Day 100 - I Deeeeed It.

I put the cat on the grill, see.

In between Waikawa Bay and Picton, we had the privilege of staying here.

This is right at the bottom of the stairs.

I woke up and smashed a coffee.

Chris woke up and danced with this shag.

Aaaaaaand I grilled up all I could find.

Not as epic as I had imagined I admit, but something at least. My original idea was to try and get 100 BBQ's in a field or something and go for it. But alas, touring got in the way of that one. Perhaps I can realize this dream in the future.

Later that day, this awesome guy took us out on his boat for a tour of Queen Charlotte Sound. Totally rad dude. Infact, so rad, I forget his name. At a stab, I think it was Mike. 'Mike' gave us wine, and we sat in the sun on a mother-fucking boat and drank it.

Pretty much a perfect ending to 100 BBQ's in 100 days.

Day 99 - Waikawa Bay

Lunch time BBQ Burgers at the stunning Waikawa bay just around from Picton.

Look at this fucking paradise.

The Hamburgler isn't just a MaccyD's character...

He's fucking REAL!

So we just had to settle with cock. Big one.

Day 98 - Paraparaumu... The Sequel.

It's been close to six months since I finished this marathon, and in glorious procrastination, I am now finishing this blog.

Ummm, ate some Lamb Rolls. They were probably delicious.

Look at these. Each is worth 1000 words.

BBQ Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gpM1dhBefQ

Day 97 - Kilbirnie

Today was one of the most awesome experiences I have ever had.

I, along with fellow band-mates, went to a house in Seatoun, which is around the bay from Wellington City, where we knew pretty much no-one, and proceeded to form small groups of random people and write and record a bunch of idiotic songs with them. I am totally doing this when I get back to Auckland.

Anyway, after the hilarious listening session that preceded the recording it was getting late. Like, real late, so we jumped in the van and missioned it to the nearest Supermarket. Lucky for us, no-one in the van was very familiar with these Wellington suburbs, so it took a little while to find one, but once we did, it was dogs and rolls time.

Sims and I decided we would set up the BBQ in the carpark of the Supermarket while the others went off to find petrol for the van. Unfortunately, the wind was a bit strong and the BBQ didn't like it too much. I don't know how long it takes most people to get petrol, but it took those cunts AAAAGES and while we waited in the cold wind, hungry as FUCK, we scoped out some potential BBQ sites.

When the crew finally returned, I directed Joel to drive the van to the Warehouse Stationary carpark in Kilbirnie, a suburb of Wellington. We found a covered and sheltered spot to cook up some dogs with about 20 mins to midnight.

Phew!



(pics to follow)

Day 96 - Paraparaumu

After the show in Napier, we decided we would hit the road and drive through the night to Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast, just North of Wellington.


We arrived at about 4am to Jen's house. Jen is admirably hospitable woman who I had never met 'til our arrival. Thank you so much for letting us stay with you in your lovely house, with your AWESOME cat Nose, and your solid collection of books and old National Geographics i couldn't put down.

So, next day it was midday breakfast burritos. BBQ Style. I'm positive there was more than just bacon that went in them, but my camera seems to think otherwise.

Day 95 - Napier

So, I left Auckland on tour today and after a lengthy drive with many stops, we arrived in Napier on dusk. One of these stops included brewing up a fresh pot on the portable BBQ at some random rest stop. Nice place for a coffee though, no crowds. I also took a piss under a tree, that was well satisfying.


So after sound check at the venue, it was decided that a traditional BBQ of Sausages, Onion, Bread and Sauce were the go. Location - On the street outside the venue.

Note the tour van in the background. Unbelievably, we fit 7 people, PLUS all our gear and bags etc in this modest van. It would be an understatement to say it was tight.



Chris became increasingly excited the closer the Sausages were to being cooked.


Joel fondles his lobes in anticipation.



Fleur makes an offering to the Gods of Sausage. (Not just a cheap porno).


Hannah inhales.



First stop = Success.

Day 94 - Slap It Together

You can slap just about anything in a tortilla.

Holy shit. 6 days to 100. I leave to go on a tour today, so i guess my next BBQ will be in Napier.


Pleasebesunnypleasebesunnypleasebesunny...

Day 93 - BBQ, With Cheese

So I figured I would try the portable BBQ out again in order to get to know it a bit better.

Important questions anyone having a BBQ really needs to ask themselves are:

1. Where are the hotspots, or ideal cooking spots?
2. What is the Dynamic Range (degrees Celsius) of the flame?
3. Do the burners burn evenly?
4. This BBQ looks pretty shady. Is it going to break and land on my foot?
And finally, not so much a question, more of a affirmation, "Don't fuck it up".

I found that, with a slight wind, the flame would go out when the lid was closed. This proved to be somewhat aggravating as you can imagine, so after re-lighting it a few times, I wedged a rock between the bottom case and lid in order to stop the lid from fully closing.

Another thing I have discovered about this little demon, is that when the lid is closed, the cooking time decreases exponentially. This of course, is pretty obvious, but all of my BBQ-ing so far has been done on a lid-less models and is a nice surprise.

Now I just have to find a way to clean it fast so the van doesn't contain a greasy funk.

Ryan, after one of his surprise visits to my work right on home time, joined me for some late afternoon Cheese Kranskys.

Cook it.






I will attempt to update while I am away on tour.

Day 92 - Preparation

The charcoal BBQ?

Fail.

I am going away on Friday for 2 weeks and needed an easier way to continue this quest of glory.

So, today I picked up a portable gas BBQ.

Upon arrival to rehearsal, I cooked up a few sausages in the boot of my car as a test run. This little thing kicks arse, and is faster and hotter than the charcoal. I'm pretty stoked with this purchase, and I am looking forward to many a 'location' BBQ in the future.

Fukk year.

Day 91 - Slow And Low

Tonight could have potentially been a repeat of the post-dinner BBQ I had a month or so ago.

To recap; I went out for dinner, and upon returning home, had to fill my BBQ quota for the day. Not fun.

So, this time, I paced myself over dinner, and grilled up a tried and true snack.



This time, I opted to cook the banana straight on the hotplate, instead of wrapping it in tin foil before hand. I used butter instead of oil, and sprinkled on some sugar and cinnamon. I also made sure it was cooked over a low heat in order not to burn the sugar.




Cooked banana vs. regular banana.

Day 90 - A True Barbeque

I went 'round for a couple of jars and a saus' or 3 with me ol' mate Ben.

He's going away soon.

Day 89 - Double Down

Look at this Atrocious Chicken Snack.

So, today, I was blessed with two BBQ's. This isn't the first time it has happened, mind you, but it all flowed so naturally, I couldn't give an ounce of resistance.

The first, as follows, was the introduction of the famous Fruit Quesadillas to Jon and Michelle. Jon has become seriously addicted to Quesadillas, and in any other case, I would probably we worried, but since they are quite good for you, I will let him have his binge without intervening.

It's only fair and right.






You can see it clearly in Michelle's eyes. Fucking delicious.

Onward.

The evening's events were a response to last night's Tacos.

James has traveled to so many places since I have known him, and I have known him a long time. As a result of this travel, James is a part of the Couch Surfing community, and often has random foreign people staying at his place. Once, he lost an Irish Girl somewhere in Grey Lynn and came back slightly flustered and worried.

Anyway, a lovely French girl, Marine, was staying with James and was present in the semi-drunken taco-fest from the evening before. Marine wanted to return the favour and make some traditional French cuisine.

Being the totally rad dude that I am, I was all for it.

Marine made us Steak Tartare, which is basically an uncooked Burger Pattie. As off-putting as that sounds, it's actually really nice, and I thank you Marine for the experience.

Along with raw meat, we grilled up some of Westmere Butchery's finest Peri-peri Chicken, and James cooked a fuck-load of Potatoes.

Day 88 - MILES AN HOUR!!!

My good friend Ben has recently moved out of the flat downstairs, disrupting our little trifecta of neighborly living arrangements. No longer will the rumble of an electric guitar shake my bedroom floor, or the sweet smell of a good ma'a be present around lunchtime. Nor will I be greeted with a beardy smile and a wave from over the fence.

Have a good time on your travels, bro. Keep me posted.

So, in response to this self-evacuation, I offered the flat to a long time friend of mine, James. Much to my landlords' happiness, this all worked out and James moved in a week or so ago. Welcome to our little melrose place, James.

So, we're having a few and two things happen.
1. As usual, after not eating for an extended period of time, I begin to get hungry.
2. I realize I am yet to BBQ on this day.

So, in response to these two factors, I break out the Chicken Mince, assorted veges, a Mango, Sauce, Tortillas etc., and Wilson, James, Marine and myself enjoy some BBQ Crispy Tacos. (Again)








Holy shit, it's exciting.

Day 87 - True Love Really Does Last Forever

Making crispy taco shells out of regular soft Tortillas is something I have only just discovered, and makes an immensely satisfying meal just that little bit sweeter.

Day 86 - Return of the DJ (Bacon Remix)

The great thing about Mexican Food is that, like true love, it lasts forever.

Putting Bacon on top, is like you and true love gettin' freaky.





It freaked Joel out.


But he showed that fucker by eating the shit out of it.