Diary 14 Jan 22

Dello Mano Diary 14 Jan 22

Yesterday

Just when we thought things were bad with Covid, yesterday our store was broken into (again!). And again the expensive Architect designed doors were smashed in and will need replacement. That all said it was so heartwarming to read so many lovely messages of support and care. Many jokes on the chat about how the best brownies in Brisbaneare worth kicking in doors! Those jokes and all the lovely support made the day so much better. We thank everyone for their support of us and for all the lovely words around the best brownies. Big thanks!

Trading Times 14 Jan 22

The stores at New Farm and Wintergarden are both open today. Albeit we've limited the  trading hours so we can still offer online order pickup and meet customer needs when there are the most people around.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Covid

This morning news suggests that Melbourne and Sydney will see the peak of this Omicron mutant during the last 2 weeks of January. The same article suggests that Brisbane will experience the peak in the first 2 weeks of February. Seems worrying given that we already are learning of so many people here in Brisbane with the virus. Adhering to the mantra wash your hands, wear a mask and social distance as much as possible.

The Australian government made adjustments to the rules around isolation periods for certain workers. It is dynamic and needs to be followed with focus. 

Queensland opens its borders this weekend. From 1am Saturday domestic border blocks will be dropped and hopefully we're on the road to recovery. As domestic travellers enter Queensland they will no longer be required to show border passess or rapid test results. International travel remains on hold until Queensland hits a 90% vaccination rate. A shout out to all the officers that protected borders during this time - understand many were away from home and so big thanks for all the work!

Hopefully the open borders frees up movement of people and the worker shortage in many critical areas can be overcome.

In the Garden

The garden or plants have been a great refuge for so many of us during this stressful time. I know for our family we have relied on the changes of nature to entertain and delight us. The garden is a great stress relief. 

The New York Times does a great job of explaining how the British garden show "Gardener's World"  hosted by Monty Don got so many of us through the pandemic. As they say the show was almost a sedative during these unprecedented times. For our family it was no different as we regularly checked into Gardeners World and Joe Lamp'l on his "Growing a Greener World". Monty with his kind reassuring tone, reminders of jobs to be done and tours through his and others gardens really was a lovely distraction. Joe with his friendly style and practical gardening ideas. A reminder that the beauty of nature is our natural calm.

In our garden great delight this week. The Heliconia I planted a year or so ago actually flowered!

I had long been telling myself to just enjoy the leaves. Not a big ask as the leaves are glorious. Long tall with almost velvet textured surfaces, they soar about 3m and are a sight to behold. The flower is a red and yellow tropical masterpiece which this year I will enjoy on the plant. A great surprise amidst a chaotic week of changing trading times, break and enter and dealing with all the other Covid issues thrown at small business. 

Here's to a great weekend!

Deb