A couple of weeks ago I took a little trip to Mudgee to hang out with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins for the weekend . Some of my best childhood memories come from spending the summer holidays with them. I love that we have remained close all these years and still have a blast even now that we are older.
One of my cousins (and one of my best friends) Ed, is an amazing cook and gardener. She has the whole locavore vibe going on and owns it!
Not only does she grow all her own veggies, she recently ethically reared a couple of pigs for eating, they were delicious by the way.
She showed me around the greenhouse which is full of seedlings ready for planting this summer. She also taught me about hot composting and worm farms with the kind of passion that this city girl might reserve for a Dirty Martini on a Friday night.
Recently, Ed has acquired three Indian Running Ducks (yes, like the one from Babe!)that swim around in a dam and gift her with eggs every day. Ah, I love the life that my extended family leads and I can't wait to get back there.
I have two posts to follow this one where Ed and I (mainly Ed, I took the photos and passed ingredients) do some cooking with duck eggs and wild asparagus which we snagged from around the property. See you soon!
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Gorgeous garden maintained by my aunt and uncle - loads of happy bees live here.
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| Jack imploring me to throw a tennis ball to him. |
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| My cousins Ed and Ol - don't you just love the Akubra's!? |
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| Onions and garlic for days. |
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| Broccoli shoots. |
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| Textures. |
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| Seedlings in the greenhouse. |
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| Plump, happy chooks scratch around the garden all day and put themselves to bed at night. |
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| Happy chooks lay beautiful eggs, wait till you see the duck eggs! |
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| Wild asparagus hunting in the olive grove. |
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| Cow safari. |
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| Old mangle.. I think. |
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| Smiley Jack |
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| Roland the very tame ram - he will still butt you if you turn your back though! |
Oh, what fun! Fresh vegetables and eggs, foraging, and playing with animals... such a gorgeous way to spend a weekend!
ReplyDeleteWild asparagus and a happy olive grove! (Not to mention duck eggs!) Love the sound of Mudgee and your little holiday.
ReplyDeleteBucolic bliss! Love the gorgeous colours in these pics - and the sight of all those happy animals :)
ReplyDeleteMudgee looks gorgeous Anna! I look forward to reading more about it. Did you visit Logan winery? I love their wine and I have read a lot about their cellar door too. Duck eggs and wild asparagus...food doesn't get much better than that :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jane! I didn't get to Logan this trip but we did go to a great wine pairing event one night which showcased some of Mudgees smaller vineyards. I love Logan and hope to do a little vineyard hopping in the near future.
DeleteHi Anna - Glad you had a great time. Thanks for throwing the tennis ball to me, its my favourite game. Come again soon!
ReplyDeleteOh I am loving your photos! What wonderful cuz's you have. I can't wait to see what is made with the duck eggs. I am left wanting to know more about wild asparagus.... we have wild asparagus?? So so cool!
ReplyDeleteJack is sooooo cute I wanna hug him!
ReplyDeleteYou foraged for wild asparagus around the property? You're killing me!. Anna, I adore this post. I love when you get out to Orange and share it with us. I miss you even more!
ReplyDeleteA note on the 'wild' asparagus: the story is that Edgells used to commercially farm asparagus on a nearby property and over the years a few seeds spread and now we get few plants popping up in the paddocks in springtime. So its not really 'wild' asparagus. Just normal garden-variety asparagus that is growing where it wasn't originally planted. Last year I found a spear that was as big as a flute - no exaggeration!
ReplyDeleteGiven the FB conference canned our trip to Orange for this year, after reading your mudgee post we absolutely HAVE to reschedule for early next year ASAP. What a fabulous post Anna! I've only just started looking through my Italian countryside images, and there is so much to say. I'm loving there will be a Part 2 to this.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an amazing time... Cannot wait for the recipes and more photos. Jack looks like he is right off the Babe casting couch, too! (Truly, one of my favorit movies. Mark and I are constantly telling each other, "That'll do, Pig.")
ReplyDeleteI want to be there! The picture of the chooks reminds me of my uncle's farm in Margaret River. What delightful photo's. No doubt a very relaxing weekend.
ReplyDeleteI want to go immediately! Such wonderful things (and great pics too). Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant first photo... The gnarled branches, the shed. gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteive never been down to orange, im keen for a trip down there! must ask you for more tips!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
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