SPIRIT OF PLACE: THE BATHURST COUNTRY AFFAIR

What a great weekend!

Thursday (Womens’ Day), was the most beautiful day - and perfectly suited to everything that the Village had to offer the visitors.

Friday was an entirely different story - all in all about 70mm or more of hard rain the entire day. By the end of it all we were considering naming the house “A River Runs Through It”. Unfortunately until the York Road stormwater drainage system is revised, or we revise it at our own expense, No. 6 bears the brunt of literally thousands of litres of stormwater that have to go somewhere, and the eastern side of our property is where it all pours through.

Saturday dawned as clear as could possibly be and Bathurst once again became the centre of the universe - there were fetes, tractors tripping through the town ……….. it is after all a drinking Village with a farming problem ……… there were vintage cars and some really exciting vintage Motor Cross bike racing ………… all the bikes being pre-1990 and seemingly as fast as anything out there today judging by the speeds they were doing. There were Bokdrol Spoeg competitions, Artisan Milkshakes, Stalls of every conceivable kind …………. and the highlight of the day on the Pig ’n Whistle Pool Patio - a Cook-off Competition between four Local Chefs. It was all done by “Draw”, with each chef getting what he drew out of the hat …….. Fish, Steak, Venison or Pork ……….. they were each then given a mystery box of ingredients and a mix and match selection of other ingredients plus two hours to create their dish.

There was plenty of wine and beer on sale and a festive atmosphere worthy of Christmas. When the food was ready it was duly judged and plates then sold to the public for the princely sum of R35.00 a helping ………… all of it fantastic.

Sunday dawned almost as beautiful as Saturday - but at a somewhat slower pace, with most of the revellers having to cope with hangovers I am sure. Even the regular Sunday Farmer’s Market seemed to be considerably quieter than usual ………… but so much fun inevitably comes at a price.

Here are a few pics for those of you not lucky enough to have been here to share it all with us. ENJOY!

But first - This week's No. 6 Bird of the week