Signs that spring has sprung!

Old Cootamundra Hospital surrounded by spring blossom.

One thing that Cootamundra does very well is seasons - there are four very distinct looks which Cootamundra skips between and I am happy to say that it is shaking off its dull winter cloak and stepping out in style at the moment. 

Cootamundra - the wattle town.

Cootamundra is of course famous for wattle. A few weeks ago, I noticed that the little pom pom balls of yellow fluff were starting to appear and then in a matter of days, it was everywhere. In Cootamundra, the wattle is the first real hint that the worst of winter is gone.

Daffodils, Wallendoon Street, Cootamundra

Over the last few days there has been an explosion of fresh new buds, leaves and blossoms across Cootamundra. Petals have been drifting from the trees like little flurries of snow, there is the smell of summer in the air and the constant hum of bees making the most of the flowers.

Blossoms around Cootamundra.

I have also been pleased to see the first hints of a few goodies which I hope to be eating later on in the year - my little blueberry bush is bursting with blossoms, there is the hint of a few strawberries on my plant which I picked up for $2 at the markets a few weeks ago and the fig has a couple of tender new leaves poking their heads up!

Potted strawberry

The fig's first leaf for 2011

I have also noticed the chooks have a spring in their step - they are chasing the new bugs around and gobbling them up and the eggs have been coming a lot faster than they did in the dead of winter.


So cheers to spring (although a couple of days early) and the promise of good things to come!

Spring chicken!

Cootamundra Post Office, spring blooms and the new gingko tree.

Fresh fruit is best!

Over the past week, I have been given the most delicious assortment of apples, zucchini and figs grown by friends. To look at, they are far from perfect but take a bite and they are truly beautiful.


Fresh Apples and Zuchinni



As I munched my tart, tasty apple, I got to wondering why it was full of flavour while the ones I got from the supermarket tasted like nothing. The answer was not too hard to find - supermarkets are using all sorts of tricks to preserve the 'fresh' fruit and vegetables we are buying including the addition of chemicals which slow mould growth and ripening but also block compounds which lead to the development of flavour. CHOICE has more details on how our fruit, vegetables and meat are being manipulated here.



Local Apples



Of course, it is not always possible to get things straight from the tree or ground but the moral to the story is where you can, choose fresh, local produce which is in season. By doing this you get more taste, more nutritional benefit and support local growers. There are Farmers and Growers Markets springing up everywhere - the Australian Farmers Market Association has a list on their website. Give them a try and taste the difference!



Fresh lemons from my tree




Funny Lemon