GLENMORE HERITAGE VALLEY

It was a fine Thursday, not that cold though its autumn and a bit windy. We got Heinrich's Certificate from TAFE. He has no time to get it by himself coz of his schedule at work. I was feeling I needed something to boost me up before I would do lots of cleaning and organizing our messy house. This is me. When I have to do something that requires my full physical and or mental strength, I need to go out...go somewhere that will clear my mind and do something that will relax me before going into "battle".
I asked my husband where would he take me. We drove to Mulgoa. We went to Glenmore Heritage Valley Golf. He said there's a cafe inside and it's open to the public, meaning not only to the members. My husband I think is now being addicted to golf. He bought clubs for our son, Harvey, who wanted to play before but I don't know why he changed his mind. Those clubs that he bought and those that were given to him by his brother-in-law, are all for him to use. But since membership fee is  high and the constriction of time, hinders him to play his now beloved sport, golfing. 

 The building where the cafe is, is very old. But I am impressed the way the building is constructed. I can smell the age of the building, but its been well maintained. When we arrived there the first thing that we've noticed is the mark on the upper front wall of the building. It's like a cross. I told Willy, the building might be a church before. As we go inside, twas very quiet. On the foyer there are newspapers and papers describing, telling the story of the building and the place itself. I didn't read it yet, just got one for me to read when we have a cup of coffee. We went straight at the back and look at the golf course. Wow! its so nice. The view is so sweet and calming. There were Chinese people or Korean (sort of) playing that time. The atmosphere is so refreshing.

We watched people practicing for few minutes then went to the reception in a building adjacent to the main. The reception place is obviously not as old as the main. We inquired the fees and their rules. As expected, it's expensive. Oh, well, it's expensive to us, whose earnings is enough to cover our bills and our everyday expenses and whenever have extras would rather send it or give it to relatives who are needy. 

We went back to the main building, into the cafe. We ordered steak with chips and salad, homemade burger with chips, a mug of cappuccino, and glasses of water. While waiting for our food, I went to the toilet. The toilet is at the right side of the building, while the cafe is at the left side. When I entered to the room where the toilet sign is, I thought I went into the wrong place coz the room is spacious and have lounge suite. But I noticed there's another door inside the room so I opened it and yes that's the toilet. Though the place is old, the water closets are normal, as in, not the old ones and there are showers in there. When I left the room, I passed through the hallway and noticed the doors have grilled doors as well. The place is getting interesting to me.

As I sat back beside Willy in the cafe, I told him the things I noticed. With my mind still thinking that the place was used to be a church, why would there be showers there?  The place gives me interest to search its history. Maybe I can google it or could go to the library and get some infos there. Then I remembered that I got the paper in the foyer. It's all about the history behind the Glenmore Heritage Valley.

It said the building was originally an "L" shaped built in 1824 by Mr. Henry Cox. That the name of the place , Glenmore was suggested as it was the birthplace of Cox's wife, Miss Frances Mackenzie, in Scotland. The place was busy centre of farming business. That the Cox's were famous for their kindness to all. 

In 1851, the place was sold to Mr. Thomas Sutcliff Mort. The Cox's bought property at "Broombee" between Mudgee and Bathurst (I wanted to see that place!) The new owner, was famous for his Wool broking firm and experiments in refrigerating meat for export. In 1854, Mort sold the property since the place for him was too quiet and not easily accessible from Sydney.

It said the third owner was Mr. James John Riley and family. He added the south wing to the Glenmore. That his family crest is still to be seen in the coping in the front of the house. Well, that explains the "cross" like we've seen. The building was not a church but that the symbol there is Riley's family's crest.

Riley was the first Mayor of Penrith. He died in 1882. His wife and daughters stayed at the house over 20 years or until they got married.

In May 1900, Glenmore became Golf Course and Country Club.

A happy history of the place. I can feel the place is friendly, welcoming. It's old but not scary. I can feel if the place is happy or not. This place is happy, not even reading the paper yet.

Our order had taken a bit longer. We placed our order first but they served the 2 men beside our table first. The hot chips was different, twas sweet like sweet potato. The steak was okey but the sauce was too thick. Willy complained to the lady who had taken our order coz the bread used for the burger was stale. The cook (I presumed) apologised and asked Willy if she could changed the burger bread to a turkish bread coz they ran out of burger bread, still same filling though. Willy was getting disappointed but I just told him we'll just forgive them coz I like the place and the lady who got our order was kind. We'll just consider it coming to an old house, like for example, our grandparents' house and Lolo and Lola were not able to buy new bread. My salad has stalks but I just think they had just picked the vegetables fresh from the garden. The salad was simple but fresh and good. They were offering us coffee on the house coz of what happened but we had to leave already coz we were running late picking up the kids from school.

Anyways, we still want to go back there. It would be nice eating in a high ceiling with lovely wooden beams and supposed to be warmth  by real fire made with  real woods and not by electric heater. I'm even wishing I could celebrate my birthday there.☀♧♥º☀♧♥

REVISITED yesterday,12 June 2013. I've been telling my kids how yummy the steak and fried fries in the Valley cafe. We were supposed to take Heinrich for a lunch but he was already late for work so it ended up just me and Willy. I ordered steak and fried fries with garden salad and a cappuccino. I am not sure if they've changed the management in the cafe or changed the cooks from the last time we ate there. My husband and I were really disappointed with the food they served us. The cappuccino was like just hot water with milk, but not creamy, with just little coffee to have a color but no aroma or taste of coffee. I didn't finish my meat coz of fats and chewy made hard for for me to swallow. Willy left me and picked up the high school and primary kids and brought them there. Kids tasted the steak I've ordered and they said the same thing. I got them seafood meal and a jug of Coke zero. Wilhein does his golf practice with Willy every  afternoon as long as the weather permits. Wilhein joined the Golf Association about 3 weeks ago. ㋛㋛㋛

ZOKOKO

Hot Chocolate Drink, $3.80

After enrolling Heinkel and Hildyane to another school, or simply transferring them to another high school, we went to Lapstone where Stormer Music is located. We had to pay TonTon's tuition fee for Saxophone. But was not able to do it coz the school was closed. Just forgotten that twas Friday and they're closed Fridays to Sundays.

Then there was this Penrith Visitor Guide Magazine beside me in the car. I thought how about going to the shops being shown in the Magazine. We need to know the different places and businesses in our city just like when we were young. Back in the Philippines, in our town, we almost knew everyone selling this and that. But I know we couldn't do that anymore here coz the city is big but at least we should know the different things our present city has to offer.

It caught my attention this Zokoko Chocolate Factory and Cafe. Just wondering is there a chocolate factory here? I love chocolates so we drove to Emu Heights. As expected coz of the given address that it's located in a small business complex. It's like a cafe shop catering only people in that complex. Yes, it's only small. And the parking is very limited. Just lucky that on our first visit there was a vacant space for us to park our car. 

The place is white and clean, very neat. Then we can see one of their machines coz there's a glass window in that room where the machine is. But there is a sign of taking photo is not allowed. The ban is only applicable to the machine so I was able to take photos of what we've ordered. People coming when we were there were sophisticated oldies and business people. The problem is that you don't know what to order since they don't have menu. I wonder why? So I just presumed since it's a cafe they should have my favorite cappuccino and that they should have hot chocolate. Then I saw this chocolate cake, and looked like inviting me, saying, "taste me!"

Cappuccino, $3.50

We were having "fun" conversations that my husband, Willy spilled the sugar. But we both agreed that the cappuccino was very good. Willy is very hard to please so if he say's good it must be really good. The hot chocolate is very chocolatey, not sugary but you can really taste the chocolate.

Berry Frangipan

Chocolate Cake with Ice Cream, $9.50

Hildyane ordered Berry frangipan and she liked it. The chocolate cake is moist, light and chocolate rich. It's not that sweet. It's also expensive huh! But it's worth it.

We visited the shop twice more. The third one, was a mistake. I shouldn't brought kids there after school when they were hungry. They ordered lots yet they asked for more so we ended up in MacDonalds. But if you want to have a nice chat with a friend or with a fellow business man or simply you want to eat and drink chocolate by yourself, then I would go to Zokoko cafe. Oh, yes I keep on forgetting to buy their packed drinking chocolate. It said organic.  *. ˛*. * ˛. *。

PERSIMMON PICKING

Persimmon

First time i've seen this fruit was through my father-in-law. He was eating it and seems he was enjoying it. I thought it looked like chesa fruit. Then Lolit, one of our cooks in our former restaurant brought some of it, peeled it and let us, the kitchen people tasted it. I can described it as a tomato look alike, as crunchy as an Indian Mango and as sweet as the sweetest apple i've eaten. Then i've learned from her twas Persimmon. From then on i always buy it whenever its its season time. It became my favorite second to ripe mango. It's a bit expensive so i just buy 2 or 5 pieces at a time. But sometimes i'm a bit disappointed coz they're not as sweet as what i've tasted the first time. Oh, and by the way, this Persimmon and Apple custard or Atis were my fav when i was pregnant with my last child.

Persimmon Picking

This year one friend in facebook posted her/their pictures picking Persimmons. Who would be more interested? Me of course! I asked her where is it but she didn't reply. Anyway what's Google doing? Twas almost end of school holiday so we need to hurry up so kids could come and enjoy picking  fruits. When i was a kid, my dad will let me pick all the tomatoes and vegetables he planted when they were all ready to be picked. The feeling was very satisfying especially when i see big and clean vegetables. My dad never used fertilizer or any chemical to protect his plants. But everything he planted was very good and sweet. Maybe he was just blessed. And he should have realized it so he would have changed profession from being a teacher or government clerk to a farmer.

We went to this Cedar Creek Orchard in Thirlmere, NSW near Picton and around 30 to 45 mins only from our place.  Oh yes there was an Entrance fee. We paid $24.00 for 2 adults and 4 kids. We had to ride on this special cart pulled by the tractor driven by one of their staffs or one of the owners maybe. As i've read their website it came to a conclusion that this a family owned business. Most possibly they have a very good family relations that's why their business grew big and  bigger. As i see the place i couldn't help myself not to feel a bit sad. I remember my dad. Maybe if my grandfather didn't die soon and was able to teach my dad how to handle their lands properly then they would have maybe as big as this area. But instead of Persimmons, Mangoes are being harvested.

Harvesting is fun! If only my mom is here with us, i know she'll enjoy it too coz she loves fruits. I know there is no Persimmon in our country, in our place to be exact. Maybe if there is, then that's imported. My mom is already 76 years old and maybe could no longer come here even for a visit. My dad, if he had only taken care well of himself maybe he will be very happy joining us in fruit pickings.

The Persimmons here are sweet. We were shown what to pick otherwise we might pick the wrong one and it will not be sweet and a bit bitter. The orchard is being covered by net. I think to protect the fruits from birds and strong wind. The harvest time is from mid April to early June. And the Persimmons you picked will be weighed and pay $6.00/kl.

The Cedar Creek Orchard grows Apples too and make their own Apple juice, pure from real fruits and not concentrate, with no preservatives, no added sugar and no added water. It's really great! But they don't do Apple picking.

Apple Juice NOT fully filtered

Apple Juice fully filtered

I prefer the Apple Juice not fully filtered just like the Orange Juice with still pulp bits. We bought 15 - 2 liter bottle Juices. I forgot the price. And a box of 24 of 300 ml fully filtered Apple juice. I think it equates to $1.50 per bottle. They only accept cash. Staffs are friendly and very accommodating except for this lady who thought we wont be paying for another 6 small bottles of cold juice we asked coz we were already thirsty. Why wouldn't we pay?! Huh!...But anyway i was happy and telling my friends and relatives in facebook about Persimmons and this Cedar Creek Orchard. I am looking forward to another Harvest Season with all my kids at that time. But i think we'll keep coming back to the place for Apple Juice.☀♧♥º☀♧♥

MAMRE HARVEST FESTIVAL

Its Mamre Harvest Festival. Ive seen this flyer posted by a friend in facebook. I got interested coz of the title, harvest. How i love to eat fresh as in organic fruits and vegetables. I went to their website and this festival is one of the events being organized in Mamre House, St. Marys, NSW. Said it will showcase the produce grown in Mamre and also from within the 160 km from the property.

There will be foods...yes there were Turkish, Asian, Poffertjes, Pizza, Ice ream, coffee, lollies, Fruit pies and the Restaurant was open too. I wanted to go to the restaurant and would like to try their foods. Im adventurous. I would like to try different foods by different people as long  as its ritually clean.There was a cooking demonstration but not able to watch it coz my husband saw someone eating noodles and we, just me and him, haven't have breakfast yet and twas already 12:30 pm. So we looked for that food stall selling noodles.

We bought fried noodles for $6.00, 3 buns for $6.00 and 6 dumplings for $6.00. Noodles was too oily and no meat or anything just a few vegies. The buns, i could hardly eat it coz they were too oily. Twas steamed bun but i think they re heated it in the flat grilled pan. And no taste at all! We asked for any sauce for it and they gave us sweet chilli sauce. At least we've finished it rather than throwing it in the bin. Maybe we are only used to our traditional siopao which is a steamed sweet bun with pork asado filling. The dumplings? I don't know my kids were the one who ate it all. They said twas bland. They asked for soy sauce. I wanted to eat more coz i was not satisfied at all but i was full coz i had to eat most of what we've bought otherwise twas a waste of money.

Jeep Ride, $10.00/jeep/ 3 mins

Segway Ride, $5.00/person/5 mins

We bought some lollies and nuts, 3 home decors and i've got 2 hats as well, brown and pink ☺. I was not impressed with the vegies they were selling. There were only few varieties. My kids just enjoyed the rides. That was the only thing that made them happy in that event.

After a couple of hours, kids got hungry but they didn't want to eat again there and they didn't want Maccas, coz that was where they had breakfast already. My husband suggested that we visit Twin Creeks, Private Residential golf & country club on our way back to Penrith. It's in Luddenham farther than Mamre. We know that there's a restaurant there but i think before twas only open to the members. But now they're OPEN to the Public! And so we ate there.

Korean Bibimbap, $16.00

Chicken Salad, $16.00

Prosciutto Pizza, $16.00

Gelato, $9.00

Korean Bibimbap is barbecued beef, egg, rice and shredded nori with hot sauce. I liked the beef coz the marinade was similar to the Filipino barbecue marinade. My husband liked the Chicken Salad but i prefer the salad i've learned to make. The Prosciutto Pizza was salty as expected. The Gelato, combination of vanilla and strawberry with cream and fresh strawberries and sauce, i just liked the vanilla. I didnt like the strawberry gelato and the sauce coz it has little seeds  and got stuck into my teeth.

We finished the day eating again in Outback Restaurant in Penrith for our dinner but with all the members of the family present. We just took 4 kids with us, 1 went to work, the other 2 stayed at home sleeping the whole day we were gone coz they went home 6:00 AM from work working like 12 hours.~♥~ ☺  ~♥~