A couple of weeks ago I wrote about assumptions (When Local Knowledge Is Dangerous).
It was based on the premise of “Assume = Makes an ass of you and me”.
The situation I described was a perfect example of that adage.
Sometimes (very rarely) making an assumption can work out in a very positive way – but you’ll need flexibility and acceptance for that to happen.
One of our missions is to explore Tasmania in detail, not just the countryside but the events and food as well.
Recently, there was a flower show in the town of Sheffield.
The write-up about it sounded interesting and Danita put it on our list of things to attend asap.
Sadly the flower show was a big disappointment.
Sheffield is NOT a big town and the flower show was being held in the town hall.
That should have prepared us but we assumed it would be something like the flower displays of the Sydney Easter Show (hence the desire to attend).
It was a very sad affair with most displays consisting of a single bloom in a bottle.
There were a few interesting pieces but they were rare.
The event appeared to be run by the local CWA (Country Women’s Association) or something similar and there was a cafe.
OK, we thought, at least we’ll be able to get some real country Devonshire Tea – scones with cream and jam, with real locally produced jam and home cooked scones.
Bombed there as well.
The jam was from a jar purchased at a supermarket (brand unknown), the scones were “quite ordinary” and the coffee was make it yourself from a bowl of instant coffee and an urn of boiling water.
Danita was so desperate for her morning coffee she succumbed.
In the seventeen years of us being a couple I think that’s the first time I’ve seen her drink instant coffee – an experience neither she nor I wish to repeat within the next seventeen years.
So, ready to drive home after a very disappointing experience we hopped in the car and drove to the end of the road.
There everything changed.
Having used the GPS to get us to the address of the town hall we’d come into town using a back road.
Sheffield approached from that direction is very ordinary.
It is, however, a fascinating place.
It’s renowned for its large murals which are on the outside of many buildings throughout the town.
These are fascinating, as you can see by the photo I’ve included of one of them.
Having suffered the indignity of instant coffee and rock-like scones we were in the mood for a good lunch
Checking the Entertainment Book (our Bible for good food based on the discount) we discovered one place which looked very promising.
Sadly it turned out to be closed on Sundays which left us still looking.
And then we discovered a place with this sign in the doorway.
It’s called the Blacksmith Gallery Cafe.
Danita has assiduously avoided any contact with Lord of the Rings and Start Wars.
She has, however, had a glancing relationship with Doctor Who through me.
Also, we are both fans of Harry Potter.
On seeing the sign I knew I was among kindred spirits (even if they couldn’t spell Voldemort) and even Danita was intrigued.
The cafe serves wonderful food and even caters extremely well for vegetarians, gluten free requirements and more.
Danita (wheat free) was able to have her first pie in years.
On top of that the decor is fascinating with all sorts or weird and wonderful collections.
Writing on the wall in the loo is encouraged with various writing implements provided.
This does lead to one challenge – there is only a single toilet and the walls are so interesting one can take quite a while reading, resulting in a bit of a queue (but nobody really had a problem with that).
My favourite piece from the lavatory wall is: “Dear karma, I have a list of people you’ve missed.”
Anyway, what started out as a very “down” experience resulting from an ill considered assumption, turned into a great day, meeting new and interesting people and enjoying a delightful meal.
So, whenever things aren’t going the way we want or expect them to, we’ve started to remind ourselves and each other that some of our best experiences have been when we’d taken an unpleasant situation and adapted to the circumstances.