Twa Sisters - Kathy and Liz

When I heard that The Berryfields Tearoom in Abernethy was soon going to be under new management by 'twa sisters', I thought the pair would make a great subject for a Small City article.  

I ran into one of the sisters at a well known Perth hotel where she was still working and the deal was done.  Along with her sister Kathy, Liz, she was delighted when the opportunity to take over a place with such a warm and friendly atmosphere.  'My heart was so set on it that I even cancelled a cruise that I had booked', she told me.

Kathy and Liz got the keys to the cafe earlier this summer.  Plus as a little bonus, they also got the keys to Abernethy's unique and historic round tower as Berryfields is responsible for holding it for visiting tourists.

The sisters added the moniker 'The Twa Sisters', gave the place a makeover and really hit the ground running.  'We introduced a new menu, giving it a real Scottish feel.'  Not long after it reopened I dropped in for a cooked breakfast and was pleased to see that clootie dumpling, fresh from neighbouring shop Clootie McToot, was included in the delicious fry-up.

Previously the pair had helped their father set up and run a very successful cafe before he finally retired, and they will be putting that valuable experience to good use in their new venture.  'We know we have made the right choice and are looking forward to the challenges.'  Read more in this week's Workdays and Weekends.

Tell us the weirdest / funniest thing that has ever happened to you at work?

Kathy: We have a joint funny story.  The day after we took over the tearoom Liz left something so we both returned late on that night.  On arriving we noticed that the lights were on in one half of the tearoom but the other half was dark.  That was a bit weird as both sides work off the same circuit board.  As we approached the tearoom the remaining lights went out.  Spooky right?

On other occasions, things have flown off the work surfaces when no one is nearby.  We like to think we have a friendly ghost!

What signals the start of your days off?

Liz: The anticipation of knowing that you can go home and have a pyjama day the following morning.  There is no greater feeling than watching trash tv and a good book combined with a takeaway. 

Kathy: a nice meal out, a few drinks knowing you can have a lie in the next day.

What might people be surprised to know about you?

Liz: I'm a pretty open book, what you see is what you get.  I did almost become a nurse, unfortunately, my husband had a heart attack and I had to drop out 2 months before qualifying.  I don't regret it. 

Kathy:  I graduated in community mental health care.

What is at the top of your bucket list?

Liz: I would love to visit a ranch in Arizona, go on another cruise, learn Latin American dancing, travel more and eventually retire somewhere nice and warm abroad.

Kathy: To see more of the world and to paraglide.   In the past, I've driven a motorbike, hired a quad and a jet ski, even though I had a fear of doing so.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

Liz:  Working in a fish factory.  I was 16 at the time and I hated it.

Kathy:  The same as Liz, worse job ever. That smell ... yuk!

Who or what inspires you?

Liz:  My husband and my children.  They have all been a credit to me and done so well that it inspires me to want to do more with my life.

Kathy:  Having been involved in a serious car crash many years ago, I wanted to make every second count, my partner and family are my greatest inspiration.

What’s the best part about your job?

Kathy and Liz:  That the local community in Abernethy has made us feel us so at home.

Complete this sentence; the best things in life are….

Kathy and Liz: Spending time with family and friends.