The First Week

Once we realised that our shop/flat was nowhere near ready to inhabit....we made arrangements to stay first at the Old Bank B&B with Bruce and Jasmine (2 doors up)...then for the next five nights at The Secret(down  across the road)...a self contained unit owned by Mel.

I have to say I was feeling a bit disappointed at first...but we soon settled in to our temporary accomodation..enjoying cosy beds and hot showers.

Our first week of trade got off to a great start. We mailed orders to Nambour Qld, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, Launceston and  Japan .

I was very greatful to have Hannah on site to sort out numerous computer glitches over the week...what a techno wiz!! THANKS HANNAH :-)

We had an interesting time  watching the builders progress, from our temporary workplace in the lab area. There was much activity with joiners, painters and electricians coming and going.  Ryan our architect called in a couple of times to check on things...bringing his 4 year old son Arlo on Tuesday...  Arlo was quite interested in watching me fill an order..especially as we came across the occasional chocolate frog hidden on the shelf by John when he set the bottle room up..

We managed to slip in to Cygnet living quite eaily...having the occasional morning tea/ lunch break at The Lotus Eaters (just down the street from us) A lovely group of women run this cafe...preparing the most luscious curries/ salads/ soups etc. They have become good friends already.

Hannah and I made a point of having a walk each day.
We usually took the direction of Port Cygnet, being drawn to the peaceful water views.

We went up to Wattle Grove on Wednesday after work to have a walk on our land..lots of lovely Daffodils and Snowdrops...was quite chilly up there late in the day..but so beautiful.

On Thursday after work we drove in to North Hobart and had dinner and went to the movies..( One Day...a chick flick...) Movie was average but we had a fun night. A good drive home...back by 10pm.

On Friday we were able to move our work area to the Dispensing desk in the shop.

Such a fabulous work space...really exciting to be at least partly set up.

Quite nice to be working away and to look up and see curious locals looking through front window...so I give them a wave.

I've put up signs about the coming Homoeopathic Pharmacy and Dead Cat books...many people seem very bemused!!

We have established a lovely relationship with Rob and Lisa at the Post Office. Rob is becoming renown for his "Dad jokes"...in other words, his sense of humour equals John's.

Lisa is more serious , but has her own lovely way...giving me a  metaphorical "gold star and elephant stamp" for getting my postage correct (after a few errors earlier in the week).

Friday night we went to The Red Velevt Lounge for dinner (Restaurant up the street from us)...lovely atmsophere and delicious meal....a chilly walk back to the Secret afterwards though.

Saturday, we packed up our things ready to move across to 12 Mary St in the afternoon.

Headed into town to the Salamanca Markets. Had a lovely morning strolling around , listening to various musicians and enjoying the atmosphere. Hannah found some lovely T-shirts to send to Lioba for her 15th Birthday.

Then we went to Officeworks and sorted out some computer issues.

Had a cuppa at Zest cafe in the Town Library building before heading back via Woodbridge.

Stopped at Ye Olde Oyster Cove Store where you can buy all manner of locally organically grown produce etc. Stocked up on veges for a hearty soup and bought a scrummy local sourdough bread to go with it.

Beautiful view across paddocks out the back of shop (where swans visit on occasion)

Spent the afternoon setting up our beds and chatting with Dave and Mark the builders. They eventually left about 5pm. Then about 10 minutes later Dave returned. (We thoughtr he must have left something behind.) In fact, he had gone to the local pub and bought us a bottle of red and 2 glasses so we could celebrate our first night here. Such a lovely gesture!

We made our soup in the kitchenette in shop area...

Really lovely to prepare first meal here...and it tasted delicious!!

We topped off Hannah's last night with a movie marathon...watching numerous episodes of Downton Abbey on my laptop...snuggled up in my bed.

Sunday morning we did our circuit walk to the water's edge along Burton Reserve...stopping first to admire our amazing new shop door with unusual handle...( an old discus found by Dave the builder in a second hand shop)

We then headed to The Lotus Eaters for a fabulous breakie..a popular spot on a Sunday ('local' Bob Brown was also there for breakie)

 Sunday market was on in the Town Hall next to us..on every 1st & 3rd Sunday. We had a wander through.. Mixed range of goods..craft, wood crafted goods, food, clothes, cards , etc etc. A group of local musicians were playing folk music too. Really lovely atmosphere.. I had an overwhelming sense of joy at being apart of this community.

Drove Hannah to the airport.

Phillip arrived from Sydney and Hannah returned on the same plane.

A few tears at parting..but we are looking forward to coming visits in Sydney and Tassie....