I have fond memories of Peter O'Toole in "Lawrence", a film I saw quite young , (I have a sister fifteen years older than I).
I have ridden camels in central Australia several times during a trip there many years ago. I found the ones I met responsive, quite gentle and very easy to ride with a gentle rolling gait, unlike some horses I have known! The sudden lurching as they rise to their feet once you are in the saddle and also when dismounting was the most disconcerting thing about the experience.
They are pretty amazing animals, able to drink huge amounts of water very quickly and are considered to be fairly intelligent and independent beasts capable of affection and connection to a caring owner. I have read stories about them being able to undo knots in their tethering ropes with their very mobile lips during the night and once free setting off for home, leaving their rider with a very long walk to find them next day.
Also I loved Ogden Nash's little camel poem as a child...I thought it was so witty! (But I am still not absolutely sure which is which, I think mine is an Arabian camel, a dromedary, despite Mr Nash!)
The camel has a single hump;
The dromedary , two;
Or else the other way around.
I'm never sure. Are you?
Ogden Nash
The next row in my inchie frame is now complete. I think I can get another five inchies in and then it will be off to the framers to be all remounted...I am sure they will be able to sort it all out for me!
It uses a large tin of peaches in syrup, which is drained and pureed and added to the basic almond butter cake recipe. The syrup is reduced with some vanilla extract and poured over the warm cake once it has cooled a little.
I find cakes made with almond meal are usually quite moist anyway but this one, with the syrup soaked in as well is an absolute delight. I can't wait now to try the recipe with freshly cooked blood plums or rhubarb, maybe even apricots when in season. I never buy tinned fruit normally, but when making a recipe for the first time it does pay to stick to the written text! This one is definitely a keeper!
Di