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.
Painting gear set up in the Chapel. The Mission brown has already been painted out from the stained glass windows. This is just an undercoat.
The old girl hasn’t really had much attention for many decades. A lick of paint from time to time in some rooms and a few low key renovations to suit changing needs of Church inhabitants. But no serious updates.
Her time has now come. And it’s not one of those reality-type challenges. Some of the work will happen over the next year or two (like the kitchen), but the main work is being done now. The exterior of the building is a textured concrete painted a traditional ochre and is in good condition, but the timber work, fascias, columns and detailing are all very shabby and being restored, which is much more than a quick paint job.
The boys hard at work.
The inside is being painted from head to toe – every room. As well as being well sanded back, having all the cracks repaired and the dark timber painted out. The floors currently have every carpet imaginable on them – every room is different and sometimes there are many layers (some of which I have kept for posterity). Whilst I keep being told it will be cold, I’m getting all the floorboards bar the bedrooms polished whilst the bedrooms will be carpeted. I tend to think that lots of rugs and runners will give the place more character and cover the warmth aspect. There’s also the possibility that to warm rooms, you can always put a heater on and shut the door! I won’t be trying to warm this whole house at once.
The Chapel is the centre of action
The painters have now moved in – and with a vengeance. Stott’s are based at Mudgee and have quite a team which means that once they start, they can put quite a few people on and just go gangbusters, rather than stop and start with multiple jobs on the go. The work only started this week and I can see heaps of progress – mainly just in preparation, gap filling, undercoating out all the ‘mission brown’ woodwork, which is making the place look lighter and more modern already.
What will be my craft studio
The boys are only working on one half of the building (not the section I’m living in) so there isn’t much disruption yet, particularly now I have the plumbing working again down my end of the house! I’m sure it won’t stay that way for long (the painting, not the plumbing, hopefully!). Anyway, I’m looking at at least three more weeks of painting inside then the floors are booked in. …then come the curtains. After the floors are done, the plan is to actually move in some furniture which will be exciting and let me clean up the Sydney home to get it on the market!
Much more savage than a dew. A footprint makes little impact
Earlier I posted about the neighbours’ threats of frosts. They weren’t joking. Last weekend was cold and heavy frosts kicked in. At 9 am the yard was still frozen over with thin ice coating everything. It is amazing to see plants and grass that look as though they have been snap frozen. It’s not snow or dew – it’s just frozen.
Fortunately these guys seem to love the frost.
On the one hand it looks quite magical. For plants that don’t like frosts, it’s deadly. Think of veg that have accidentally frozen from a too-cold fridge. Once they defrost, they can go limp – and not recover. When they dry out, they just look burnt. Some plants are semi-dormant and will be fine. Plants, like the bulbs, just love the cold. Others just hate it and die. My different varieties of beans that looked so healthy have just all burnt off – even those that seemed to be happily climbing with the peas. Peas are all fine – beans have just totally gone brown and limp – both the high and low growing ones.
This isn’t dew – the leaf is frozen.The Basil just hated the frost. I doubt it will survive. It was fine a few days ago.
It’s hard to see a healthy plant one day, see it wilting the next and a few days later, just looking burnt and dead. It happens so quickly. I’m learning fast and will be better prepared next year. One big learning is not to prune until much later. Not so much for the pruned plant, but those around. The more growth through frosts, the more protection for all the surrounding plants.
The front yard frost was quite structural. When the sun came out, the areas in the shadows cast by the fence and pillars were still totally frozen and frosted, yet everything in sun was melted. I’m shuddering at what the new Salvias in the front bed (who were quite frozen) were making of their new home. Particularly the ones that I was warned were “frost sensitive”. Uh oh!
This weekend I harvested my first set of root veg. Apparently root vegetables are the standard fare to plant for Winter. I love my soups, casseroles and roasts so this is hardly a hardship.
I was so excited this weekend to be in a position where I could harvest enough for two nights roasts (well, only one Beetroot was big enough to pick…). I managed to collect Parsnip, Swede, Turnip, Beetroot and Carrots (which were small but perfect) as well as Broccoli (which has been prolific) and Sugar Snap Peas.
I’m learning by mistakes – I will NEVER EVER plant beans again so close to Winter. I had several types in and the frosts wiped each out very early, even though they had been growing strongly. Strangely enough, most of the leafy veg – Kale, Rocket, Spinach… has gone well. The Peas seem to flourish in the cold, as do Broad Beans, although they (hopefully) crop later.
I’ll be braver in future with seeds. The seedlings I planted out from punnets have been fine, but I only have limited plants (6 – 8 as per the punnets) whereas for the seeds planted, my biggest problem is having the discipline to thin them. So I only have a small crop of Beetroot, however the neighbours are under strict instruction to start culling Turnips and any of the leafy greens that were planted by seed.
I’m very happy with the outcome for my first year of veg, but hope the soil will continue to be as giving with future crops.
This is what was still left after over a day’s full-on planting
… and am I planting! This weekend was a bit over the top and way too ambitious. Now we have passed the shortest day and it’s more daylight, I think I’ve over-reacted. The thought (threat) of being on show for the upcoming Kandos Gardens Fair has also added some impetus to my gardening. As well as the thought of seeing Spring in with a garden full of lovely growing and flowering plants.
Above is what was left after a full day of planting which also included 3 mega punnets from Bunnings, a number of lovely blue Salvias and a stack of perennials which have already found their way into the side garden bed, which is looking much more organised.
“Muncher” should help greatly with garden refuse as well as feeding garden beds
I never made it to starting the new little back garden bed near the gate. Or for that matter, starting to plant the potatoes. I did however buy a new toy, a Ryobi mulcher, which should help with both lessening the need for mulch and compost as well as reducing the trips to the tip. It’s already been put to use mulching for the Pumpkin patch (which has everything other than Pumpkins in it!).
Anyway, I managed to bring up two more camellias and azaleas from the Sydney garden, which have been rehomed on the front fence, along with a Mme Isaac Perriere rose – these are described as blowsy rampant pink roses – sounds like a loose woman. She has gone to one of the darker corners to hopefully brighten it up as she scrambles across the front wall. Three lovely deep blue salvias also went out the front, although this weekend saw very heavy frosts and some of the salvias seem appalled by this weather.
I also planted a stack more groundcovers in the shady area which struggles with grass as well as some lawn chamomile. It appears that the other chamomile (all four packets of it, which are growing so well) is the wrong kind. I didn’t know there was a specific “lawn” chamomile as well as a German one. Will be interesting to see how they go as they are both widely spread now.
The side beds are looking tidier. But how good is the old girl looking with her facelift. Dazzlingly white.
The outside of the Convent is starting to get plenty of attention and she seems to be enjoying it. Hopefully the inside painters turn up this week.
One night I looked out and was surprised by the Grotto which had an eerie light about it. Took a second to realise that it was the solar spot lights I’d installed that were only partially charged. Still, it should look effective at night time. The Grotto garden is already showing promise. The roses are healthy and I’ve rigged up wiring across the top to help train them. The plants all seem to be growing and the bulbs are just beginning to flower.
I’m getting a few more locals popping in now they see lots of activity to have a chat and look, which is particularly rewarding.
Next weekend looks like another one where I will be armed with a shovel and trowel. I’m just hoping that most of the new plants cope with the frosts.
One of the first daffodils – an ErlicheerThe Grotto beds are settling in well. A mix of plants making themselves at home.
Spanish Onion and Olive – my favouriteRoast Vegetables – a meal in itself
My houseguests often get to enjoy the pull-aparts which seem to have as much filling as bread. My favourite is the Spanish Onion and Olive, although the Roast Veg is also amazing. I’m yet to sample the Bacon and Cheese or Fetta and Spinach.
The rich slices (chocolate with mint, caramel or cherry ripe fillings or the baked apple) can each easily provide four serves and are way generous with the fillings. And, whilst I have had limited exposure to the pies, the traditional meat ones have been easily consumed.
Such a treat finding a place like this around the corner. And yes, it is a wood-fired bakery with beautiful sourdough, ciabatta and many other wonderful breads and treats.
Generous slices – here is caramel and mint although I can also recommend cherry ripeThe classic plain meat pie
Daffodil bulbs just peeping out – the bulb planting is beginning to pay off
A busy and fruitful weekend.
On the downside – still no painters, but looks promising for next week and my bedroom side toilets/drains are blocked : (
On the good side – which is the bigger side, lots of progress. A trip to Mudgee resulted in some great new plants, trebled with a Diggers’ Club delivery and a few relocated Sydney plants, so lots of plantings for the front wall. This is a huge area, so I’m mainly putting in the big plants and then starting to dig out the areas that will have the mid and smaller fillers. It’s already starting to take shape.
A flowering Plum was added to the front garden which means the old shrubs have now been replaced with 6 deciduous trees – 5 of which will change colour and blossom.
I also started up my “plant nursery” with putting aside an area for propagating cuttings – starting with the Convent roses and adding in the original geraniums and some Salvias which look cutting-friendly. Fingers crossed!
D has started undercoating the side verandah and it already looks so different! Very exciting to think of how much better the place will look with some TLC.
The expanded Pumpkin patch which was to mulch itself in the lead up to Summer has already been partly planted out with a Globe Artichoke, Rhubarb and an Asparagus crown which I am told should be a faster track to Asparagus cultivation. I’ve only taken a small area and will endeavour to leave space for the vegetables it was originally intended for. A neighbour mentioned wild asparagus growing on a roadside as a faster route to croppable asparagus – I must find out where this is.
I managed to get wire over the top of the Grotto for the climbing roses to have something to hang on to. The bulbs are so close to flowering. I hope they last long enough for me to enjoy them and don’t come and go in the few days I’m away! I’m now at least able to tell what is coming up. I also installed two solar spot lights in front of the Grotto which are currently charging. Not sure if this will look pretentious but only plan to use them for special occasions (including miracles).
This suits the structure of the bed much better – and gives me more area to plant
Lastly, I dragged some of the old sleepers from the replaced section of the fence around to a fairly unstructured garden bed to give it an edge. Even the small sleepers are unbelievably heavy. I was really pleased with this, even if it will mean some work in digging up and preparing the garden bed – although it’s always good to have another bed to plant in.
All in all a good weekend, although the list doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. I came home to two boxes of perennials from Tesselaars which will put me back to work and I’m hoping the slip for collection from the Post Office may be my long-awaited ‘taties from Diggers.
Work for next weekend. The Tesselaar delivery includes Peony Roses, Aquilegias and Russian Sage amongst other treats
Since being in the country, I’ve become far more aware of the importance of churches locally. They play a large role in adding to the local fabric of society – and much more than spiritually. Many social networks and activities revolve around the church and they also continue to provide a safety net for the disadvantaged – as they have always done and well before social services were envisaged. Many of the churches have integrated themselves into the local community by offering venues for a wide variety of non-church activities – one of the primary ones being hosting local markets. Every weekend in Mudgee seems to be a different style market often held at one of the churches.
The churches themselves are so varied. From little modest weatherboards to impressive cathedrals. Here are a few from the area.
St Margaret’s – the “parent church” – at Mudgee
The most impressive would have to be St Margaret’s, Mudgee with its recently repolished copper spire. This is the Convent’s “parent” church and hosts the Farmer’s Market every third Saturday in its spacious grounds. The Rectory is also a beautiful sandstone building. You can’t see it in the picture, but St Mary’s also has a Grotto – just not quite as nice as mine 🙂 The other related Catholic church is St Malachy’s at Rylstone, which is a pretty sandstone church on the main street.
Havilah, tucked away on Lue Road, the back way to Mudgee
One of the most picturesque in the area has to be Havilah which is an old stone church tucked away in the countryside just past Lue on the way to Mudgee. When I drove in, a large kangaroo was quietly grazing. The headstones bear testimony to harder times, recording the deaths of toddlers in the area.
Some of the churches are very modest. Some have also been taken over by other spiritual or religious groups and I’m sure some have been turned into private homes. An old sandstone church is on the market currently in Rylstone. Below is a quirky church I passed in Bylong Valley. Not sure of the background but I’m sure the services would be less traditional.
Not sure of the minister or congregation for this one, but it looks interesting
The Mid Western region has an eclectic mix of the old wealthy grazier economy as well as more industrial/mining industry which is reflected in the vast range of architecture.
Just finishing this post off with ‘my’ church, pictured at the top, St Dominic’s,which frames the view from my backyard. Built in the early 1900’s, it reflects a ‘worker’s church’ and was originally a school by weekday and church on weekends. Whilst not an elaborate church, it has enormous charm and is just lovely inside. I feel it is representative of the town of Kandos, although I’m probably biased.
1/3 cup of stubby rice – Arboria or short grain (or something similar)
3 eggs (was actually 7 but 4 were well past the safe date and, to be honest, the 3 I used were just past it)
600 ml milk (I used just less as I’d made coffee for the tradies from the carton)
approx 1/3 cup sugar
vanilla (I didn’t have any so popped in some of my favourite Pear and Vanilla Jam from Rylstone Pantry https://www.facebook.com/RylstonePantry), however this is an unlikely option for others.
nutmeg (preferably freshly ground)
Cook rice until tender
Preheat oven to 180d
whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla. Strain. Add in rice and stir until evenly distributed.
Put baking dish in a larger baking pan. Pour water in outer baking pan until at least half way up the side.
Pour custard mix into baking dish.
Grate nutmeg over the top.
Bake for 40 – 45 minutes until knife inserted comes out clean.
Leave to cool for about an hour (or chill) before serving.
Firstly, here at the Convent we are not sticklers on measuring, unless critical to the recipe. I like to call it a “bespoke” approach, to use management jargon. Cream of Broccoli Soup is no exception, after all, it all depends on how much Broccoli is available. This has been made with special Convent Broccoli – the first ever Broccoli picked from the Convent.
Ingredients
An onion (or two)
Two garlic cloves (or more)
a few stalks of celery
broccoli
stock
butter
plain flour
milk
blue cheese
Firstly, chop up the onion, celery and garlic. Rough is fine as it will end up blended.
Saute in butter until soft, then add in chopped Broccoli stalks.
Saute gently for 5 – 10 minutes more, not to the point of colouring.
Heat stock in a separate saucepan and when boiling, add Broccoli flowerettes and sautéed onion, celery and garlic.
Simmer for 15 minutes. Take off heat and stand for 5 minutes.
During this time, melt additional butter in saucepan (the one you used to sauté the vegetables is fine), add flour and stir for a few minutes on gentle heat.
Add milk gradually, stirring to a thick roux.
Blend the Broccoli mix, then add gradually to the roux, stirring continuously.
Continue to add Broccoli mix and stir on gentle heat until all combined and beginning to simmer.
If too thick, add some more milk or stock, do not boil.
................... for lovers of ice cream. Your free on line magazine for sweet frozen treats. Recipes, inspiration, artisanal ideas for your delectation.
CONVENT AND CHAPEL 