Strathnairn!!!!!

Traveling from Sydney to Canberra was beautiful. Gorgeous landscape with a mountain view in the background and rivers and creeks carving through the hillsides creating waterfalls over the large boulders. After three hours on the bus, we arrived in Canberra at Jolimont. There, we were greeted by a cheerful woman named Anita McIntyre who is a ceramic artist and administrator at Strathnairn. She was also a Professor at the Canberra School of Art for a number of years. After stopping by the local grocery we headed to Strathnairn. The drive to Strathnairn was a site of rolling hills, tall grasses and covered with Gum Trees. As we turned into the drive we were greeted by a charming wood carved sign for strathnairn.

Upon arrival at the homestead we were introduced to everyone: Michael who has been at Strathnairn for 22 years, VJ who is the cook in the cafe, Leah whom we have been in contact about the residency, John who is a former government official and loves Strathnairn, also Vivian a Ceramic Sculptor whose work is around the homestead. After introductions we were taken on a tour of the Homestead by Michael. We saw chickens, turkeys, horses, pheasants, and a silly little pony named Caussie. After the long travel Angie and I were exhausted so we hit the hay pretty early.

Angie feeding the horses on one of our many walks

Caussie the pony is quite a chunk but friendly and sweet

Drinking Turkish coffee to stay awake

Saturday morning Angie and I took a walk around the homestead to check out the beautiful acreage and scenery. On the property there are many beautiful birds like Parrots, Cockatoos, Magpies, and these small green and yellow birds we haven't yet heard the name of. In the afternoon Michael and I went to the local clay supplier to pick up materials for clay so I could get started making pots. That evening Angie and I cooked our first meal together a delicious pasta and opened an Australian wine we picked up from the market. After dinner we went out for a walk with our wine in hand and saw the Kangaroos Angie mentioned in the previous post, but it was spectacular!



The Homestead



The chicken coupe where we get our fresh eggs!

The wood burning stove that is our heater in studio, love it!

Every Sunday VJ cooks wood fired pizzas, which are fantastic!

Angie has been keeping the fires going and doing a great job at it, I think she loves to be close for the warmth.

Outside our dwelling, lots of pots with plants and Bonsai trees. Of coarse its winter here so they aren't blooming.

Angie drinking some Turkish coffee, and preparing to make breakfast.Our kitchen is a small galley and is a tight squeeze when we are both in the kitchen.

Teapot, one of the first things made here at Strathnairn.

Sunday was a work day for me in the studio. Made some pottery, teabowls and a teapot. That evening we were asked to join Michael and his daughter and her boyfriend for dinner at Michael's home on the homestead. Michael's place was very homey with handmade wood shelving with lots of pots on every space that was free. He had beautiful prints in the home as well. It was a great night, and Angie and I felt very welcome here. We enjoyed Australian wine and music and chit chat before dinner, exchanging stories and some talk about the States. When dinner was served it was a delicious hand-tossed salad and a tray of Bar-b-qued lamb ribs, lamb sausage, and Prime rib Yummy! Lots of talk during dinner, swapping of stories. Michael had a surprise for desert caramelized green apples vanilla ice cream with a chocolate cream on top, Angie and I loved it, soo good! After desert Michael got out the photo album of strathnairn when he first arrived which was pretty bare and under-developed. It felt good to have them share the history of the place we have been blessed to be apart of.