New Dymocks book store

 

Well, it is not actually new, but Dymocks  in the city mall has a new , swish venue. It was heartwarming to hear that people in Adelaide had got there really early in the morning to visit the new premises . It was wonderful to hear the queue had been very long and Adelaide people were still so much in love with books. It was reassuring to know that Dymocks has just endured and grown stronger in the Mall , no matter what. We had a Borders store in the Mall  close by to Dymocks which opened with much fanfare, enticed and entranced everyone and then it closed down. I loved Borders. It was a whole new book experience but always ended up at Dymocks afterwards on the same day to get the other sorts of books I wanted. Both stores had a wide range of books and were well stocked. Dymocks endured because it is solid. It has a loyal community. It is a great shop to buy calendars for the new year. It has book type gifts which make great presents. It offers a sound selection of foreign language books. It really does bargains when it is has a markdown table and I have found some fabulous books on those tables. I have also found great cookery books and then good books for children and for my own reading. Dymocks offers what readers want and if you are a lover of sitting with a real book and just enjoying it, then Dymocks does not let you down. It is the range and then the efficient, professional service. I am looking forward to seeing Dymocks in its new home. 

It is sad the Regent Theatre is no longer open but I feel Dymocks is a worthy successor to the venue. The Regent will hold memories for many people in Adelaide but sadly cinemas seem to be losing their place in the lifestyle we live now and coronavirus has damaged things which were important to us.  This particular changeover is a good one. We could not stop the Regent from losing trade, but we can bring people back to the venue so they can enjoy the beauty of it and celebrate our love of books. So many Adelaide people are big readers. The pandemic has disrupted some readers, I know. They just can't sit and read a book anymore. My way is to sit and read a chapter, maybe two , a night. It is how I have held on to my reading. A book brings you a perspective nothing else can. I did not want to lose my connection to reading. Hopefully this new Dymocks will rekindle that love of reading we have always valued. My approach means I read at least a dozen books a year. I am happy with that. 

There is a lovely review of the new store on Play&Go.

You can find the Adelaide store on Facebook and read how heartwarmed they were they got so much support when they reopened. 

Happy Tails Day

Yesterday's RSPCA fundraising day in town was inspired. The theme was about enjoying the great outdoors with your friend. Every collector, and there were a lot of them, had a beautiful dog  and then there was the fundraising stall in the Mall. It was a marvellous idea because everyone reacted to the dogs who were so engaging, endearing and just plain beautiful. People were chatting about the dogs, cuddling them, smiling, joking and even taking photos. It just brought out the best in people and was a great example of how much pets can do for us. The money went in the tins, the stall was busy and the dogs were really happy. I don't know if they were owned by the collectors or  brought out for the day from the RSPCA unit. My last two dogs I have bought from the RSPCA and the level of help and care I have been given in settling in with my new dogs have been exceptional. The first one I took on was quite sick and I did need help to make sure I was on the right track and I got him so well. The second one, in the photo, was starved and mistreated and I took her on and it was my greatest pleasure to see her gradually become happy, well, healthy and shiny. She has been brilliant. Just so lovable.

Adelaide Alive!

Adelaide was so alive yesterday.It was fun, vibrant and packed! The city was packed and humming and the train was completely full and full on when I was going home. Everyone was happy, chatty and positive. The sunshine had a lot to do with it, I think. We have been fed up with the freezing cold. That is definitely not us. So yesterday we could wear our T Shirts and lovely summer clothes and we were all happy. The Mall had some great buskers but there was also a tent where they were promoting the Limestone Coast. And why not? Our Limestone Coast offers great views , nice places to stay and great regional produce. There was some lovely music and refreshments. Everyone was just enjoying it all. The outside cafe areas were busy and just that bit of sunshine and warmth made all the difference to us. Even if we had to stand in queues, which is unusual, we were chatting away until it was our turn. The best news is everyone was eating tuna salads,fresh yoghurt, noodles and vegies, drinking water and Boost Juice was packed with people at every outlet . They were more than happy to wait in a line until they could get served. This is fantastic news!! The service everywhere was great and I came home thinking , wow, that was great today.