Cheers to you as well Brian. Please forgive me but you didn't answer my question. Was it cryptically nestled within the poem about lovely tree? Pass it to the left...

Sorry, Dauber, I missed your question but it's springtime again for me so I'm moving back towards the crisp, bright beers just as I'm sure my many friends in the northern hellisphere are seeking the darker, maltier varieties to keep the home fires burning.

I also take very seriously my responsibility to drink the health of every CHead who'd join me in a toast if they could.

While I'm planning my Spring to revolve around tropical fruit, salads and freshly caught seafood I notice Halloween is coming up for others. Anyone want my private recipe for making punkin soup?

Cheers and beers,

Brian down under.

Open a can of beer.

In a large saucepan, lightly saute heaps of sliced onions in a little butter. Add a bucket of peeled punkin, cover with water plus a bit more, a goodly splosh of chicken stock, and boil for 20 minutes.

While this is happening, drink beer and fry up some good bacon, set aside.

The contents of the saucepan then need to be pureed through a sieve (of course, rich people have food processors) then add the chopped bacon with a bit of salt and pepper to taste.

It can now be reheated and served immediately but it's best left to cool for an hour or a day and then re-cooked.

Fresh parsley, a dob of cream and a cold can of beer.

Thanks Brian, its the time of year to start planning a fruit and vegetable garden where you live . What do australians  commonly grows? I just picked my last watermelon and tomatoes yesterday. I miss summer already.