Well, since we are in the southern hemisphere, spring officially starts on 1st September…
However, our plum tree certainly thinks that spring is here!
Explore 360-degree ‘Street View’ on Mars
Explore 360 – degree “Street View” on Mars
NASA has released a 360-degree panoramic view of Mars that anyone with an internet connection can navigate.
The Mars Curiosity Rover captured the 360 panoramic view using its navigation cameras.
White Island Erupts: Tongariro Calms Down
Scientists have confirmed that White Island has erupted and continues to blast ash into the air, indicating the start of a new phase of volcanic activity on the island.
However, as White Island produces a series of eruptions, Mt Tongariro appears to be quieting down.
Lightning seen around erupting White Island
Flashes of lightning have been reported coming from White Island as the volcano continues to erupt since Sunday.
Mt Tongariro Eruption: NASA Image
NASA has released an image of the ash plume stretching out from Mt Tongariro shortly after it erupted on Monday night.
The central North Island volcano erupted at 11.50pm, the first time in more than 100 years.
Mt Tongariro Eruption: Code Red
A huge ash cloud is covering the central North Island as Mt Tongariro erupts for the first time in more than a century.
Roads were closed, flights disrupted and nearby residents have been advised to stay indoors as ash and rock spews from the mountain.
The volcanic alert level for Mt Tongariro has risen from 1 to 2, while the aviation colour code has been raised to red.
Top Images: New Zealand’s Golden Hour
NZ Golden Hour! Third Rowing Gold!
New Zealand has earned two gold medals in the space of 50 minutes at the London Olympics after two impressive rowing performances at Eton Dorney tonight, adding to the gold won in the men’s double sculls yesterday.
Olympics: Who are those cyclists at the rowing?
Who are the cyclists keeping pace with the rowers at the Olympics? Why have a B final? And what exactly is a repechage anyway? NZ Herald’s David Leggat answers all the questions you were too afraid to ask.
1: Who are those cyclists keeping pace with the rowers?
Coaches of the crews. Rather than try and watch how their charges are performing from 1500 metres away with binoculars, they cycle alongside, all the while keeping an eye on traffic in front.
Rowing Pair: Bond and Murray strike gold
‘Yip’ and a ‘go’ gets gold for Kiwi rowers
Chuck It All Together Chocolate Cake
“If you give me chocolate cake, I’ll be your friend forever.”
1 2/3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
100 g (3 1/2 oz) melted butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F)
2. Grease 20cm springform pan, line with greaseproof baking paper.
3. Put all ingredients into a processor and mix.
4. Pour into baking pan.
5. Bake for 50 minutes, ..is time measured the same way in other parts of the world or do you have to convert according to time zones?
(Centre should spring back, and skewer comes out clean)
6. Cool, and ice… (frost whatever ya call it..)
100 g (3 1/2 oz) butter
250 g (8.81849 oz or 1 cup) icing sugar…(powdered sugar)
1/3 cup of cocoa
Milk to mix
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat butter and dry ingredients until combined, add milk, teaspoon by teaspoon, until you have a thickish, soft, spreadable, delectable icing. Use 1/3 to fill sliced cake, and the rest as icing. Refrigerate till set.
*OK I can’t claim this recipe, but this is the stock standard chocolate cake that my wife bakes, and it is an awesome chocolate cake, rich, dark and handsome… opps moist..
