Originally Capril was a collaboration of listeners and the three hosts of the Triple M radio show Get This, which was Tony Martin, Ed Kavalee and Richard Marsland. Listeners, guests and hosts were encouraged to wear capes during everyday activities throughout April and send in photos as proof. Since the axing of this radio program Capril (Cape April) has become much more than just some silly fun. The beloved Richard Marsland passed away due to severe depression, and in honour of his memory, his fans, loved ones and colleagues have come together each year since to remember him in a special way. Capril has taken on a life of its own; it is now about raising awareness of depression in society.

Richard’s death was a great shock that became amplified throughout the entertainment industry- from his old work colleagues to the many listeners that had him as a  part of their every day lives for years. We were all devastated. Since Richard’s death, we have thought long and hard, and decided that the best way to honour his memory and draw attention to the depression that took him from us, was to have Capril continue each year as an event that helps to raise awareness of this disabling illness that needs treatment.

In 2009 Angus McLaren took the mantle from Get This and turned Capril into an annual event. Now in 2010 Angus has the support of Megan Orrin and Bernadette Young in helping to organise and run Capril. This year will be the fourth year that Capril has run.

Participants of Capril are encouraged to wear capes during everyday activities. This will raise awareness and hopefully the general public will make a donation in support of beyondblue: the national depression and anxiety initiative. We also encourage participants to provide photographic evidence of the average day-to-day mundane tasks you get up to while wearing your cape. If people ask you what it’s all about then tell them. Depression is a serious illness and if people get the right treatment, they can recover. By participating you will encourage people to talk about it and hopefully make people’s days brighter when they smile at your fashion statement.

For more information on Capril and our goals please feel free to contact Megan Orrin viamegan@capril.org or Angus McLaren via angus@capril.org.

Capril – Proudly supporting beyondblue: the national depression and anxiety initiative.

the above information was taken from http://capril.org

New Years Eve La Boheme

But there’s always somebody who sees the long line of queuing cars and decides queuing isn’t for them.  They motor down the line of obviously queuing cars right up to the roadworks and push into the front of the line.

and become My Current Pet Peeve.

So far I’ve made cardamon, rhubarb, saffron, star anise, juniper, basil and apricot. They’re not true gomme syrups as I don’t use gum arabic, so they consist of sugar, water and some aromatic flavours.

Most old cocktail books have recipes that call for gum or “gomme” syrup (or gum syrup; gomme is French for “gum”) you can substitute simple syrup but the traditional gomme syrup has the added ingredient of gum arabic, a natural gum made from the sap of the acacia tree, which prevents the syrup from crystallising, acts as an emulsifier and adds a smoother texture to the cocktail.

gomme syrup:  Dissolve two pounds of loaf sugar and one pound of white gum arabic in one quart of hot water. Boil over the fire for two minutes.

If you don’t have access to loaf sugar, you can try this version.

2 oz Gum Arabic (food-grade) and 2 oz water.  Dissolve Gum Arabic in near-boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Set aside to cool.

then 8 oz sugar and 4 oz water.  Combine sugar and water in a pot. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the dissolved gum and continue to boil for two minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, let cool, and bottle.

 Simple syrup: A basic sugar-and-water syrup used to make drinks at bars is referred to by several names, including liquid sugar, simple syrup, sugar syrup, simple sugar syrup, gomme, and bar syrup. Simple syrup is made by stirring granulated sugar into hot water until the sugar is dissolved and then cooling the solution. Generally, the ratio of sugar to water can range anywhere from 1:1 to 2:1.

 My recipe for our cardamon gomme

2 packets of cardamon seeds, 500-750 gm caster sugar, boiling water about 500ml and an empty absolute bottle with lid.  Crush cardamom seeds in mortar and  pestle, steep the pods in the water for 1/2 hr add heat to keep simmering,  3/4 fill empty bottle with caster sugar.  Strain the Cardamon water into jug and pour into bottle, fit lid and gently rotate until all sugar is dissolved.

Mixologist: Nathan @ LaBoheme Bar