Mangana Mission News - November 2011

Dear Friends and Family,
our apologies for the delay in the posting of the November Blog however life has been very hectic down here in Mangana

The 3 year anniversary of the Mangana Mission has now just passed (1st December 2010) and what a fun and thrilling adventure it has proved to be. The projects that were on our original 3 year plan have now been completed as well as a number that we could not have imagined back in 2007. The vineyard is taking shape more slowly than we had expected however what a large project it has turned out to be! 11 rows of 35 metres in length to be cut into the rocky ground, 88 gum bush poles to be cut and the bark stripped off, 88 holes to be dug into the ground to hold the poles, and then the wires and  planting of the grapes.



Vineyard Posts Finally In !!

 The French invasion has continued with the arrival of Dynamic Daniel followed by Jennifer and Etienne who have all played a major role in the Mangana Projects. Daniel was instrumental in the vineyard post and wire projects as well as the construction of the huge stage surround with the help of mountain Mike

 Daniel relaxing in the Spa after hard day on the farm

The stage surround was a huge job taking about one and a half days to complete however the end result is amazing as will be shown on the December Blog. We are now well prepared for our first Mangana New Years Eve Party in a few weeks time!

Daniel celebrating the completion of the Stage Cover

Daniel sadly left us to continue his Aussi adventures however the next day saw the exciting arrival of Jennifer and Etienne from France. The first reason for the excitement was that Jennifer left her bag on the bus in Fingal and for the first time in 3 years we had to chase the Callows Coach down the 20km road to St. Marys! There was much flashing of head lights on the car as well as a little driving over the speed limit however we finally caught our prey in front of the St. Marys Newsagent and the bag was retrieved.


Jennifer working in the vegetable garden

 A great deal of progress has been made in the vegetable plot with nearly all of the beds being weeded and then mulched (thanks to Jennifer and Etienne )followed by the planting of dozens of seeds and seedlings. We are optimistic of a bountiful havest this summer.



Jennifer and Etienne weeding the vegetable garden

 We have also been blessed by a wonderful French cook in Etienne who has graced us with his cuisinary delights every evening supported by his trusty assistant and dish washer Jennifer. The plants are not the only things growing at Mangana- so are our waistlines!!


Jeromie of Mangana - The Foreman RIP


The last day of November was a very sad day with the passing away of our beautiful boy cat Jeromie. We went looking for him as he was late home for dinner and Vanessa and Marie were already in their bedroom. He was discovered behind the bulb garden in the front yard sadly deceased. There were no obvious signs of any injury so that we think that maybe he had been bitten by a snake. There have not been any sigtings of snakes at Mangana Mission for almost 3 years however Jeromie often roamed far and wide.
He was buried at his favourite hiding spot in the vegaetable garden area with full honours and Mangana Mission will never be the same without him.

We wish you all a very Happy Christmas time and a Safe, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

The next blog will include pictures and maybe even a video of our News Years Eve Party!

Take Care, Keep Safe and Enjoy Life

Love and Light,

Andre' & Kate