the one who got to hand that

over to an audience with Jason.”

Edgerton wears brown contacts in the film to accentuate the mysterious intentions of the character.

“Brown eyes give me this real cold edge… they’re sort of unsuitable for my face and that becomes unsettling,” he says.

“With Gordo there’s a sympathetic aspect to him but there’s a cloak over his intention.

“The funny thing is they’re the same colour as my brother’s eyes, but they give him a real warmth and accessibility.”

Edgerton’s brother Nash, with whom he runs the production company Blue Tongue Films, joined him on set to help him juggle his dual roles of actor and director.

“After two weeks of directing I had to suddenly step in front of the camera to play my part… that was the trickiest combination.

“You can’t be behind the monitor and in front of the camera at the same time, so I had my brother come in to be my outside eyes.”

The Gift is a commercial and critical success already for Edgerton. It earned double its budget on its opening weekend in the US – a promising sign for the blossoming filmmaker.

“There’s something very dark, insidious and oppressive about The Gift,” he says.

“I like to mix things up and explore variations. One of the things I’d really like to deliver (as a director) the next time around is something really life-affirming and uplifting.”

The Gift is in cinemas now.

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R EV I EWS Wh at ’s n e w on th e bi g screen

A Walk In The Woods

THIS delightful adaptation of Bill Bryson’s best-selling novel follows the travel writer’s attempt to hike the entire Appalachian Trail with an old friend. Producer Robert Redford and his co-star Nick Nolte have excellent chemistry, bringing Bryson’s humour to life. : Stars: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson. : Rating: M : In cinemas: Thursday.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Straight Outta Compton

THIS biopic of sorts follows the formation, rise and fall of defiant LA rap group NWA in the mid-1980s. Thanks to confident direction by F Gary Gray and engaging performances, Straight Outta Compton is brashly entertaining. : Stars: O’Shea Jackson Jr, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell. : Rating: MA 15+ : In cinemas: Thursday.

She’s Funny That Way

A MARRIED Broadway director falls for a prostitute-turned-actress and works to help her advance her career in this screwball comedy from director Peter Bogdanovich. While She’s Funny That Way boasts a talented cast, it’s not quite as funny as it should be. : Stars: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Rhys Ifans. : Rating: M : In cinemas: now.

Weekend

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Weekend

relax

+ Emotional journey A w i d owe d f at h e r ’ s a c c o u n t o f h i s e x p e r i e n c e s ra i s i n g t h r e e d au g h te r s

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EDITOR’S PICK: Rory the Dinosaur and his daddy will melt your heart.

WORDS AN D MUS IC A Field Guide to Reptiles of Queensland

R EV I E W by Jo h n G rey

By Steve K Wilson: Reptile lovers rejoice. This 304-page second edition has everything from knob-tail lizards to sea kraits, with colour pics, distribution maps and extensive descriptions of 490 reptiles. Not pocket-size but small enough to carry on bush walks.

– Sherele Moody

T

HIS is not a how-to book about raising daughters – though there is much to be learned here. What My Daughters Taught Me is a deeply-felt, emotional family journey told by a single father.

Author Joe Wakim’s soulmate Nadia was killed by cancer in 2003, leaving him with three girls to raise.

With honesty, courage, imagination, self-deprecation and humour, Wakim tells of his efforts to be mother and father to the girls, while remaining their friend and keeping their family culture strong.

Fighting against gender and cultural stereotypes all the way, he deals with grief, community expectations and guilt, while encountering a daily slew of challenges which will be familiar to many parents.

He deals with the tyranny of the television (which he dubs “His Majesty”), the distraction of devices (“serial text offenders”), the dance lessons, the sanitary pad shopping experience, the medical dramas, the parties, the fashions and the formals, the first jobs and the driving lessons.

Nadia’s memory is always there with him, manifesting several times in Wakim’s occasionally filmic storytelling to help him sort through issues. These are moving moments, as are those when he recalls her last days.

The wonderful friendship that Wakim engenders with his daughters reaches a timely and mutually frank maturity when the girls begin dating.

Dad expresses his fears about other drivers at night, and strangers trying to spike their drinks. His middle daughter archly responds: “You think we’re that naive? I’ve raised you better than that, Joe Wakim.”

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YOU N G R E AD ERS w i th Jo hn G rey

Rory the Dinosaur – Me and My Dad

by Liz Climo

Weekend

The Map of Chaos

By Felix Palma: Multiple parallel universes at risk?

Multiple Lewis Carrolls and H.G. Wellses plus Arthur Conan Doyle to the rescue. A big, complicated adventure epic for fans of steam punk and 19th century Brit lit. Closes the trilogy after Palma’s Map of Time and Map of the Sky. – John Grey

How Does It Feel

: Publisher: Allen and Unwin. RRP $32.99. Also available as an e-book.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

I HAVE long enjoyed Liz Climo’s good-hearted comics on Tumblr, and I love this heart-warming picture book for pre-schoolers. It features two of her regular Tumblr characters, Rory the dinosaur and his lovely dad.

In Me and My Dad, the exuberant and creative Rory has stretched his father’s phenomenal patience and dad needs a little quiet time, thank you very much. But things are too quiet for independent Rory, so he decides to set off on an adventure on his own.

The little guy runs into a few difficulties, but gets over them “all by himself” – unaware of his father’s subtle presence helping him along. Eventually dad is run ragged as he discreetly takes care of him, and Rory – having discovered a rainbow all by himself – runs back home to find him. So cute – I think the appropriate Tumblr response would be a heartfelt “Naaaaawww”.

Publisher: Hachette Children’s Books. RRP Paperback: $12.99.

More from Liz Climo on lizclimo.tumblr.com

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By Ms Mr: New CD from New York duo who played Splendour in 2013 and this year. Producer Max Hershenow brings clear production of Lizzy Plapinger’s fine, husky vocals.

Highlight is the hooky and emotional Leave Me Alone.

– John Grey

N EW ON DV D Lego: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom

Definitely aimed for the much younger superhero fans, but the rest of you keeping the young’uns company might enjoy trying to pick some of the voice actors, such as Mark Hamill.

– TME Grey

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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Weekend

min d

TEST YOUR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Quiz compiled by Roy O’Reilly.

+ Nurture compassion M I N D YOU

+ QU I Z

w i th N i c k B e n n e tt

It’ s g o o d f o r yo u a n d f o r yo u r r e l at i o n s h i p s

1. Is a whirligig a type of beetle or washing machine?

2. Which tennis grand slam tournament begins in New York next week?

3. The name of which musical instrument is derived from the Italian for “loud-soft”?

4. According to the saying, a leopard never changes its what?

5. Sodium hydroxide is also known as (a) baking powder (b) caustic soda (c) eye wash?

6. What are the three given names of the baby daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge?

7. Who was selected in the Australian swimming team for the world championships seven years after retiring?

8. The abbreviation HAZMAT, referring to dangerous materials, stands for what?

9. Goondooloo is in which Australian state/territory?

10. At the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, who arranged for a homeless man to accept her award for her Wrecking Ball video?

11. A blue sapphire anniversary is how many years (a) 65 (b) 75 (c) 85?

12. Beginning with “f”, which word means to search a person for weapons or illegal items?

13. The Tour de France finishes in which city?

14. How many months have 31 days?

15. Does a Knickerbocker refer to Dutch or Irish descendants of settlers in New York?

16. “So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s nineteen ninety nine,” are lyrics from which 1982 hit by Prince?

17. Court documents revealed a claim that which Australian tennis star told a teenage girl he had $50,000 worth of cocaine while they were in the penthouse of a Gold Coast nightclub owner?

18. Some participants in which inaugural Sydney event in 1978 lost their jobs or were “outed” against their will after their names were published?

19. Who played the title role in the TV show Agatha Christie’s Poirot?

20. “We’ll always have Paris,” is a line from which 1942 movie?

21. In 1988, which 19-year-old won the Gold Logie?

22. Which two planets are often referred to as ice giants?

23. In which Dr Seuss book is “anywhere” the only word with more than one syllable?

: Empathy evolves into compassion, which is “I feel for you”.

P

ERHAPS it is where I am at in my life, in experience and age; I have spent the past two years reflecting and focusing on being a more compassionate, mindful human being and so have been inquiring into the impact on our system – the body and brain.

Dr Dan Siegel is one of the pre-eminent experts on neuroscience, writing several articles and books on the subject. His writing and research have developed our knowledge of mindfulness and compassion and the impact of those activities on the brain.

These activities are described simply as the practices of cultivating a focused awareness on the present moment, and extending a loving awareness to others. In consciously engaging with these practices science has finally caught up on what has been demonstrated for millennia by the wisdom traditions i.e. there is a profound and improved health effect on our wellbeing over time.

The side-effects of compassion are plentiful, according to David Hamilton PhD: compassion causes growth on the left side of the prefrontal cortex region. The effect is we find it easier to be compassionate and kind. Compassion begets compassion by creating actual changes in the brain.

Compassion also boosts oxytocin, a key hormone responsible for heart health by reducing blood pressure and dilating our arteries. Oxytocin is a feel good hormone which, when released, fosters our emotional connection, is good for the heart and enhances relationships.

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

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Co mp a s s i o n b r ea k s d ow n b a r r i er s i n r el at i o n s h i p s a n d f o ster s emo t i o n a l c o n n ec t i o n Compassion breaks down barriers in relationships with people who challenge us. It fosters emotional connections between two people. A structured practice of compassion meditation improves the quality of personal and professional relationships, bringing us back to ourselves.

Compassion slows aging by increasing “vagal tone”, or the health and fitness of the vagus nerve, which controls the body’s inflammatory response. As we increase vagal tone, we improve the body’s ability to reduce inflammation. The cultivation of compassion, where volunteers practised the loving kindness meditation, actually reduced inflammation.

Compassion motivates kindness, enhancing empathy.

Empathy evolves into compassion, which is “I feel for you”.

Compassion quickly evolves into kindness, where we are moved to do something to ease the person’s suffering.

I’m sharing this with intention – that perhaps you may find genuine benefit from your own engagement with mindful compassion. Namaste.

Nick Bennett is a facilitator, performance coach and partner of Minds Aligned: www.mindsaligned.com.au

NEXT SATURDAY IN WEEKEND

24. Which professional wrestler played Thunderlips in the 1982 movie Rocky III? 25. Which 65-year-old recently became the oldest player to shoot under par at the US Masters?

ANSWERS 1. Beetle. 2. US Open. 3. Piano. 4. Spots. 5. (b) Caustic soda. 6.

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. 7. Grant Hackett. 8. Hazardous materials. 9.

South Australia. 10. Miley Cyrus. 11. (a) 65 12. Frisk. 13. Paris. 14.

Seven. 15. Dutch settlers. 16. 1999. 17. Bernard Tomic. 18. Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. 19. David Suchet. 20. Casablanca. 21. Kylie Minogue. 22. Neptune, Uranus. 23. Green Eggs and Ham. 24. Hulk Hogan. 25. Tom Watson.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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