Photography: Alan Benson
He’s known for powerful performances and singing legendary songs like Working Class Man, Flame Trees and Khe Sanh. While still touring at age 69, Jimmy Barnes has also embraced a slower pace, and his favourite place to “contemplate life” is sipping tea in his rose garden.
Jimmy and his wife, Jane, live on a property on the Wingecarribee River, near Berrima in the NSW Southern Highlands, which they describe as a “slice of heaven”. They have a large vegetable garden that yields produce year-round, which they use in their home cooking. They now have a new appreciation for the seasons, which they celebrate in their book, Seasons Where The River Bends.
“As I’ve grown older, I’ve gradually realised that the seasons influence everything, including the rock ‘n’ roll world. Each one brings new and wonderful things in nature,” says Jimmy.
Here they share their autumn favourites from their new book.
3 recipes to try from Jimmy and Jane’s kitchen
Pork sausage pie
With apple cider
This is the pork sausage pie that Jimmy and Jane Barnes make on repeat – and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
Jimmy’s favourite whisky marmalade
So good, they make a years’ worth at a time
Jane Barnes swears this two-day lemon, orange and whisky marmalade is worth every minute, and with a year’s supply of Jimmy’s favourite breakfast spread as the payoff, we’re inclined to agree.
Portobello mushroom steaks
More than just a side
Who says steaks have to be meat? Jane and Jimmy Barnes’ charcoal-grilled portobello mushrooms are proof that the barbecue belongs to everyone.
This is an edited extract from Where the River Bends by Jane and Jimmy Barnes, published by Haper Collins, $59.99.
