Justin and I arrived on Friday evening, while Alex decided to work from there for the day, so arrived around 9am
Our other guests - Val and George (and Ziggy the dog) arrived around 5
Given that Justin and I were battling Friday afternoon traffic, we weren't sure if we would arrive before the pub kitchen closed, - so George kindly went to the IGA and bought a couple of bbq chickens and salads etc
That meant that we didn't have to rush, and we would get fed
Arrived around 7.45, and was surprised by how much the plants had grown in the 2 weeks that we'd been gone
We ate in the dining room, and had a lovely time
Val also gave us a large box of delicious cheeses - some of which we enjoyed after dinner
I had to get up "early" on Saturday as I was helping out with the cooking for the Music night, and had to be at Terry's at 9am. We normally have these Music Nights in March and September, but because of numerous covid lockdowns - we had it now in November
George was the only one up when I left, as he had taken Ziggy for a walk
Got to Terry's and had a customary coffee, and then straight into it
Laid sheets of paper towel on the table, and then put the wet chunks of beef on them (they'd been marinating in red wine overnight), and then more paper towel on top. Dried the beef
Then browned the beef in batches, in two frying pans (there was a lot)
Following this we fried up the marinated onions, and added them to the browned beef, then bacon batons, and then cooked up mushrooms in the bacon fat. Lastly fried up a lot of garlic til it was just this side of golden.
Then fried up the Mediterranean vegies for Val's meal
And peeled the skin off the grilled red capsicum
All of this took a surprisingly long time
Then made a "red" dip and filled celery sticks with it as a type of appetiser
Had some lunch - and by this time two of Terry's sons and families had arrived, so it was getting busy
While I was at Terry's Alex sent me a photo of my lovely cherries - and said something was eating them
So he then kindly netted the tree
Was leaving just as Justin and Alex arrived to do a sound check
Got back to the house around 2.30. Pottered around a little and had a bit of a nap
Left for Kingower again around 5.30 and got to the Church, but no one else was there, and it was locked.
Arlene arrived about 10 minutes later, and Terry, June and others soon after that
I was excused from handing out the trays of appetisers - as I was on one crutch
I could however help out at the serving table
First course was a terrine with a side of lettuce and grilled red capsicum. Both looked and tasted terrific
Given that we had arrived first, we had the pick of tables (except the front right, which is where Terry sits with the sound desk)
We took the front left table - and had us 5 ie me, Justin, Alex , Val and George, and Maile, David & Rachel to make it 8
The main course was Beef Bourguignon with mashed potato and sugar snap peas. Delicious
Terry had wanted us to be finished eating by 8pm, and we were, so the music started then
David and Mark were up together first - and did a great job - starting off with a Spanish sounding instrumental
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Next up were Justin and Alex
They had about 6 songs in their set and also called up Mark and David to help with the chorus in a few of them
I filmed quite a few of the songs with my mobile phone - and they had some good audience participation with some of the songs
Dermott, got up next and belted out some powerful songs - both with and without musical accompaniment
He called up ones of his sons, and Justin, David and Mark to sing the Weller man song all together
And then David and Mark came on again separately
After this it was time for dessert - a very delicious mulberry cheesecake with strawberry coulis
And then the all star band - playing greatest hits
Was a great night and everyone very much enjoyed themselves. We were 37 people this time - which is a respectable turn out, and I was pleased to see Rachel, and also Irene and Neil
And it was quite warm in the Church also, as I said we're not normally in there at that time of the year, we certainly didn't need jackets.
It had been a nice warm day ie in the mid 20s, and the night cooled down a bit with lovely stars
I guess we left around midnight or so (Alex kindly drove). Val and George had left earlier, but George was still up when we got back, and stayed up and chatted with him for a while
Took a while to fall asleep, and stupidly woke up early, and couldn't get back to sleep, so was a bit tired all day
Had some delicious olive bread toast for breakfast
Got George and Justin to measure the jarrah/mahogany bits of wood that we plan to use for the island bench counter top. Should be enough, and some left over for the vanity top in the powder room. Needs to be sanded back a bit
Not sure when Alex took this photo
Alex and I went up to Terry's around 11 or so - to get the key for the Church and go and pick up the equipment. Poor old Justin was working hard in the dining room.
Afterwards I suggested a quick detour to the secret asparagus spot. I must admit I was prepared with knives, hats and a bag.
There were plenty of plants and plenty of evidence of harvesting, but we still did manage to pick some - enough for a few spears each at lunch time
So yes, got back and Val and George were preparing lunch, yesterdays chicken, cheeses, dips olives etc.
Ate out in the rotunda and was very pleasant
Alex, and then Val and George left soon after lunch
Justin made sure that the watering systems that the watering systems were on as the last kiwi fruit had shrivelled up
The grapes were still looking very good though
And one of the mulberry cuttings had more leaves on it, while the little mulberry plant that I had actually bought didn't look that crash hot
There were also flowers on the guava - first time ever, and they looked just like feijoas. I subsequently found out that they are closely related
I had thought I would get stuck into the weeding, as it really is quite wild out the front, but it was a bit too hot and sunny, and we also had guests, so I didn't end up doing anything useful really.
I'll come back later by myself and get down to it
Our drive back to Melbourne was long....3 lots of roadworks - the worst on the Tullamarine where 4 lanes eventually merged into one before the Bolte Bridge. Took us over 3 hours to get back
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