21 November 2014

I've had enough

Hello everyone!  It seems like months since I've been here with you.  I missed writing my blog but I was so busy doing nothing, I didn't have time to post while I was on the road. And I guess that deep within me I felt I was collecting bits and pieces to share with you later on when I had the chance to think about it all. I really needed a holiday and I've come back tired but reinvigorated and motivated to keep the blog going. 

Tricia and I met in Tamworth. She travelled up on the train from Sydney; I drove down and we met when the train arrived. For those of you unfamiliar with Australian towns, Tamworth is noted for being the country music capital of our nation. There were a few cowboys in ten gallon hats and a huge golden guitar and, of course, lots of country hospitality.

Here is Megan, wrapping my items.

We overnighted in Tamworth and travelled out to meet Megan and Duncan at the Odgers and McClelland Exchange Store in Nundle the next morning. The long and winding road leading to Nundle is an easy drive through rolling hills, passing a few isolated homesteads. I couldn't quite believe it when I set eyes on the store. It was exactly as I'd seen it in photos, an ageing timber building that you could imagine people from a different time shopping at.  We walked inside and there she was - Megan embraced me like we were old friends, I introduced Tricia and we met Duncan, who had been busy packaging up parcels being sent out all over Australia.

I love finding people who live where they want to live and make a living right there in their chosen place. It's not an easy thing to do but Megan and Duncan have built up their customer base by delivering quality goods as reasonable prices. Their family is now reaping the benefits of their decision and all the hard work that followed it.



And then we started looking around. Oh my! What a place. The shop is full of the tools of household production. Cleaning brushes from Germany, enamel cook ware, cast iron pans, beautiful ceramic bowls, soaps, balms, all sorts of washing up kit, tea, tea making paraphernalia, jams, sauces, brooms, buckets and gardening tools. I would like to tell you I admired it all and left, but in fact I took many, things with me. I did take only what I'll use though and everything I have will make my work here easier or more enjoyable.



One of the many reasons I love this shop is that when you're walking around, browsing through the items there, you actually feel like you're in a really old store and you're a part of it. The shop is 125 years old, it's not been renovated, painted or changed. There are no computers, no modern till or cash drawer. My purchases (or a list of my bartering) was written out by hand on a piece of paper. The store is an artefact from bygone days and truly authentic, right down to the squeaky floorboards and hatch to the cellar.



And look at this lovely customer walking around. Yes, it's Tricia. She enjoyed the experience as much as I did.

If you're new to my blog, I'd like you to know that I don't take on the many advertisers who ask me for space with the promise of dollars. I go instead with a select few merchants and primary producers who deal in the things I use in my home. They're good quality, usually hard to find, and they last day in and day out, helping me keep house in the way I choose to. I never recommend a business unless I know I can truthfully say I use their products and I'm happy with them.

Here they are, our littlest loves - Johnathan and Alanna, with Tricia.

The following day we were in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. I had a wonderful time with my sister and her family.  I saw two of my four nephews, David and Danny, met Alanna, Danny and Laura's daughter, for the first time, and reacquainted myself with little Johnathan. He's growing fast and is a real cutie. While I was driving back I reflected on my visit to Tricia's and realised, yet again, how fortunate I am to have the family I have. To celebrate The Family, yours and mine, I've included this lovely song by the Avett Brothers, which was one of the many I listened to on my trip.



Solo driving is a wonderful way to stir up memories and to discover more about our beautiful land. I'll do another post about the trip soon because I had a lot of time to think as I drove those country roads, and I have more photos to share with you. 

And then I arrived home, drove in our driveway, beeped the horn and Hanno walked out. We hugged and over his shoulder I could see our garden. I was sure we'd lose some plants because of the very hot weather that had come too soon. But there it was - cosmos blowing in the breeze, lush parsley, lettuces and green onions. Rows of bok choy, cucumbers almost bursting out of their skins and enough growth on the cherry tomatoes to sink a ship. It was a wonderful way to be welcomed back home. And the best part was that I was missed and I missed being here. So that's it for me for another year. I doubt I'll travel anywhere so far away again in the coming 12 months and I doubt I'll be in another shop for a long time. I've had enough for the time being and enough is all anyone could want.

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35 comments

  1. Welcome home Rhonda!

    Cheers, Karen near Gympie

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  2. You were very missed and this is such a great update. Happy you're back home safe! I would love to spend time in thatdream - dreamy! - and I imagine there would be many useful things coming home with me too! Hope you'll share what you found there :)
    -Jaime

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  3. So good to have you back again, Rhonda. It must have been lovely to see the new bub. She is a real cutie as is her big brother. Have a good rest and I hope it isn't too hot in Landsborough.

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  4. What a fabulous shopping experience, the photos are wonderful. Sounds like a productive trip, nice to be back home though I'm sure. I am fairly new to your blog and I am happy to know your advertised products are what you use and believe in. I will check out the beautiful chickens link as we are looking to start a flock at our new place.

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    1. Almost all of our chickens are from Kate's place at Beautiful Chickens. They're the healthiest chooks we've ever had.

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  5. Glad you had a wonderful safe trip and back home to your lovely husband and property. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane

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  6. Look at the lovely set of old shop scales behind Tricia in the store photo - it only seemed like yesterday shop owners were still using them. Glad you're back safe n sound.

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  7. A wonderful trip and return to homebase Rhonda. There´s a Swedish saying: "Borta bra men hemma bäst" which loosely translates into "Travelling is great but returning home is even better".
    Like you, I have the deepest respect and admiration for people who manage to build a lifestyle around their values. I wouldn´t have been able to resist a few purchases in that wonderful shop either.
    Looking forward to reading more about your trip.
    Fond greetings to you both
    Ramona K
    Sweden

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  8. What a wonderful shop! There is one very like it near some friends of mine, I always pay the shop a visit when we go and stay with them. Solo road trips are hard work, I don't blame you for not wanting to take another one for a wee while.

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  9. Wow, it looks like a great trip. I super love that store, so much to see. Also glad you got to see family, that makes everything sweeter.

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  10. Hello Rhonda,
    it is so wonderful you are back. I live in Germany and I regularly read your blog.
    Sorry, for my bad english. I translate here with google. I hope you can understand
    what I mean? It is o.k. for you, if it take your blog in my blogroll?
    Then even more women can read your wonderful advice.
    I hope you now have a nice day, oops with you I think it is just in the middle of the
    night.
    King regards from
    Gudrun :) from site "life"
    http://baustellenleben.blogspot.de/

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    1. Hello Gudrun. Your English translation is fine, thank you. I've been listening to German conversation here everyday because we have our German brother-in-law staying with us and he doesn't speak English. I still remember a little German from my two years there in 1979-80.

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  11. Loved the song. I will share it with my sister and my daughters.
    What a lovely shop.

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  12. Welcome home, you were missed!
    Shannon
    East Texas USA

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  13. It sounds like a lovely trip, and such a lovely shop too. How delighted I was to see you listening to The Avett Brothers, who are from "just up the road a piece", as they say here. It's always good to get back home after a trip, isn't it?

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    1. I love the Avett boy's band. I discovered them by complete chance when, a few years ago, I happened upon a David Letterman clip in which they were singing.

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  14. Lovely post! But the last line you wrote is what is staying on my mind. Perfect!

    Darlene

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    1. Hello Darlene! Most of my regular readers would get that last sentence. :- )

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  15. It was such a treat this morning to find you back and blogging again. I have missed reading your posts. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Such a shame that families live so far apart these days, but I guess I'm lucky to have lovely friends and neighbours at least. The shop looked amazing - I would have been tempted too.

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  16. What a shop! I could wander in there for a good long while, I bet. I just learned that Avett's song on my guitar. Its a good one, indeed. Glad you are back home--that always is a grand feeling no matter how delightful the trip!

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    1. Well done for learning the song and how to play it! Making music is a beautiful skill.

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  17. Sure missed you but I love these pictures you brought back! :)

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  18. Glad you are home safely and had a good trip! I am not a traveller but when I must go away I love the feeling of coming home. Those children are sweeties!

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  19. What a wonderful trip! And the store looks amazing. So glad to know there are stores like that out there (few as they may be).

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  20. welcome home Rhonda, I'm glad your trip was good, it's lovely to catch up with family. We also visited Nundle a few months ago - it's the best shop, like being in another era, I brought the best scrubbing brushes there too

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  21. g'day & welcome home rhonda!
    it was lovely to see the old wares & shop, have bought a few things from their online store, wish they could send a lot more online! there would be no way i could come away from them empty handed either!
    glad you had a wonderful trip & now home safe & sound
    have a restful weekend, you were missed, look forward to having tea with you next week!

    selina from kilkivan qld

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  22. Welcome home! Thank you for yet another wonderful post. I really love how your write with such contentment and satisfaction about your life. I love reading about how your contentment with your life gives you joy and happiness!
    Thank you again!

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  23. Yay! Glad to have you back Rhonda. I've missed your grounding words at this busy time in my life. I love the look of Odgers and McClelland Exchange Store. It's so considered you must do it justice by carefully considering all your purchases too. I've browsed their online shop and dreamt of visiting one day. We have a long drive coming up at Christmas and I've got to say my husband and I always enjoy creating a soundtrack and cruising up the highway.

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  24. Welcome home!

    How I'd love a store like that closer to where I live!
    Have a great weekend xxx

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  25. Glad you are home safe and sound.. What a lovely trip, though.. Love all your pics...That dear baby..You are right.. there is nothing like family.. xo

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  26. I am so glad you're back, Rhonda. It sounds like a lovely trip, and it must have felt wonderful coming home.

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  27. Welcome home Rhonda. I missed our morning conversations, but used the time to read lots of old posts.
    What an amazing shop. My eyes were on stalks!
    kxx

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  28. I just stumbled upon your blog and was enjoying this post when I got to the video you added of The Avett Brothers singing Murder in the City. Oh my goodness - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Avett Brothers. Their lyrics are wonderful, so honest and true - very nourishing for the soul and fits so beautifully in with your blog. Thank you for sharing them with your readers and I hope many listen to it. And if you haven't ever had a chance to see them in concert live, I highly recommend it. Their music and connection is even better when you watch them perform together live. It's like a trance comes over the entire audience. Amazing and thanks again for sharing. Can't wait to read some more of your blog!

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  29. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your trip. I loved seeing the Odgers and McClelland supply store. My goodness it is fantastic! I think I will have to see if there is something like that in my neck of the woods in Canada.

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