JoyfulCook

about me

I now live with my husband just a few minutes from the coast in Barry South Wales,U.K. which is such an incredibly beautiful place.

As a young child he family moved to India/pakistan, My folks moved because I had been ill for ages, and the doctors advocated that we get into a warm climate! I guess thats was the start of a life time of travel.

So, at the age of 7 along with my elder sister I went to boarding school in Assam india. I grew to love the country, customs and of course the food - a passion I still have today.

We moved on to California, living in Venice and went to school in Santa Monica when I was a teenager, and I finished my education there. I still remember, in awe going for drives into Arizona for the weekend and seeing the desert a mass of spring flowers - as far as the eye could see. yet another beautiful country.

My Dad moved on to work in East Africa and thats where I met my Cornish husband - Africa is magic and always keeps a piece of my heart, Although living in Nairobi we we spent many vacations under canvas, these are a memories for ever. the coughing of the lions close at night - thinking about it! scared the pants off me now! but WOW!

We spent many, many years in Australia, moving there, just before we got married in perth. lving living in different parts, first on a wheat and sheep station

eventually went to Albany at the wonderful south coast for a few years, in West australia then we got transferred to the North, in a mining town called Goldsworthy that was on the edge of the great sandy desert.

three shops. 60 odd houses, a primary school. medical centre we had the flying doctor visit once a week... Oh! and 60 odd miles of dirt road, to the nearest town.

this is the beautiful Sturt Pea, that comes out in the desert after the rains


we also lived for quite a few years in Perth and years later my husbands job meant a move to Melbourne Victoria. which has a unique beauty of its own,


We have two married daughters In Australia and 4 wonderful grandchildren, and have just visited them recently. Australia has a magic as unique as Africa. its a country you fall in love with, and it never really lets you go.



my cooking interests are very wide, leaning toward, spicy foods. my favourite cookbooks are written and compiled by Charmaine Solomon and her husband Ruben -
I have loads of interests like spending time on our canal boat, messing about in the kitchen and entertaining friends and of course visiting Zaar!

My hobbies are te Gardening, knitting, writing and reading and of course cooking, Due to arthritis I cant now knit or garden very much ,but love nothing better than to cook up a storm in the Kitchen>



There is always a lovely pub that you can stop at for a drink or just a bit of socialising


Also traveling and trying any local cuisine .


I am very interested in History there is always so much to see and learn about.

My problem is that I kind of forget my age and want to do so much, I am going to be really angry if I die before I get to finish what I set out to do - joking apart, aint life great! - even with all the ups and downs we all have.


Pet peeve are racists - caused mainly by ignorance, I was one of just three europeans in boarding school, and had loads of friends - no one ever mentioned the fact that it was me that was different!


I have a good sense of humor and love to laugh - not at others, but with others.

Favorite Foods:

favourite dishes are too many to list, but often spicy
Friends all seem to love my curries and chinese meals. also my sausage rolls and samosas
I always cook from scratch, which I kind of find good therapy!


My favourite restaurant is Joys Kitchen,
why? because the best recipes are to be found here at Zaar

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