Back to the routine...

After a slow start..and loads and loads of washing...we have lunch and head up on the hill to cut and poison Gorse... we make good headway. It is a gorgeous afternoon on the hill.

Back home and after Thomas has finished work at the Garden Larder..we go across to Peppermint Bay for a relaxed dinner. Back home by 7pm and we have a cosy night in.
I finish the jigsaw puzzle that we began last Saturday...it has been challenging!! Thanks to Lisa (from the post office) who lent the puzzle to us for Lioba's visit. It was a lovely communal activity during the week.

Sunday is market day...

we do the rounds then head back up on the hill.
After a couple of hours of cutting and pasting...we can really see the improvement as the Gorse outcrops are reduced one by one..

 

 

It is a magnificent day up on the hill again today..T-shirt weather!!
Tom and I do a bit of excavation work on the cubby site too.. working around the cows!!
We head back down at about 2 ish and we have delicious lunch at The Lotus Eaters.
Home for rest time...John has a snooze, Thomas has some computer time and after a cuppa I walk the Golf course circuit..Beautiful afternoon.
We snuggle down early tonight with books a good fire...and are all in bed by 8.30pm!!

The week begins as usual...school, work and scouts on Monday.
Tuesday is another work day..I note the gorgeous Spring display in the Lotus window this morning..

...not needed in Thomas' classroom today. John makes another cream and I label and pack the Comfrey oint he made yesterday. We have a quiet night .
Wednesday is bust to start then very quiet during the day...I knit and John snoozes..then I have a snooze. We are going out tonight. Off to see Bell Shakespeare production of The Comedy of Errors.

A drizzly, foggy drive to town for dinner at Stockman's Restaurant before the show at Theatre Royal.

Tom loves it...usual high standard production...with lots of laughs ...very clever !!
Thursday is drizzly but very mild. Lovely morning spent at Community Garden ..weeding , mulching and moving the chooks.. Enjoyable cuppa and chat to finish

 

Tom and I enjoy learning a new Recorder tune..onto our second book now..

We have a nice quiet night..listening to John read his favourite book...The Count of Monte Cristo!!

Friday and I go to a meeting midmorning about planning 100 year celebrations of the Town hall opening..we just toss around ideas at this stage.
We attend the opening of Bob Brown's latest photography exhibition at Lovett gallery...opened by Posie Graeme-Evans (of Mcleod's Daughter's fame!!)Some wonderful photos..

The boys then head down to the scout hall and spend a number of hours helping set up for Garage Sale on Sunday... I enjoy a nice quiet night watching Phryne  in her latest adventure...love the outfits!!

Saturday and we enjoy a quiet morning then head up on the hill to attack the gorse again..Very rewarding work.

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Tom take a little break to have a quick read!!

 

We have to leave one of the gorse bushes intact for the moment...as it is home for two baby birds.

The boys drop me off at Wattle Grove Road and I enjoy a walk home.(takes about an hour...so quiet and peaceful)

I get dinner on the way slowly while Tom goes off to help pack up at the Larder. we have early dinner then watch another episode of "The Nature of Australia"..very interesting..
Early night as it will be a big day tomorrow..

Winter is back..and Lioba leaves us...

Monday and winter has returned...It is decidedly chilly and with a forecast of max. 9 degrees on Wednesday I decide maybe now is not the time to pack away the thermals..
The boys have brought in loads of firewood so Lioba , John and I keep the fires going today.
John and Lioba make a Mercurialis Ointment today while I handle customers and orders..

It is pretty dismal outside with rain coming and going.
I am delighted to see a family of ducks waddling past in the morning...then another couple of stragglers quack past..nice

It is a busy day..
The afternoon is a bit rainy but Lioba and I have a lovely walk down to the Sailing Club anyway..
We rescue the ducks who are trapped in the corner park behind the safety fencing...lots of fun.
After dinner we watch 'The Man from Snowy River"...The boys don't like the romantic bits..but Lioba and I enjoy the film..

Tuesday is a wet start...definitely chilling off. John makes good headway on a big Melbourne order before the rest of us get up!!.
John Tom and Lioba are going to Hastings Caves and Thermal Pool today..on the other side of the Huon. I will man the shop.
They have a great day...exploring the caves. Then they stop at the Thermals Springs where Thomas braves the cold and has a swim in the warm water...
They also call in to Dover Pharmacy..the new owners Fred and Katie are stocking our Rose creams and they are selling well...John is delighted to meet them..
Hannah comes down for a farewell dinner for Lioba.. we have a yummy baked dinner with Apple crumble dessert ...then finish the evening with several rounds of Brandi Dog.. Hannah picks up the rules very quickly..Lots of laughs and fun..thanks Lioba!!

Wednesday and the girls have a slow start on Lioba's last day. John and I get an Arnica cream filled labelled and packed before 9.30am..  Lioba and I head off to town.
We visit the Cadbury factory then go to MONA. Lioba is suitably impressed with both venues..it is a nice outing.

On the way back through town we have sleet that turns to snow flurries...brr.
Back in Cygnet it is sleeting as we enter town..
Lioba spends the afternoon packing up her bags..
John, Lioba  and I go up on the hill for a final walk while Tom is at scouts... it's pretty chilly..

We have an unspectacular dinner of Hamburgers for Tom and Lioba while John and I have leftovers...But Tom and Lioba are very happy!!
We play a last couple of games of Brandi Dog ...we have so enjoyed Lioba's visit... very special .

Thursday and we are up early...to the sight of snow on the hills behind us..

Lioba and I head to the airport and drive though a big dump of snow on Vince's saddle just past Huonville.

John and Thomas go up on the hill after breakie and ...yes ...there is snow on our land...How exciting!!

Our plane arrives on time and we arrive in Sydney in plenty of time to get to the International airport. Before long, Lioba is checked in and on her way home to Switzerland...Thanks for coming all the way to see us Lioba!!

I have a delightful time catching up with family ...especially Ma...for her birthday on the 13th!!
Dropped in to St Mary's in the city to light a candle for you Ma.

Then head home...phew!! Very tired