2016 Kingower Christmas Party, & Lana & Peter

It feels like it's been ages since we were here.  (OPP weekend)

In the mean time, it looks a lot drier, and my poor artichokes have fallen down completely.  I was told that it had been very windy there, so I'm assuming that they were blown down.  And we didn't get to harvest any this year either.  (Maile subsequently dropped over and brought me some of hers)
 

And the plum tree by the well, is completely laden with plums, the branches are bending down through all of the weight  

I was also pleased to see that at least 2 small pomegranate fruits have formed

The mulberry trees have some ripe fruit if you hunt for them - delicious, and the almonds are still there - the cockies haven't pinched them yet.

Anyway, Lana and Peter arrived soon after we did, and we sat down and had a delcious antipasto lunch under the hoop pine.

Very nice, and we were telling them about how when Lesley & Chris, and Andrew & Miranda had come we'd retired for a siesta after lunch - so we all thought it was a good idea, so indulged again.  Didn't actually think that I was tired, although I must have been, as I slept for maybe an hour.

Got up 3-ish, and watered the garden, and also made a red dip for tonight.  

Although it had been a lovely sunny day, we thought it might get a bit cool at night, so we came prepared.  And yes, it did get a bit cool.  It was also Arlene's birthday, and Terry had made her a lovely cake

The T shirt reads - Dear Santa, I can explain

Because, it was cool, we left early - around 10.30, and then upstairs for some "jamming" - til around 1am

Peter & Justin

 Woke up early on Sunday, but then was able to fall asleep again (hoorah) - and got up after 9 and had a quick toast breakfast.

Saw a nice big lizard in the vegetable garden





Showed off the pomegranate to Peter & Lana over a coffee









Maile and David came around after 10am as they were going to show us the alternative way to their place.  (the regular road is still blocked after the heavy rains washed away the road).  They'd spoken with both Lana & Peter the previous evening, and were keen to show them their house and view.

Had to go up the Calder, and turn off just after the silos on the Curting Kingower Road.

They stopped at one point, and pointed out their house on the hill.  You can't really see it in the below photo unless you know where to look

Had a nice visit with Maile and David, a tour, a chat, some coffee and biscuits, and then it was back to Inglewood to tidy up with another lizard sighting along the way.  This time a large goanna

 

And also stopped for a photo shoot at the old Mechanics Institute on the way back

So, tidied and packed up, and then it was off to Maldon for a late lunch shouted by Lana & Peter.  The Spotted Cow was unfortunately closed, so we went to the place next door, which had a very pleasant  garden area out the back.  Lunch was very good.

Strangely the outside area also opened up onto the Christmas shop

Geelong OPPs 19 & 20 November

What a difference a week makes...

The previous weekend was my birthday, and it was rainy, cold and generally miserable.  Although of course I had a nice time.

This weekend, it was verging on hot, particularly Sunday

Justin had invited some of his OPP buddies up for an intrepid weekend, but first we had to do a bit of tidying up around the place.

With all of the previous rain, plants had grown, and more weeds sprouted, so I took care of that (and had the scratched arms to show for it), while Justin soundproofed the door between our bedroom and the bathroom

First we had to move the wardrobe

looking from the bathroom into the bedroom

And then he attached the tape etc

adding the tape

It might have made it a bit quieter, and he also put tape around the bathroom door frame into the hallway, but it certainly didn't fully soundproof the room.

We had thought that the guests would come around lunchtime, but they all subsequently advised that they would be late afternoon - Ingrid & Nick, Eleni, and Hamish and family all came to stay.

I had organised a smoked brisket from Jim which he delivered at 7pm - delicious.  I also made up some roast potatoes, a salad and an onion tart for the vegetarians.  Coincidentally both Ingrid & Nick  and Hamish had brought us some Passing Clouds wine.  In fact, Ingrid & Nick had stopped at Passing Clouds on the way (they were having a wine launch, and Maile & David had gone there too), as Nick is mates with one of the wine makers there. 

Dinner in the dining room - another good night of course.

And then the music room upstairs for some entertainment.  Justin & Hamish both on vocals and guitar, and Ingrid also singing.

Everyone enjoyed themselves, and Justin was particularly tickled by Hamish's song about his first car, an old Ford laser which he reluctantly sold when he traded up.

Had a slow start the next morning, with people getting up at different times, and most of them left before lunch time. 

It was quite hot and humid, I considered doing some more garden work, but gave that up as a bad idea.  Did some watering though, as it was looking a bit dry in places - and they were expecting 41 degrees on Monday.

Also went for a walk to see the chickens and feed the horses with Hamish and his family

Had a nice antipasto lunch with Justin outside in the shade under the tree - including some of the salami that we'd made.

 

And then afterwards, a nice cold cider in the hammock in the shade while I read the newspapers - felt very decadent not to be doing anything productive!