The Tingle Factor Box

Roaming Roy Finds a Loo With A View! - Captains Flat And Lake George Mine

Recently, Roy decided it had been a while since he had visited an historic mining site. We have visited a number of Gold Rush towns, but Roy decided he wanted to have a look at a different type of mine site, and one which not many people visit. When we were in Canberra, I suggested we take the drive to Captains Flat and see the old mine there, which produced some gold, but mostly silver and especially copper. He fell in love with the little town and its dramatic surroundings, and decided this was the perfect place to visit.

Although children learn some of the story of Australian mining in history classes at school, the focus tends to be on gold mining and the gold rushes. Yet gold wasn't the only thing mined in Australia and even today vast ranges of minerals and metals are mined here and sent all over the world. Captains Flat and the Lake George Mine which dominated the town was once one of the biggest producers of copper in the world, and although the boom of the mining community is long gone, the town is a fascinating place to visit, to see the historic remains of the mines, and the effect which mining can have on the environment. Although you can't see a lot of it in the photos, much of the area around the town was turned into almost a moonscape by the mining activity. The sites are now being stablised and revegetated, but there is still lots of environmental damage to repair and which you can see.

Roy Creates A Candleholder For Caroling

This week, with the season for Carols By Candlelight soon upon us, Roy decided that it would be a good idea to show you an old fashioned way to make a beautiful candle holder, which will protect your candle from going out and also stop any little fingers from getting burnt! I thought it was probably a bit early to be getting ready for carol services, but Roy showed me advertisements for carols starting as early as December 5, so we thought you might need a bit of time to make your candle holder. So this week, Roy Creates a stained glass candle holder.

It's So Fine! Roman Glass

Imagine, you are a rich Roman, living in Ancient Rome. You are proud of your civilisation, after all, the empire rules much of the known world and is a leader in all areas of life. You have access to so many luxuries brought from all over the empire to Rome, jewels, fine linens, exotic fruits, beautiful oils and perfumes. You also have wonderful bowls and vessels to keep your fruits, oils and perfumes in, the finest glass made by the Roman artisans. No other glass can compare to the quality and beauty of Roman glass.

Roaming Roy Discovers A Curse - Paterson's Curse

Earlier this week, as Roy and I were driving through the country side around Canberra, Roy was really taken with the beautiful carpet of purple growing on the hills. It was really beautiful, providing a thick, lush covering of purple flowers and absolutely covering the countryside. Of course, with the flower being so pretty and so prolific, especially after the recent rain, Roy wanted to know what it was, and whether we could grow it in our garden, so when I told him it was a weed which had caused massive trouble in Australia, he was rather shocked. He decided that, since he hadn't known about Paterson's Curse, he would like to learn more and share what he discovered with his friends.

Roy Creates Old Fashioned Jam Ring Biscuits

This week, with the fete season well under way, and cake stalls abounding, Roy decided it was a perfect time to make some old fashioned biscuits. He loves the recipes for biscuits in his old cookbooks, not least because they tend to make loads of biscuits, so are perfect for a cake stall. The recipes are also very simple - people in those days didn't have time for fiddling around with recipes! I told him the children like sweet biscuits, but that their parents prefer not too much sugar, so he went through his books looking for the perfect recipe. Then, he found it in the Electrical Association For Women's Cookery Book, circa 1930 - Jam Rings. So this week, Roy Creates Jam Rings.

There is actually a special comb for that? - Moustache Comb

Imagine, you are a man of fashion, living some time in the 1940s. As a man of fashion and some rank, it is always important that you maintain the proper look, a task which takes time and patience. One of the most important things you need to do is maintain your moustache - after all, a messy moustache will never succeed in making a good impression! You comb it to perfection each morning, but to ensure it is always perfect, you also keep a small moustache comb with you when you are travelling, for those necessary touch ups.

Roaming Roy Meets Some Naked Sheep - Wool Industry

This week, Roy has decided to do something a little bit different. He was listening to Australian bush music earlier this week and noticed that there are a lot of songs about shearing, yet many of the children he knows don't know much about Australia's wool industry. Many think that sheep raising is simply done for food and wool is a convenient byproduct, but Australia has a very proud history of shearing and wool and even today, is one of the biggest wool producing nations in the world, producing over a quarter of the worlds wool. So this week, Roy investigates the wool industry.

Roy Creates Evaporated Milk Jelly Fluff

This week, Roy decided that with summer fast approaching he would take the opportunity to teach his friends an old fashioned, easy to make summer dessert. There were lots of choices, from a traditional fruit salad to a simple mousse, both of which are really old fashioned desserts. Then, I reminded him of a dessert which has almost disappeared, but which Roy loves - fluff. It is very easy to make, cheap, delicious and perfect for a summer day. What's more, most people remember it fondly, but don't know how to make it! So this week, Roy Creates Evaporated Milk Jelly Fluff.

That's So Sweet - Love Token

Imagine, you are a young soldier, sitting in the trenches of France. You're cold, wet and frightened. You hardly sleep, and you've watched so many of your friends die. Sometimes you wonder what you are fighting for, but then you look at the picture of your sweetheart in your wallet. She gives you a reason to keep fighting, so that you can go home and marry. You have just finished making her a gift, a love token. It isn't much, just an old penny you carved, but when she sees it, you hope she will think of you.

Roaming Roy Meets The Immortals - Australian War Memorial Sculpture Garden

This week, with Remembrance Day fast appropaching, Roy decided he wanted to remember our brave men and women who fought in war. He wanted to take you somewhere quiet where he could remember the sacrifice of the thousands of men and women who died serving their countries. The most difficult decision was where to go. Australia has a wealth of War Memorials, from the grand and massive to the small and simple. Yet even the biggest War Memorials have hidden aspects, and Roy decided he wanted to show you such a place. So this week, Roy visits the Australian War Memorial's Sculpture Garden.