Agricultural Shows, ball season, making gowns and bounteous harvests

This summer has been a cracker with the generous rainfall, temperatures in the 20's and harvests that continue to amaze.
Last week was the local Rydal Show. We hear so often how Ag shows are struggling. Rydal has strongly resisted any inroads of outside catering, continuing to have the old dining room with trestle tables, table cloths, morning and afternoon teas and hot lunches. Shepherd's pies and teas with lamingtons and pound cakes, local stewed peaches, jelly, steamed pudding and custard...the menu has changed little in 100 years and is still as popular! From my kitchen vantage point I think we broke all records. The car park was full as was the dining room.
Forty Bends managed a Grand Champion ribbon for our fruit as well as many firsts in vegetables.

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We have just finished quinces and nectarines. I have new found respect for quince jelly , a far superior product to quince paste I feel as the colour and piquancy is superior to the opaque paste.

Last Saturday evening we attended a fabulous ball at Abercrombie House Bathurst, a 19th century stone mansion built on the architecture of a Scottish Hunting Lodge. Unlike so many balls where dress code has eroded and dancing comes second to drinking, this ball was true to tradition. It was a revelation to me to experience a ball in all aspects that they were originally conceived.

The evening was a montage of delights from dining on the tessalated verandahs in the late summer warmth, enjoying the house as guests of the owners the Morgans, sublime tenor singing with the ballroom acoustics, refreshing tea with supper, dances to enjoy on a beautiful floor...but the best of all was the unhurried, long glorious unfolding of restrained indulgence.

Attendance required finding the tails and restarching vests. For my 1890's ball gown I set myself the task of using whatever was in my stash. Curtain fabric, richly textured but unfortunately 2 metres short of requirements, came to light. Creative additions to the bottom of the skirt solved the problem and the results were pleasing and comfortable though I will add a hooped petticoat for its next outing.

The next few months of balls will require a few more enjoyable hours making gowns...a pleasure as the purpose is so rewarding.

This week in the Summer Hill sewing workshop I am combining 'bicycle and horseriding wear' of vests and jodphurs....all in the preparations of autumn days that lend to such activities. 

I am hoping that Sydneysiders will take the opportunity to come west of the mountains to a dressmaking workshop, lunch on farm produce and  use their stay to explore the wonderful Hartley and surrounds and eventually join in country fun with balls, shows and perhaps even traditional rural sports.