About the Convent – Page 5 – CONVENT AND CHAPEL

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.

A Year in Kandos

Published on November 19, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

It’s exactly one year since I moved to Kandos permanently and what a year it’s been! I found the Convent and town just over two years ago and so much has happened since.

I hadn’t originally planned to give up my career in financial services or even be permanently based here – somehow I thought I’d manage to balance between life in Sydney and the country. However country life quickly won out (the dogs actually decided first that they didn’t want to go back each time, whilst they would line up to get in the car to head out to the Convent).

So after leaving the job, selling up in Sydney and settling into what I thought would be the quiet country life, I’ve found myself with a brand new shop and a new career in retail, although my background has given me great training for the new venture.

For anyone who is considering making the change – I’d recommend it. Yes, it’s hard work to get there and lots of challenging decisions, but sometimes it’s much harder work not doing anything and giving up on your dreams.

I have a strong suspicion that this adventure is far from over.

Our Big First Day at the Shop

Published on November 15, 2014November 15, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

The sign being erected made it seem very real

The Zauberball display attracts attention

Yesterday was our Grand Opening – not sure about opening a yarn store in Central West NSW in 40 degree heat, but it was still a great day.

We had locals and tourists through, made some sales and had a wonderful opening night with our new friends.

The library is building up - we have a broad range of reference books as Shop Copies and the For Sale selection is growing. — The library is building up – we have a broad range of reference books as Shop Copies and the For Sale selection is growing.

We think the shop looks great and seems to be getting good feedback. There’s still lots of stock we need and are seeking feedback from our customers. It’s tempting to take home many of the beautiful items but we are really pleased to offer some special treats and collectibles in the store.

Hedgehog Fibres from Ireland and Claudia's Handpainted Yarns from the US - hand dyed luxury fibres saturated in colour — Hedgehog Fibres from Ireland and Claudia’s Handpainted Yarns from the US – hand dyed luxury fibres saturated in colour

G’s daughter has been a great help in setting up our online store which we are sure will be a great supplement for business as well, so we won’t be dependent on foot traffic.

So now we’re open, the next stage is to start promoting ourselves, start some classes and drop in groups as well as add to the depth of stock in the shop.

Our new website – still in it’s infancy is

conventandchapelwool.com

It’s been a promising start and we are so excited about our future.

Golding Spindles - you won't see these in many shops. — Golding Spindles – you won’t see these in many shops.

The Countdown Begins … and another phase starts

Published on November 12, 2014November 12, 2014 by conventandchapel2 Comments

At the moment, every minute is spoken for as we head towards opening the yarn shop, Convent and Chapel Wool Shop, on Friday. We’re nearly there but still have some fine tuning (and pricing) to take care of. There are always lots of things you’d like to have done better or still need to do but it’s all come together pretty well. Today we had the internet working well and connected EFTPOS facilities – probably the things that worry me more as they are out of my control if they don’t work.

I still need to work on the website to get it anywhere close to respectable and haven’t even started on the online shop. We also need the Facebook page up and running prior to opening.

Otherwise, the important activities have been completed – opening invitations sent out and drinks and nibbles bought. Oh, and the shop is completely fitted out now and we have the stock in – sort of important for a shop. We even have our outdoor furniture and plants in place.

Once I get through opening on Friday, I’ll post an update with photos, but for now I’m in a good place and just realising that after retiring from 30 years in the CBD corporate world, I’ve just started a new career in rural NSW as a small business independent retailer. “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans” – how true!

New Market Territory – Rylstone StreetFeast

Published on November 2, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Under the yellow marquee which did such a great job during such challenging weather. — Under the yellow marquee which did a great job during such challenging weather.

Since discovering the Kandos/Rylstone area just over two years ago, we have been ‘tourists’ at Rylstone StreetFeast and bought tickets to the sumptuous local spread which is seated along the main street.

Scarves with lots of shawls in the background.

This year we are ‘locals’ and had our own stall at the markets that flanked the Feast or ‘Long Lunch’. The bright yellow marquee made its first appearance and earned its money on a hot and gusty day that also saw storms with rain. We had a great day, being particularly busy in the morning before the food was served, yet had to pack up a trifle early as rain threatened later in the afternoon.

As usual, we met lots of knitters – locals, Sydney-siders and neighbours from Mudgee and the Blue Mountains, all of whom were pleased to hear about our shop opening shortly. The samples of Noro and Zauberball were much admired, so we think the shop stock will be appreciated.

Sales were pretty constant – the mohair/silk lace scarves are always popular and mitts and beanies were still purchased despite hot and gusty weather.

Next week we will concentrate on shop stuff and hope to open Friday week. So many people pressed us on an opening date that it was time to draw a line in the sand and commit, so that will now be our target!

The old hotel key pigeon holes are perfect for displaying the Zauberballs. — The old hotel key pigeon hole cabinet is perfect for displaying the Zauberballs.

Local Bushfires

Published on November 1, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

A few weeks ago, we had snow. This week it was bush fires.

It was shortly after some friends and I retired inside after a lovely balmy night eating alfresco (and after providing treats to many of the Kandos kids for Halloween, which was great fun), that a neighbour called to warn me. There was a fire blazing on the escarpment out the back of my place, ‘Old Baldy’ to be precise.

I’ve been near bush fires before when living on the North Shore in Sydney but somehow being in the country makes it much more concerning. Even though distances may be similar, the space between dwellings and fires is mostly bush with few houses. It’s easy to understand why the local fire services are held in such high esteem in the country.

Although many locals (including us) were involved in Rylstone StreetFeast the next day, most locals had an anxious late night watching the fire flare up from a small blaze and then quieten down after 1pm. The area was inaccessible and it wasn’t until daylight that the water bomber copters could go in to quell the blaze.

Anyway, fortunately it seems under control now and since being home from StreetFeast, I have now become attuned to the non-stop whir of the choppers as they continue to douse the flames. I’m sure the local fire services were one of the community beneficiaries from StreetFeast today and richly deserve local support.

Spring Means Roses

Published on October 27, 2014October 27, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Crepuscule - this is one of the first roses I planted and is nearly two years old. A few more have since found their way into the garden. — Crepuscule – this is one of the first roses I planted and is nearly two years old. A few more have since found their way into the garden.

Graham Thomas, a David Austin rose. Roxy seems to think there may be a lizard nearby.

Particularly exciting this Spring is watching the roses bloom. I know I can’t take the credit as roses do very well in Kandos. When first buying my property the agent told me that the only roses that won’t grow here are ones that aren’t in the ground. That being said, I’ve been responsible for a few rose tragedies. However I’ve also added over 100 roses to the garden, mainly heritage varieties.

A Blushing Pierre de Ronsard along the Grotto.

Pinky making her presence felt at the Grotto.

Anyway, all of my roses other than ‘The Original Seven’, are very new – less than two years old – and it’s exciting to see them begin to establish and flourish. Also to see what type of flowers they have rather than just being a picture on a label (or not!). The old roses appear to enjoy the attention, with a hard pruning and good feeding. The new roses are just beginning to show their growth patterns. It’s such a luxury to be able to select roses to pick each day for indoors, but I also just love seeing them on their bushes.

One of the 'Original Seven', a Chicago Peace. — One of the ‘Original Seven’, a Chicago Peace.

Cecile Brunnet running up the Grotto. — Cecile Brunner running up the Grotto.

The original plan was to have climbers and ramblers tumbling themselves over the ash brick wall to what is quite a plain footpath. This is now just starting to succeed and should look a picture in years to come.

One of the newest but most vigorous roses - the Tennis Court rose. — One of the newest but most vigorous roses – the Tennis Court rose.

Lamarque - it's first year here and doing outstandingly well. — Lamarque – it’s first year here and doing outstandingly well.

Papa Meillard - makes up two of the 'Original Seven' roses remaining at The Convent. — Papa Meillard – makes up two of the ‘Original Seven’ roses remaining at The Convent.

Albertine doing exactly what I want - climbing over the fence to the footpath. — Albertine doing exactly what I want – climbing over the fence to the footpath.

The Pope - Pope John Paul II. One of three and always reliable. Well, for the two years I've had them. — The Pope – Pope John Paul II. One of three and always reliable. Well, for the two years I’ve had them.

One of two Mr Lincoln's at the front wall. Such a punch of colour. — One of two Mr Lincoln’s at the front wall. Such a punch of colour.