37 Black Swans: Mid-winter delights

The chilly weather has arrived..so we are enjoying our evening ritual of closing the curtains and blinds, lighting the fire and cosy-ing down for the night.

Still enjoying my early morning runs...although I have resorted to taking a torch on the mornings when there is no moon as I can't see the path in one section of Burton's...
We have some spectacular weather during the week..

We are kept busy with plenty of orders to do, the occasional run of tourists coming through and buying books etc.
I have a busy time with Swansong moved to Monday night (so Helen can rehearse for Ferris Wheel of Death DARK MOFO) on Tuesday night.
Suits me as I have a Board meeting in Huonville on Tuesday.

I am in town all Tuesday while the car is serviced. I get some chores taken care of then have lunch with Hannah at Salamanca...Lovely to see her.
The week flys by.

I enjoy going to garden...one week is spent weeding the next we have great fun making some garden sculptures..

We go into town on Friday night to see the DARK MOFO lights and do a bit of a wander to see the sights.... interesting!!

Tom continues to enjoy Archery with the Huon archers...and is now an official member..

John and I drop him off and once he is underway we go to our friend Julie's nursery at Grove..and have a lovely morning..there is usually time for a cuppa(and LOOK at the chocolates) at The Cat's Tongue after checking out Roberts(rural supplies) and Vinnies(checking for books)

Our focus over the weekends is very much on planting up on the hill.
John is busy researching and planning for the construction of a large possum/wallaby proof enclosure. we reckon we will manage it ourselves...the only thing we are short on is time...the weekends pass very quickly and we hanker to be up on the hill continuing during the week. (it is probably good we have 'a rest' in the shop during the week to recover from the weekend's work)
In the meantime , we continue to cage each plant as we go.

We have planted a mixture of Medicinal/ Edible and Ornamentals ...Holm Oaks, English Oaks, Burr Oaks, Hazelnuts, Sweet Chestnuts, Horse chestnuts, Almonds, Walnuts, Prunus, Belladonna, Stone pines, Macrocarpa's, Apricot, Quince, Pink lady Apple, Lady in the Snow Apple, Sugar Maple, Prunus spinosa, Berberis,, Urtica urens, Redwood, Bay tree, White lilac, Horse radish and so far..five roses..Mr Lincoln, Peace, Papa Meilland, Blue Moon and Just Joey... Tom did a count...there are 168 plantings so far..Exciting!

Thomas and I enjoy the Lantern Parade and Bonfire lighting... (John opts to stay at home and quietly read). A delightful atmosphere as always.
The 'Mogadons' present a beautiful, spellbinding 'Snowflake' dance..

Then it is home to a delicious Beef and Red wine casserole...and a cosy night in.

An amazing winter day up on the hill on Sunday...we work hard and I find I have to strip down to my thermal singlet as it is very warm.