The Great Summer Road Test

Sun Herald

Sunday December 21, 2008

By Amanda Woodard

Iceblocks

Karen Martini, Sunday Life food editor

Theo Hopkins, 8, and Ava Hopkins, 5

Bulla Splits, $6.20 for a pack of 10

Karen Boasting whole fresh-cream milk and some fresh fruit flavours, this delivers as a safe ice-cream and sorbet combination. I like to keep a box of these in the freezer for when unexpected kids - big and little - drop by.

Theo I liked the mango flavour and Ava, my sister, liked the raspberry, so we didn't argue about which one to have. There was lime, too, which we both liked: the colours were nice. You get the icy bit first and the vanilla ice-cream inside, so it's like two iceblocks in one.

Streets Calippo Minis, $5.80 for a pack of 10

Karen I love the ladylike packaging. It's small enough to apply pressure to as you crush the iceblock to ease it out.

I preferred the original lemon flavour to lime-orange. The lemon Calippo takes me back to a memorable holiday in Positano in Italy - strolling down a hill, towards the beach, and enjoying the best lemon granita in the world.

Theo We have these in the fridge at home sometimes. I liked the lime-and-orange flavour best. You have to be careful when you squeeze them at the bottom, because you can push too hard and they shoot out.

Weis Bar Raspberry and Cream, $2.70

Karen It's sophisticated, with full-on pure fruit flavour and quality vanilla ice-cream that's not too sweet or too hard in texture. What's not to like? I do miss the

old-school packaging, though.

Theo This was nice and creamy, but it was messy to eat and it would have been better on a stick. Both Ava and I thought the vanilla half was yummy, but she wouldn't eat the pink half.

Nestle Peters Life Saver, $2

Karen It's been a long time since I savoured a Life Saver lolly. I felt the iceblock had every colour and flavour known to man in it, and the flavours didn't deliver a punch that jolted any particular fond memories of the lolly. However, it does have an ingenious layered flavour-colour construction that works from the core outwards. That alone would be popular with children.

Theo I've had this before; it's one of my favourites. I like all the different colours that come through as you lick it. If Mum lets us have an iceblock, I usually choose this one.

Boost Bliss Bar, $5.99 for a pack of four

Karen This totally bombed for me. The ice-cream and gelati confection lacks intensity and is "soapy" and soft.

I couldn't determine if this was the most natural and low-sugar ice confection that I tried but, if it is, why bother? It seemed to melt incredibly quickly; by the end, a third had melted into the wrapper. I think it's in direct competition with the Weis Bar but, for me, it comes in a sad second.

Theo On the weekend, I have a Boost Juice after tennis - Mango Magic is my favourite - but I've never had one of their ice-creams. I quite liked this one; it's a good size and it tastes like real fruit. I would choose it again.

Nestle Peters Frosty Fruit, $2

Karen If the weather was searingly hot, this would be the pick of the bunch. The Frosty Fruit was just as I remembered - a tropical, dense, sweet flavour that's predominantly pineapple. I love the way you can literally suck the flavour straight out of the ice.

Theo This was my favourite, because it was really fruity and refreshing. I love pineapple. It said it had more fruit juice than the others, so I think it is quite healthy, too, and that's good. Ava thought it was a bit sour and only ate half.

Boardshorts

Lara Zamiatin, Sunday Life fashion writer, The Rules

Ben Grauer, 31, financial consultant and surfer

Billabong Eco-Supreme Suede, $80

Lara In a bid to reduce the number of plastic bottles clogging up landfill, the folk at Billabong have produced a green-friendly line of boardshorts made from recycled textiles (about 10 plastic bottles go into each one). According to the company, the boardies are durable, practical and comfortable. They also look fabulous in Billabong's signature bright colours and punkish prints.

Ben These shorts looked of lower-quality finish than the others, but performed well in the surf. Environmentally friendly fabric is a great idea and is suited to the water. They have a longer leg, but the cut allows for maximum leg movement. The fluoro tie-dye pattern is pretty loud and I felt I needed the moves to back it up. The recycled material is lightweight and quick-drying, but a little abrasive on the skin.

Diesel Sea Gear BMB-Baronz Bathing Suit, $129

Lara Harking back to men's bathing trunks of the 1950s, Diesel's Sea Gear boardshorts with a tropical floral motif have an old-school Italian Riviera feel about them. Being super-short, they're not the ideal boardies for serious surfers, but have a groovy retro feel about them. Wearers can rest assured they'll look cool hitting the waves.

Ben These ultra-high-cut shorts are more suited to a European beach vacation than surfing at Maroubra or Bells Beach. I found the quick-drying suede material to be soft, with a practical internal mesh liner that provides man-comfort and modesty. However, they're cut for a skinny leg, which I don't have, and suited to

a flamboyant metro man, which I'm not.

Mambo Talk Is Cheap, $80

Lara Mambo has maintained an edgy, fun vibe since its launch in 1984, when artists such as Reg Mombassa produced the iconic "farting dog" design that cemented the brand's reputation. Crafted from 100 per cent cotton canvas, these boardies are a little heavier for surfers

to negotiate their moves, but they are multifunctional. With a funky '60s-inspired print designed by Aussie artist Paul McNeil, they also make great casual shorts.

Ben Uber-stylish and anti-logo, these shorts are best for cruising to a beachside breakfast or a morning dip at North Bondi or St Kilda. The fabric is a soft, breathable cotton, which is comfortable to wear but a bit heavy and slow-drying for surfing. They are above the knee in length and could double as street shorts. I enjoyed wearing these.

Clockwork The Prism, $60

Lara Just like Mambo, Clockwork (from retailer Surf Dive N Ski) collaborates with international artists. With a vibrant multicoloured stripe, these boardies are for surfers who like their gear loud. All cotton, with a '70s-style wider leg tapered at the sides, the above-the-knee boardshorts are also the preferred choice of older surfers - mature guys who took to the waves 30 years ago in shorter-length boardshorts. Clockwork boardies also pop up regularly on fashion-forward types at music festivals.

Ben The Clockwork shorts are my second-favourite pair, with their retro style and natural-feel cotton. They're perfect for cruising around pre- and post-surf, or for relaxing at the beach, but aren't so great for surfing as they become heavy when wet. They have a generous fit, an old-school scalloped leg and, despite the horizontal stripes, are still quite flattering.

Oakley Baxter, $80

Lara Launched in 1975, Oakley is the brainchild of American Jim Jannard, who reputedly named the sportswear company after his English setter dog. Oakley's boardies typically have muted colours and prints. Sydney surfer Tom Whitaker, who is known in the industry for his big, generous smile, performs his daring aquatic moves in Baxters. Made from durable polyester, they are lightweight and fast-drying.

Ben These modern-style surf shorts are great to wear, but have too much logo branding for my taste. They performed well when surfing, as you would expect from Oakley, but the one thing that perplexed me was the placement of two metal studs around the pocket; they would put holes in a fibreglass surfboard. A great wax comb/bottle opener and fin key in the cargo pocket is a functional and cool touch.

Hurley Phantoms, $120

Lara The high-tech Phantoms were voted the 2008 Boardshorts of the Year in the international Surf Industry Manufacturers Awards. They boast a water-repellent, non-abrasive microfibre with an amazing stretch factor (when wet, the below-the-knee boardies can be pulled to the ankles). Made in dark, sombre hues, the no-frills Phantoms are for surfers who want to get noticed for their prowess on a board, rather than their fashion flair.

Ben These are my No. 1 pick for the most comfortable and functional surfing boardshorts - probably the best I've ever worn. They feel like you're surfing nude, as they are incredibly lightweight with no resistance to movement. The finish is top-shelf, with an out-of-the-way zip pocket, key holder and a lycra self-closing fly with no need for annoying Velcro. They are a little figure-hugging and on the expensive side, but definitely worth the money.

Sunscreen

Katrina Lawrence, Sunday Life beauty writer, The Rules

Leslie Walton, 53, tennis coach

Clarins UV Plus Protective Day Screen

Lotion SPF30+, $44

Katrina It's a tiny tube - a pint-sized 30ml, to be exact - but think of it as the pocket rocket of sunscreens. Being mineral based, it offers great blocking power against UV rays, and green tea has been added to further fight any rays that may slip through the frontline defence. Best worn after moisturising, it also works well to prepare the skin for make-up. The super-refined texture is non-pasty, and the semi-matte finish is lovely for all types of skin.

Leslie I wore this on a really hot day and forgot I had it on. It was extremely good and gave me complete protection for the whole time I was out on court, which was about three hours. It dried immediately and had a light, silky texture on the skin. This was my favourite.

Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector SPF30+, $35

Katrina The pioneers of clear zinc technology recently added this impressive formulation to the line-up. Designed as a daily moisturiser, Environmental Skin Protector takes the hassle out of summer skincare. The lavish cream blends into skin beautifully to hydrate and give serious zinc-based sun protection, without any whiteness at all. Vitamin E has been added for its antioxidant action, while the vegetable-based ingredient Unicontrazone protects against further environmental aggressors.

Leslie This sunscreen felt light on my skin and was absorbed quickly. It's non-scented, which I like because I get asthma, so I'm drawn to things that don't have a perfume. It gave me good protection all day. This was my second favourite.

Jan Marini Skin Research Antioxidant

Daily Face Protectant, $76

Katrina This SPF15+ skin-vestment checks in as good value when you consider it also treats and moisturises. Its key ingredient is the date-palm-derived PhytoMelanin, which has been shown to have impressive antioxidant power, helping to protect skin from sun-triggered reactions such as burn and inflammation. The formulation contains hydrating ingredients as well as broad-spectrum sunscreen agents. It gives a beautiful shine-free finish that's a great make-up primer.

Leslie This was non-greasy and dried fast on my skin. However, it had a slightly sweet perfume that I wasn't keen on - but the scent disappeared after a while. It didn't feel heavy on my skin at all and made it feel soft.

UV Triplegard Summer Skin Clear Zinc for Face & Body, $14

Katrina This recent release takes a bit of time to work into the skin, but it's worth the effort, especially if you're on a budget. The reasonably priced 75g tube provides an effective barrier against both UVA and UVB rays. What's more, the formulation is also water resistant for four hours, so it lasts well on sweaty summer skin. The addition of aloe vera gives it a cool edge and makes it nice for hot faces.

Leslie I found this one slightly sticky and greasy on my face and arms, and it had a whitish film once I'd applied it. Like the others, though, it gave good protection.

Nivea Sun Light Feel Daily Face Veil

SPF30, $11

Katrina This does indeed feel light on the skin, making it ideal for daily use. In summer, it can work well on its own to hydrate oilier skins, and for other skin types, it can be applied over a regular moisturiser. It absorbs nicely and non-greasily, so it's perfect as a pre-make-up step. Final tick: it feels cooling and refreshing on hot summer skin. In short, it's a pleasure to wear.

Leslie This had all the things I look for: it was non-greasy, absorbed into the skin quickly and didn't appear to be scented. It did the job and protected my skin well. With each product, I needed to replenish after a few hours.

I let the lotion dry thoroughly before putting a bit of make-up on, and there was no streaking.

Bloom Daily Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF30+, $28

Katrina Natalie Bloom spent 18 months developing this product with her brother Richard, a Melbourne-based plastic surgeon, so it has the high-factor broad-spectrum qualities you'd expect. But there's a twist. The range - which covers everything from body shimmers to bright eye shadows - has a natural-beauty bent. Natalie has added vitamin E, pomegranate and green tea extracts to the sunscreen for their combined antioxidant power.

It all adds up to one feel-good facial lotion.

Leslie This product immediately absorbed into my skin.

I liked this one a lot; it was non-scented and very light.

I put on a moisturiser before applying each sun product, and thought this one made my skin feel soft as well as giving good protection.

Bikinis

Thelma McQuillan, Sunday Life fashion editor

Lucy Wood, 27, sports management company marketing manager and surfer

Bond-eye top, $50, and bottoms, $50

Thelma This bikini is fully adjustable and suits almost any figure. The removable pads in the string-bikini top means it can adapt to any but the smallest bust size, and the cute yellow embroidery detailing adds to the funky ethnic appeal. Good for a season or two at the most.

Lucy I thought these were a great fit; the bottoms didn't cut in anywhere and looked good on me. The top didn't feel flimsy and felt like it was going to stay

in place. I liked the blue-and-white pattern, but not the stitching along the seams.

Moontide top, $90, and bottoms, $68

Thelma This eye-catching fuchsia bikini in a silky soft fabric will certainly get you noticed on the beach. It looks fabulous on darker skin but would suit a pale complexion, too. The top has both a back tie and neck tie for added support, which can be removed for a bandeau effect. It would look most flattering on a small-to-average bust.

Lucy Although it was my size, it came up very big on me and, as a result, the top didn't stay in place. I liked the bottoms; they had a metal circle on the left side, which looked great. The top was padded and thick, which I don't like because when you get out the water it stays wet for a long time.

Hotel Bondi Swim, $179

Thelma This is an unusual ivy-print bikini with ruched bands on the hipster-style pants. The '70s-style bra top is ideal for younger girls with a smaller bust. The designers, Fern Levack and Damion Fuller, are renowned for their whimsical prints, which are inspired by the iconic beach. The lining is even printed with a map of Bondi, so if you ever get lost, just remove the pants to find your way.

Lucy Funky and so different from the other bikinis in style and design. The bottoms looked great on me and the ruffled sides stood out. However, the bottoms did slip down a little when I was swimming. They're not the best in the water or for surfing, but they looked cool on the beach and were my equal favourite.

Seafolly top, $80, and bottoms, $65

Thelma This 1950s-style bikini is great if you want a little disguise around the thigh area. The flattering halter-top has soft scarf ties with removable pads. It looks great on those with a fuller bust and makes the most of what you have if you are less well endowed. The striking Polynesian print with black-and-white bamboo detailing will ensure you stand out from the crowd.

Lucy I haven't bought Seafolly bikinis before because they're a bit expensive, but I really like these. It was a good supportive top, with no chance you could fall out, but I thought the style was more suited to a big bust. The bottoms with the skirt looked funny on me, but would be good if you were conscious of your rear.

The material was lovely.

Jets by Jessika Allen top, $115, and bottoms, $85

Thelma Designer Jessika Allen sources her fabrics in Italy, but the swimwear is made in Australia. This pretty, floral bikini is at the pricier end of the spectrum, but its expert cut distinguishes it from the pack. It has a boned bra top to suit a fuller bust and the warm, rosy colours are good for both pale or darker skin tones. These are investment pieces that won't fade or lose elasticity.

Lucy The bottom was quite nice - it fitted well and didn't slip off when I was swimming - but the top wasn't flattering on me. This isn't a style I would choose. Even though it was underwired, it squashed my bust and didn't do anything for it. It felt nice, though, and the fabric was good quality.

Sportsgirl top, $20, and bottoms, $20 each

Thelma Sportsgirl can always be relied on for up-to-the-minute fashion, and these mix-and-match combinations are no exception. The stripy coloured bandeau top and beading is very '70s. Team it with the navy pants, or the less-forgiving gold/mustard pants, in either hipster or side-tie design. Cheap, cheerful and fun.

Lucy I loved these. The tie top looked good on me, but the retro gold pants were a little unflattering. The gold changes colour if you get bits of it wet, and it

looks like there are dark patches. The stripy top and navy tie bottoms were my boyfriend's picks, but it felt like the strings were going to come undone.

These were my equal favourite, although neither of the styles were suitable for surfing.

Books

Susan Wyndham, literary editor, The Sun-Herald and The Sydney Morning Herald

Kris Humphreys, 42, book club convener at the Avenue Bookstore, Melbourne

Breath, Tim Winton (Penguin, $45)

Susan One of the year's biggest novels - in terms of anticipation and sales - is also one of the slimmest. Winton has distilled his usual lush writing about the Australian land, sea and psyche into a finely sketched celebration of youth that takes a sharp turn towards tragedy. When an old surfer enthralls teenagers Pikelet and Loonie, they dive into his world of monstrous waves and complicated sex. Winton balances exhilaration and danger like a circus knife-thrower.

Kris I have long been a fan of Winton and was forcefully reminded of the infinite possibilities of youth in this coming-of-age tale as Pikelet, our narrator, journeys into his past. Winton is a consummate writer and I love his ability to evoke a time and place as he investigates the rites of passage and the addiction to danger that seems part and parcel of shaking off the mantle of childhood.

The Rip, Robert Drewe (Hamish Hamilton, $35)

Susan Our other great chronicler of the Australian coast (and author of the 1983 classic The Bodysurfers) has a new collection of short stories about men in midlife. His insight into misconnections between the sexes is ruthless yet deeply sympathetic. Among 13 strong stories, I can't go past the self-deprecating hilarity of the coffee grower who's lost his wife to a frangipani painter called Sargasso.

Kris The only problem I have with short stories is that they're just not long enough. Drewe writes in a succinct and capable manner, but he leaves me wanting to know more. I loved the pathos of the story about a small boy - the only one not collected from school as a tsunami approaches - while the tale of a farmer fuming over his wife's hippie lover is incisive. These are stories I could happily dip in and out of all summer.

The Great Fletch, Hugh Lunn (ABC Books, $33)

Susan If tennis is your sport, or you simply love a heart-warming story, this nostalgic biography of Ken Fletcher will appeal. A lonely Brisbane boy who hit a tennis ball day and night, Fletcher developed "the best forehand in the world" and was seeded No. 3 at Wimbledon in 1963. Lunn packs this tale with tennis history and personalises it with anecdotes from his life as a young reporter and his long friendship with Fletch.

Kris This book had me wishing I could race out and buy tickets to the tennis. However, the only problem is that

I want tickets to games in the 1960s, when Australian players dominated. Ken Fletcher was the James Bond of the tennis world, mixing it up with film stars and royalty, yet worried that his mum would disapprove of his glamour-boy life. It's touchingly clear that Lunn idolised his childhood friend, and this shines through in the story.

The House At Salvation Creek, Susan Duncan (Bantam, $35)

Susan In the sequel to her popular memoir Salvation Creek, Duncan has recovered from cancer and the deaths of her first husband and brother. Married to a neighbour, she settles into the elegant house built by the poet Dorothea Mackellar and the life of a small community. Duncan is a warm narrator in this happier book, but real-life concerns - such as her difficult relationship with her mother - still intrude.

Kris I was pleased to find a natural storyteller with a cracking tale to tell. Duncan gives me the sense that

we are sitting on her verandah and sipping a cup of tea as she spins yarns about her ageing mother, nut-job dogs and her new and extremely patient husband.

An excellent book to read curled up on the couch, hoping - but not too hard - for the sun to come out.

The Slap, Christos Tsiolkas (Allen & Unwin, $33)

Susan It begins as a typical summer weekend, with a backyard barbecue and a children's cricket match. But the domestic scene cracks open when an adult slaps someone else's unruly child. Police are called, charges are laid and the fragility of middle-class life is examined through eight recognisable and often unlikable characters. Known for tackling subjects such as gay sex, racial violence and rough language in his fiction, Tsiolkas keeps his edge in a muscular mainstream novel.

Kris I bet everyone will be talking about The Slap this summer. Set in suburban Melbourne, middle-class aspirations and values come under the microscope

as Tsiolkas tells the story from the point of view of eight people. I found it unputdownable and, despite its 483 pages, eminently pickupable. The writing is extraordinary; for me, this is definitely his best book yet.

The Islands, Di Morrissey (Pan Macmillan, $33)

Susan When Catherine, a 21-year-old Australian country girl, stops off in Hawaii on her way home from London in 1971, she is waylaid by her marriage to a US naval officer. In her latest, easy-to-read bestseller, Morrissey draws on her sweet-scented memories of living in Hawaii. She explores an idyllic landscape and the complex questions of land ownership, sexual liberation and belonging that ripple through the life of a young woman in an old culture.

Kris There's nothing quite like a Di Morrissey book to make you miss [historical romance novelist] Georgette Heyer. The Islands is not my cup of tea, but if I was trapped at an airport or floating on a lilo somewhere hot, there would certainly be far worse ways to pass the time. She evokes the beauty and history of Hawaii and the changing times, but unlike the heroine Catherine, I failed to be swept away.