The watermill bakery is one of my absolute favourite sylvanian buildings. I had always wanted it and a couple of years ago I was finally able to buy it second hand in great condition. Of course it came with Christopher Appleblossom, the baker himself, who is also a favourite figure of mine.
Christopher Appleblossom awoke to the sweet smell of spring flowers growing in the woods. The trees were silent; for not even the birds were awake at 4am in the morning. Being the baker of Bluebell Oaks is an important job, and he must be up early in order to supply the villagers with fresh bread.
He got out of bed, had a quick shower, and hastily ate a nutritious breakfast.
As Christopher strolled happily through the wood to the bakery, he thought about the day ahead. Today's special would be apple strudel, and it was sure to be very popular. He needed to roll the pastry, and put a few loaves of bread on to rise, and shape the dough...
The sun was beginning to rise as he reached the stream and walked along the bank to the bakery.
The Watermill Bakery has been in Christopher's family for four generations. It was originally built by his great grandfather, then was run by his grandfather, father and finally himself. It is a good, solid building, with the water wheel powered by the stream, hooked up inside to turn the dough.
There was a lot of work to be done; it was 4.30am and the bakery needed to be open at 7am, so Christopher put on his apron and put some dough into the mixer.
He had been working for about an hour when he heard a clatter of hooves outside. "Delivery from Blackberry Farm!" a voice called. Christopher wiped his hands on his apron and walked outside to greet Bob Blackberry and his cart horse Blacksocks. Bob has an orchard and he has the important job of delivering the essential fruits needed for baking to Christopher.
Just after 7am Christopher had his first customer. "Morning Chris!" Penny Farthing and her son Rally are regular visitors to the bakery every morning. "Good morning Penny! Is it the usual today? Two loaves of crusty bread?''
"Yes please!"
Sometimes Christopher gives Rally a little treat and today was no exception. "How would you like a little pastry, Rally?" he asked kindly.
"Say thank you Mr Appleblossom!" Encouraged Penny.
"Thank you." Rally said with shining eyes.
There was another delivery not long after Penny and Rally had left. Bryce Hawthorn staggered in, heaving a sack of flour. His father Hickory is the miller of Bluebell Oaks, and Bryce's job in the family is the delivery boy.
As the day progressed, the bakery began to fill with customers. It is perhaps the most popular spot in the village, and everyone knows Chris and he is good to chat with. Many villagers popped in, buying their daily bread, or getting lunch.
It was late afternoon when Maurice Chantilly popped in to the bakery.
"Hello Maurice! What a nice surprise! I haven't seen you out in a while! How is Myriam?" Maurice and his wife had recently had a baby.
"She is very well, and so is young Jacques. We've brought him on his very first outing. Myriam is waiting outside with him. Come and see if you want."
Outside, Myriam was rocking the baby gently back and forth in his smart new pram. Jacques stared up at Christopher with big, round eyes. "What a beautiful baby! Congratulations!''
At last, the sun began to set over the tree tops and the customers headed home. The shelves were empty and Christopher's day was done. He hung up his apron and shut the door.
It had been a good day, Christopher thought as he strolled through the wood once again. He loves his job as the baker, as he gets to chat with the villagers, and the Watermill Bakery is a beautiful place to work, next to the stream. Life is good, he decided as he walked up the garden path to his front door.
