Monday Food Group get together

For this month we decided to come up with an ITALIAN theme....stuffed capsicums

Ann's fish cannelloni.....

Rhonda's potato,fontina and rosemany pizza.......

Andi's Spinach and ricotta cannelloni.....

And for dessert Loi's Crostata di Mele con Frangipane(apple tart with frangipane layer)

Rhonda's Pears poached in coffee syrup.....

Rhonda, Lois, Ann and Andi - Ruth was unwell and Christina holidaying in Bali and my contribution was the stuffed capsicums + the badly focused photo. We had a great time and all the food was much enjoyed. Simple pleasures sharing around the table. Thanks Andi for hosting us.......

Mootwingee Historic Site

It was great to revisit our old home that held many good memories. We were the first family to live in the house. It was white with natural wood then, no fences, power or phone and it seemed like a palace after caravan life with a 3 month old baby.....

We did have an old Flying Dr. radio that did not work very well and I have always remembered our call sign - 8NOO Mootwingee. That radio was the bane of my life as it always seemed to break down when I had to use it....

There was a series of rockholes just over the creek from the house and after the drought broke these were full and I often took Kim and Natalie in for a cool down which meant removing leeches later with salt......

The views outside our living room windows

Mootwingee will always hold a special place in our family memories both for the good and the difficult times and we are happy that we lived there and our footsteps are part of its history......

Sally's gone rabbiting

Sally tried very hard to capture us a rabbit for dinner

before it escaped to the old homestead ruins

I wonder how many rabbit stews were cooked in this old fireplace..........memories lost in time

In the woolshed

A bird's nest using stored cable and wool clippings in the woolshed rafters

Kim has many memories of playing shearing and crutching here as a child. The kids took turns at being the sheep.

A bush welcome

At Ravendale homesead we were always welcomed with cups of tea and invitations to stay for a meal

Many happy hours were spent in the kitchen, sharing the challenges of an isolated life

No television back then, no power or phone either but there was the fireplace in winter with Bill keeping us entertained and in fits of laughter with his bush tales

And then the late night drive back to our house which was in the far distant hills seen from this upstairs window.

Heading to Ravendale Station across country between Wilcannia and Broken Hill

Early morning starts

Sardine lunch under a shady tree

A no longer used outstation

Through a window opening

One last drive

The long abandoned windmill - water the life blood of our dry parched inland.

Setting out

It was great driving into the wide open spaces once again. Red dirt roads, a rainy sunset, the ruins of the former Lonely Plain Hotel with a bush cooks treasure - rusty tins - many rusty tins that inspire my desire to create a future art work and get me wondering what  meals were served long ago at Lonely Plain Hotel.

Travel essentials

Watercolour box

Sketch book handmade

Plus some etching tools = travel essentials

Going on an outback autumn holiday

We are revisiting where we used to live many years ago in the 'olden days' of the 1970's

Working and living in the NSW outback

A visit to town was dress up day

But Kim liked best to ride her trike and watch out for visiting tourists

Martine going on a bumpy bike ride

Martine and Luana climbing up to Snake Cave

With Ann and Bill at Ravendale Station our nearest neighbours during those years. It will be great to stay with them once again and enjoy the beautiful outback we all love