Like I mentioned in my previous post, I re-visited our old grove a while back. It was wonderful to see the trees thriving and the new owners taking as much pride and care in them as we did.
It might be because I’m biased, but I’m convinced they are the most beautiful looking olive trees around. I must admit, it is easier to maintain 2,000 trees compared to 20,000. Nevertheless, the pictures speak for themselves don’t you think!
And what, you may be asking, do olive trees have to do with Olieve & Olie? Well, did you know there is Australian extra-virgin olive oil in each and every one of our products? And, did you know that many ‘so-called’ olive oil skin care products don’t actually contain olive oil, and some even contain palm oil aswell? I won’t go into palm oil right now, but if you don’t know why you shouldn’t use it, then google it. That's right folks, it pays to read the ingredients list on the back because it's cool to be natural and organic these days and sadly few products actually are.
Recently I travelled back up north, to Echuca, to visit our
old olive grove. The route is one I am very familiar with having travelled it
on many a weekend whilst at uni. It was on one of these road trips, on the
outskirts of Heathcote, that I first met Ed Turner who is fondly referred to in
our family as the ‘honey man’. Ed has been selling his delicious honey from a
road-side stall most weekends for at least 12 years. He lives with his wife on
a small acreage 10 minutes north of Heathcote where they keep themselves very
busy with goats, bee hives and their garden. At the impressive age of 87, you’d
think Ed would want to retire...but he tells me ‘why retire?’...and he’s
quite right! Ed always has a story to tell you, whether it’s from his days as a
chef in a top Brunswick restaurant or from his childhood growing up in Harrow
(he tells a great story about hitching a ride to the doctor in Reg Ansett’s
car...yes Reg Ansett – founder of Ansett Airlines!!). Thanks for your remedy to
fix a runny rose Ed, it worked like a charm (add a TB each of honey and apple
cider vinegar to a cup of hot water).
Another ‘must see’ in Heathcote is Cellar & Store, located
on the main street in a quaint old cottage with a gorgeous courtyard and shady
trees. Inside is tastefully decorated with a perfect mix of new and old. You’ll
find unique gifts, pantry basics, exotic treats, and wines from over 50
vineyards. A perfect place to break your trip - grab a coffee and some lunch,
or lash out and spoil yourself with some beautiful Olieve & Olie Body Butter :)