Indholdsfortegnelse for December - January 2023 i Blue Mountains Life

SPOTLIGHT no matter what time of year Bathurst is an ideal destination. This summer, there is simply no better place to be whether you're looking for anything from high-octane international motorsports to an exhibition of the most acclaimed Australian portrait art or a fringe music festival. Or just want to give yourself room to explore in the great Australian outdoors. Take in the epic views from the top of Mount Panorama/ Wahluu as you walk along the newly constructed pedestrian boardwalk with its interpretive panels telling the story of the Wiradjuri connection to this very special place. Cool off in the shade of one of Bathurst's many parks or refresh yourself in a heritage pub or with a delicious home-made treat from famous Annie's Ice-Cream in the Town Square. Travel…

SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE As part of the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative, young people are having a say in what they'd like to learn and both Blue Mountains Council staff and community mentors are stepping up to meet their needs. This year, young people in a grant funded Permaculture and Social Enterprise Design Course, had the opportunity to work with Blue Mountains City Planners to create a design for a possible Planetary Health Centre at the old Katoomba Golf Course. Their ideas have been incorporated into Council's ongoing Precinct Planning process for the site - ensuring the voices of young people have been heard. The program's success inspired Western Sydney University's Lithgow Transformation Hub to successfully apply for a Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant to create a similar program in…

HOME galbally, named after the town of the same name in Ireland, is one of the most significant late Federation houses still in existence in Orange today. The 25-room mansion, set on almost an acre of park-style land, is located a stone's throw from the CBD, complete with its own full-size lawn tennis court, servants’ quarters and lush gardens The house is one of seven historically important manors built by the pioneering Dalton family Other well-known properties built by the family in this region include Duntryleague, Kangaroobie and Ammerdown. Galbally is remarkable for its many intricate and one-of-a-kind leadlight windows depicting various scenes that were of significance to the Dalton family It also has various flower pattern plaster ceiling decorations, original hall tiles in near-perfect condition and a beautiful Queensland…

FEATURE Con's Deli and Patisserie is a family run business focused on bringing together family and friends to share delicious food. We believe that the essence of food is family and friends, so each product is selected to delight the tastebuds and connect our customer to a special time and place: whether it be a traditional recipe handed down through the generations or a cheese that reminds you of a global adventure. Con's patisserie has partnered with local, regional and Australian based bakers to showcase home style, high end sweet treats, breads, pastries, and pies. A selection of Bakehouse on Wentworth favourites: pies, breads and cakes. Breads and pastries from Sonoma bakery. Pies and cakes from Wilders, a family owned bakery in Young, NSW. Breads and Pastries from Black Cockatoo,…

locals in Richmond searching for a relaxing place to eat and drink need look no further than Barrels & Ashes. The unpretentious pub is perfect for a family get together or when meeting up with friends for a chat and a few drinks. The owner, Joe Kovacek, is a local farmer that works at Western Sydney University. His passion is to bring local beef and lamb to the community and educate them about where the food comes from. “Being a local producer and venue owner, I connect with other small businesses and producers in the area to bring the Hawkesbury community together on a plate,” he told Blue Mountains Life. Barrels and Ashes is set in an originally built sandstone building from the 1860s. The original owner, world-famous horse breeder,…

it has been 9 already months since the Lemon Tree Grocer opened it's doors in Wentworth Falls, and has already made such an impact on locals and visitors to the village. With over 9000 product lines you will be spoiled for choice with variety, freshness and quality. Lulu and Adam strive to find products from regional areas and support fellow small businesses, as well as the most delicious gourmet products from Italy, France and more. Adam heads to the Sydney Markets early in the mornings to select the best quality fresh produce for the shop. The walls are lined with fridges packed full of delicacies including over 50 choices of dips, a wall of cheese (which you can challenge yourself to try each one over time), organic and pasture raised…

S pringwood might be the second largest town in the Blue Mountains, but it is the number one place to be when it comes to fine dining. In part, you can thank Arrana which presents a degustation menu with a focus on indigenous ingredients. Head chef, Daniel Cabban and the Arrana team create some of the best dining experiences in the Blue Mountains. Need proof of their excellence, they were awarded two Chefs Hats by the Australian Good Food Guide for 2022. This award would not be possible without Chef Daniel's passion, strive for excellence and determination; which is equally matched by their small but hardworking team. Arrana has been described as an unexpected gem. With four and seven-course degustation dinner offerings, the nativeinspired ingredients are deftly braided into what…

+Plus HEALTH healthy fruits and vegetables are essential to children's growth. Parents must teach their children about different fruits and vegetables so that they can learn to love these foods from an early age. Kids can be a bit fussy regarding healthy eating habits, so you must do everything you can to encourage them to eat well. Here are some different activities to teach your children about healthy fruits and vegetables: Reading books about fruits and vegetables. Reading with your child about any topic is foundational for them to learn. Taking the time to read with your kids helps show the importance of the subject matter you cover. Any store with children's books should have at least a couple of fruit and vegetable stories. Choosing the right book to read…

LADELLE With Carnival inspired stripes and striking splattered glazes, this coffee, tea and serveware range creates the perfect platform for presenting irresistible treats to family and friends. Choose from 4 bright colours - mix and match them, or choose one to create a monochrome look. www.ladelle.com iWOODESIGN This stunning match strikers by designer Deanne Steinberg features three beautiful handcrafted woods: Royal Ebony Macassar, Japanese Tamo Ash and Figured Eucalyptus in Sterling Grey. I www.iwoodesign.com ECO FRIENDLY 100% natural, made with essential oils and New Zealand botanicals in their purest form. Contains: 3 × Stylish Reusable glass spray bottles - your Bottle For Good™ and 3 × cleaning tablets, one for each our three formulations: All purpose cleaner, Kitchen cleaner, Bathroom cleaner. www.goodchangestore.com POP ART This pop art collection is by…

THE LISTIES MAKE SOME NOISE For over a decade the award-winning Listies have toured the world doing shows for literally gazillions of kidults (that's kids and their adults). Now it's your turn to experience an insane mixtape of silly songs, stupid sketches and crazy clowning! Make Some Noise! is a comedy concert for humans aged 4 up. Join the maestros of mirth Rich and Matt, as they belt out a bunch of songs with the LOLs turned up to eleven. Venue: Sydney Opera House Date: Jan 20 Phone: 02 9250 7111 BURLESQUE FESTIVAL Kitty Obsidian and other award-winning performers bring their burlesque cabaret to a variety show that is a sexy, outrageous, funny, empowering celebration of femininity in all its forms! The Festival brings some of the biggest, best most…

NEWS BLUE MOUNTAINS CELEBRATING DISABILITY Residents of the Blue Mountains celebrated International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD). IDPWD, held on Dec 3, is a global United Nations event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disability, and how this enriches our community and culture. Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said the event was about breaking down barriers and celebrating abilities of all kinds. This year, the Council celebrated IDPWD with local author, Tish Peiris and her new book The Saddest Girl. Tish was a former journalist from Sri Lanka when she had an accident that resulted in an acquired brain injury. The Saddest Girl tells the story of a girl called Daisy, who struggles with her mum's brain injury. It is a retelling of Tish's own story…

hawkesbury Heating is a family owned and operated company based in Sydney's stunning Hawkesbury region and now with stores in Penrith Homemaker Centre and Marsden Park. With over 35 years of experience and a fireplace and BBQ showroom which is one of the largest in Sydney, the team are here to offer you the expertise you need. They are proud to offer a broad selection of products - from Heating for your home to a new BBQ for outdoor entertaining, Hawkesbury Heating has got you covered with all the best brands and best prices! As a Weber Store and specialist dealer, Hawkesbury Heating and Home Heat & BBQ stock the complete range of Weber BBQs and accessories as well interactive demonstrations held in store. They are specialists in BBQ's, Wood…

PEOPLE becoming a professional actor wasn't something Chanella Maori remotely considered when she was a student at Winmalee and later St Mary's High Schools. Even at Uni, she struggled immensely in the course. All this came as a great surprise to Blue Mountains Life, who caught up with Chanella, as she wrapped up her latest role as the leading lady in the Belvoir Theatre's recent production of the best-selling novel Looking for Alibrandi. BML Is it true growing up that you never considered acting could be a real profession? CM I definitely enjoyed it (acting) - not in a serious way though. Just in the way that my family, both Italian and Samoan, are big characters, mucking around and being performative is second nature. Acting a fool is the game…

PEOPLE BML's Diana Smith spoke to Team Ukraine's Phiiipa Waters and Dnipro's Alex and Vika Volodina at the newly renovated Molong Convent about the local support for Ukrainians. BML What is Team Ukraine? PW Team Ukraine is a big group of fabulous community members (families, friends, anyone that lives in the central west) including Ukrainian families that have moved here, who are working together to create safe housing and support for those that have moved to Australia from Ukraine and want to live regionally. BML How did the group come into being? PW Soon after the Russo-Ukrainian war escalation in February I read an article in The Guardian with a link asking for help with Ukrainian families coming to Australia, and shared it with some colleague-friends at work (James Sheahan…

FEATURE relentless German engineering and sophisticated European styling combine to produce ara's legendary fit and function. ara designs each shoe to cushion the foot's complex anatomical structure. Special features, such as a range of widths and flexible materials ensure that the shoe adapts to the foot, not the foot to the shoe. Ara's HighSoft constructions give you the comfort and feeling of sneakers within their court and ballet collections. Super smooth softleathers, highly flexible soles and supple, padded innersoles create the indescribably comfortable walking experience that is HighSoft With 5 boutique stores across Sydney, the Southern Highlands and Canberra, Nina Leon's Shoe Boutique is your go to destination for shoes and handbags in the shopping hub of Leura, in the Blue Mountains. Located upstairs in the Strand Arcade on the…

the Byng Street Boutique Hotel is a unique accommodation experience located in the heart of Orange's heritage precinct, the perfect location to enjoy everything Orange has to offer. A beautiful juxtaposition of the significant historical homestead and contemporary architecture, this 4.5 star hotel welcomes guests who appreciate unique style, luxurious comfort and sophistication. Formerly the historic “Yallungah” homestead (c.1896), the building has recently undergone extensive restorations. “The vision for the restorations was always to bring life into the building that would intrigue the guests”, without doubt that vision has certainly been achieved. As you explore the building, you quickly appreciate the Hotel's commitment to its historical past and you can't help but marvel at how the architects and designers have cleverly interlaced the old with the new modernly designed and…

after 8 fabulous years….. Mary and Tex has changed hands. What better hands to take on the challenge, than Kristen (or ‘Tink’ as she may be better known) and her partner John-Paul who have been a pivotal part of Mary and Tex for many years. Mary and Tex Curious Emporium is filled to the brim with beautiful homewares, unique furniture, art, fashion and gifts. Brands such as: Status anxiety, Boomshankar Clothing, Louenhide bags, Mason Cash ceramics and so much more will tempt you as you wander around the store with surprises around every turn. Shopping at Mary and Tex is such a sensory experience. It's fun! Music for the ears, candles offering a pleasant scent as you browse, so many beautiful textures to touch and it is a feast for…

we at Bring The Jungle do exactly that, Bring You The Jungle! We provide the best quality hand picked houseplants the Blue Mountains has to offer. We also have everything you need to take care of them from plant food through to pots and planters to match. A house only becomes a home when you add some life to it and no room is complete without at least one houseplant to lift the space and help purify the air. What could be better than giving the gift of a living plant to your loved one to appreciate long into the future. Owner and Horticulturalist, Mykal Hoare has an immense passion for the incredible beauty of indoor plants and Bring The Jungle aims to provide each customer with the knowledge to…

mother and Daughter team Helen and Jordan are living their retail dream, celebrating over three years of Chaos and Karma. Think Homewares, Art, Clothing, Shoes, Candles, Gifts, original artworks and handmade earrings. There is plenty of inspiration here for everyone. The recently expanded shop enables them to stock more clothing, boots and shoes, leather bags as well as a “Guy stuff” section with giftware, wallets, bags, leather wet packs and man candles etc, for the men in your life. The many windows show off the interior including the individually designed handmade lampshades from Emotive. These work as a stunning feature piece for any room. Did we mention candles? The range in store includes Wavertree and London with their Christmas range and Bramble Bay - think Coastal Lime and Lemon Ironbark…

FEATURE whether you are looking for a place to enjoy a meal with friends, have a lazy brunch or unwind after a bushwalk, we look forward to sharing with you our passion for local and seasonal ingredients, house-made pastries and bespoke cocktails, and leading Australian and international wines. Hounslow is proud to be a part of the local dining experience showcasing seasonal menus, specialty coffee and fine wines. Drop in or book a table by visiting our website. 5/25 Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath, NSW Email: Bookings@hounslow.net.au www.hounslow.net.au PH: 1300 002 785…

Cat lovers know what wonderful companions felines make, but that doesn't come without its drawbacks. For starters, bored cats tend to scratch, causing damage to your furniture and carpet. Instead of spending thousands of dollars replacing big-ticket items in your home, try these creative ways of keeping your cat happy and entertained. Cardboard boxes are a cat's best friend. Any cardboard box will do. Cats love to chew, scratch, and play with cardboard boxes, so be sure to leave a few out for your feline friends. This cheap, easy solution will provide hours of entertainment and save your furniture from damage. Also, do you have a spare piece of paper? Leave some out for the kitty to play with. They love the crinkling noise it makes. This is also true…

+Plus TECHNOLOGY ask any runner or gym junky how many pairs of earbuds they have gone through and the answer could easily end up as a double-digit. So, when we find a pair that is light, comfortable and features excellent sound then the team at Blue Mountains Life is quick to sing its praises. This was the case with the Sony LinkBuds S. A redesign of Sony's previous model which is marketed as affordable but with a ton of features. Price at $240, Sony has done a great job at making the earbuds better than most rivals at this price point while also including noise cancelling and ambient sound modes. Included in the case are a USB-c cable, three ear tips and the charging dock. When it comes to pairing…

Answers from OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022 ACROSS 1. Track event 4. Flowering shrubs 8. Summit 11. Half-diameters 13. Singer,… Minogue 15. Ground wheat 17. Craze 18. Corpulent 20. Pull by rope 21. Walkway between pews 24. Fully satisfies 27. Gullible mug 28. Pongs 30. Cause trouble (3,2) 31. Fresher 33. Holiday spot 34. Delight 35. Printing error 36. Quiz 39. Appeared 42. Smirk 44. Brain 45. Geek 46. Several moose 48. Rose to feet 49. Opinions 50. Soon 52. Sold (wares) 54. Young female 55. Skirt top 56. Alcove 57. Slash 60. In comparison to 62. Repulsive 65. Japanese food paste 67. Money, filthy… 69. India's New… 70. Clingy person 72. Gents 73. UK racecourse 75. Positive pole 77. Tomato colour 79. Circular gasket (1-4) 81. Shop… you drop C3) 82. Pursuit 84.…

FEATURE the “new” owners are old hands. Tim and Bev Oldfield have 16 years of experience operating their current Poolwerx business. They're excited to be able to expand west, bringing friendly, knowledgeable service to the Greater West and Blue Mountains. Innovations like a free private remote tech support group via WhatsApp, ensure Poolwerx Emu Plains clients can have any pool issues resolved faster via their mobile. This means pool owners can spend less time worrying about their pool and more time enjoying it. A big focus for Poolwerx Emu Plains will be growing their mobile service fleet. It can be very difficult through the peak of a hot summer to secure the services of a well-trained pool tech. The Oldfields aim to triple the number of service techs on the…

WHO IS PENRITH LIFESTYLE & GAS SHOP? The team at Penrith Gas and Lifestyle shop are Sydney's leading supplier of gas appliances including brands such as Jetmaster, Escea, Rinnai, Napoleon and Beefeater. They provide great advice and service out in the field for all customers. It is a one stop shop for all your outdoor lifestyle needs. Looking for an outdoor kitchen? Their extensive range of high quality BBQ's and fires with wood and gas options, plus quality outdoor furniture to suit your needs. Relax and unwind in your very own Spa. Look no further for quality and value, their range of Billabong Spas is the piece of luxury you need for your home. Upgrade the interior design of your space with a stylish and highquality Merino rug. New designs,…

located just east of Katoomba on the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, Leura is arguably one of the prettiest villages in the Blue Mountains. Lined with character-filled heritage homes, glorious cool climate gardens and a National Trust-classified town centre lined with cherry trees, it sends Instagrammers into a frenzy during blossom season. The magnificent seasonal colour is on public display during the Spring while visitors can take a tour of Everglades, which draws on the great tradition of European garden design through the visionary work of Danish gardener, Paul Sorensen. More incredible vistas can be taken in from the aptly-named Sublime Point; while Gordon Falls tumbles 200 metres down the escarpment and marks the end of the seven-kilometre Prince Henry Cliff Walk from Katoomba. For a tranquil picnic,…

located in the picturesque Blue Mountains, in the historic town of Leura, The Wayzgoose Diner is your go-to stop for delicious comfort food, good coffee and a welcoming atmosphere. The team make all their food from scratch in the kitchen, with locally sourced fresh ingredients, like meat from the local butcher next door! From delicious juicy burgers to crisp salty Frickles or scrumptious homemade sweets, you're sure to find something on the menu to tickle your tastebuds and leave you feeling satisfied. Why not indulge in one of the Famous Flowerpot Scones? On the menu since the first cafe opened here way back in the early 80s! Wayzgoose also love little visitors and welcomes kids of all ages - from a dedicated kids menu to a little library and chalkboards…

FEATURE looking for a quick trip to get away with the family, then these top four spots will have your covered. KATOOMBA Katoomba is the heart of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains and an easy place to find your freedom. Not only is this charming town the gateway to spectacular natural attractions like the Three Sisters, it's also an attraction in itself, with wondrous heritage hotels, a thriving cafe culture, and shopping and galleries galore. The ridgeline heading west is dotted with quaint villages, from Leura with its cherry tree-lined shopping strip, to bohemian Blackheath. Breathtaking bushwalks unfurl from every town, with easy clifftop strolls like the Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Leura Cascades or more challenging hikes such as the calf-burning Grand Canyon Track. GLENBROOK First up is the…

parrot Distilling Co, founded by Ben Cochrane, aims to bring you an unparalleled gin experience. The Master Distiller, a fictional character who changes as frequently as the botanicals in the bottles, honed his talents and earned his title the old-fashioned way: relentless hard work and tireless devotion. The Master spends countless hours experimenting with botanicals and ingredients to come up with the perfect recipe. He is so dedicated to creating craft spirits that he fills his days with gin tasting and replicating the historic art of distilling to create a delicious yet contemporary blend. With a wisp of juniper in his break and a wink in his eye, the Master Distiller Fuses knowledge and technique with instinct and old-world secrets, to create a premium gin for all to enjoy. His…

blazing summer days to dustings of snow, the mountains weather climate is unpredictable to say the least. Weather-proofing your home is key to surviving the seasons and unlike your weekly bread and milk purchase, shopping for internal window furnishings or external summer shading solutions is something homeowners are often unfamiliar with. Nepean Blinds and Doors offer an endless array of solutions and options suited for our Aussie climate - paired with down to earth expertise to guide you every step of the way. As a family-owned business contributing to the Australian Manufacturing industry their home-grown blinds, Crimsafe Security, awnings and even curtains are a perfect way to refresh your home turning drib and drab into an entertainer's delight. With solutions for improving energy efficiency like shutters and cellular blinds or…

let's be honest, a beautiful set of, long, natural healthy nails looks classy and sexy. Immaculately manicured long nails say a lot about your style and confidence. We know growing long, healthy nails can be a challenge. Blue Mountains Life has a few simple tips to show how you too can have a beautiful set of long natural nails. Firstly, don't use your nails as tools. Rather than using your nails use other parts of your hand, or a pen, to perform tasks like dialling the phone. Secondly, detergents are particularly harsh on your nails and can cause splitting and peeling. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning. Thirdly, don't bite your nails or pick at your cuticles. Aside from the obvious reason for biting and shortening your nails, these…

MOROCCO Energetic cities give way to wild deserts and soaring peaks on this 15-day Premium adventure through Morocco. Explore the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, Meknes's animated medina, the historical Old Town of Fes and the lively Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech. Food lovers will rejoice at these Exclusive Experiences, including a picnic at the ruins of Volubilis, a hands-on cooking class in Tahanaout, medfouna demonstration in Khemliya and a homecooked pastilla dinner in Fes. This 15 day trip is priced from $3,970. Details www.intrepidtravel.com/au ALL ABOARD Rail Online's product expansion continues to gain pace with the online travel agent adding live VIA Rail Canada journeys on its website, with all prices in Australian dollars and travellers free to self-manage all bookings and amendments. Along with some of North America's most…

Founded in the Black Forest region of Southern Germany in 1874, the Rieker shoes selection includes a huge variety of footwear for men and women. From sturdy boots and diamante-detailed sandals, to formal loafers and trendy Mary Janes; the Rieker range offers you the ideal accessory to complement any outfit and occasion without trading off on foot support and comfort. Rieker shoes are not merely decorative, fashionable, products. Their functional features mean they offer much more than that. Striking the perfect balance between fashion and practicality, every Rieker shoe is designed and built with the Rieker features and benefits that make them a step ahead of the competition. They have even created their own technology — Rieker Antistress — to ensure that every pair of shoes come with the best…

+Plus MOTORING P eople love their SUVs. High riding, comfortable cruisers and plenty of space for the family. BMW is also no stranger to this market with the brands X1 consistently selling like hotcakes. To remain on top BMW has launched the latest third generation X1 to the local market, bringing a host of compelling new features to the premium compact crossover segment. The new X1 combines a new and more prominent exterior styling package, a redesigned interior, greater level of spaciousness and an array of driver and parking assistance systems. BMW will offer the X1 sDrive18i and xDrive20i, both of which are powered by a petrol-based turbo engine with a seven-speed transmission. Pricing starts at about $53,900. We test drove through the Blue Mountains and were immediately impressed by…

STRANGE WORLD The legendary Clades are a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest and most crucial mission. LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE Just in time for the holiday, this film is based on a children's book about a crocodile that lives in New York City. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the planet of Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na'vi race to protect their planet. CREED The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed. THE MENU A young couple travel to a remote island…