Visit to Currawong, near Harden NSW

My good friend Gerry moved 2 and a half years ago to Harden NSW. Her husband's family were the original farmers in that area and there is a beautiful homestead dating from the 1800's when the areas was first settled. The homestead is called Currawong, and her mum in law lives there. Gerry's family live near the old homestead in a newer home.

She has settled nicely to country life, compromising by commuting to Canberra for work where the more urbane items were available. Harden is about 4 hours drive south west of Sydney and about 1.5 hours from Canberra. On route to Harden, there were some very tempting vistas, which I attempted to capture but it is difficult given that the vehicle is driving 110km/hr.

The weather was dreadfully cold and wet, with a bitter wind sweeping up the hill. But the country side was so beautiful this time. There was once that we visited some 18 months ago in the middle of the drought when everything was brown and parched. It was dusty and awful, the animals looked liked they were suffering. What a difference rain makes in the country! This time, there was greenery all around and the ewes looked fat and content. There will be lots of frisky lambs this spring!

I was unprepared for the green countryside and brought a whole lot of paper washed in earth tones. Because the weather was not conducive to outdoor sketching, I only managed one plein air drawing and this at the risk of freezing. This view is from Gerry's front verandah looking westwards.

Subsequently I took a few photos around the farm as it is very picturesque, intending to develop them into a series of paintings. I've started work on the grain silos that can be seen from Gerry's kitchen window. They are probably not as rusty as I've made them out to be! Having not finished the picture, I offer a close-up for inspection.