The tide has turned and the locals are now suspecting I was not so far off the mark with the bandicoot suggestion. It’s been back yet again with another impressive hole.
Other pictures of bandicoot holes look very similar, so unless someone spots a wombat, rabbit, echidna or quoll, I’m claiming I have a bandicoot in the backyard!
I’ve been warned that the Convent will be cold. The nuns weren’t overly spoilt for comfort and the large solid building that boasts being cool in summer looks like being bitterly cold in winter. Given the late settlement and other priorities, I haven’t had time to get someone in to look at the disabled fireplaces and am hoping some heaters might just get me through this winter.
That being said, the signs are ominous. Every local is warning me about the garden and what the frosts will “get”. I’m currently hooked on Game of Thrones and the Stark phrase “Winter is coming” keeps running through my head. Probably not so bad if you have Sean Bean to spend it with but they killed him off the first season.
Here’s hoping this photo will not be reminiscent of Kandos and the back escarpment doesn’t end up looking like The Wall.
I’m finding the lace bookmarks rewarding little projects and starting to build up a collection of different patterns, yarns and finished bookmarks. At present the plan is to go to the markets at some stage but I need a good range, at least to make up a display of substance.
At this stage I’m using laceweight yarn with the silk and mohair being my preference. The tassels are fun but I haven’t mastered the art of attaching them neatly to the bookmarks – there are a few failures there.
Last week Corey, the local earthmover/excavator, came in to clear out the old scruffy shrubs in the front yard. None were original or quality shrubs – just green “fillers” that were unkempt and shapeless. He also offered to clear out the “centrepiece” in the middle of the concrete front paths – a tribute to the ’70s bush rock garden.
Corey did a great job, but it didn’t soften the shock of seeing it so bare and realising the work ahead to get a good garden now in shape that did justice to the Convent. At present I’m clearing out loose rubble and roots from areas whilst preparing to mulch the areas and think about the longer term plan of what goes where.
L calls it a “blank canvas”. That’s being kind.
I dismissed this at first and unfairly blamed Roxy, however this is now the fourth time and the last two happened when we were not in residence.
It’s past amusing but increasing in curiosity. The neighbours have all been in to inspect and offer opinions.
Each time it has been in the same position between the carrots and beetroot in the same bed. There are now a few indications of scratchings and small holes in other parts of the garden, but nothing of this scale and repetition.
So far covered have been
At this stage, all suggestions are welcome. I think the only way we will find out is with a web cam. G’s suggestion of blanket, torch and alcohol for a night sit-out is not appealing now the weather has turned nippy. A farmer’s life is not an easy one!
Getting the potato recipes ready for the harvest.
Ingredients
Steps
Another first. I’ve never grown potatoes before. They sound so simple but I just haven’t. Today I ordered enough seed potatoes to feed a small country from http://www.diggers.com.au/shop/category/Potatoes.aspx
Varieties I’ve chosen include Dutch Cream, King Edward, Kipfler (double dose), Nicola, Royal Blue, Mozart as well as Sweet Potatoes and Yams. I know I could just cut up a potato but give I’m a novice, I thought I’d take a professional approach and also know what potatoes I have. I can then reuse these in future.
The growing plan is to use Potato Bags – pretty nifty – just an adaptation of the sacks the old school used to use but more like reinforced garbage bags with a velcro pocket down low to allow easy access to potatoes from the bottom.
Just a warning to friends – expect to be fed potatoes – potato and leek soup, potato and rosemary pizza, roast potatoes, baked potatoes, potato bake, hash browns… Doesn’t sound too bad to me.
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 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.
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.
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.
We now have ponies residing in the paddock next door. I’m surprised at how many visitors they have from the locals. Not being a country person, I would have thought they weren’t a novelty but I guess most people don’t own horses and everyone loves ponies.
Anyway, it means a stream of visitors come to pat and feed them and they are most obliging ponies. Roxy and Tango, being city dogs, are still excited by other dogs, let alone ponies. They are fascinated by them. As expected, Roxy barks, but Tango goes right up to them for a chat, which they seem comfortable with.
Hopefully they stay as it’s lovely to go outside to scratch their noses and give them the odd carrot.
The end of April and the veg beds are now fully planted and starting to fill out.
There are four veg beds which I’ve planted out with a few seedlings, but mainly directly sewn seeds.
Bed 1: The most established – asparagus (will take a few years before cropping), scarlet runner beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, sugar snap peas, leeks, radishes and purple king beans.
Bed 2: garlic – white and purple, broad beans, carrots (a few varieties), beetroot, mixed salad leaves, spinach, swede, butter beans.
Bed 3: carrots, white and brown onions, snake beans, turnips, sweet corn – baby and bantam, mini cauliflowers, chicory, fennel and sugar snap peas
Bed 4: The Berry Bed – rasberry, elderberry, blueberry, boysenberry, bayberry, loganberry, youngberry, white currant and, of course, lots of strawberries.
The back fence still has some broad beans, peas, beans, eggplant and chillies as well.
In a week or two I can order seed potatoes for my potato bags. Hopefully most survive and I have something to show for all the effort. This is my first year with a veg garden so I’m sure there will be lots of lessons as we go.
Kandos a Rare 20th Century Town
Slow living, fast dreaming.
Interweaving life with fiber arts! (Photograph by Carly Moskat.)
WHISPERS FROM THE CLOISTERS - Adventures from a Spanish Mission Convent in Central NSW
Bring new life to your garden!
This WordPress.com site is the bee's knees
Cementa15 will be from April 9 to 12, 2015 in Kandos, NSW.
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