Good Rain

We have had a lot of rain over the last few days, so now our tank is 2/3rds full, which is great. 15mm fell last night.

Roger and Antu from Bermagui (ex Canberra) stayed after being in Nannup. They did not have much time in the afternoon so I sent them to Redgate, Voyager and Leeuwin. They really enjoyed the gallery at Leeuwin Estate. They then had a look around Prevally before going to Redgate Beach just before sunset. Roger said the sky and waves with the setting sun looked really wild and he took a lot of photographs.

They also wanted to see the Boranup Forest so they got up at 6.00am in the dark and drove there. The sun was just up when they got there so they had a magical drive through the forest. They got back in for breakfast about 8.30 and by 9.30 they were gone. I sent them back to Perth via Mowen Rd as it is much quicker.

MinPing & Vincent, KL, Malaysia, 18 June 2009. Lovely place to stay. Friendly people and amazing rooms. Thanks a lot.

Rob & Joy, Gymea, N.S.W. 18.6.09. A very comfortable stay in a great location. Excellent breakfast to. Thanks.

Robyn & Stefan, Tecoma, Victoria, 17.6.09. We have enjoyed the meals, relaxation and brilliant advice of Dirk. A most comfortable stay. Many thanks and all the best for your future as B&B hosts. You are doing a wonderful job.

Corporate Accommodation

We are getting more reps staying with us as we become better known. They are wanting a more peaceful setting which they don't get from the B&Bs in town. They also like the wireless internet facility. For any reps wanting a corporate rate they should read the following.

Hi Marcus,

Confirming what I said this morning, we are happy to offer a corporate discount to any reps within your organisation.

All that is required is for them to book via the booking button on our website, where they can see the rates and availability.

They need then to complete the booking with their credit card at the prices shown. I process the payments manually, but if they write in the comments section “CORPORATE RATE REQUESTED” with their company name, I will deduct the discount before processing the payment.

I will be shortly instituting a surcharge for the different credit cards with an option for direct transfer. That will be shown in the Terms and Conditions on the Booking Button page. If an invoice is required with bank transfer details, that can also be requested.

The direct link to the booking button is : https://www.thebookingbutton.com.au/public/reservation/PropertyOverview.do?channelCode=LOARINGBNBDIRECT

Regards,

Dirk Hos

Cheryl & Chris, Perth & Dubai, 15.6.09. Most enjoyable, tasty breakfasts and comfortable rooms. Well done! All the best.

Winery Tours

A guest who has booked in for later this month asked the following:

Hi Dirk

Do you have any suggestions of local Margaret River winery tours. My Boyfriend and I would love to explore the regions wineries and local cuisines. Can't wait to come down. Warmest Regards,

Kelly

My brief reply was as follows:

Hi Kelly,

There are quite a lot to choose from although as the season gets quieter, not all the tour groups operate every day.

Wine for Dudes	www.winefordudes.com	0427774994	Smaller buses and younger clientelle.
Margaret River Tours	www.margaretrivertours.com	0419917166	Well known
Bush Tucker Tours	www.bushtuckertours.com	97579084	Popular and a bit different
Margaret River with Neil McLeod	www.toursmargaretriver.com.au	97572747	Local personality who gives the history and context of the places he visits.
Others	http://www.margaretriver.com/tour_result.asp	Margaret Visitors Centre	Quite a range and can book through them as well

All the tours will pick you up from here and drop you off again. Usually about 10.30 to 4.30 or so.

The tours are great and give you the opportunity to drink a fair amount, and not have to worry about driving. Also you quickly make new friends on the buses as after a few tastings, everyone becomes a bit more chatty.

An alternative, if you just want to do some tasting, and also see a bit of the region, a drive south from Margaret River to Augusta and back makes a good day out and you will be able to visit several wineries on the way. As long as one of you doesn’t drink too much, it is not a problem.

My suggested tour is to go down Caves Road, drive through the Boranup Forest, perhaps visit a cave (or all three), have a look at Hamelin Bay, go to the Leeuwin Lighthouse climbing to the top if enthusiastic. Lunch in Augusta (maybe the old bakehouse), then Brockman Highway to Warner Glen Road and up to the Berry Farm for afternoon tea and a taste of their wines, jams and chutneys. Along the way are several wineries and a meadery. You will then be back in town in time to look at some of the shops in the main street and check out where you want to go for dinner.

You could also decide to have a good lunch at some of our top class winery restaurants. A short list starts with Voyager Estate and includes Leeuwin, Watershed, Cullens, Vasse Felix, Saracen, Woody Nook, Swings and Roundabouts, Amberley, Driftwood, Lawrence, Flutes, Providore and many more. Plus the breweries do great lunches also (Bootleg, Colonial, Cowaramup and Duckstein). Along the way to any of these you will pass many other wineries to visit.

There is a service in Margaret River called Designated Drivers who will go to the restaurant or winery where your car is, and drive you back to here in your car. Cost is about $25 and is good if you have opened up that second bottle of wine and suddenly realise you shouldn’t be driving yourself anymore.

Don’t forget, that on your way down to here from Perth, if you leave in the morning, there are plenty of wineries and things such as the chocolate factory and cheese factory to visit in the afternoon. Most things close 4.30 to 5.00, and although check-in at our B&B is from 3.00pm, you can come in any time after that, even after dinner.

And you can also visit some more attractions on your way back to Perth the following day as the wineries open again at 10.30am (usually).

I hope this has given you some options to ponder on and I look forward to meeting you and your boyfriend.

Regards,

Dirk Hos