Our World Tuesday

Something different this week. Last week we decided to go for a drive up to the Murray River - the biggest in Australia, but not that big by American and European standards. However it is what we've got and vital to the eastern states of Australia.

The drive was very pleasant and we enjoyed a good lunch by the river , but the find of the day was the most amazing antique shop in a small river town called Morgan. It is owned by a retired French polishing teacher and she has been running this amazing shop for many years.  It is housed in a very old cottage - the 4 rooms on the bottom being full to overflowing and she lives above the shop.

The two larger rooms house the 'for sale' items - books, clothing, jewellery, clocks, paintings, bric-a brac, etc.  Every tiny space has been used.

But even more amazing are the back two rooms where the proprietress has her own personal and family collections on display.. One of the the rooms houses a tool collection which I know my husband would give his eye teeth fo asw ell as household items belonging to her family..

The other room blew me away. The owner's mother took up tapestry at the age of 77 when her husband died. When she died at just over 100 (I think) she had completed hundreds of tapestries, which were purchased from he by friends and family so that she could afford to buy more materials. I assumed that she spent the last 25 years or so of her life sitting in her arm chair doing tapestry - not so.  In fact the old lady, Kath App, played competition ten pin bowling until she was 97 and was heavily involved in community work  and other activities.  My photos do not do justice to her amazing achievements.  I could only fit the bottom half of the 13 foot walls into each shot.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Morgan in South Australia, this is one attraction you must not miss.

Liz Needle - linking with Our World Tuesday.