SOUR GRAPES!

Who would be a grape grower at this time of the year! 


After 5 months of hard slog tending the vineyard, pruning, spraying, slashing and loving care we are experiencing some diabolical wet weather. Not only do the grapes get disease from the damp conditions, the lack of sunshine stops them ripening fully. People often refer to the grape leaves as "sugar factories", and it's the sugar, baume level, that determines the picking time and alcoholic content of the wine. Baume is God to the winemakers, so we struggle like crazy in the Hunter with the wet weather and lack of sunshine at this time of the year.


We picked our Semillon on Friday, it was the best crop we've had in 10 years here. Great size bunches and the wet has not had quite the effect on the Semillon as it does not need as much baume as the Chardonnay and Shiraz. Anything from 10 - 12 will do. Very little disease, and some pretty impressive stats. Best of the best. 


The Chardonnay is a different story - sitting on 12 baume at the moment we're hoping for at least another 1/2 degree before we're due to pick on Friday. We'll hand pick again, this time to pick the better fruit from the diseased bunches that have developed in the wet. Shot below is of a badly diseased bunch, Botrytis and rot, the following picture a perfect example of healthy fruit.

Raining again this morning! Not sure now what shape we'll be in for Friday!


How frustrating!

STRALIA DAY

What a country and people! We celebrate a day when we settled a large and inhospitable "Southern land". Miles from anywhere, ships laden with convicts - many of whom had done not much more than steal a loaf of bread to subsist in a grimey and poverty stricken mother land! But they conquered the challenges, and prospered into a cheeky and successful country that punches far above its weight. A multicultural people benefitting from a richness and diversity of ancestral character into a real melting pot of nationalities.


Like many Aussies I celebrate today the contribution many of my ancestors have made to our great country, whether they be Governors or gatekeepers they have contributed their bit. I hope in my small way I can do the same.

CRUISING INTO THE NEW YEAR

We started the New year with a bang! Fireworks in Sydney and a very pleasant party in Rose Bay on the foreshore to celebrate. Only problem was getting back to Rushcutters Bay at two o'clock! Buses full, no cabs - only choice was to walk it. Still, a generous priming and an hour later we were home - made lots of New Year friends along the way who may or may not remember the occasion!


New Years day saw us on the harbour for a pleasant sail - a brisk breeze, not too much drama with only the headsail up and a sobering blast of fresh air.


What a way to start the year!

Is there a better harbour in the world?

CHRISTMAS CAPERS

We have traditionally had Christmas at our home with an extended family of both our clans. This year though we decided to break the large (24+) group up and just have a gathering for our immediate family and their families - 16 in total.


Amy and her lot are in Wagga Wagga midway for us in Sydney and Phils mob in Melbourne. We managed to secure a second home for some of the gang and had good accommodation for us all. As usual, great food and lots of fun, including the now traditional Pinata with the obligatory scramble for the scattered sweets as they got belted into oblivion!! Great fun for young and old.

Father Christmas came of course - we had all been good last year!


BUT, we also had a visit from "Supergirl" who was speeding so fast she was just a blurrrrr !!

Festivities were over far too fast and we all departed to our homes for some peace and much needed diets and exercise.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Haven't blogged for a while, not much of interest. 


So, to everyone who stumbles upon this blog - 


MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.


I hope that you have a great break and that the New Year is good for you.

LAUGHING STOCK...

We are just back from visiting friends on the coast. Bruce is a bird lover and has just tamed some local Kookaburras. They patiently waited on the handrail for hours for the daily feeding ritual.

 At first one then as the news spread the family turned up for their share...

For those not familiar with the Aussie Kookaburra they are part of the kingfisher family and have a very distinctive "laugh" and they generally laugh at dawn and are meant to herald forthcoming rain.


youtube has a number of videos of the Kookaburra - here's one


http://youtu.be/S0ZbykXlg6Q

ALL REVEALED

Last night we had an "Unveiling". Some friends were in Rome recently and happened across an antique shop. There, in the window was a beautiful marble statue of a young lady. They liked it very much but thought at 160kgs was a liitle large and heavy for their luggage. Trip over and back home they were still pondering the missed chance to purchase this "beauty". They had kept a business card, but sadly it couldn't be located amongst all the travel treasures. And, they thought that the statue would be a great addition to their new nest!


Q. How do you track down the shop without contact details?


A. Easy, onto Google maps and by retracing their steps through Rome they tracked down the shop and its name and contact details.


A quick call ascertained the statue they saw had been sold, but the sculptor would create a similar "beauty". A deal was done and the said statue shipped to the New World. So, last night was the unveiling, obviously delighted owners revealing her to their adoring friends. Photo below, but other less tasteful photos have been kept private to protect the guilty!

CULTURE COMES TO THE COUNTRY

We have been followers of the Archibald art prize for more years than I can count. We visited the Art gallery of NSW along with thousands of other "Culture vultures" every year to appreciate the variety of paintings submitted and, more often than not, wonder in amazement at the judges curious decision. There's a packers prize awarded by the staff in the packing room as the paintings are left for judging, to me their taste has often been superior to the so called judges.


Anyway, this year we discovered that the paintings were touring and were being exhibited at the Lake Macquarie Gallery. Lake Macquarie Art gallery!!! we exclaimed. Yes, sure enough, a google map in hand we set off to meet some friends there for a "squizz". It was great, a great venue by the lake, few people, and time and distance to really view and appreciate the paintings. Again some were of dubious quality - at least to us, but the winner this year painted by Ben Quilty of Margaret Olley was outstanding. It captures her aged and quirky appearance perfectly. It was worth the trip!

GOING UNDER !

Well, this is what you can expect when we get over 100mm of rain in 3 days. In the 10 years we have been here the old timber bridge between us and civilisation has gone under three times. Once seriously when the floodwaters almost breached the banks and flooded the metropolis of Broke and another two times at about the level in the photo below. The Wollombi Brook (cute isn't it!) has a very large catchment area and parts of it get much more rain than we do, in the immediate vicinity. It can take a few days for the floodwaters to reach us and it generally takes a day or so to recede. There are plans to replace the bridge with a higher concrete version which, whilst quite practical, locals would prefer the old one to stay. Sentimental aren't we?

Not quite sure yet how the vineyard has survived, on initial inspection things aren't too bad but it can take a few days for the nasties to appear - mildews etc. 

Couldn't spray this morning, too windy and the ground is a bit soft and the tractor at risk of bogging.So, hopefully I'll get a chance to get a spray on tomorrow. More rain due later in the week!! At least the frogs are happy!!

WEATHER WOES

Just when we thought things were going so well, weatherwise at least! We had good spring rain that has produced some wonderful growth in the vineyard and we thought we had escaped any disease, BUT, the latest lot of rain - 50+mm, in the past few days and prolonged dampness has started the mildews. Just a little, but with forecasts of more rain and a wet summer ahead, God only knows where we'll end up. It's all controllable at the moment - as soon as the rain eases and the vines dry we'll be spraying. We have heard that some vineyards in Pokolbin have botrytis already in their immature bunches!! It may be one of those vintages we would all like to forget. For the moment though we're in good shape and everything is under control.

You should be able to see the rain spewing from the guttering and falling on the stairs.

IT'S COOL TOO ...

We had a last minute call from the Goldsmiths as the temp rose last weekend for a dash of grandparental bonding. They bought a lovely lunch and we repaired to Pokolbin after lunch for an ice cream. Seems half of the HUnter was there too as we indulged. It was "Gumnut's" first sorbet and one that he clearly liked - or should that be licked!!

"Pumpkin" was there to lend a hand, although from her expression the whole experience was a little fraught!

A bit like taking medicine for some! 

Maybe it's better if I do it myself!

I can take it any time - four hourly, if necessary!!

EGGS FLORENTINE ANYONE?

Every now and again you realise just how self sufficient and lucky we are! I sat down to lunch today and tucked into two beautiful eggs from our girls and some spinach fresh from the garden. We often offer guests this dish for brekky when they stay but it's special to enjoy ourselves from time to time. The fresh eggs really poach well and keep their integrity. Sounds good doesn't it "Eggs with integrity" , beats eggs without it!!

Summer veges starting to look good and the last of the broad beans were picked this morning. More toms to go in as well as some beans and zucchini etc.


Having fresh asparagus tonight, it's almost gone feral this year with the rain and heat. I didn't think I would ever be tired of asparagus but we're getting close at the moment. Still it's pretty much the same with home grown veges, they all seem to ripen together and need to be eaten fresh. This has produced a wonderful garden barter system with other like minded vege harvesters around here. We seem to be able to swap amongst ourselves when the supply gets greater than the capacity, and interest, to consume!

HEATING UP

The temps rising! Why is it that we spend our Winters and Summers wanting it to be warmer or colder? And then when the heat arrives you want it cool again! No answer really except that the extremes are pretty extreme in these parts. Down to -6 in Winter and over 40 in Summer, mainly January. This month though we've already had some mid 30 days and today is no exception. At least the humidity is low!

It says there's rain on the way, maybe a late arvo thunderstorm, but it's very dry and we spend our days trying to re-hydrate the gardens. An inch or two would be great (that's 25mm or 50mm in todays terms but doesn't it sound better in the old imperial!)


Too hot for work outside now so I may get a chance later in the day if things start to cool down!!

WHO'S ONE THEN?

With eight grandchildren to add years to the ageing process - well, admitting to two or three was always good fun, BUT eight makes me feel quite ancient. Hard to track all the birthdays but with a very capable assistant we manage to keep up with them all. So, we traipsed to Gosford today, 2 hours away and on the coast for a birthday bash for little "Gumnut". Coffee and lots of hugs and kisses for all!

Happy birthday "Gumnut" Whilst I may feel old I do feel GOOD!!!!

GARDEN GLORY

Not much to blog about at the moment except that we have had the most amazing Spring weather this year. Rain and nice cool days, and the plants have responded as never before. I think the pictures say it all.

There's so much more but this gives you the idea.

FAMILY FUN

We packed a lot into 4 days! Yum Cha, picnics, coffee and some interesting Footy finals. And, of course, Grandparents day which is blogged separately.


Picnic at the local park, a cheeky monkey and some adventurous twins!

Some games

And ... of course, a clean up before bed.

Four days went so quickly, we're home now and the garden and animals have all survived, with the help of our neighbour.

GRATEFUL GRANDPARENTS

The prime reason for our Melb sojourn was to perform Grandparent duties at Charlotte's school. Having Grandchildren spread around the country it is not easy to get to all these days, but we were thrilled to share Charlotte's day with her.

The school had gone to a lot of trouble to entertain us (oldies) ...


we helped with scrunchies and pasting and played games in her classroom. 


Thanks to Charlotte and family for having us and allowing us to share the day with her.  Mama and Bop!

HEIDE HO

Just back from Melb and some terrific blogs ahead.


To start we went to Heide, a Museum of Modern Art but historically an absolutely fascinating part of Australia's art and social history. Wandering the original house and gardens you just wonder at what the situation was like there when artists like Sidney Nolan and others (see extract below) were painting and living their bohemian life. To me, having visited Melb many times I can't imagine why we didn't visit earlier. A real must do when you're there. More details at heide.com.au

And .. the beginnings and setting where Nolan painted his "Ned Kelly" series of paintings.

Early history

The museum is situated on a site that was originally occupied by a dairy farm, the farm house was built in the 1880s-1890s. The Yarra River and surrounding hills east of Melbourne provided an ideal setting for many artists, writers, poets, etc, exemplified in the formation of the Heidelberg School at Heidelberg, Montsalvat in Eltham and various artist camps in locations such as Box Hill and Warrandyte. Thus, the area was frequented by artists since the mid-19th century.

In 1934, the farm was purchased by John and Sunday Reed, passionate supporters and collectors of Australian art and culture, and named after the nearby town of Heidelberg. The Reeds established one of the finest private libararies in Melbourne at Heide, containing many of the most important and lavish art magazines and journals from Europe and America. Access was open to all Heide visitors and provided much inspiration for visitng artists, writers, musicians and the Reeds' other creative friends.^[3] A loose grouping of Australian artists who became known as the "Heide Circle", began living and working at Heide, counting amongst their number many of Australia's best-known modernist painters.

A number of modernist artists came to live and work at various times through the 1930s, 40s and 50s at Heide, and as such it became the place where many of the most famous works of the period were painted. Albert Tucker, Sidney Nolan, Laurence Hope and Joy Hester, amongst others, all worked at Heide. Nolan painting 26 of his original 27 Ned Kelly works in the dining room of Heide I.^[4]

The Heide Circle continued in their primary commitment to Figurative Modernism through the 1950s and 60s, with several of the artists forming the Antipodeans Groupand taking a stand against the new abstract art. The Heide Circle became well known for the intertwined personal and professional lives of the people involved. Sunday Reed conducted affairs with a number of them, with the knowledge of her husband.

In 1964, the Reeds commissioned Victorian architect David McGlashan to design a new residence, initially intended to be "a gallery to be lived in". It is designed with simple L-shaped walls that interlink to form a sequence of internal and external 'rooms' in Mount gambier limestone, white terrazzo, treated pine and glass. The Reeds moved into Heide II in 1967 and it served as their residence for some time.

In the mid 1960s Heide's much loved kitchen garden was created by Sunday Reed in a bare cow paddock.

SMALL WORLD

Just have to let you all know about this amazing experience today.


I am currently going through some old family "boxes" sorting out things for my Ancestry addiction. In one of the boxes was a citation that I found when we first moved to Wahroonga. It is a CMG awarded to Admiral John Bryan Stevenson. I emailed an ex naval friend who passed on my email to a friend of his in the Naval Historical society. In turn, he passed my email onto a Jo Morrice (who coincidentally worked at Barker - I think as the Burser, while I was there and remember him quite well). Jo, as it happens knows the Admiral's son JP Stevenson (of Melbourne fame) who is now 90 and lives in Burrado not far from Jo!! Jo also served with Steve on one of his Captaincies. 


Jo gave me his phone number, I called a little while ago and had an amazing conversation with him. He was extremely bright and recalled many memories of the house. He had lived there as a child and later after he married.


I can recall being told by my parents after they bought the house that a small area at the rear corner of the house had been called "The bridge" by the former owners. We called it that as children and also through our ownership, even after it became our ensuite! Steve confirmed the story was true. 


Steve asked what had become of the house. I explained that it had been sold and moved to a new site in Millfield - not far from us here in the Hunter!!


Truly amazing.


I will be packing the citation and sending it to him shortly. He wants to see us next time we are in the Southern Highlands. I'm sure there will be many more stories and memories to share. I think it's made an old (90) man very happy.

Sorry about the sideways pics, haven't mastered the turning system yet!

PROTEST

Well, for the second time in my life I have joined in a public protest! The first time was about a year ago when a coachload of Broke people headed to Sydney and protested outside the AGL AGM. It was a great experience and our actions have actually forced AGL to have their AGM in Melbourne this year. So much for grey and activist power!


The reason, of course is Coal Seam Methane Gas. We have been threatened in this area by AGL and their lying and conniving ways for over 5 years. The wine industry in the Hunter is truly threatened by CSG mining in this area. AGL seem to be hellbent on proceeding here, despite increasing public pressure and an awakening Govt interest. BUT, we are yet to see the Govt keep their pre-election promises and follow the SA and WA Governments and legislate to exclude the "iconic" wine producing areas from CSG exploration and production.


Here I am with our "Grim reaper" in Gunnedah on Wednesday. We had another busload of protestors there for the Food Security conference. Thanks too to Alan Jones who is championing our, and the many other threatened areas in Australia, cause.