Working towards opening day

Sunday morning walk..stunning

Well our lovely handcrafted Huon Pine table arrived on Sunday morning..John and Ned carried it in off the ute and when we put the lights on it just glowed...a magnificent piece.

We thought we'd spend the day pottering in the shop...but then decided as it was such a lovely warm day..to head to New Norfolk (north of Hobart ) to hunt in the Antique/Second hand shops for a small table and chairs for the shop. It was a lovely drive...such wonderful clouds in the blue sky..

We didn't find what we were looking for..but had a lovely picnic in the park  and found a ladder for the flat so I can reach the windows without climbing on tables!!
We came home via Hobart because we heard the Auruora Australis was leaving tonight on its first Summer voyage to the Antarctic....exciting to see the activity on board.

Strange fountain at New Norfolk park

Monday dawned with orders to keep us busy and the focus to get things up to scratch for opening next week. John headed in to Kingston midmorning to retrieve some important items form our Storage container...a carpet for the shop and our press for processing harvested plants.

Black swan cutting a perfect 'V' trail

Ryan came across in the afternoon to give the builders a push along...
We are having the building photographed next week for an article in Sanctuary magazine..so there is pressure to get everything completed in time...

Tom had a great night at scouts despite the compass activity being postponed due to rain...he finally got his hat, scarf and Port Cygnet badge.

Tuesday brought more orders to keep us busy...I had a very enjoyable afternoon at St James helping to set up for Special Persons Assembly in the Drill Hall..
Tom had a go at splitting some newly delivered firewood (the first load Phillip and I got is too wet to burn)

Tom working at his desk in his room

Our nightly reading spot (and reflection)

Wednesday John attended the Special Persons assembly and morning tea. Tom read a prayer at the beginning..
We made filled and packaged an Urtica Gel and got an Aurum/Rose /Lav cream underway too.
Rachel the journalist from Sanctuary Magazine rang and interviewed John , myself and the builder David...she had spoken with Ryan earlier..will send draft artilce for us to see before publishing.
Ryan came over about 4ish to have a meeting re budget/planning for the house on the hill...There meetings are always delightful with a mix of fabulous ideas and laughs.

Thursday brought a flurry of activity with a team of builders on site...many jobs were tackled...very exciting..

Thurs morning walk...wonderful

Bosun the dog flat out on the job

 

Signage goes up

We headed in to Hobart straight after school so we could pick up a large display scale that John had fallen in love with at New Town Antiques...

on the way back to get things at Officeworks we noticed a furniture store and I discovered and fell in love with a Rocking Horse in need of some TLC..made an offer and will follow up tomorrow...

We had dinner at the Raincheck Lounge and headed home

Friday began with an early visit from Ryan, checking on progress...It was a hectic day with lots of orders...John went to town to pick up the rocking horse (yay) and we worked to set up the shop...John putting glassware up on display while I designed product information displays...We called it a day at about 6pm as we were flagging...decided to stroll up to Red Velvet for dinner. had a lovely walk around the block after dinner before the rain came down...

Walk to Red Velvet

Saturday brought a rainy, rainy day...
Tom and I gave the horse an undercoat...I have ordered a new mane and glass eyes for him!!

John continues with glassware.
The builders were on site again...working on internal doors in the flat and preparing to work on the back courtyard area...a bit dismal for them.
Ryan brought over a load ofbeautiful rocks he had picked up near Hobart this morning....then he Tom and John went back for another load this arvo while I did some more signage work.
Mark the builder finished our doors and handles in the flat...they are spectacular..
 

Working on putting more books on the shelves, giving the horse ( I call him "Snowy") another paint then we'll get set for Star Wars IV...should be a good night...

Hobart Show Week

The locals say that tomatoes should be planted on Show day as this marks the beginning of Spring here....Hmmm ..we began this week with a particulary wet and chilly Sunday.. Even experiencing sleet on our drive up the Snug Falls Rd....The boys began the day with a ball game!!

Rain pelting down over the hills

Market Day and this time our garden seat is the backdrop to Alex's Golden Valley Farm stall of fresh produce. (some of it picked in the rain this morning)

 

  

We had intended to go for a walk to Snug Falls but the weather was really cold and wet so did a road explore instead..glad we did when the sleet came..

As we toured about John was delighted to discover a fine patch of Digitalis which we will harvest in a few weeks time...an uncommonly excellent sight John tells me..even by his European experience.

Called in to the Tip shop where John bought some pots and I found a dress for $4.00.

Stopped off at the Margate train (a stationary train and carriages turned Tourist stop) to look at the second hand books and furniture (Tom found his way to the lolly shop...its so great when you have your own money to spend!!)

Then to Blackman's Bay to The Beach cafe for a fabulous lunch.

Lovely tree on my morning walk

We were quite busy with orders on Monday.. Scouts was exciting as Tom went in uniform. He had a fun night working with a compass and will be doing more games with compass work next week . The following 2 week will be canoe practise...he can't wait!!

Tuesday brought a beautiful spring day (warmer here than in Sydney). I had a lovely time with Tom's class helping with painting while Mrs Osborne did a Maths group and Sharon Ireland planned some craft activities for Grandparents Day assembly. It feels so good to be able take part in these every day activities at the school...(and its welcome"girl"time for me too!!) We went up to Wattle Grove in the afternoon to take advantage of the wonderful mild weather..

Still snow on Hartz mountain (seen from our land)

Tom off exploring

Tom returning (a bit mud covered...had a slip near dam)

Self portrait.. (note the T-shirt!!)

Late Daffs on house site (we'll have to rescue these before building)

On our return drive John spotted Calendula growing on the side of the road..we will go back to harvest it for our creams etc

Wednesday began with a lovely walk by the Port...I wish you could hear the bird calls...so many and varied.. Here are some of the birds I see. A hot one today..26 degrees

Tom (in summer uniform shorts) plays lego before school

Such a pleasantly warm Wednesday..we opened the front door of the shop. I enjoyed a lunchtime cuppa on the bench out the front of shop..watching the Cygnet comings and goings.
The builders were back and installed some swing gates in to the dispensary area..they look great.

John made a start on getting book shelves up...

Ryan came over to discuss progress and talk about the house design...a lovely afternoon.
We decided to go over to Franklin Petty Sessions cafe for dinner...such a warm evening.

At Franklin Park

Thursday began as another warm one..off to the Show in Hobart. (after letting the electricians in to shop to set up lights).

Head in a book on the drive to Show

Bit of a wait to get to Show gate

Great day at the Show...our favourite things were the dogs, Bullock team, Light Horse tent-pegging display, wood craft, cross-cut sawing...oh and of course the Laughing Clowns!!

Tom the Paramedic

Tom the Policeman

Fresh fruit display

Light Horse Display

Cross-cut Sawing

Learning finer points of spinning

Woodworking shed - making a plane

Working Bullock Team

 

It was a great day..so easy to get around and see everything , not packed out like Sydney...
The weather turned just as we were deciding to go...came over cloudy and the rain began on our way home..

Working in the Lab

Arnica Cream on the boil

Friday was a busy day making 3 creams for a big order to Taiwan. Lovely weather again so took the opportunity to walk some orders up to the post office...
We  went back to harvest the Calendula we'd seen the other day.. 1.4 kg harvested.

Saturday we worked finishing packing creams and setting up shelves...then met Ryan at a Nursery over near the airport...and picked out a lovely Snow Pear Tree and 4 citrus trees to go in our back courtyard area

Back through Hobart and a stroll around town looking at a few different shops...then home to get set for Star Wars III.....