Saturday 14th, November and a gathering of Dennes clan got together for a reunion in a little place called Tinonee just outside of Taree.

At 13, a farm boy done for 'house breaking' with a ruddy and freckled complexion, Francis Dennes (Dennis as written in the conviction and shipping documents) was tried and convicted for stealing bread and pork.

So began his long journey from Devonshire, England as a convict in 1830.

Skip forward to 1848 and he has now been granted a conditional pardon. He married and had 5 kids of which one William Henry Dennes is the line I come from.

William married his cousin Susanna, they had a stack of kids. The 8th one, Harold Clifford Dennes (my grandfather) married Ellen Daisy Saaby (Ma, sweet little lady with plastic fruit).

They had 5 kids, the youngest being my Dad, Harold Alan (Tate) Dennes married Heather Neville and here I am! The eldest of 4 kids. Me, Karolyn, Pamela and Christopher. Kaz wasn't there for the pic.

That'll do, caught up with cousins hadn't seen for ages, second cousins and now third generation cousins.

Thanks to those who put it all together, in particular Aunty Shirley, Aunty Jean and Peter Smith.

Jo xo

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It's Thursday and as we leave Broken Hill we start the trek North East to Gilgandra.

Well, maybe not that far given its late morning and it's 728kms/ 452miles there! Done 596kms/370miles today.

We are definitely out in outback NSW, the odd truck, caravan or car are few and far between. Out here everyone gives the one finger wave – the wave of acknowledgement not the road rage wave! 🙂 and truckies flick their lights when you are good to pass them.

Into Wilcannia we stopped for lunch. Wilcannia is, as its tourist brochure claims “In the middle of nowhere, the centre to everywhere” . Major Mitchell (he traced the Darling River down to what is now known as Menindee) was the first known white man to visit the area in 1835. The town itself wasn't established until 1866 and has some beautiful stone buildings still from the time period.

Moving on to nothingness we went through Cobar and then hit a storm for the most part of the 70 odd kilometres between Cobar and Nyngan. Couldn't see the damn road in some points, driving with hazard lights on and slowly. You can't pull off anywhere as despite being desert like regions, these storms can produce flash flooding in these areas and going off into the dirt could also mean getting bogged.

So steadily we pushed on through, at one point pulling right up under the ONLY truck stop toilet awning to be able to jump out and visit the amenities without getting wet. Side note here – It was the only truck stop between Cobar and Nyngan despite several stops available between Broken Hill and Cobar!

The beer is warm but worth it and will get an early start tomorrow for another 697kms to Taree.

Cheers big ears!

Kat xo

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilcannia

P.S. It's still raining, thunder and lightning here, now an hour and a half after we got here but rain is easing…..slowly.

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As we departed West Lakes this morning – I'm sure it's not going to hit Archer properly until this arvo or in the morning – we headed to Kaz and Jim's for coffee before taking a trip through the surrounding Wine Country.

Up through Tanunda, passing Seppeltsfields, Penfolds and countless other wineries all begging for us to stop in and taste their wares.

We stopped in at Tanunda for a quick bite of lunch and a rum and raisin ice cream at the Sweet As Barossa Diner in all its 50's glory! Awesome job on the decor, spotlessly clean and great food!

Arriving in Nuriootpa we stopped for a quick peak at the Barossa Ford Clubs display before they all packed up. Mustangs, GT's, Falcons to delight any Ford enthusiast.

We passed more wineries and came across Banrock Station, well we just had to stop here. We love their pink and white Moscato's and they are reasonably priced. What a great setup they have with the wetlands as well, just stunning.

We did some quick sampling of their new summer fruit infused wines, a Red Moscato and a Crimson Cabernet. Sold! We left with 3 new varieties. The latter two mentioned and the White Wine with Tropical Fruits (hints of peach, mango, passion fruit and pineapple).

Crossing the mighty Murray River (which we will do a few times yet – it's Australia's longest river!) we are back to heading to Mildura where we will spend the next two nights before heading to Broken Hill, NSW on Tuesday!

Raising a glass to y'all! 🙂

Kat xo

http://www.barossa.com/visit/towns/tanunda

https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-as-Barossa-412084715591333/

http://www.banrockstation.com.au

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_River

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We've spent a couple of weeks down South Australia catching up with Dwayne (Jack's eldest son, middle child), Sarah and the grand babies, Archer and Charlie.

It's been great playing with the kids, getting hugs, being drooled on, giving bottles, reading stories, going for walks and just hanging out on the floor playing with the 'Dusty's' (watch Planes and you'll know where I'm coming from) and just loving on them.

They are in close vicinity to the West Lakes, canals I'll call them, great for taking walks around, restaurants on the edge and a great sporting opportunity for non motorised water craft.

We've been to Henley Beach and Semaphore. Semaphore we really liked with its beautiful jetty, parks, old carousel and the Palais. On Sunday's and during school holidays it has a small steam train run between the parks.

Semaphore was a busy little seaside town around the early 1850's and in 1860 the jetty was built. It used to be longer and higher but storm damage changed this. In 1878 the railway would bring affluent holiday-makers to the seaside.

The carousel is said to be the largest in Australia, built in 1928 was driven by an electrical lift motor and gearbox. We got a glimpse of it working.

Adelaide was founded in 1836 and is known as the 'City of Churches'. There are some beautiful buildings throughout with some dating back to early 1800's, like the Toll House (1841) coming into the city from Victoria, the Newmarket Hotel (1847) standing proudly on the corner of Port Road into the city, now opposite the worlds 3rd most costly project – New Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Monday of the second week, we took an afternoon drive to Mt Lofty. It was named by Matthew Flinders in 1802 during his circumnavigation of the continent and was first climbed by Collet Barker in 1831, 6 years before Adelaide was settled.

There are some great views back to the city, beaches and peninsulas from here. The tower at the summit is dedicated to Matthew Flinders and is a prominent feature on Mt Lofty.

We had a coffee and cake at the cafe up there before heading back home taking in a glimpse of Lofty House on the way back down the hill.

A lot of the bush land in this area was devastated by the Ash Wednesday fires back in 1983.

Thursday we headed out to the South Australian Aviation Museum. Turned out to be a great place, planes, rockets, engines, models and information on Australian aviation. The hangar itself was even used (different location) in Darwin during World War II.

Saturday evening we went to Zak's for a great dinner on the waterfront, our last evening with these guys before heading off again.

Thanks to Dwayne and Sarah for having us, letting me do sewing and leaving the ironing board out, Archer for beautiful hugs every morning for Grandad and I, helping me with the colours of the pins and assisting me with breakfast (making usually, but eating as well this morning) and of course little Charlie for letting Grandad give you your bottle and for all your cheeky little smiles even through teething.

Hugs

Kat and Jack xo

Aka Grandma Jo and Grandad

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Wilkommen!

Hahndorf, Australia's oldest German town. Now the historic, questioning mind of mine is asking, how did they get here? Were they free to emigrate? Or were they from convict decent on a pardon? Not likely it's since they were mostly English. Did they think they would come in to the new 'European settlement' like immigrants did to the US, looking for the free land, frontier start?

Questions remain unanswered but what I can tell you is, a group of Lutheran migrants came to settle here in 1838 from aboard the 'Zebra' from a town in Prussia.

The streets coming in to Hahndorf are lined with trees and then you happen upon a quaint little village, full of old buildings and on the outskirts of town lies farming and wineries.

Our first stop along the footpath we found 'The Farm Shed', a craft beer tasting room that used to be the first Lutheran school building in SA 1842-1917.

There we enjoyed our first appetisers.

Beer tasting pallet consisted of the Pikes Pilsener Lager first, Swell Golden Ale next (think this was my favourite) the Prancing Pony Pale Ale then last but not least a pleasant IPA from Smiling Samoyed.

The cheese platter consisted of seasoned roasted nuts, coffee cheddar cheese, small crackers and beetroot relish.

Moving along, we ventured in and out of small shops, antiques, lolly shop etc.

The German Village Shop was in 1866 the Boms Monumental Marble Works.

Bamfurlong Fine Crafts was once a mortuary in the early 1860's and was one of the first stone buildings erected in Hahndorf.

There's Ophelia Cottage which was once home to Johann Willemer, a carpenter, is a cottage of “fachwerk”, built 1847 and is one of Hahndorf's last remaining examples of the German construction.

Next at Bistro 25 is a beautiful example of a stone building. Heinrich Martin had it built in 1885. Next up the Chocolate and Fudge shop was the shoemakers residence.

There was also the blacksmiths shop, the various inn's, the institute, the two storey old shop (watchmaker, dressmaker, a sweet shop and later a cafe), Habich's Cottage, etc.

The Hahndorf inn was the next stop for the next tasting platter.

My choice, going from zero to hero! lol! I started with the Arcobrau Urfass Alkoholfrei, Urfass Premium Hell – spiced taste and as its name suggests alcohol free 0.05%, next on the scale was Arcobrau Festbier at 5.2% – evokes dancing on tables and summer nights apparently, last but not least the Arcobrau Coronator, a dark extra strong brew 7.2% – made for the beer connoisseur with a specific gravity of over 18 percent. Not being a connoisseur of such I will have to look up what that exactly means.

Jack returns, no full on strength, so I have to have the next darkest Arcobrau Schloss Dunkel 4.6% – dark lager developed in special underground cellars in Bavarian microbrewery tradition.

Jacks choices, the Arcobrau Schloss Dunkel, Arcobrau Weissbier Hell 5.3% – wheat beer, fruity and mild, next up Arcobrau Zwicklbeer 5.2% – unfiltered lager, brewed since 1567, a natural beer with a smooth effect.

(Note above beer descriptions are taken from the Hahndorf Inn Beer menu, I'm not that good in describing a beer. If it's bloody good, it's bloody good in my opinion!)

We had German breads and Obatzda, a Bavarian dip, little bit spicy like chorizo with cheese, quite thick in texture. Yum!

Jack says “next stop, sausage shop!” He is after a decent Bavarian sausage, just sausage, nothing else. like a decent German hot dog.

So the last stop, must be the German Arms, for an experience of 'The Arms Giant Hotdog' – we will be sharing!

Beer selection here is a Lager – the Spaten Munchner Hell, a pale lager with caramel tones and you can definitely taste the caramel. The second is a Weissbier – Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier Hell, pale wheat beer tasting of cloves, banana and vanilla. If we had smell-o-vision you would actually be able to smell the banana!

We retraced our steps to the lolly shop – Humbugs – and then picked up some fresh strawberries as we roll back to the car and head out!

Jubel und auf Weidersehen!

means Cheers and Goodbye!

Kat xo

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hahndorf,_South_Australia

http://thepantryhahndorf.com/about/

http://hahndorfinn.com.au

http://germanarmshotel.com.au

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The Mall's Ball's – def: slang for meeting place; locator for people to unite; Adelaide's Rundel St mall icon. I thought it was just my sister being humorous but apparently it is THE known place in the mall to meet up.

Saturday we met up with my next sister (the second one of us in a series of 4) Karolyn aka Kaz, her husband Jim, and my two nieces Jemima and Holly. Having a fabulous breakfast at Piatto's, we were entertained by the girls and Kaz and I, as we do!

A quick change into their new dresses – fabric acquired by me, seams and trim by Nanna – we were ready to hit the streets and check out a button shop Kaz had been telling me about.

The Button Bar, when we found it, was the best button shop filled with buttons, appliqué and gorgeous trims I have seen outside of the LA garment district! You don't really want to know the prices though. 🙂

The girls chose a button of their choice which will be featured on a pillow for their rooms at some point in their chosen colours. A small job for Aunty Jo to make two little girls happy.

Then we wandered down through the Rundel Street mall with its buskers, early signs of Christmas for the upcoming pageant and people scavenging cans and bottles. (It's still a 10c return deposit in SA for cans and glass bottles)

We came past the mall's ball's with a girl playing an electric violin and the acoustics were pretty spectacular.

From there it was back to Cibo's for their specialty cappuccino with its hint of hazelnut and gelato for the girls.

Bellissimo!

Kat xo

http://cafepiatto.com.au

http://www.adelaidearcade.com.au/buttonbar.php

http://www.ciboespresso.com.au

http://www.rundlemall.com

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It all started after Convention in January 2015. Texas Flower laid eyes on Peaches O'Day in her burgundy and gold natural form gown during Miss Tabitha's 'how to dress like a lady'.

The second phase of the desire? Winning the prize of the 1886 Garment Drafting Machine donated by Garnet Rose and Calico at the Victorian Tea,

Skip forward to Commancheria Days in Texas, I discussed the use of the machine for making this gown for Texas Flower and so began the acquisition of measurements to be able to set each piece of the drafting machine.

This is the desired outcome (some slight changes will be made for originality) – Peaches version, reconstructed in Burgundy but still using the original appliqué lace and gold fabric from the original gown. I am but in awe as we both viewed her gown up close and personal.

So….Texas Flower decided she would like it in blue and then I happened across the original (by chance) on Pinterest, to which Peaches advised that this was indeed a picture of the original gown – in blue!

Back to the drafting machine. The set has the original booklet explaining use and details in obtaining correct measurements. It also has the original measurement book, where a seamstress might take down a clients measure – there are measurements written in a delicate script inscribed within the pages of the book!

Now the book makes note that 'one should take correct measure to ensure a lady does not have to endure trials of said gown and should expect the finished product to fit correctly'.

So here goes nothing! Let's give it a whirl! What measurements do we need you might wonder. Well without divulging 'actual' measurements these are what is required according to the 1886 manual,

– neck

– back width

– under arm length R/L

– back length

– armhole R/L

– shoulder length R/L

– front length

– front dart height

– bust

– waist

– hip

– front dart size

– size of hip

– skirt length F/B

– safety measure (bicep) R/L

– size at elbow R/L

– wrist size R/L

– armhole to elbow length

– elbow to wrist

Now that I have all of these and we have decided on a colour, it is with colour in hand that I attempt to find the perfect fabric to fulfill the order.

At this point in the game I think I may need to consider turning to the learning library and attempt to dye fabric in the required colour.

The lace? Well the 'Mum' library has assisted with that. I've found a selection of patterns, threads in desired colours have been ordered and will be making said lace myself on the embroidery machine. The lace pattern will be different from the original keeping it unique from others and giving its intended wearer indeed, something original.

More on that later, suffice to say now the urgency comes back to the sourcing of fabric.

Keep your eye out for Pt 2!

Yours in creativity,

Kat xo

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Ballarat, first named by a Scottish settler in 1837 (as Ballaarat) is known for its boom during the Goldrush days, transforming it from a sheep station to a large settlement.

Gold was first discovered in 1851 and before long thousands of migrants came to Ballarat in search of their own fortune. Gold yields here remained high for decades compared to other gold rush towns. The first prospectors were gettin half an ounce to 5 ounces per day. Way more than the average wage of that time.

The largest nugget (at the time the worlds largest) weighed in at 62.8kg/136.11lbs, called the Welcome Nugget was found in 1858 at Poverty Point.

Of course gold rush towns bought with them the usual riff raff, ensuing arguments and questions over taxes imposed by authorities. Ballarat was no different and in 1854 'Civil disobedience in Ballarat led to Australia's only armed civil uprising. The Eureka Rebellion (colloquially referred to as the Eureka Stockade) took place on 3 December, 1854. The event in which 22 miners were killed, is considered a defining moment in Australian history.'

The Eureka Stockade was essentially the rebellion of miners against the Victorian and Colonial (ie mother England) authorities. They were objecting to the expense of a Miners Licence and its associated taxes. After a half hour battle the miners came off second best with 22 or more miners being killed.

It is said that perhaps this led to the birth of democracy in Australia.

Anyway there is a whole other story behind that. The Eureka flag is still used and flown in Australia. It was actually designed by a Canadian miner, blue and white with only the southern cross and was said to be an act of defiance not having the British Union Jack flag on it as well. It was also known as 'the diggers flag' and 'the southern cross'.

You saw it in the Glenrowan blog post and pictured below through the dirty windscreen coming into town and flying proudly above the beautiful Town Hall building.

So, first stop after finding a car park, was Irish Murphy's for a pub lunch and a pint of Guiness!

We made a quick trip to the Tourist Information Centre, grabbed a couple of brochures about the Victorian buildings and architecture. To which I am most pleasantly surprised that all these facades and buildings still exist! I walked around most of the time looking up at the gorgeous details!

We walked down Sturt street snapping pic's of buildings and the gorgeous statues and monuments down the centre island. In its hey day, Ballarat was also teeming with trams.

Then it was into the car and did a quick drive around Lake Wendouree. I wasn't allowed out long lol! I found more beautiful statues awaiting photo opportunities in the botanical gardens. Did get a quick few though.

Sovereign Hill we did not do. Need a whole day for that and was way too expensive just for an hour or so. It is a whole village and gold rush experience with staff and volunteers dressed in period clothing around the town. There are mining tours, evening sound and light shows, a museum etc.

Anyway I can say I've been to Ballarat now! On with the road trip to South Australia.

Kat xo

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballarat

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Rebellion

http://www.visitballarat.com.au

http://www.sovereignhill.com.au

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On to Mernda for the week where we stayed with Kaitlin. My biggest little lady.

Jack and I (with Kaitlin) weeded, cleaned, washed cars and helped out where we could. We watched movies (a couple scary!), played video games, did puzzles, some sewing and a bit of shopping. Damn puzzle and it's Autumn/Fall leaves just about drove us crazy!

The best part other than just being and staying with my eldest daughter? Having exceptional cups of tea each afternoon from her fancy tea set.

We had Ginger Spice Tea, Banana Bake Tea, Black Rose Tea, Sencha Vanilla and Turkish Apple Cinnamon Tea (pink in colour and a favourite) and last but not least Shimmer Punch. All coupled with a spectacular blueberry tea cake or date scones.

An impressive 'chef' is she! Baking delights her specialty but the morrocan roast chicken she made was to die for. Oh, Kaitlin? I need the recipe! Plleeeaaaaase!

Had an awesome week with my girl!

Thanks for having us Miss Kaitlin xo

Have a superb day folks!

Kat xo

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