Kandos – Page 8 – CONVENT AND CHAPEL

Kandos Industrial Museum Lives

Published on February 12, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

I’ve mentioned the local museum in a previous post and that I hoped it would reopen soon. The building is special to me as it is the closest relation in town to the Convent with its distinctive Spanish mission style architecture.

Unfortunately it has been dogged by controversy and conflict over the last year or so which led to it being closed to the public mid last year. The Council have now committed to funding renovations and are handing ownership of the property over to the community via what will be a newly formed incorporated association.

Action is happening quickly with packers moving in this week to pack and store parts of the collection so renovations can begin. After all the past controversy, it is encouraging and inspiring to see the community get behind this project. The Museum is important to the locals as both the repository of their history and as a potential attraction to visitors and they are justly proud of the collection that they have built themselves.

The Museum is distinctive in that it reflects Kandos’s heritage as an industrial town – with a twentieth century past that has been forged out of mining and the cement works that founded the town. Unlike most rural museums, it is less pastoral and focuses on industries that flourished during the period of heroic nation-building. The collection has been described as idiosyncratic – it has it’s quirky elements such as the cement dress which was constructed by an HSC student and the Lady Bushranger’s teapot, but it also has a fascinating collection from cement and mining works which have played such an important and often undervalued role in building our country. These elements are often overlooked as we prefer to romanticise our pastoral heritage.

Over the past few days I’ve been helping record the museum collection as it gets packed and it has been a pleasure to meet the founding members who have popped in with words of encouragement. A sense of excitement is growing as we can see the Museum having a new lease of life (and a facelift).

The plan is that it will reopen prior to the town’s centenary celebrations over the October long weekend. There’s an enormous amount of work to do to get us to that point but if the level of support received so far is any indication, we’ll get there and have a grand reopening.

Settling In

Published on January 30, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Popcorn has made the adjustment well and is a happy resident

A couple of months down the track post the permanent Sydney move and the place is beginning to seem more like home. Rooms have been established, including plenty of guest rooms, furniture is all in place, boxes (mostly) unpacked.

I have always wanted plenty of animals (or creatures) around and it gives the place such a greater sense of permanence. Popcorn, the border collie, was an unplanned but very welcome addition and has made himself very much at home. He is a lovely boy and fits in well with everyone, even Roxy and Tango who very much ruled the roost.

Speaking of roosts, I have just added five pretty little canaries in an aviary. I owned canaries when I was little and loved them, so the chance to take some in when offered was too good to pass up. They only arrived a few days ago but appear happy, chirpy and are already using their nests. They will also be a good interim step before the chooks arrive. I wasn’t sure how the dogs would react, particularly Roxy who is fascinated by birds and loves to chase them. She is equally fascinated by these new residents but given the threat of being sprayed with cold water by me, just sits and watches them by the hour. Hopefully they will take the edge off the excitement of chooks when they arrive in the next month or two.

I’m also spending some time propagating plants. Whilst it’s exciting to get new plants, I also want to have more of what grows well here. It will also be a more economical approach to gardening. Anyway, this means I’ve been collecting seeds and cuttings. I’m also now growing more plants from seeds rather than seedlings. I have a feeling there will be a few failures along the way, but lots of learning will be involved and the results will be rewarding.

One of the next activities for me is to start joining some of the local groups. I’m looking forward to meeting up with some of the spinners and knitters in the not-too-distant future. Kandos is fast becoming home.

A Great Australia Day Weekend

Published on January 27, 2014 by conventandchapel1 Comment

A cheery spread of corn fritters, homemade bread and relishes, Convent garden salad and grilled cherry tomatoes

I was fortunate to spend this weekend with friends visiting the Convent. A real Australian weekend, with the Kandos Hot Rod and Street Machine Show providing a background soundtrack, a couple of barbies, a trip to Dunn’s Swamp and cricket on the telly.

It was satisfying that the Convent provided well, with all salads coming from the garden, as well as beetroot and zucchini supplementing the barbecue. Homemade bread made a few appearances and berry sorbet made use of the berry patch.

Plentiful glossy lebanese or finger eggplants

Eggplant chutney was made, taking advantage of the gorgeous little lebanese eggplants. An initial picking yielded half a dozen jars. I’m now adapting to making use of garden produce and planning meals better. I also no longer rely on star ingredients I could so easily purchase in Sydney for entertaining. It’s very rewarding to put forward courses that celebrate the garden and the seasons and visitors can help pick and prepare. I’m also making good use of quality appliances that have been so under-utilised such as my Kitchenaid mixer and ice-cream maker as well as the bread maker.

In the meantime, my friends will be willing guinea pigs as I attempt to establish Convent staple and signature dishes.

What I’m Loving in the Garden now

Published on January 22, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

White Cosmos in the circular front bed - much softer than the cornflowers — White Cosmos in the circular front bed – much softer than the cornflowers

It’s rewarding wandering through the garden. It’s just over a year since I first started planting, even though I’ve only been here permanently for two months. The garden is now starting to develop its own character.

My favourites for now are:

Physostegia (Obedient Plant) that I have in white, pink and lilac — Physostegia (Obedient Plant) in white, pink and lilac

Zillions of cherry tomatoes about to burst into colour

Pink Yarrow - just beautiful and a lovely cut flower. I hope I can propagate this — Pink Yarrow – just beautiful and a lovely cut flower. I hope I can propagate this

Indigofera Australis - it flowers frequently and prolifically — Indigofera Australis – it flowers frequently and prolifically

There’s still heaps to do – the front still looks pretty bare. I know the trees I’ve planted are very young and because it hasn’t rained since Christmas means everything is incredibly dry, with the grass crisp underfoot and straw coloured. I think I need a little copse or woodland in the front. Once the horrible old privets come down, it will look even more bare.

The Privet ‘Hedge’

Published on January 18, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

All along one side of my property, next to the old high galvanised iron fence, is overgrown privet. It’s seriously overgrown and in some places almost reaches the power lines.

I was surprised when a local told me it was once a neatly trimmed hedge regularly maintained by the school boys as part of their gardening duties. I suppose it stopped being trimmed when the nuns moved out in the ’70’s and now has become an unattractive leggy mass of shrubbery.

This has long-since finished being anything like a hedge. Unattractive "leggy" bushes with straggly growth up top — This has long-since finished being anything like a hedge. Unattractive “leggy” bushes with straggly growth up top

The fence would be very bare with it removed and I’m not sure how tough I would need to be to kill privet that is so established. I’m sure I’d need masses of weed/plant killer to have any impact. I also know that it provides protection for birds and lizards (particularly the bluesy) so am keen to retain some of their environment. Instead, I’ve been experimenting to see if I can pull it back to something like its original design, with enough success to tempt me to take it further.

Last summer's experiment seems to have worked. Hope the rest of it ends up something like this. — Last summer’s experiment seems to have worked. Hope the rest of it ends up something like this.

Last summer I had a bit of a trim of one section and cut it down heavily. It has now reshot with gusto and after a few trims looks like it will happily go back to being a more structured hedge. This weekend I’ve decided to abandon the lopping saw for the local handyman and a chainsaw. One of the biggest headaches is also removing the branches so a trailer helps here. I’m betting more than the two estimated trips will be required!

I’m not brave enough to see it all go at once, but I think we should make inroads to at least a third for now.

Famine or Feast? The lot of a veggie grower

Published on January 17, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Possibly the original potatoes I planted!

I planted potatoes back in August – proper certified seed potatoes, eight varieties. I planted them in potato sacks and religiously followed instructions. It was exciting to see the first green tendrils poke through and I kept topping the bags up with straw as instructed. Up until early November they looked incredibly healthy. Until…

Until the two soul-destroying heavy falls of hail mulched them, followed by those nasty little sucking insects. Anyway, a recovery plan has helped get most of the bags looking reasonable again but they still haven’t flowered. Under instruction and many words of encouragement, I have dug out one of the bags and found 8 small potatoes (250g to be precise). I hope these are more than I originally planted but fear they may be the same ones! Royal Blue.

Needless to say, the potato planting efforts have been a disappointment. I’ve put a lot of care into them for little return. The bags have also not been an outstanding success and look as though they are tearing the first year. This was the sickest looking bag, so I’m hoping for a little more from the others but am not overly optimistic.

On the other hand, some of the veggies are being wonderful. Probably one of the things better than picking, cooking and eating your own veg is being able to give them away. I have a lovely neighbour who has made me feel part of the community from day one and always seems to appreciate some home-grown veg (or she is being extremely diplomatic). A small mixed tray including harlequin carrots, lady finger eggplants, zucchini, cherry toms, onions and capsicum looked cheerful on a hot summer’s day.

I won’t give up on potatoes but will definitely adjust my expectations and approach. Something tells me that the self-sown ones from the compost that have popped up in one of the garden beds may provide better results than all my efforts.

Markets Second Time Around

Published on January 11, 2014 by conventandchapel2 Comments

Happy with the look of the stall. Lots of interest and colour.

Yesterday was my second foray into the Rylstone Artisan Markets with my Convent and Chapel knitting stall. I had slightly adjusted stock by removing some of the more Wintry beanies and adding a loose knit cotton blend scarf pattern and a new vibrant set of mitts, plus a few other random knitted items.

This month's new addition - a drop stitch scarf — This month’s new addition – a drop stitch scarf

As expected, it was a much smaller and quieter market, with fewer stall holders and visitors given the holiday break. I was more than happy just to be there and chat with my fellow stall holders with no expectations of sales. Fortunately, I still did quite well – not as much as last time, but definitely worthwhile and confidence-building.

I sell both finished items and kits – complete with my own patterns as well as the yarn and any other items needed to finish the garment. I’m keen to encourage others to practice the craft. At both markets so far I’ve sold both, although the knitted items sell much faster, meaning that I have lots of knitting to do inbetween markets to restock. The plan is to keep the items fresh with regular new additions that adjust with the seasons.

Attracting the paparazzi. This was in The Weekly local newspaper

I’m really pleased with how my stall looks and it attracts lots of comments. We even made it into The Weekly local paper! It’s good even if people just stop for a look and comment on items – it’s quite different to anything else at the markets. The other stall holders are incredibly friendly and encouraging and I’m meeting so many new locals and catching up with familiar faces.

Anyway, I’m already looking forward to February markets – I’m planning a rustic Autumn suitable shawl and topping up the featherweight mohair lace scarves that are so popular.

The light lacy scarves are most popular at the moment

Kandos Museum

Published on January 6, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

One of the first places I visited in Kandos was the Museum, where helpful and knowledgeable volunteers cheerfully showed me volumes of directories on the history of the Convent.

I consider the building to be a “sister” to the Convent given it is also built in Spanish Mission style. It was originally a Methodist Church and was built under the direction of the superintendent of the cement works in the style of Californian buildings of the time. It has since become the Kandos Bicentennial Industrial Museum and pays homage to the unique nature and heritage of Kandos, as a twentieth century industrial town.

The building is quite grand and a somewhat unexpected structure to find in the town (like, I can talk) and I could easily see James Stewart and Grace Kelly in a scene somewhere in the ramparts up high under the watchful eye of Alfred Hitchcock.

Unfortunately the museum has been closed for some months but the Council are now taking steps to give it to the community to run and manage. The Museum plays and important role, both in conserving the heritage of the town but also as a tourist attraction. I’m hopeful it will shortly have a new lease of life.

Serious Knitting Resumes

Published on January 5, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Participating in the local markets with a knitting stall has had somewhat of an effect on my “regular” knitting. In fact, renovations, establishing the garden and relocating permanently whilst working may have also contributed a little over the last year as well.

Anyway, I’m back – forced by the impending Rylstone Kandos Show in February where I have a reputation to maintain, particularly now I am also knitting at the markets.

The markets and my normal knitting provide a good contrast. For the markets, I focus on creating my own patterns which rely on interesting but simple stitches and beautiful and unique yarns or combinations to provide a good result. My main aim is for people to buy the kits with the patterns based on my samples, but finished items are also for sale. A good example is the Drop Stitch Scarf which is a simple stitch pattern combined with striking Noro yarn.

On the other hand, my normal knitting tends to be a little more epic in nature. I favour laceweight shawls or big blankets – no short term projects here.

For the Show I am using Fluidity (or here) as a base. I’m familiar with this pattern, which started life as an 8 ply/DK equivalent but this time I’m using a barely 2ply lace weight silk/merino combination undyed, to give it a natural/antique finish. It’s square but knitted in the round. At some point I will cast off and finish off with a Shetland lace border. I’m also incorporating tiny seed pearl beads into the pattern, so I have high hopes. So far I have a rather modest 1,200 stitches on the needles and anticipate many more before I am done.

Lace (particularly bunched up on circular needles) always looks a bit like steel wool. For now it’s heads down and needles clicking as I head towards the Show.

The Roses are Starting to Feel at Home

Published on January 4, 2014January 5, 2014 by conventandchapel1 Comment

The front wall bed is starting to fill out well

Over the last year I’ve planted – well I was going to say 30 or 40 roses, but after looking on my blog, where I endeavour to keep a record, it’s well over 50.

I’ve had little experience with roses in the past so this has been a steep learning curve and one that I’m sure has caused distress to some of the new roses. First lesson was to keep clear of bare root stock. I nearly killed half a dozen that are now recovering in my rose nursery/graveyard. Some won’t make it back. A few have struggled, probably due to a combination of position, soil and lack of water. But I’m learning and things are on the improve.

Mme Isaac Pereire starting to peek over the wall — Mme Isaac
Pereire starting to peek over the wall

Mostly the roses have been a big success and I’m just starting to see their potential. The rear of the front wall bed has been filled with old fashioned climbers and ramblers, with the plan that they will tumble over the ash brick fence onto the footpath side. Whilst I love my old ash brick wall, it does look a little bleak and plain from the footpath side. This should make a stunning show for much of the year for passersby. The roses planted over the last six months are now just beginning to peek over the wall. Whilst it is very hot and dry here, the roses seem to be enjoying the weather and are having a flush of flowers.

Cecile Brunner working her way up the Grotto

The Grotto roses are not disappointing and are growing strongly with the Cecile Brunner and Pinkie winding their way up the Grotto at an impressive rate.

The original old roses have enjoyed the attention and some are showing good signs of new growth. The Fairy roses continue to be stellar little performers and are rarely out of bloom. The Good Samaritan signature roses I have planted have also taken well to their positions and regularly flower.

I didn’t really know much about the different rose breeders but David Austin roses have quickly become a favourite with their beautiful old fashioned petalled blooms, delicate colours and reliability.

I’m probably getting near the end of putting in new roses (until/unless I build new garden beds) but am keen to include some Rugosa or rosehip roses for added interest.

Young standard Icebergs flanking the front entrance are flowering well

The original inhabitants, including this Papa Meillard, seem to be flourishing

Crepuscule - still a favourite — Crepuscule – still a favourite