Recent Articles
Bang go the apples!
I was sitting in my home office this morning at quarter to seven and a white cloud seemed to flash past the window. I dashed out to the balcony and saw the Dawn Patrol of 612 Marauder Squadron of Cockatoos busily stripping my tree of immature apples. There were at least 15 of them and in 15 minutes had stripped the fruit to halfway down the tree. Thank goodness it was only the “Delicious” tree, and that my two Pink Lady TM trees have already been netted!
Given the slow progress of the grapes, it will be another month before I have to net them – not cockatoos, but starlings and currawongs, wearing bullet proof vests, as I know from experience.
A cold spring and a late season
Orange did not really warm up to a spring until late October, and rains continued into November and December. So, although I have a good size crop of both Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes are about three weeks behind where they should be in size. Let us just hope for a warm, balmy April and a late winter!!! (Was that a pig that just flew past?)
Food Week 2012 at Moody’s
Moody’s Wines will again be offering a tasty plate of Mediterranean food and a glass of wine, or two, during Food Week 2012, in Orange. This will be the weekend after Easter, Saturday 14 April and Sunday 15 April, between 11am and 4pm, at the cellar door at 69 Stagecoach Road, which is off the Icely road, just 9km from Orange.
Booking would be helpful, but is not necessary, on 02 6365 9117
Body Painting – Tim Gratton
Another artist who I was lucky to meet was Tim Gratton, who probably was the first artist to use the body painting medium over 20 years ago. Sadly, I am dumb enough not to have recognised him in his own right, but noticed his very Manchester accent, and challenged him as a Birkenhead native. Tim and Suzy, after living in Sydney, have now moved up to Stuart Town, whence Tim will carry on his productions and teaching.
You can learn more about Tim if you Google him, and admire some of the amazing works he has created. By their very nature, painted bodies last only a few minutes until the next shower! So you have to admire the images!
Sculpture at Jayes Gallery
On Sunday 25 October I was invited out to Jayes Gallery at Molong to offer my wines for tasting to the visitors to their new exhibition:
“The Third Dimension”, a fine collection of sculptures in stone and metal, tastefully laid out in their quiet courtyard, where you can sit and enjoy a coffee, or tea, and contemplate the forms in front of you.
Congratulations Kate!
Kate Bracks of Orange! The new Masterchef! Well done Kate! You can now teach us all how to make a snowman out of carrots and meringue. We are all very proud of you, just think what you have done for Orange, and your family!