Ange, Catherine & Colbinabbin 16 & 17 November 2024

Came up to Inglewood on Saturday morning, and started preparing lunch for our guests - Justin's friends/colleagues Ange and Catherine 

It was going to be 35 degrees today - so a home made pizza in the pizza oven was no longer a good idea.

Thought I'd make chicken caesar salad - with potentially some delicious asparagus spears to start

Cooked the chicken, boiled the eggs, made the sauce, washed the cos etc.  Had it all laid out ready to assemble when they arrived.

They got here around 12.40, and we gave them the tour of the house 

Ange had brought a bottle of prosecco and a bottle of white wine, so we had a glass of bubbles as we toured the house

We then sat in the dining room, and had some of my olives and savoury shapes.

I asked if they would be interested in some asparagus and if so how many spears?  They said 3 each, so we had them with some of my caesar salad sauce (I'd made a lot)

Then we went into the kitchen and assembled our own caesar salads. Strangely not everyone likes anchovies or shaved parmesan

Was a lovely relaxing lunch - and we finished it off with a delicious chocolate cake that Catherine had brought - eaten with some cherries that Catherine and I picked from my tree.

They left around 4.30, and Justin and I pottered around, didn't really have much for dinner.  

Sunday, and an early start, as we were going to visit Eril and her homestead in Colbinabbin.  Eril and her husband Daryl were going to leave for Melbourne around 12, so she suggested that we come and visit around 10am

Colbinabbin was just over an hour from Inglewood - went through Elmore and Raywood to get there.  Down some quite narrow roads

Their house was very nice with lots of outbuildings, beautiful trees, a tennis court, and a wine tasting room.  As not only are they farmers - wheat, canola, sheep etc, but they have a winery on the side - Hennings- initially established by Darryl's great (great?) grandfather.

After a look around here - we followed them out to the Colbinabbin Homestead which Eril's parent's had bought in the 1980s.  It was spectacular!!! A lot of work had been down to it, but a lot still had to be down.  Peter B, the underpinner had originally "introduced" me to Eril - as he had wanted me to provide a reference for him so that he could quote on underpinning the homestead.  It was much worse off than our house - huge bloody crack, with one side of the house sort of falling away    (you don't really see it in the photos)

A pair of lions (bought by Eril's parents) guard the entrance

Inside, the main rooms were breathtaking

The hallway was huge - much wider than ours

The stained glass by the front door - stunning

And the detail in the cornicing and pillars - fabulous

Some very ornate fireplace mantles also
 

I have used a lot of superlatives to describe this house, and they are all warranted.

Well, that was a treat, and we then went back to their place where Darryl gave Justin a couple of bottles of wine, and Eril gave me a bag of lemons as she had a tree groaning with them.  I also suggested that they come out for dinner one night, and we make a weekend of it - they seemed to like that idea -0 but will have to be between harvests etc 

Drove home to Inglewood, had some lunch, pottered around

I picked the rest of the cherries from the tree, as birds had already had a go, and if I left them any longer to ripen more fully, they would be gone.  I guess I picked a few kilos worth

The weather was pretty windy, (as was yesterday), and not really that nice, threatening rain, so only stayed outside to pick the cherries   

Did the dishes, tidied up a bit and left for Melbourne around 4.15 

 

 

Primavera Party 7-10 October 2024

Back from Japan, and still a bit sick (coughing), went to the Ashburton CWA AGM on Thursday night, and then drove to Inglewood afterwards.  Got there around 11.30pm.  Stopped at the Ravenswood petrol station on the way, and the attendant was speaking on the loudspeaker to me - was echo-y, so I couldn't understand what he was saying - turned out I had to pay in advance (before filling up). Well that's a first time.

Anyway, decided to drive up tonight as there was an Arts Trail thankyou morning tea for participants at 10am at the Town Hall, and I wanted to go to that.  Had thought about driving up early on Friday morning - but decided against that (could have got stuck in traffic getting out of Melbourne)

Had a modest breakfast, and went to the morning tea, Rosemary, David, Bradd, Tenar, and some of the artists were there.  Were told that there were over 500 people per day - so at least 1,500-2,000 for the weekend.  Much more successful than last year - yay

Was there for about an hour or so

Rosemary dropped by afterwards for more of a chat

Then I went and scrumped some asparagus from a secret location - lovely

 After this had my hair cut and coloured at 2pm, and then Kirsty dropped in for a drink after 5pm - which was nice

Justin arrived around 7.30, and I made us dinner

I'd bought a couple of wagyu (loved the wagyu in Japan) scotch fillet steaks from the butcher, and so had this with the asparagus, new baby potatoes, fried mushrooms, and a green salad - delicious!      

Saturday, and a lazy start, afterwards I weeded the new beds - as there were quite a few new weeds in them - including some very annoying couch grass.  That said the new plants are growing well

 

Was a bit annoyed that there hadn't been any progress while we were away, and that the leak still seemed to be there, and that there were now some weeds growing in the crushed rock - that's certainly not supposed to happen

Was thrilled to see some kiwi fruit flowers - maybe we'll have some actual fruit this season

I completed weeding 4 of the 5 beds, and then went inside to start making a mushroom and asparagus tart that I would take to Anne's party tonight 

Turned out pretty well I reckon

Justin decided that he didn't want to come to the party was feeling too coldy/coughy - just wanted to stay at home - so he did

I got there around 5.30 or so -  just as Terry, Arlene and June were arriving.  Had a lovely night, was great to catch up with lots of people 

Only took a few photos at the end - when most people had left - whoops

Party finished up around 10 or so - and I drove home - saw 2 kangaroos by the side of the road, but they didn't bother me

Sunday, and another lazy start, then into the garden and weeded that last bed

Had lunch out in the rotunda, and Gordon came to say hello

Left by 3pm, as we had a family dinner with Uncle Michael & Amy down from Sydney