Sample Food Festival 2014 & Swell Sculpture Festival - Part 2

Our northern NSW trip continued with a stop-off at Harvest Deli in Newrybar.  Before Harvest settled into town, there was a shop and a fire station here and that was about it.  Now it is super busy and full of visitors from near and far.  In fact, we were told that Chris Hemsworth had been there for dinner the night before. As we were just passing by, we stopped at the deli for a quick look -  and found it to be a real treasure trove.  (We have had lunch at the Cafe quite a few times, and have always enjoyed it).  It is full of fabulous treats, and has a cheese room and a meat room.  They grow their own herbs and veg., make their own bread and use local produce wherever possible.  And the ladies serving behind the counter were delightful.  One of the lovely ladies explained that the brick wall in the deli was made with bricks from the baker's oven that had burnt down a couple of years ago.  Rather than throw them away, they decided to incorporate them into the deli building which was a derelict house falling down before being restored recently and turned into the deli.  I had a marvellous time wandering around and taking photos, while Mr Pickings chatted to the ladies (as is his wont).

lovely ladies/ the cheese room/ and the bakery

inside the deli/reflections on the glass door of the meat room

the marvellous exterior of the building, with a clever wooden loveseat

After buying a few (I restrained myself) goodies, we then continued on to our dear friend Brooke's pottery studio- Red Door Studio- in the nearby Byron hinterland.  She is a fabulous potter, and her work is vibrant and beautiful.  My kitchen is absolutely chockers with her gorgeous wares.  You can buy her pieces at Harvest also.  We had a looong chat with her, then headed back to our motel room at Pottsville.

Brooke and Mr Pickings communing in the studio

Brooke's stunning pieces in the afternoon sunlight

Mr Pickings working as usual in our motel room/curious cows in the countryside

delish ham'n cheese toastie for me, and burger and chips for him at Tweed River Art Gallery cafe

cute mailbox in Pottsville/stunning view from the Tweed Art gallery
                                               Freeman's organic fruit, veg. and coffee stall just over the NSW/QLD border                                                   

We had a wonderful weekend away- we saw lots of things, and spoke to some great people, tasted great food and enjoyed the serenity of the truly spectacular countryside in this amazing region of NSW.  Wish I was there now...