The Tingle Factor Box

Roaming Roy Goes Out On A Limb - Lady Davidson Hospital Museum

This week, Roy is really excited to share with you a lovely little museum he recently discovered. He was visiting Lady Davidson Hospital and noticed a sign out saying that their museum was open. Well, Roy didn't even realise they had a museum, so of course he had to visit. After a little searching, Roy found a lovely heritage building filled with fascinating items and pictures, and with a wonderful story attached. In fact, this little museum is so full of history that Roy can't tell you all of it in one week, so he will revisit some time in the future.

Roy Creates War-time Chocolate Chip Cookies

This week, Roy noticed that his Grandpa's cookie jar was empty. Now, Roy has a deal with his Grandpa, that he always keeps the cookie jar which he gave to him as a birthday present a few years ago brimming with homemade biscuits. It was a big promise to make when he gave Grandpa the jar, because it means he is always trying to find good recipes for biscuits, and having to find the time to bake them. Recently, he came across this recipe for chocolate chip cookies in one of his old cookbooks. It dates from 1942, during the Second World War, and with its mix of brown and white sugar and chocolate and nuts, promises to be a tasty treat. So this week, Roy Creates War-time Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Wow- It's Heavy - Diecast Toy Car

Imagine, you are a little boy living in the 1930s. Today, it is your birthday and Mum and Dad promised you something really special. You know you'll probably get clothes, maybe even a book, but what you are really hoping for is a toy car. You saw it in the window of a shop in the city, and it was so lovely. You dropped lots of hints, so perhaps you might be lucky and when you unwrap your presents, there it is. You don't have many toys - they are just so expensive, so you'll treasure the little toy car.

Roaming Roy Gets Moving - Domain Moving Walkway

When Roy is out and about, he is always on the look out for new, interesting, forgotten or hidden attractions to take his friends to. It is something which he thinks he has become quite good at! So, imagine his surprise when he realised that he had been using one such place and not yet thought about writing about it! When his Auntie Blanche suggested he visit the moving walkway in the Domain, he realised that this was an amazing place which he has often visited but just taken for granted.

Roy Creates Dolly Peg Dolls

This week, Roy decided he would like to make a toy. He has recently made lots of new friends, who have just started school, and they are very interested in toys, especially old fashioned toys. So, Roy thought it would be nice to show these new friends how to make an old fashioned toy. He had lots of grand ideas, but I suggested trying something simpler, like a dolly peg doll. Dolly peg dolls were a popular toy in the 1900s, made from a clothes peg and scraps of material. They were cheap and could be made with materials which were readily available, and as clothes were often homemade, often already lying around the house. Roy loved this idea and immediately went to examine the peg dolls I made when I was little. He really liked the clothing on two dolls in particular and decided he would like to show his friends how to recreate it. So this week, Roy Creates Dolly Peg Dolls.

That's Like Torture! Corset

Imagine, you are a fashionable lady of the 1800s. Your maid has just arrived to help you dress, carrying your undergarments with her. As part of your daily routine, you know you have to put on your undergarments, but oh, how you hate them, particularly the corset! It is always uncomfortable, but today you are meeting a potential husband, so it will have to be tightly laced. You just hope you don't faint from lack of air.

Roaming Roy Finds A Plant With Bite!

Recently, while Roy and I were out and about, we had an encounter with what he called 'a plant with bite'. The plant was the stinging nettle, something which we see often when walking to various forgotten heritage places, but very rarely get 'bitten' by. This time we were not so lucky and I was stung. Luckily, I knew to look around for another plant which I could use to reduce the sting, but as Roy said, many might not be know this useful fact and perhaps we should teach people how to recognise and avoid stinging nettles, what to do if they are stung and a little about their long history.

Roy Creates A Summer Mango Fool

This week, with so many places around Australia being so very hot, Roy decided he would like to create a cooling summer dessert. I suggested we try making a fruit fool, a very old fashioned type of dessert which goes back hundreds of years, but he was concerned by all the cream they generally have in them. He thought on a hot day, all that cream, might be a bit much. Then, Grandma to the rescue. She reminded him of a recipe she had found for a fruit fool which was much lighter and healthier, and which Roy had enjoyed before. So this week, Roy Shows you how to create Summer Mango Fool.

It's Made Of WHAT? - Toothbrush

Imagine, you are living in the 1800s. It is evening and you are preparing for bed. You wish you could just skip brushing your teeth, but you know it would be silly. After all, you are lucky to still have all your teeth, in good condition. It's just, brushing your teeth is so tedious, and it always makes your mouth bleed.You suppose you are fortunate to at least have a proper toothbrush.

Roaming Roy Discovers A Fabulous Furry Friend - The Platypus

Recently, Roy enjoyed some time at Jenolan Caves (in NSW), a place which he loved but had never been before. While we were there we saw lots of different things and places, which Roy will tell you about soon, but there was one thing which really excited him - seeing a platypus. Roy has many things which he loves and which interest him, but when it comes to animals, platypus are his favourites. Such interesting, beautiful animals, and with an interesting history. So today, he thought he would like to share why he thinks they are such amazing animals.