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Palate PLEASURES with LOU PERRI
FROM THE STUNNED MULLET
I
G R AT E F UL
t’s hard to know where to start this month, given the strange, frustrating and seemingly unrelenting times we are in the midst of. There’s no more important time to summon that old and tested adage “This too, shall pass”. Whilst it might feel as if each passing day is Groundhog, and then some, days stretching to weeks and now into months, there is indeed an end point somewhere. So, in an effort to lift above this flatness of mood that seems to have perpetuated this winter of 2021, it is worth taking the glass half full approach and having a think about all the very many things there still are to be very grateful for. As our state of NSW faces its biggest challenge yet, within a spate of relentless other hurdles over the last couple of years, we can only strive to invoke some kind of silver lining to get us through. Luckily for us here in the Mid North Coast right now (touch wood, cross fingers and all of that), we’ve been incredibly fortunate so far. So when it comes to being grateful there’s an enormous list of everyday, normal little things we get to do with ease and freedom every single day. Like going to work, like sending our kids to school, watching them play sport, being able to browse in a shop, sit in a 42 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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As a small business, relying on a constant flow of Sydney visitors like many others in our region, we certainly are feeling the effects of the current restrictions.
café, visit our elderly relatives, have a few friends over! The list goes on and while it’s still possible to do all these things, let’s just do them. As we’re so painfully aware at the moment, it could all change at any time. As a small business, relying on a constant flow of Sydney visitors like many others in our region, we certainly are feeling the effects of the current restrictions. But once again, there’s really no better time have to think about being really, extremely grateful for the fact that we can still have bums on seats. That in itself is worth celebrating each and every day that we navigate this terrible uncertainty. There’s one thing that comes to mind when thinking ‘grateful’, one thing to be more grateful for than anything else… That thing is you. You know who you are – just someone who lives in this beautiful town, and supports local business. Someone who lends their support and loyalty even when times are tough, even when we can’t offer you the same proposition that we used to. Port Macquarie, you’ve proven time and time again that you care for your community and those in it.
For us personally, we’ve once again been very much humbled by all the support you’ve given us not only recently, but every single day. And just being able to see your faces, when you join us for a lunch or a dinner… We know you care, and many of you are reaching out and supporting businesses all over town, whether it be getting on board with take away options, buying gift vouchers, or just deciding to eat out rather than stay home. Every little bit helps a whole lot, and I think I can speak for many hospitality businesses – we are extremely grateful, and extremely fortunate to be living here, in this place, at this time. We surely will get through this mess of a time, as we have with so many other challenges within our community. We will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever as individuals, and as a community at large. With thanks from the bottom of our hearts to you all, we’re so incredibly grateful for all you do to help us keep doing what we do. Warmest regards, The Stunned Mullet Team.
