We live and work in the Australian bush. In an absolutely beautiful part of the Central Tablelands of New South Wales (NSW).
Ilford is a little village of a few families tucked between the scenic hills of Bathurst and the burgeoning vineyards of Mudgee. We’re 970 metres high, have cold frosty winters and hot dry summers.
Our remote property is 54 hectares (133 acres) and our nearest neighbour is a few kilometres away. Our garden is a hectare (almost 2.5 acres).
Autumn in our garden is a kaleidoscope of falling autumn leaves and spectacular colour over a long period.
Spring is the harbinger of sensual pleasures that only wet winters across the Great Dividing Range of Australia can produce, with fragrance filling the air.
Intoxicating wattle, thousands of fragrant bulbs of jonquils and freesias abound, flowering honeysuckle drapes a hectare of fence line and our house, more than 200 scented roses fill the air, the 20 philadelphus shrubs in bloom for just a few weeks turn visitors weak at the knees and our thousands of lavender shrubs are billowing early musky blooms in every direction.
Bathurst is an hour away. Mount Panorama is the mecca for the Bathurst Car Races and Bathurst Motorcycle Races. At two different times of the year.
We’re also only 15 minutes away from the historic gold mining town of Sofala and a hop, skip and jump away from the Turon Technology Museum. Hill End is a little further away, but more spectacular an old gold mining town than Sofala.
All are weekend getaways for touring bikes.
Then there’s the world famous vineyards in the town of Mudgee, 70 kilometres west, which hosts annual general meetings for the Ulysses Club and other national bike clubs.
The sound of bikes on the Sofala Road, 400 metres away from us, down the dirt lane from our front gate, is a week-end given. And when it’s a serious bike convention, we’re standing at the gate, watching them ‘vrooooom’ by, in awe.
So why does a convoy of bikers coming up our dirt lane in early spring concern us?
Because we’re from the city. If we can't see the whites of their eyes, we distrust them!
So when a group of about a dozen bikers stormed our front gate, we became a bit anxious.
The lead biker took off his helmet to reveal a full growth of beard, longish curly red hair and a full moustache. The only thing missing were the tattoos on his upper torso, which we couldn’t see because he had his leather bikers' jacket on.
We met him at the gate. Him on one side and Victor and me on the other side with our dogs as a backup.
He politely asked us if this is where they can buy The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover.
I was sure I hadn’t heard him correctly, so asked him to repeat his question!
I’d heard him right the first time.
My next thought was, “they think we keep cash on the premises!!”
But there was something about his polite demeanour that made Victor and me think this young man wasn’t a threat.
And he wasn’t.
The dozen bikers were from the Australian Navy, on leave for a few weeks and letting their hair down.
One of their group was given a Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover by his mother and they all came to take one back to their naval base to use.
Our tentative suspicion quickly turned to a warm welcome, with the gate opened wide and 12 leather booted and leather clad bikers marching through to the front door.
They all squeezed into our tiny packing room, selected their colours, paid for their purchases, refused the offer of a cup of tea/coffee because they had a 4 hour bike ride ahead of them, and left in the same haze of dirt that brought them up to the gate.
Victor and I looked at each other, shook our heads, and said, “Can you believe that?”
And we couldn’t.
This accidental business has taught us to expect everything and be surprised by nothing. It’s also enriched our lives and given us many stories to dine out on!
The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover is a simple solution to a difficult problem.
Although it’s an accidental business, it’s growing daily, thanks to our bikers and the more than 75,000 users around the world. And all our covers are made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability.
To learn more about The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover, visit our website at http://www.interfaceaustralia.com.
And there are more stories to come!
A news article in the Sydney Morning Herald blows up our fax machine.
It’s 4AM and America is calling.
The retail world has a deaf ear.
It’s always a pleasure to hear from you and I hope you’ll share your stories with me.
Take care,
CAROL
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