Today I’m adding a new segment to the TC line up. “Things I Love”. This will not be some cheesy category where I list all my blessings like my kids, my gorgeous man and my lucky lot in life. Nope. Things I Love will be purely about my little bargains, discoveries…generally the stuff I think more people should know about.
Today’s Things I Love segment begins on the holiday from hell. Bemboka is a tiny little town the other side of Brown Mountain
Anyways, the salient point here is that Bemboka has lots of tiny shops and they all look fascinating but we’ve never really stopped in there. So on the holiday from hell when our quest for bowsers went awry I decided I was going to explore the town a little. I started with the roadside stall where they sell organic fresh fruit and veg grown in the backyard of the grumpy old man who runs it. Here I managed to score a bag full of goodies including enormous button squash, crisp rhubarb and some broccoli for $5.
Then I moved on to the general store where at the back they have the most exotic, amazing Japanese quilting fabrics for about a third what I’d pay in Canberra. Unfortunately as I was trawling through them I suddenly realised I needed to use the bathroom quite urgently. Dumping my bits I asked about a toilet and was ordered 200 metres up the road to the pub where they might let me use the toilet but usually it’s just for customers. Thank you so much Mr Sour.
Unimpressed by the attitude I made a break for it. It became apparent rather quickly that I was not going to make it to the pub. Diving into a small store I pled my case and was directed to a toilet quickly. A big sign on the toilet announced that it was for customers only but I was beyond caring.
When I emerged I discovered I was in the Wolly Bull store. Full of crafts and art this place is a wonder. And I quickly found about five things I wanted to buy including some choice little crocheted booties with leather soles that I thought would be excellent for my heat-loving son come Winter. When I took my purchases to the counter there were about four or five locals clustered around chatting and laughing. I was immediately drawn into the conversation and banter and we giggled about the guy in the general store and the “Customers Only” sign on their loo which they clearly don’t enforce. Their warmth alone would have prompted inclusion on my “Things I Love” list but then there’s the small matter of the booties.
Handmade with wool and a little piece of sheepskin decorating the front these awesome booties were all of $12 a pair. And that’s because they were for a 24-30 month old. The little newborn ones were even cheaper.
This morning when James woke with a fierce cold, the booties made their debut. He giggled as I slid them on his feet, wriggled his toes and sighed. That’s when I discovered that the soles aren’t just leather – they’re sheepskin – so baby’s soft little feet are cushioned against real wool – just like a mini Ugh Boot. Later in the morning when one accidentally came off he screamed like his foot had gone with it and tearfully brought it to me to reinstate it on his pudgy little hoof. He loves his new booties and cheerfully sat in my lap, posing his piggies for this photo of his brand new warm little slippers;
The important bits: The lady serving the counter that day is the same lady who makes them. Her name is Kim Downs, she takes orders over the phone (and will walk you through measuring up a foot for a custom size) and she will make a pair in any colour you like and mail them to you. Alternatively, spend a day driving down to the coast and stop along the way. Even non-paying loo users are welcome at the Woolly Bull!
Kim Downs can be contacted on (02) 6493 0510
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