Apricots, Wind, and Other Unruly Things…

It’s been an eventful week. A bushfire raging just ten kilometres away was enough to rattle the nerves, and the weather—never one for cooperation—has kept us uncomfortably on edge. Central Victoria is full of contradiction: tempestuous winds, still mornings, baking afternoons, all of it slightly unhinged. The hydrangeas and grass have crisped. The house grapevine, meanwhile, has gone feral—sprawling across the verandah, offering shade and the promise of grapes, soon.

I’ve been listening to Schubert for Two while cooking and pottering, an effort to stay grounded despite the wind’s persistent attempts to knock me off my even keel. Our meals have leaned into familiar comforts: garlicky cannellini beans on toast; pea, mint and ricotta pasta; broccoli with anchovy. With local produce a little thin on the ground, we’ve returned to our dependable staples—simple and unfussy.

The week’s highlights arrived in edible form. Brian’s generous gift of homegrown apricots became Lulu Peyraud’s Compote d’Abricots à la Vanille, paired with Maggie Beer French vanilla ice cream. A very good midweek moment. Then, as if on cue, two jars of locally grown apricots in syrup appeared, courtesy of Karl—a green thumb and history buff we met at the local tip. Thank you, Karl. P.S. You may have the cutest little cottage in Maldon.

Tonight, we’re off to Paint and Sip at Boomtown—art, wine, good company. Thank you, Alex. We’re looking forward to all of it.

Photograph: Kirsty Davey