If I’ve been a little lax with posts lately it’s because things are pretty hectic just now. I will be packing and moving out from Sydney in just over a week and this weekend the Convent is open for the Kandos Gardens Fair. Tomorrow the Convent opens its garden and the Chapel as part of a local gardens exhibition for the weekend – going public for what has been a very private building.
It’s been dry here for months with barely a shower – but, of course, rain is forecast for the next few days. We’ll have to see how this works out but I’m hoping the visitors will get a chance to have a good look-around.
I have a bit of latitude given my garden is positioned as “in progress” as the sale only went through earlier this year, but I’m hoping people will find plenty to interest them and enjoy in the work that’s been done so far. I also have amazing sculptures, food, tea and coffee and a plant stall to provide additional interest.
I’ll post pics and a debrief later, but just now hoping I have everything under control. Things should settle down in around ten days (I hope) as my new life kicks off.
I remember this book so clearly after reading it over forty years go. Now I’m in rural Australia, it has hit home much more closely how the fires impact on the people, lifestyles, countryside and wildlife. I’ve always cared but now being here, watching the news constantly, having to check RTA websites for road accesses and seeing the damage first-hand makes it so much more real – and it hasn’t hit my area yet.
The last week or so has been horrific. I’ve driven through two of the areas in the last week in-between fires. These are areas I have known for decades and have always been beautiful and scenic – places I would have loved to have live in. Now they are deeply scarred by fires. I can’t imagine the devastation felt by the home owners impacted.
I do know that the locals will rally and help people out as much as possible. I also now have a profound appreciation for the local fire services and the importance of their role – and how much we all rely on volunteer support for crises.
The reference to February Dragon was via a novel, that this was when the big fires could hit – at the end of torrid Summers. These fires have come to us well before Summer. We are just mid Spring, hence there is serious trepidation for many months to come.
Our cheeses incorporated into a luncheon spread including fetta and olive pull apart bread and spinach and sundried tomato ricotta tarts
… so said Monty Python with great wisdom and insight.
Turning the curd – like the milkmaids of times past
My friend G and I undertook the task of learning to make cheese with a day-long workshop held by The Cheesemaking Workshop at High Valley in Mudgee. Cheesemaking seemed a difficult task given the complexities and varieties of cheeses available, however the class was great fun, highly informative and gave us great confidence that we would become serious artisan cheesemakers of the future.
Our class was learning the fundamentals of soft cheesemaking which would also be the basis for some of the more complex and hard cheeses. Amazingly, we managed to fit in so many types of cheese/dairy products – ricotta, quark, yoghurt, fetta, marscapone, camembert. We were in a group of about 12 that split into sub groups of three which gave us a highly hands on experience in making our own cheeses. It was surprising to see that this was so highly process driven with a few common ingredients and the scientific aspects that made the difference between the types of cheeses, such as how thickly curd was cut, how differently or frequently it was turned or agitated and then the difference in finishing – brines, drying, bacteria additions … All incredibly natural and not difficult – just following processes and being patient as it takes some time to go through steps and allow cheeses to develop.
Setting our cheeses in rounds to dry
Anyway, as a result of the classes, G and I came home well equipped to make cheese and confident to boot. We spent the next few days looking after our fetta and camembert and I’m keen to make some ricotta and take it through to my own baked ricotta tarts. The class also showed us wonderful ways of incorporating our cheese into practical cooking which we more than sampled during the course.
I’d encourage anyone with an interest in cooking and produce to look into taking a course. I know the internet is a great resource and you can buy books, but taking a course, getting tips and doing it under the supervision of a good instructor just makes such a difference.
Our Marscapone efforts
Oh … and please, never throw your cream out again. If it is close to the expiry date and you won’t be using it, just whip it up with a pinch of salt – you can use a handheld beater or a Bamix type blender stick or your full bowl mixer. Making your own butter is so much fun – just whip it and either form it into a ball or shape with your hand or implements. Squeeze out the whey and you have great homemade butter which will last a few more weeks.
Kandos Gardens Fair – This is one of the BIG local events and held every two years – 2013 being the third event. Gardens in the local area will be open for viewing by the public over a weekend, which is quite an extravaganza of a weekend with workshops, displays, entertainment, refreshments and, of course, gardens as the focal point.
The Convent is participating. The Chapel and Grotto should be a good attraction, after all, not many homes and gardens have these! The garden is being positioned as “under construction” – I wonder how long I will get away with this before they write me off after a few years as “She’ll never get to the standard we require”. Anyway, I’m making an effort so as not to be too embarrassed or embarrass the Committee. The other great aspect for me is that in participating in this (and being part of the Committee) I’ve had the opportunity of meeting some wonderful people and gardeners to boot!
The other gardens are seriously good and very different. The soil is good in this area and gardens are highly varied from classical, native, those that focus on permaculture, those with a more decorative garden art aspect … I hope I get to see them all at some point given I will be on host duty for the weekend so can’t join the visitors. I have my trusty friends booked in for the weekend as Stewards as we are expecting to host many through the gates.
I’ve been really impressed with the organisation and attention to detail to ensure that this weekend is a true experience for garden lovers and will offer many varied and engaging activities for attendees. The fact that it is spread across our two towns of Kandos and Rylstone which are so close (7 kms) means a contrast between towns of quite different heritages, periods and styles.
The Convent is planning to play host to local sculptures which I’m very excited about. Whilst I’m sure she will do me proud, I’m far more nervous about the Convent gardens which are in a much more immature state than the other gardens and with a far less experienced gardener! I’m happy that the Convent is being an active part of the community and others get to see what a lovely building she is after all these years. I like to think she is loving the attention just a little as well.
I wonder if Committee members are allowed to win prizes?
It’s hard to believe, but it’s almost a year since I first saw the Convent (and discovered where Kandos is). It was the 20th August last year when, along with my good friend Lee, we set off with his trusty GPS named Siobhan, given the lady has an Irish accent, to find Kandos and the Convent. All we knew was that we could go Bells Line of Road and it was before Mudgee.
My friends had already accompanied me on a number of inspections of rural properties, all of which had been seriously disappointing, so L was endeavouring to temper my very excited expectations which by that stage was probably already at making plans for grandchildren, which are not on anyone’s horizon. After all, it was a long trip home after a big day if I was going to be teary.
Anyway, the Convent obviously didn’t disappoint and it seems such a short time ago, even though so much has happened and so much work has progressed. I had the world’s longest settlement which even saw a change of Popes.
It also means that fast approaching is Rylstone Street Feast which will be held on Saturday 2 November and is an extravaganza of 4 courses of sumptuous local food served at a community sit down lunch running down the centre of the main street. It is one of the highlights of the area and not to be missed. It was also the first time that many of my friends came to Kandos to see the Convent.
Anyway, tickets have just gone on sale and we’ve snapped them up again. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to a few months time when I can sit back and relax to enjoy the Convent fully.
The Convent will welcome back its regular visitors for a particularly special retreat (Friday 20 – Monday 23 September) as we celebrate a Southern Hemisphere astronomical Spring and our version of Spring Equinox over the extended weekend.
I’m hoping this will be a very special weekend for friends who have seen the Convent through from an aspiration to reality and beyond as the Convent becomes both a home to me and a welcome retreat for friends. This stay should be a little more luxurious as hopefully we will be painted and with flooring. I make no promise of having the place furnished but can offer bedrooms for guests.
For those who have more flexibility, you are welcome to stay as long as you like. However I would like you to go home some time.
Further details will issue on the itinerary, travel arrangements, workshops, work duties, menu and accompanying activities for the retreat.
Apologies for not updating the calendar with this event until after it was over, but as it’s my first year here, sometimes I’m not aware that something is an ‘Event’ until it is upon me. Such was the case with the Rylstone Swap Meet. Originally advertised as a car/vehicle type swap, I didn’t pay much attention until I was told that – it was big, there was everything for sale and it started at 6am for the bargains!
This information was spot on. I arrived at Rylstone Showground around 10 and you couldn’t get a parking spot anywhere near by. The Showground itself was full of cars and truck – sellers, as much of it is more of a car boot, or more appropriately, truck sale as well as lots of prize vintage vehicles. The stalls themselves were varied. There was a strong focus on car parts and vehicle type things but also collectibles, and all sorts of oddities.
It was also a ‘dog meet’. Many locals gave their dogs an outing.
There was a great camaraderie amongst the sellers, much as there is at some of the good markets – many obviously do the circuit. Given it is a country swap and opens early, many had camped overnight and had large cut metal drums with fires inside doubling as heaters/cookers. I didn’t capture the extent of the Swap, but the whole Rylstone Showground arena (which is not small) was crowded with stalls – marquees on the outer and boot sales inside.
As for me, although tempted by a few items, I limited myself to a lovely old watering can and a mock tortoiseshell box (which was used to house fur collars) and proudly boasts the tag that it is made out of British Xylonite, but made in Australia. I also managed to scoff a hot dog, courtesy of Rylstone Primary.
Not real tortoise shell, but that’s probably just as well.
Yesterday was the Bob Marley Festival here in Kandos – a day to remember! It seems to me like there’s lots going on around here, but it’s really only that although lots of events happen in Sydney, I (and most others I suspect) don’t make the effort to attend. Here where there is so less in the way of entertainment, everyone, and I mean everyone, gets out to enjoy the day and participate.
The Markets – something for everyone
The Bob Marley Festival was the brainchild of Dave and Sue from Down the Track Cafe and held on the Railway Green which is just down the end of the main street. It was well organised with a central location, good parking and lots of space for the band stage, markets, dancing and others to set up rugs and chairs slightly away from the main fray but still be able to hear and see the stage clearly.
Kings of Congo Congo getting the crown in the mood
The day ran well over the scheduled 4pm finish, with the band submitting to encore requests. With a carnival theme, the day had markets, caribbean food stalls, and of course, the bands.
The musicians included Errol Renaud with his band Caribbean Soul, one of Sydney’s big reggae acts, playing in major venues such as The Basement.
Local band Fig Jam and the Kings of Congo Congo percussion group also entertained the crowds, with the drumming being a personal favourite.
It was great to see such a turnout of locals as well as an audience from Lithgow, Blue Mountains, Mudgee, Sydney and many other areas who had travelled long distances to spend a weekend in beautiful Kandos. It was also great to watch a crowd from toddlers to grandparents jiving away in front of the stage and making the most of a very special event.
Knitters responding to the themeColourful food
As for me, I was there from an hour before to the very end with a good friend from Sydney, sitting with my neighbours. I scored a crochet Rasta hat, complete with dreads, a vintage mohair cardigan and a timber birdhouse from the Men’s Shed. Corn on the cob and a sausage sizzle with Jamaican salsa (with a strong kick) kept me nourished. Lots of other food was available including jerk chicken sticks and some highly suspect brownies.
I had a great time and it looked like the others did as well. I imagine festivities went on well into the night, particularly with those making it a weekend getaway. Hopefully we have a repeat next year – even bigger and better.
In keeping with Kandos’ rich Jamaican heritage, the Bob Marley Festival will be held on 4th May at the Kandos Green.
An afternoon with reggae bands, buskers, Jamaican food and local markets. Wear your Rasta hat and dreads and join in the fun. Whilst I’ve heard it described as “Bob Marley on the Grass”, some people are taking convincing that Bob won’t actually be there!
If you haven’t visited Kandos before, this is a great opportunity. If you have had the pleasure, what a great excuse to come back.
My first local Show. Supported by good friends, we bravely faced the local competition in my first hometown Show. Grabbing the bit by the teeth, I entered some very unfamiliar sections such as single white rose, edible herb collection and cherry tomatoes, as well as the slightly more familiar territory of knitting (although this is my first year of knitting competitions).
It was so much more fun going to a local Show and doubly-so by entering competitions. The adventure started the day before, with entries having to be submitted to the Hall by 11 am Friday. The Stewards were so welcoming, friendly and helpful in showing us newbies the ropes and helping with paperwork and submissions. At 11 am the call went out for all visitors to leave so judging and set-up could commence. From 6pm Friday night was a special viewing of Pavilion entries to see all the exhibits and winners – so much more personal being up close and with Stewards and Judges able to give feedback on their decisions. This is always well-attended by the locals and part of the local Show tradition. My personal view on the knitting was that it was the best display layout I have yet seen – making an effort to hang lace fully in front of windows to show the patterns and hanging garments with care. The competition was strong (much stronger than anticipated). We later heard that some of the competitors have regularly won their categories at the Sydney RAS for over a decade.
We were thrilled to find out that we had done well, with my friend Lee taking out First in the Blanket category and second in the Lace. Whilst my Ten Stitch Blanket (a personal favourite) is yet to place in any Show, my green Shetland Lace was given a Highly Commended in the Lace category and my cream Fluidity won First and managed to score me the Champion Piece of Knitting for the Show. The locals and regular contestants could not have been more welcoming to us and have inspired us to make sure we are up again next year. Refreshing to hear how positive the contestants were – no grumbling about judging, displays or undeserving winners – all just encouraging, supportive and proud of their local Show.
As for the Horticultural entries, I think it’s fair to say that I’ve set the bar low and can only improve. The cherry tomatoes (which I was originally proud of), were a complete embarrassment compared to all the other entries. My herbs were OK, just that the prize winner was outstanding and lessons were well-learnt for next time. I entered one of my few roses in flower and wasn’t embarrassed at my quality, just that the others were so much better. Still, it was a Pope John Paul II – some divine intervention may have been appropriate. Maybe the Good Samaritan rose will be in flower next year. We picked up lots of inside knowledge (all very practical) for next time and may even have a crack at jams or pickles in 2014.
After the viewing we headed to Kandos RSL for its legendary Chinese. I’d put it’s szechuan chilli and crispy duck against many of the Sydney restaurants. Locals already knew of our success and we were warmly congratulated – one of the great benefits of a small community.
Unfortunately Show Day on Saturday was very wet, which limited the activities, but it was good to see the level of local interest. We looked at cattle and sheep like pros and pretended the home canines might behave like the Show dogs if we put them in the ring. Show fleece was on sale as there were obviously lots of local spinners. The Alpacas weren’t a Show category this year but it was fantastic to see how organised and co-ordinated the local alpaca community was in promoting their industry.
A great day with fantastic Rylstone Yum Cha at 29 Nine 99 and Indian dinner at Kandos.Taking bookings for Rylestone Kandos Show in 2014. Get started on your entries.
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CONVENT AND CHAPEL 