It was a favourite memory of my childhood, apples straight from the tree and freshly crushed apple juice that tasted like nothing I'd ever tasted before. For a little girl, Logan Brae orchard was a magical place, like a setting from one of the Girls Own Annual stories I treasured. Set on the Shipley Plateau in the Blue Mountains, it had a big old apple shed and what seemed like oceans of apple trees dripping with fruit. It was rambling and rustic with lots of hidden corners to explore.
The orchard was planted in 1919 and when I was a child it was farmed by Graham Jackson, a third-generation apple grower. The orchard seemed like it had been there forever, the trees gnarled and aged and the apples huge and sweet and wonderfully juicy.
When my children were growing up we took them to Logan Brae so the family tradition continued, but after they left home I didn't go back for many years. Not so long ago my son took me back for a trip down memory lane.
The nursery has changed hands but stepping back into the old apple shed it seemed like time stood still and the smell of fresh apples still hung in the air.
The orchard was planted in 1919 and when I was a child it was farmed by Graham Jackson, a third-generation apple grower. The orchard seemed like it had been there forever, the trees gnarled and aged and the apples huge and sweet and wonderfully juicy.
When my children were growing up we took them to Logan Brae so the family tradition continued, but after they left home I didn't go back for many years. Not so long ago my son took me back for a trip down memory lane.
The nursery has changed hands but stepping back into the old apple shed it seemed like time stood still and the smell of fresh apples still hung in the air.
Sam Edwards bought the orchard in 2011. It was his little piece of paradise. By then the orchard was very run down and the trees spent. He set about replanting trees, many of the old favourites, but also new varieties. There is still an intensity to the flavour of the apples that you don't find in store bought apples and the juice is just as magical, but Sam has introduced hot spiced apple juice, sensational homemade spiced apple pies, apple chutney, apple jelly and apple butter.
As we sat looking out over the majestic views of the Kanimbla valley, munched our hot apple pies and savoured spiced apple juice, I realised that seeing it now through adult eyes hasn't diminished the magic.
As we sat looking out over the majestic views of the Kanimbla valley, munched our hot apple pies and savoured spiced apple juice, I realised that seeing it now through adult eyes hasn't diminished the magic.
I love the fact that Sam and his partner, Asia, (with daughter, Grace) haven't modernised the orchard, there are still many reminders of the past. It still has the rambling atmosphere and the wonderful feel of authenticity so rare to find these days. Now chickens roam the orchard and provide wonderful free range eggs and if you're lucky you may glimpse the Alpacas popping their heads around the apple trees.
They've managed to breathe new life into the orchard without changing it. There's something solid about that, as if the roots have run deep and the winds of change that have shaken so much of the rest of our world have not been able to move this timeless institution. It feels constant, stable and a piece of history that's survived the ravages of technology and the necessity to destroy in the name of progress. It's treasured and respected the past.
They've managed to breathe new life into the orchard without changing it. There's something solid about that, as if the roots have run deep and the winds of change that have shaken so much of the rest of our world have not been able to move this timeless institution. It feels constant, stable and a piece of history that's survived the ravages of technology and the necessity to destroy in the name of progress. It's treasured and respected the past.
Graham still lives next door and pops in from time to time for a yarn. How delighted he must be that almost 100 years of tiling the soil, nurturing the trees and harvesting the crops will now remain alive and vital for future generations - his legacy. Sam admits it's been a challenge. He's planted 6000 apple trees and is just beginning to see the orchard become profitable. He and Asia continue to dream about all it can be.
I'm delighted too that now I get to take my grandchildren to enjoy the simplicity of life I discovered as a child, the taste of apples fresh from the tree and the uniqueness of this beautiful corner of the world. It truly is a timeless piece of paradise.
I'm delighted too that now I get to take my grandchildren to enjoy the simplicity of life I discovered as a child, the taste of apples fresh from the tree and the uniqueness of this beautiful corner of the world. It truly is a timeless piece of paradise.
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