Crowdy Head Gathering 24-25 Oct 2009

[barnray]

Never had the experience but willing to help. What are you planning to cook? Barnray

[BigJules]

Another plus of the hangi is that people can provide their own meat and veges, so it does not require anyone to buy everything.

I have been thinking about some lamb and chicken, maybe some pork, with a tray of baking veges.

I'll probably debone a leg of lamb, season it and tie it.

I know the camp oven is popular, just thinking to try something different.

[NewcastleKnight]

Another plus of the hangi is that people can provide their own meat and veges, so it does not require anyone to buy everything.

I have been thinking about some lamb and chicken, maybe some pork, with a tray of baking veges.

I'll probably debone a leg of lamb, season it and tie it.

I know the camp oven is popular, just thinking to try something different.

I will have the meat and veges with me so if the Hangi is on then I will probably indulge in a new experience.  Not sure about fire pits at Crowdy or the availability of decent rocks.

My excitment level is increasing.....only four more sleeps and we are on the road!!

[barnray]

who's sleeping. Barnray

[darren]

Jules
If you are keen we could find rocks on a wood run. Remember that there is moisture in the rocks they can explode. I remember a bloke i worked with had professional caterers come to his place and cook a hangi. They used scrap steel.  
Also if you cook a hangi we will expect you to wear traditional Polynesian dress for the occasion
Darren.

[Silvo]

My excitment level is increasing.....only four more sleeps and we are on the road!!

When you start counting it in sleeps, it has as much hype as christmas.. and yes, i still wait to see what Santa has delivered for me..

Dan

[BigJules]

Santa (BlueBravo  ) isn't going to make it on this one, but it will still be a long few days until we head off.

[Laith]

I have heaps of "river rocks" in my creek at home but they have been wet for quite a while and as mentioned they would be dangerous.

There would have to be plenty of rocks around somewhere nearby. There is plenty of roadworks going on at the Pacific Hwy 

[Duchess]

Just thought I'd stick my head in here and say...

Wow! This looks like a great weekend!

I was actually lining myself up for it and had a camper trailer in mind to borrow for the trip but unfortunately there is a significant event on in my town this weekend and I can't miss it (and no...its not my birthday!  )

So, thanks for the invite Bigjules, might catch you all at the next meetup...

Will read with great interest the after weekend reports!

[NewcastleKnight]

Ok, only three days out before the first arrivals at Crowdy so I thought I would give you a weather update.

I have a contact who is a meteorologist so dropped him a line and this is what he is telling me.  Firstly weather prediction more then five days in advance is a bit of hit and miss however, he thinks there may be some rain around but it won't be a wet weekend.  The rain will probably take the form of a storm or similar and should not cause too much inconvenience.  It is expected the days will be quite warm.

Here's hoping!

[Gunna Do]

NK, you being the resident weather man for this trip, I thought I would give you a little bit of extra info in the form or an American (can you believe it) Web site, which I have found to be quite accurate over the years, which considers a differant set of factors in offering its long term predictions.

I have it in favourites for checking ahead.

Check it out:- GFS Medium Range Forecasts of Vertical Velocity and Precipitation

[Silvo]

all, i'm trying to plan food for the trip - which day are we all considering the Hangi ?? on the saturday?

and what do i need to bring for it? having never done one before

dan

[Snow]

all, i'm trying to plan food for the trip - which day are we all considering the Hangi ?? on the saturday?

and what do i need to bring for it? having never done one before

dan

A camp oven in case it all goes pear shaped. Just kidding. What we need is: An old canvas tarp to put over the foil wrapped tucker and camp ovens after the food is placed on a rack to keep it off the stones. Then the soil/sand/dirt is filled in over the tarp. 2 hrs later you dig it up and wala!!

Here are some pics of a small one we did in my mates backyard in Fiji. It fed 10 people.

[Silvo]

so everyone just brings some meat and vegetables?

dan

[HEM19X]

I don't want to sound like a "kill joy" but you will need a "plan B" if there is a total fire ban in place.

Hem

[Snow]

I don't want to sound like a "kill joy" but you will need a "plan B" if there is a total fire ban in place.

Hem

I have my Plan B, my trusty Trivet'n'dar.   Hang-on that uses heat beads  ............... Hem, you can be a killjoy. Bring it all anyway and see what may be.

[darren]

Snow
That looks great..
As for the fire. My theory on roasts is always bring somthing you can slice and cook anothother way. That way if its flogging down or there is a fire ban you are still ok.
Darren

[Silvo]

come on boys.. don't get too distracted.. a shopping list??

[darren]

Truffle and spatchcock might be nice in a hangi
Darren

[BigJules]

Grouse would be grouse. Saturday would be the day, IMO, that we could give it a go.

Just tried to contact DECC on status of any fire bans, will confirm after 09000HRS when they open.

UPDATE: No fire bans in place currently, and not expected for this weekend!

[gronk]

I would say almost no chance of a fire ban.......but rain is another matter !!!!!

Due to a few things happening this week, getting food organised for a Hungi may be a bit hard, but it may be a bit like a stew....chuck a few things together and see what happens !!

[Laith]

I know how things can change quickly, but the last few days (this one looking the same) have been both sunnier and warmer than we have had for quite a while. Perfect weather.

There is a great butcher in Laurieton (Wiggly Tail Pork Chop Shop). Its only a short drive away for anyone who decides on the day they need some meat to bury in the dirt.

[BigJules]

As long as you've packed the Worcestershire sauce, you can put anything in.

I'll grab some steel baskets tonight to put the food in.

Tips on what food can be cooked:
Basically any meat; lamb, beef, pork, poultry, fish. I intend to season mine for more flavour, something that can be absent in polynesian cooking
Veges: potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, any vege that cooks well when steamed.

The food can be wrapped in al-foil

One suggestion is to use aluminium food containers, with the cardboard lid, keeps everything well contained and prevents contamination from soil, ash etc.

[darren]

If i hit anything in the next few days ill bring it if you like
Just not my wallabies though
Darren

[Gunna Do]

We'll have some sort of roast packed anyway (for the Cobb ), but might bring a couple of lamb legs and vegies to wrap up and throw in the Hungi.  Will the wool burn off in a Hungi?