December 2014 – CONVENT AND CHAPEL

Kayaking at Dunn’s Swamp

Published on December 30, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Yep, that's us paddling away! — Yep, that’s us paddling away!

We’ve been promising ourselves this for a while but this time we booked ourselves in and took along some of our kids to go kayaking at Dunn’s Swamp.

Beautiful views in every direction from our kayaks.

The buoys mark the area where the kayaks can't pass as the weir is behind them. — The buoys mark the area where the kayaks can’t pass as the weir is behind them.

The name doesn’t do the area justice as it’s the most beautiful place and home to a wide variety of bird and animal life. The area was made into a large lake in the 1930s to provide a water source for the cement works but has since evolved into an area of great natural beauty. It was fascinating to hear the story of how it was built as well as the original history and its connection to the Wiradjuri people.

The weir/dam is impressive and also home to wild life. We watched tortoises sun baking in the water.

We hired kayaks from Southern Cross Kayaking and paddled along with Cindy who showed us around and filled in many missing parts of the local history. It was amazing to think that the weir was built by around a dozen men living in the bush for a few years.

The area is a popular camping spot and also attracts locals who fish there. G and I are sorely tempted to look at buying our own kayaks or a runabout to take more advantage of this fantastic escape – which is about 20 minutes from our doorsteps.

Anyway, we had a great morning with the kids, although I’m not sure they were as impressed as they should have been with our kayaking abilities.

Show Preparations

Published on December 29, 2014December 29, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

I love entering the local Agricultural Shows – I’ve only attempted the last few years and mainly with knitting. Whilst it’s a thrill to win a prize at one of the bigger shows like the Royal Easter Show, it’s more of a buzz to participate in the local ones.

I’ve had some reasonable successes with my knitting but have been an abject failure in other categories such as tomatoes, dahlias and roses, but am determined to persist with my efforts. And I’m way past the Showgirl section!

The knitting categories however are now the core focus for G and me, particularly now we have Convent & Chapel Wool Shop up and running. Somehow the stakes seem much higher this year. Anyway, we have our projects underway – using shop yarn, of course. To date I’ve focussed on lace shawls but will be spreading myself a little more this year, planning on also entering accessories – I’m thinking mitts, scarf and maybe a beanie – as well as possibly a baby garment.

The Shows start with a flurry in mid February, kicking off with Gulgong, followed by our own Kandos Rylstone Show, then Mudgee, Lithgow and Bathurst all jammed in closely. Other shows are a little more spaced with Sydney Royal Easter Show in late March. Not sure how many we will manage, but we will definitely be supporting our local shows.

At this stage the projects are under wraps – we’re keen that they will be surprises. no doubt you’ll hear about our results – good or otherwise.

Food, Glorious Food!

Published on December 28, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Sweet chilli and lemon garlic grilled lobster tails for Christmas lunch out on the back verandah.

Lots and lots of salads as accompaniments.

It’s been a great Christmas at the Convent – my second in residence. The first Christmas here, I had my parents and eldest daughter and we did the whole traditional thing – roast pork, turkey, glazed ham, roast veg, stuffing, gravy, followed by pudding, custard, brandy butter, cake … lots of work but also rewarding.

Berry icecream, fresh berries, pavlova and cream - with Persian fairy floss. — Berry icecream, fresh berries, pavlova and cream – with Persian fairy floss.

This year I had both daughters and a friend staying and we were much more casual with seafood and salads – still work but mostly done in advance and a chilled day rather than being in the kitchen. We had grilled lobster tails for lunch, followed up in the evening with prawns and crabs – with a nod to tradition with the glazed ham. With heaps of salads, we have feasted for a few days, along with extra guests arriving. A ricotta, nougat and berry ice-cream along with pavolva and fruit has taken care of dessert as well. Add to this a barbecue last night and pancakes for brunch this morning (courtesy of Daughter #1) has meant a great deal of food has been consumed this week.

Pancakes with about every topping you can think of.

Now that most house guests have departed, it’s clearing up left overs and doing some Show knitting whilst catching up on a few new TV series – chilling out before the shop reopens next week (not that the shop ever seems like work!)

The girls at the post Christmas barbecue. — The girls.

Merry Christmas, Kandos Style

Published on December 25, 2014December 25, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

One of the many great things about country towns is the community spirit and how well locals participate. Kandos has this in spades. Everyone enthusiastically embraces events, the markets and …competitions. There appears to be two competitions in particular worth driving around town for – the Christmas lights and the mail box challenges.

These last two were a pigeon pair, next door to each other – two for the price of one. Note Santa and his reindeer sliding down the roof.

This year my daughters drove us around as we snapped just a few of many Christmas decorated homes – some people go the whole hog – reindeers (or kangaroos) pulling sleighs on roofs, lots of Santas attempting chimney drops, fully outlined houses, we couldn’t capture the snow storm on camera … but you get the picture. Some people go full out and it’s a lot of fun to see. A few other cars were also pulling up with us so we weren’t the only ones doing the viewing rounds.

Anyway, here are just a few. Unfortunately some didn’t photograph so well and the girls didn’t seem quite as enthusiastic as us in driving around the streets! The Convent on the other hand was far more subdued with the usual Christmas tree lights however the Grotto has fairy lights which is a nice touch.

More reindeer – we missed the kanga’s pulling the sleigh on another roof.

And Now It’s Time to Get Back to the Garden

Published on December 15, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

What with the shop and hot, dry weather, the garden has been a little ignored since the Centenary weekend.

The berry bed is lush and I'm picking plenty of berries for sorbets and ice-cream. — The berry bed is lush and I’m picking plenty of berries for sorbets and ice-cream.

So now it’s time to put a bit of effort back, particularly in reinvigorating the veggie garden with Christmas imminent. The grass has been shabby and crisp with dry weather but recent rains meant it became a rampant lush mess – taking a solid and exhausting hot day to mow.

The recently chainsawed privet is growing back well and already had its first prune.

The massacred privet also had taken off, which is good – I just didn’t factor it coming back so fast. It’s now had it’s first haircut and I’m sure will look great in future – just will now always require frequent hard pruning.

The front central garden bed is looking a little shabby.

The tired annuals are already coming out to be replaced with new plants that are seeding themselves. In the meantime, seeds are being collected from the old plants for next year. The colorbond fence bed is benefitting from the build up of old foliage.

That’s pretty much clean-up. Then it’s on to reforestation – with refreshing and replanting the veg beds. Next on the agenda.

Cucumbers, capsicum and rocket added into a refreshed bed.

Managing Social Media!

Published on December 8, 2014December 8, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Having a blog has been lots of fun – having my own space to document and communicate my adventures with others. But now I have the shop, things are much more complicated.

So I had this blog and then I added my own Facebook page. Then I was told I needed a Convent & Chapel Facebook page for the location – OK.

Now I have a shop so I have a website (that is a full-on online shop and has a blog/news section. Oh, and its own Facebook identity.

I’m sure I’ll get used to it and it will all be worthwhile, but a little challenging and confronting to keep updated and relevant (and not repeat everything). I’d also like to do justice to all.

I particularly love this blog as it’s more personal and about my adventures and needs to do no more…

Showing Off – Our New Shop

Published on December 3, 2014December 3, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

We are so proud of our new shop, Convent & Chapel Wool Shop, and excited to boot. Everything is very new and we’re sure to make mistakes but it’s great to be learning so much and still having new experiences.

Our signature Convent and Chapel bamboo needles

Now the shop is open, we’re starting to promote ourselves more widely both locally with the tourist market as well as through knitting circles, particularly given we have a good online shop as well.

The back room is appropriately called 'The Snug'. It also is home to a comfy green leather Chesterfield couch. — The back room is appropriately called ‘The Snug’. It also is home to a comfy green leather Chesterfield couch.

Part of organising marketing for the shop was getting some professional photos taken, rather than just us with our iPhones. The immensely talented local photographer, Karon Grant, has stepped in to help us and we are just over the moon with our photos which we think do our shop much more justice than our own handiwork.

I thought I’d share a few shots with you so for the non-locals you might get a better idea of how the business looks. We’re still adding some more shelving and furniture (not to mention stock) but are nearly there.

The Hedgehog Fibre Collection from Ireland is attracting much attention - we love the names like Pod and Shamrock. — The Hedgehog Fibre Collection from Ireland is attracting much attention – we love the names like Pod and Shamrock.

Our Railway Green Market Day

Published on December 1, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

That's our bright yellow Convent & Chapel marquee over there! — That’s our bright yellow Convent & Chapel marquee over there!

The town turned out to welcome the train. Some went on a quick trip to Clandulla whilst the visitors had their lunch

This is the first time we’ve done the Markets at Kandos. On Sunday the Heritage Train arrived from Sydney and the town turned on a great display. As the train rolled in, it seemed like the whole town (plus some) were there to cheer on and welcome the travellers.

W're very happy with our marquee and thinks it looks the part at the markets. — W’re very happy with our marquee and thinks it looks the part at the markets.

Once they had left the train they headed for their luncheon venues with the choices of visiting the market stalls at the Railway Green or boarding a local bus for a tour of the town and stop off at the Kandos Museum which was holding a special railway exhibition in honour of the train’s annual visit. It is years since public trains have regularly run to Kandos, so this special tourist train means a great deal to the town.

Our wares on display. There's non stop knitting to keep up the supply. — Our wares on display. There’s non stop knitting to keep up the supply.

We had a great time at our bright yellow marquee, chatting to other stall holders, locals and the train-trippers. It was a good opportunity to promote our new shop and show off a few of our wares. Whilst rains threatened (which are much wanted), they have still held off and it ended up being A Great Day Out for all. Now a bit tired and grubby, but happy with our day.