Consumable run

The township of Wickham is only a few kilometres away from camp. A population of about 2000+. It

Every Laundry has one. A breath test machine.
A quick check in the morning before you head
off to work if you think you may be close.

has a small shopping centre with a chemist, Post office, 2 take away shops and a Safety clothing shop...! There is a proper Safeway supermarket with a BWS bottle shop attached. The only bottle shop for miles.... With 3000 cashed up miners nearby, it is a winner...
 I decided to join in with "the usual suspects" on the twice weekly run. The bus roster is reconfigured on Tuesday and Friday afternoon so one minibus is dedicated to the consumable run.  Absolute genius...... The reason is to beat the 6 other minibuses, plethora of utes and private cars and one coach loaded with thirsty miners. The moment the bus stops, we all walk quickly to the bottle shop which is similar in layout to any other. Clean and well lit. The only difference is the verandah is steel security meshed with a staff member who controls numbers like a night club bouncer letting a person in as one exits. Yellow shirts with cartons move through swiftly as the line outside grows. As we walk out, the line inside is 30 deep and the same outside with more to come. It is a little frantic but controlled as workers triumphantly exit with their spoils.
A few head in to the supermarket to grab small items as some knock back 3 cans & 2 cigarettes and we are back in the bus. The selection of boutique beer is not as broad as at home.
Not a place for Beer Snobs like me...
Beer, mixed cans & wine can be bought at the wet mess in camp. The wet mess is usually open from 7 to 8 am (Night Shift) and 5.30 to 9.00 (no alcohol is sold between 6.45 to 7.30 so drinkers will have a break and get some food in their stomach. The rule of thumb is 9 before 9 (mid strengths) and you will blow zeros in the morning. I have not tested it as I know I would not be able to stand up.....
The only down side of buying at the wet mess. A six pack a day limit... Costs do not come down if you buy a six pack... So it gets expensive....