Publisher Description

In A Fig at the Gate, author Kate Llewellyn, now in her seventies, embraces a new phase in her life, asking the question, 'How does one live well?'

Following the joyful crafting of her gardens in the Blue Mountains (The Waterlily) and north of Wollongong (Playing with Water), Kate creates a new garden near the sea in Adelaide, planting olives, plums, limes and blood oranges, learning how to keep poultry, setting a duck on eggs. Delight and enrichment come with the learning of new skills, being close to family and old friends, long companionable beach walks, rediscovering old recipes, food and wine.

Wise and joyful, accepting what she cannot change while relishing what she has, Kate shares the beauties and frailties of the human condition and shows us what the gifts of ageing can bring.

'I strongly feel that A Fig at the Gate is a book that is needed as we all sift and sort these things in our lives.' Belinda Jeffery

Author Biography

Kate has published memoir, essays, journalism and poetry since 1987. Much loved and much read, she has created an Australian nature writing genre that is all her own, A Fig at the Gate is in this tradition.

Review

I strongly feel that A Fig at the Gate is a book that is needed as we all sift and sort these things in our lives. -- Belinda Jeffery

Long Description

A deeply satisfying diary of gardening, family, friends, ageing and renewal. In A Fig at the Gate , author Kate Llewellyn, now in her seventies, embraces a new phase in her life, asking the question, 'How does one live well?' Following the joyful crafting of her gardens in the Blue Mountains ( The Waterlily ) and north of Wollongong ( Playing with Water ), Kate creates a new garden near the sea in Adelaide, planting olives, plums, limes and blood oranges, learning how to keep poultry, setting a duck on eggs. Delight and enrichment come with the learning of new skills, being close to family and old friends, long companionable beach walks, rediscovering old recipes, food and wine. Wise and joyful, accepting what she cannot change while relishing what she has, Kate shares the beauties and frailties of the human condition and shows us what the gifts of ageing can bring. 'I strongly feel that A Fig at the Gate is a book that is needed as we all sift and sort these things in our lives.' Belinda Jeffery

Details