Kingower Music Night Fri 17 - Sun 19 October 2025

Caught a lift with the Danes, as it made more sense for Justin to leave for Inglewood from work, rather than come and pick me up - as we were planning on having dinner at the pub 

Got there around 5 or so, and Justin wasn't far behind us 

It was quite a nice afternoon, so we sat out in the rotunda and had some bubbles and cheese.  Chris was wearing his "plantation" broad brimmed hat - which was very smart and sun safe

Susan and Mark arrived around 6.30pm, and we made up the beds and then wandered across to the pub for dinner

The menu is now a lot smaller (one page) which is probably a good thing - had a pleasant dinner, and then back home and into the dining room

Nin and Clare came around 10pm, and we went to bed soon afterwards

Got out of bed at 8am on Saturday, and into the kitchen.  Nin and Clare went for a run, and Mark was the first to join me for breakfast, followed by Susan, and then Justin

Susan came with me to Terry's to help prepare the food for the Music Night dinner

My first jobs were snapping asparagus spears and peeling carrots, and then making up the mint/parsley fetta/cream cheese mixtures for the watermelon canapes 

Susan was on potato peeling duty.  Not sure what June was doing in that photo

 Terry was doing something at the island bench

I went out to get an egg from the chook house - still quite small, as it's a young chicken (not that we used the egg for anything for the dinner as far as I know) 

I was a bit flattered that my watermelon canapes from the garden party were repeated for the Music night.  Arleen had cut the watermelon, and I put the cream cheese/fetta mixture on, and Susan put the green mixture and nut on top, I then placed them on the tray - we had a good system going

Arleen and June were doing the bread for the smoked trout canapes

Arleen and June also had a brilliant way of putting the gladwrap on the watermelon canapes

They basically pulled out about a one metre length, and placed it flat on the table.  Then put the tray on top - in the middle, and brought the gladwrap over the top of the canapes.  

Then did it again on the width of the tray.  Because the tray is plastic/melamine - it doesn't stick properly.  It wastes a lot of gladwrap, but it does it properly.  I don't like using gladwrap on big things, as I generally make a mess of it...   I was very impressed at their professionalism

The menu for tonight's dinner was  watermelon & smoked trout canapes, a pumpkin coconut soup, silverside with asparagus, carrots, onions and masked potato, and then a sponge cake with stewed apples and cream

Susan, Terry, June and I then went up to the Church (Arleen had left) and put out the tablecloths, cutlery, glasses etc.

Then back to Terry's, and a nice lunch of eggplant parmigiana and a glass of wine - very civilised

However, Justin had been trying to call me to see if we were coming home for lunch - my phone doesn't work up there, and Terry no longer had his landline, so he couldn't reach me

We got back to the house and the others were having a lovely lunch in the garden

The girls very kindly did the dishes after lunch (and most of the other times too)

I set up the hammock in the shade for Susan after lunch

And Jo was comfortable reading in the rotunda

A few pesky weeds had re-emerged in my precious turf, so I was back on my hands and knees getting them out.  I assured Susan and Jo that I wouldn't always be this fussy about it, it was just that I had put in so much work on it a few weeks ago

Whilst doing this I also admired the apple tree which was in full blossom

I next set my sights on the vegie patch - where there were weeds taller than me - these were pretty easy to get out - although we still have those pesky plum suckers coming up

Also attacked these weeds around the mulberry tree - but didn't take an after photo.  Suffice to say, I filled the rubbish bin again 

Carolyn arrived some time in the afternoon, and also did a bit in the garden

Meanwhile the boys were practising in the music room - I helped them out with some percussion

Nin took Clare to Bendigo around 3pm to catch a train home. Unfortunately she couldn't stay for the Music night as she had other plans (Music night was originally going to be on the 11th)

Fraser and Rileigh arrived too, I thought they had planned to go to Ocean Grove for the weekend, but they rang us and asked if they could come and camp with their swag in the garden - so they did.

Terry had wanted us back up at the Church at 5.45 - to help set up some more, and the boys also thought it a good idea to come early for a sound check

Thought we'd start early with some bubbles outside before the masses arrived...

We started serving up the canapes at 6.30 - the official start time - although not everyone was there yet

There were about 40 people this time - so 5 tables of 8

The play list was as follows

First up on the bill was the "Elderly Brothers" (David and Mark) but Justin and Chris were both invited to play with them - although Justin only got the song list and music on Friday!

It was a bit of a dog's breakfast.... but they had fun

Dermott was up next singing his mining etc songs acapella

Then a new act - Neil and Lou - who were pretty good.  Lou had a lovely voice

Justin and Chris were on next at 9.30pm - and also had guest appearances with Mark on violin (fiddle) and Ninian on guitar 

They played a cracking set

David was next with his daughter Helen making a cameo appearance

then Mark

and finally Chris again with his own set of 3 songs 

By this stage it was 11pm - so a lot of people had left /were leaving

Unfortunately for his first song - there was a bit of audience noise/people leaving  - which was a bit off-putting.  Anyway, he got through it well, and did another couple - including one that he had written for and about Justin - which Justin very much appreciated

By this stage the remaining crowd had settled down, and wanted more songs from Chris - which he obliged with one more - and got Justin back up also

And then we packed up and left - hardly anyone left by this stage

Fraser and Rileigh had already left - ie after Justin and Chri's initial set.  Susan drove 4 in Mark's car, and Nin drove us other 4 in his car.  No kangaroos 

I went straight to bed.  Justin and the boys stayed up a little bit later 

Sunday, and people got up at all different times - so there was a staggered toast and coffee breakfast

After breakfast I was in the garden again - wanted to get some epsom salts/magnesium for the gardenias as they were yellowing a bit 

And Justin had permission to poison those pesky acanthus that keep coming up in the path.  I had dug them out prior to the Garden Party, but I obviously hadn't got all the roots

 

When the topic of lunch came up the Bridgewater Pub was suggested, but then Susan suggested staying at the house - as we still had plenty of delicious food ie cheeses, bacon, tomatoes, nice bread etc 

We ended up doing that - and it was delicious - and probably much nicer than the pub would have been

The guests left after lunch - and Justin and I gathered up the mounds of washing to take back to Melbourne - and we left around 3pm or so

  

Loddon Valley Arts Trail - Nimmitabel Garden Party Fri 3 Oct - Sun 5 Oct 2025

Whew, had just finished 4 long but fun days in a row at the Melbourne Royal Show volunteering at the CWA Pavillon

I would have done the Friday also - but because we were having the Garden Party on the Saturday, I just knew that I had more to do for it...

This time I arrived at Inglewood around 12 noon on Friday

Was glad to see that Shane had mowed the turf, and also put down mulch in the steel tree rings like I had asked

My self imposed tasks were to make the chocolate peanut butter tart (2 x batches in lamington tins) for the cast and friends post party dinner tomorrow night - and also to make dinner for tonight for myself, Justin Karen and Tom - easy chicken tortillas

I also had to defrost the frittata and herbed chicken balls which I'd brought up last week, and put the Black Wallaby welcome bubbles in the fridge   

And I made up the cream cheese and sour cream mixture for the watermelon canapes

I also tidied up a bit - moving the silverware and teacups etc from the scullery to the garage and cleaned out the front hallway

I probably did other things also - but can't remember - as it is almost 2 weeks ago

That said I had written up a very comprehensive run sheet ...

As I had mentioned in my last post, I was invited to Michelle's Art opening at the Red door from 5.30pm onwards

The others weren't arriving til after 6pm - so I went, and set an alarm for 6.05pm

I was the first guest there, and had a glass of bubbles or two with her and the other artist - Robyn

They had some nice pieces there, however I ended up buying a silver pendant  with a lovely opal like stone - will recontact Robyn to find out exactly what it is (she did tell me but I forgot - ironstone?)

Left when my alarm went off, but Justin had sneakily just arrived before me - Google maps had made good time for him.

Karen and Tom weren't far behind and we ate our casual dinner in the dining room

On Saturday - "the big day" I got up just before 8am  and took a photo of the back garden - looked lovely.  The weather forecast was perfect - 25 degrees, sunny, not much wind.   We were so lucky as yesterday hadn't been very nice at all - very windy, and Sunday was supposed to be 31 degrees and windy again 

I then got the dinner brisket started - these things always take longer than you think - had to mix up the dry rub, and then make up the accompanying barbecue sauce - and put it all in the big slow cooker 

The others got up around 9am

I went across to the Town Hall with Karen and Tom to organise about the audience chairs with Tenar - and then they went across with Justin to collect them 

I thought we should have about 85 chairs - as we had 65 paying guests, 10 cast/performers, and 7 helpers (me, Justin, Karen, Tom, Carolyn, Terry, Arleen & June)  - all up 82 people

The 3 of them did a magnificent job - putting all 85 chairs on the ute in one lot (when I did the CWA Metro meets rural Afternoon Tea in April we were much less organised and took at least 4 trips or so )

They then arranged the chairs on the lawn in curved rows with a passage down the middle - looked very good 

Justin also organised some tables and chairs in the garage as a Green Room for the Gilbert and Sullivan cast.  We had it looking much nicer than this - but i didn't get a photo of the finished result - oh well

Further things that I did were to put our big bedroom mirror in the garage for the cast and covered the work bench with a nice cloth

Had to set up the trestle table with a table cloth and chair at the front for the welcome glasses of local bubbles 

Also had to set up a table and chair for me at the front to mark guests off as they arrived - and I must say that those purple bearded irises looked gorgeous behind the table

 

Karen wrote up the explanatory white board 

We set up the bollards (that Karen brought yet again) and Rachel's red carpet - we want to make a statement!

Moved both bins to the back

Brought the electric piano down for Pam to play

Put the carver chair in the front hall for Karen to sit on while "supervising" guests

etc etc 

Rachel and Sue arrived around 12- and started setting up - put props - ie flags, bunting, swords etc on the Reo frames on the garage

And the rest of the cast arrived a bit later

Karen, Tom, and I were preparing more food in the kitchen ie I got the pork loin organised, got all the ingredients ready together for the mushroom risotto

Karen had also gone to the IGA and bought an antipasto platter for us to graze on while working.  None of us had an actual sit down lunch

Chopped vegies for the coleslaw, green salad, chopped watermelon, cut the frittata into bite size pieces  etc 

By this stage Carolyn had arrived - I told her and Karen how I wanted the watermelon canapes  and Terry came soon after with his sausage rolls and spring rolls

Jim from Black Wallaby arrived around 2.30, and we set him up in front of the mulberry tree.

And Arleen came around 3pm with her arancini balls and crunchy chicken sandwiches

So, our canapes were :-

• herbed chicken balls - with sweet chilli sauce
• vegetable frittata
• watermelon canapes with whipped lemon fetta etc
• mini sausage rolls with tomato sauce
• vegetable spring rolls with soy sauce
• basil arancini balls
• crunchy chicken sandwiches   

A very good selection - I think

We then set up 65 of Jim's glasses at the welcome bubbles table under the front veranda - which Justin was going to man.  And we ascertained how full to fill the glasses so that each person got the right amount from the 10 bottles (was very scientific) 

Below is a photo of Justin at his drinks station

Given that I had been rushing around all morning, I went and had a quick shower and got ready to "receive guests" around 3pm

Went and sat outside at my "station" around 3.25pm - there were already people milling around outside

Opened the gates at 3.30pm - as per advertised

Two women came in and I asked for their names so I could cross them off the list.  they admitted that they hadn't booked, so I had to break it to them that we were booked out.  They were obviously saddened, but took it in their stride.

Then a guy came in, and similarly hadn't booked.  He then said he had come specifically from Melbourne for this - so I (rather kindly I thought) asked how many were in his party.  He said just him, so I thought I would be nice and offer him a spot - for $50 as per what it costs.  He retorted "what a rip off" and stormed off.  I was somewhat flabbergasted, and Justin had also heard and thought the guy was a #$%#@! Thinking about it afterwards, we reckoned that he hadn't really come from Melbourne specifically for it - or if he had - he should have read that it was a ticketed event, and had to be booked and the cost was indeed $50 which provided you with a welcome glass of local bubbles, extensive canapes, the Gilbert and Sullivan performance and a peek into the house.  Not a rip off at all - in fact - a pretty good deal !

Luckily the rest of the guests were much nicer than him, and they were actually on the list.  I did give them all red wrist bands - and at the end ie when most people were leaving there were some young people that I didn't recognise/didn't have a wrist band - but they were just leaving too, and were most apologetic at having walked in 

I then sent them on to Justin at the welcome bubbles station, and he gave them a glass of bubbles and then sent them around into the garden.

Some of them went inside though - where Karen was waiting to supervise/answer questions etc. All went very smoothly.

We closed the front door and gate at 4.10, as the show was going to start at 4.15pm.  I also put a note on the front gate with my phone number - telling them to text me if they came late.  Not everyone had arrived by then.  Although most had

Went and took our seats - we had reserved part of the front row for us.  

Rachel came on as Queen Victoria - and set the scene

It was great, we were also provided with song books to sing along if we felt like it 

I was only texted once to come and let some more people in 

Justin did a cheeky cameo performance as the "judge" in the Judge's song - and he did a terrific job - although he wasn't wearing his real judge's robes, but rather his Silk wig and robes

This Judge's song was the last for this first set, and there was a half hour intermission - where we handed out more food, I guess people went and bought drinks, and we re-opened the house for viewing (main downstairs areas only) 

And Tom - bless his cotton socks had taken on responsibility for the pork loins - as they had to be put in a very hot oven for the crackle, and then a cooler oven for the meat. 

However the AGA can't really be turned up and down like that - so the first 40 minutes in the roasting oven, and then into the simmering oven for a much longer period of time

It all worked out in the end - although I understand that there was some competition for the oven space for some of the canapes 

The show recommenced around 5.15 or so 

 

We literally couldn't have asked for a better day - it was just perfect!   

And the audience really seemed to enjoy it also - had a standing ovation!

It finished around 6pm, and guests started trooping off - we had re-opened the house - but I don't think many people went in to have a look then

I should also add that Chris E from the Loddon Herald came and took photos, and the Loddon Shire had also organised for a photograper and videographer to be there.  They seemed to be there for a long time - and took some fab shots as per below

So we were able to start packing up and starting getting ready for the next phase - dinner for 20 - "cast and crew" ie me, Justin, Karen, Tom, Carolyn, Terry, June (Arleen had to go home), David S, his wife, and 2 more, and then 10 of the cast 

Given that we had to set up the dining room ie trestle tables, table cloths, more chairs, place settings/glasses etc - I didn't want guests in there (in the way) - so I ushered them upstairs to the Bee room with some drinks

Meanwhile Karen and Tom were being champions in the kitchen again - getting everything together and ready

I had thought we would bring all the food out ie

• 2 x pork loins and crackle - 2 platters
• 2 x brisket with BBQ sauce 2 platters
• Mushroom risotto - 2 x thermoservers
• Korean potato salad - multiple bowls
• Coleslaw - multiple bowls
• Green salad - multiple bowls

but I bowed to the greater wisdom which was for everyone to come in with their plates and help themselves.  And yes, I think this was a better idea

Then back to the dining room and a fab dinner

Lots of food, wine and good conversation - just how I like it

I think most people left around 11pm - leaving just the 5 of us  - and we were in bed before 12 - it had been a very long day - for me at least

Sunday, and once again Karen and Tom were champions doing the dishes and a general tidy up - the rest of us did too - but they spear headed it 

And also obviously returned all the chairs to the Town Hall - in one shot again 

Then they all left before lunch

As a good citizen of Loddon shire, I wanted to support some of the other events/venues so went to

• St Marys in Kingower - where Terry was supervising, and had a look at the photo display
• Both Banks Winery - more photos/paistings - and saw Mark & Chrissie
• Wedderburn coach house - paintings, jewellery, woodwork

I bought this painting by R Holtham - Wedderburn Rocks 2, and also a wooden bowl

 I tried to go to something else in Wedderburn - but couldn't find it - so went back to Inglewood 

• Eucy Musuem - saw a beautiful embroidered map of Inglewood

• Goods shed - saw some lovely works of magpies and maps etc

•  Town Hall where I saw Emma Gartside's jewellery, upcycled denim exhibition, Greg H's prints etc 

Then back to the house to pack up and go - lots of leftover food that I had to put in cooler bags

And then to Bridgewater

• The shop beside the Nursery - paintings and ceramics
• Bridgewater Memorial Hall - crafts - but they were packing up as by this stage it was after 3.30pm - and they said it was pretty quiet

They did say to have a look at the Railway Station which was "at the end of that road" - except it wasn't.... I asked if I should turn left or right - but they just said the end of the road - so obviously I didn't find it 

Anyway, I just drove home after this - and had an early night

I'd like to include a postscript from a Loddon valley visitor survey that was shared with me 

I just wanted to reach out - I attended the Garden Party in Inglewood - I really wasn't sure what to expect but I had always wanted a glimpse of the house, so I got that which was fantastic - but I have to say - the canapes and the staff handing them out were fantastic - the food was delicious and the staff were super friendly and efficient - I didn't know what to expect with the concert - and never having been to opera, I wasn't really keen but thought I would stay - well, what can I say? It was magnificent and I am now not only a fan of opera but of Gilbert and Sullivan - the players were magnificent and I kept sitting there and thinking - what a brilliant day - the weather was fantastic - the surrounds beautiful and here I was being entertained by some people who made the day one of the best days I have ever attended.

 

It was divine and I was so happy I had decided to go. I get surprised about how well small towns do things but from my past experiences I don't know why I get surprised as they seem to do things so well - and that day was no exception.

 

Thank you for putting on a magnificent event and I had the best afternoon I have had for a very long time.

Wow - high praise indeed!!

We all put in a lot of work - so it was very gratifying to get such positive feedback - and I also shared it with "the staff"

Not sure yet if we'll do something similar next year - but who knows ... 

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