Hi Folks,
We arose early at around 7:30 in Wrest Point with the sun shining across the bay. We packed our meagre belongings quickly to beat the rush from the hotel and at the bakery for breakfast.
We breakfasted in Jackman and McRoss at Battery Point before adjourning to the Salamanca markets for a quick up and down. I bought some delicious fudge 3 pieces which we have nibbled away at all weekend and Susan some sprouted wheat bread for Ilan.
It was then a quick step back to the car and off to the airport where we picked up Suzanne and headed to Sorell for the food shopping. We fuelled and headed back towards the resort detouring to Marion Bay to investigate the large house on the island that we see from the highway. It is connected by a causeway and a large padlocked gate out the front says private property. Not much wiser we headed back to Nubeena and did all the usual stuff since it was a working day.
The weather forecast for tomorrow does not sound brilliant...
Cheers Simon
Day 100 Hobart Wrest Point Friday 6th May 2011
Today's group at the resort. I am in an odd position as I had to rush to beat the camera timer!
Weiting!
Mount Wellington
Mount Wellington
Snow remnants
Casino room
Hi All,
Per the title we are in the Wrest Point Casino accommodation kindly paid for by the Resort at Parsons Bay.
The day started with goodbyes at the Resort to Weiting. Well not from us since we were taking her to Hobart. We headed off and had a few stops along the way to take advantage of the sunny weather for some tourist shots.
We did some resort chores popping up to PFD for foodstuffs and then headed to Mount Wellington arriving their without incident after ignoring the GPS totally. It seems to have a mental block where this location is concerned. We could see clouds around the peak but they appeared to be clearing. The peak was partially clouded and cold as evidenced by the remains of snowfall. Of course I was suitably attired in shorts like a silly tourist. We had a bit of fun larking around taking pictures and video before heading back to Hobart and dropping Weiting off at her couchsurfing venue. We said our sad goodbyes and Weiting gave us handmade friendship bands. We will miss her.
We journeyed to Wrest Point and settled into our room which was smaller than our one at the resort. However it was well appointed although the bed was a bit weird being two singles joined together to make a king. We adjourned to the bistro for a meal. My steak was excellent however Susan's spare ribs were a bit chewy. It was a pub grade meal price and quality wise. We wandered around and into the gaming area. This was not particularly bubbling with crowds and excitement. I was surprised that there was no craps table. Apparently they disappeared years ago in favour of poker. Of course it would have nothing to do with the fact that craps has the smallest margin in the favor of the house. The odds of winning for the player are 0.4975 as I recall. Just a bit of trivia for you. We spent the evening in our room chilling out it had free broadband so that's a bonus.
Tomorrow we are off to the airport to pick up our new helper.
Cheers Simon
Day 99 Nubeena Thursday 5th May 2011
Hi Folks,
Today started off in wet weather gear and ended up in sunshine. Pretty standard day. Susan trying to get her head around making the crockery match in the rooms and doing a million other things.
I did my usual stuff plus tidied up the barn, set up some backups for the business data, organised to buy an energy monitor so we have some idea what appliances use what in the cafe and last but not least put the bins out. Susan cooked a slap up tea for the community dinner, by my count she did 13 hours today oh well it keeps her happy. I managed to have 2 spas one before and one after tea. The attached video shows some of the grounds work that has occurred at the resort since we arrived. It's not clear in the video but I had nothing to do with the pine bridge. Also the clear up is the result of a lot of work from many different people.
Also there is a chicken video I think they came to see me because they hadn't been fed. Had to laugh I went to bring the goats in tonight and when the chickens saw me they sprinted over from about 40 metres and then followed the goats into the pen. I wonder if it has anything to do with me feeding them when I get there.
Day 100 on this trip already and what better way to celebrate than a day off well apart from some shopping on the way, taking Weiting to Hobart and picking up Suzanne a new helper from the airport Saturday morning. We do get a free night at the Wrest Point motel tomorrow night!
Night Folks
Simon
Chickens calling
Outside at the resort (Big file 28Mb)
Today started off in wet weather gear and ended up in sunshine. Pretty standard day. Susan trying to get her head around making the crockery match in the rooms and doing a million other things.
I did my usual stuff plus tidied up the barn, set up some backups for the business data, organised to buy an energy monitor so we have some idea what appliances use what in the cafe and last but not least put the bins out. Susan cooked a slap up tea for the community dinner, by my count she did 13 hours today oh well it keeps her happy. I managed to have 2 spas one before and one after tea. The attached video shows some of the grounds work that has occurred at the resort since we arrived. It's not clear in the video but I had nothing to do with the pine bridge. Also the clear up is the result of a lot of work from many different people.
Also there is a chicken video I think they came to see me because they hadn't been fed. Had to laugh I went to bring the goats in tonight and when the chickens saw me they sprinted over from about 40 metres and then followed the goats into the pen. I wonder if it has anything to do with me feeding them when I get there.
Day 100 on this trip already and what better way to celebrate than a day off well apart from some shopping on the way, taking Weiting to Hobart and picking up Suzanne a new helper from the airport Saturday morning. We do get a free night at the Wrest Point motel tomorrow night!
Night Folks
Simon
Chickens calling
Outside at the resort (Big file 28Mb)
Day 98 Nubeena Wednesday 4th May 2011
Hi All,
A day that started with great promise. The sun was streaming through the gap in the blind onto my face. There was no hint of wind. A glorious morning with magpies singing in the trees which is quite uncommon here. This lasted until just after I put the goats out at 9. It started to rain quite hard so I brought the goats in to shelter since they were huddled around the end of the building. The rain eased off and a roaring Antarctic gale sprang up.
Forced inside I started the energy usage survey for the cafe area since it is not going to be possible to segregate it electrically for billing when the new operators take over.
I went and had a spa just before tea to drive the cold from my bones! I have spent tonight cobbling together some video of the resort to give you an idea of what it is like. I am waiting for permission from Susan to video the inside of our unit just in case anyone was interested in seeing it!
As I sit here I can hear the wind and rain pounding on the roof and windows so it looks like it might be an inside work day again tomorrow.
night folks
Simon
Quick tour of the Resort"
A day that started with great promise. The sun was streaming through the gap in the blind onto my face. There was no hint of wind. A glorious morning with magpies singing in the trees which is quite uncommon here. This lasted until just after I put the goats out at 9. It started to rain quite hard so I brought the goats in to shelter since they were huddled around the end of the building. The rain eased off and a roaring Antarctic gale sprang up.
Forced inside I started the energy usage survey for the cafe area since it is not going to be possible to segregate it electrically for billing when the new operators take over.
I went and had a spa just before tea to drive the cold from my bones! I have spent tonight cobbling together some video of the resort to give you an idea of what it is like. I am waiting for permission from Susan to video the inside of our unit just in case anyone was interested in seeing it!
As I sit here I can hear the wind and rain pounding on the roof and windows so it looks like it might be an inside work day again tomorrow.
night folks
Simon
Quick tour of the Resort"
Day 97 Nubeena Tuesday 3rd May 2011
Hi Folks,
A glorious autumn day here. Batiste and I adjourned to the creek first up. I gently chainsawed some branches from trees clogging the creek continuing the clean up project. We shovelled the ash from the previous fire into the barrow and carted it up close to the garden beds to use as a potassium supplement. The big problem down the creek is still the blackberries. It is difficult to brushcut them when they are on the creek bank for fear of falling in. Then when they resprout they require spraying which I think will be tricky adjacent the water. I need to research this further. I did do some spraying this afternoon of the ever sprouting weeds around the accommodation.
Peeking into the old pool test kits I found we had the necessary ingredients to do the total alkalinity test. I did them and was surprised to find the pool was almost in range I guess due to evaporation whereas the spa was low probably as it is constantly being backwashed and topped up. The aquaerobics ladies complained the pool was cold today. Actually it was about 24 this morning so it is cooling slowly from its normal 28 with out gas to fire the heater. Hopefully the gas will arrive tomorrow.
Another piece of good news is that my walkie talkie battery packs and charger have been repaired by Uniden and are on my way back to me. Many thanks to the folks at Electric Bug in Adelaide.
I did shoot the video today but it is still in the editing suite. Hopefully it will be ready tomorrow night.
Susan was out chanting tonight so I took the opportunity to re watch Conspiracy Theory as it came up in conversation here yesterday.
Anyway it's bed time
night folks
Simon
A glorious autumn day here. Batiste and I adjourned to the creek first up. I gently chainsawed some branches from trees clogging the creek continuing the clean up project. We shovelled the ash from the previous fire into the barrow and carted it up close to the garden beds to use as a potassium supplement. The big problem down the creek is still the blackberries. It is difficult to brushcut them when they are on the creek bank for fear of falling in. Then when they resprout they require spraying which I think will be tricky adjacent the water. I need to research this further. I did do some spraying this afternoon of the ever sprouting weeds around the accommodation.
Peeking into the old pool test kits I found we had the necessary ingredients to do the total alkalinity test. I did them and was surprised to find the pool was almost in range I guess due to evaporation whereas the spa was low probably as it is constantly being backwashed and topped up. The aquaerobics ladies complained the pool was cold today. Actually it was about 24 this morning so it is cooling slowly from its normal 28 with out gas to fire the heater. Hopefully the gas will arrive tomorrow.
Another piece of good news is that my walkie talkie battery packs and charger have been repaired by Uniden and are on my way back to me. Many thanks to the folks at Electric Bug in Adelaide.
I did shoot the video today but it is still in the editing suite. Hopefully it will be ready tomorrow night.
Susan was out chanting tonight so I took the opportunity to re watch Conspiracy Theory as it came up in conversation here yesterday.
Anyway it's bed time
night folks
Simon
Day 96 Nubeena Monday 2nd May 2011
Hi All,
Another quiet but busy day with not a huge amount achieved but still heading in the right direction. Salient points were, our new coffee machine will be replaced with a new machine when Hardlys at Cambridge receive stock. It is actually making a pretty good brew at the moment. Swimmers in the pool before Wednesday will get a shock since we are out of gas until then and the temperature is dropping! Only 2 rooms occupied last night and they are both more than one night so no rooms to clean today. Hence Weiting and Melody had their second day off in a row and went on a freebie to Port Arthur.
Susan has rearranged our unit and it is almost to the stage where we can video it to show. This has reminded I should shoot a video of the resort to give you an idea of what it is like. I will mark that on my brain for tomorrow. Other than that it was a day of small repairs and the usual everyday tasks. A standard home made pizza tea washed down with Carlton Draught.
I introduced Batiste to a new phrase "How they hanging mate?" and its colloquial reply which will not be printed here since it is a family show. Outside the kitchen I could here Susan's voice saying "You are a bloody shocker". I wonder who she was talking to!
The bureau has promised sun for tomorrow!
Cheers Simon
Another quiet but busy day with not a huge amount achieved but still heading in the right direction. Salient points were, our new coffee machine will be replaced with a new machine when Hardlys at Cambridge receive stock. It is actually making a pretty good brew at the moment. Swimmers in the pool before Wednesday will get a shock since we are out of gas until then and the temperature is dropping! Only 2 rooms occupied last night and they are both more than one night so no rooms to clean today. Hence Weiting and Melody had their second day off in a row and went on a freebie to Port Arthur.
Susan has rearranged our unit and it is almost to the stage where we can video it to show. This has reminded I should shoot a video of the resort to give you an idea of what it is like. I will mark that on my brain for tomorrow. Other than that it was a day of small repairs and the usual everyday tasks. A standard home made pizza tea washed down with Carlton Draught.
I introduced Batiste to a new phrase "How they hanging mate?" and its colloquial reply which will not be printed here since it is a family show. Outside the kitchen I could here Susan's voice saying "You are a bloody shocker". I wonder who she was talking to!
The bureau has promised sun for tomorrow!
Cheers Simon
Day 95 Nubeena Sunday 1st May 2011
Hi from the blogosphere,
Peaceful day today. 4 of, well actually all of our helpers went on the Tasman Island cruise today. The day started under grey wet skies and they were given the option of another day. They took today and were rewarded with Orca's. Yes the killer whales a rare sighting on the tours.
Meanwhile back at the ranch i took the time to catch up on the wet areas after the carnage of Easter and the school holidays. I followed this up with other minor chores. I also went through 9 DVD players to work out which ones were actually working which was 8 and got our one working in the unit. The big task today was trying out the new coffee grinder and the expresso machine. A promising start with the grinder but some refinement needed with the expresso machine to make the coffee to our taste strength wise. I was pretty close with my last effort however my eyes were starting to spin round with all the sampling so i will leave it for tomorrow. I also noticed the pressure gauge wasn't working. This is a measures the back pressure when you are steaming the grind so is good for judging consistency of packing and grind size. Looks like I will be ringing HN to see whether we take it back for exchange or have to go to the warranty mob in Hobart. A nice 170km round trip, sighs.
I had a couple of spa's today which were nice and relaxing. Tonight Susan and Weiting were watching "House" on the big screen in the barn. I think Weiting really needs Chinese sub titles though! I shall have to crowbar my way in to watch last nights (in the UK) Doctor Who tomorrow night.
Cheers Folks
Simon
Peaceful day today. 4 of, well actually all of our helpers went on the Tasman Island cruise today. The day started under grey wet skies and they were given the option of another day. They took today and were rewarded with Orca's. Yes the killer whales a rare sighting on the tours.
Meanwhile back at the ranch i took the time to catch up on the wet areas after the carnage of Easter and the school holidays. I followed this up with other minor chores. I also went through 9 DVD players to work out which ones were actually working which was 8 and got our one working in the unit. The big task today was trying out the new coffee grinder and the expresso machine. A promising start with the grinder but some refinement needed with the expresso machine to make the coffee to our taste strength wise. I was pretty close with my last effort however my eyes were starting to spin round with all the sampling so i will leave it for tomorrow. I also noticed the pressure gauge wasn't working. This is a measures the back pressure when you are steaming the grind so is good for judging consistency of packing and grind size. Looks like I will be ringing HN to see whether we take it back for exchange or have to go to the warranty mob in Hobart. A nice 170km round trip, sighs.
I had a couple of spa's today which were nice and relaxing. Tonight Susan and Weiting were watching "House" on the big screen in the barn. I think Weiting really needs Chinese sub titles though! I shall have to crowbar my way in to watch last nights (in the UK) Doctor Who tomorrow night.
Cheers Folks
Simon
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