The So Sew Crafty Retreat

Last weekend, 18-20 November 2022, we were very pleased to host the So Sew Crafty sewing group for one of their bi-annual retreats.  It seems that a lot of fun was had by all!  Here’s to the next one ladies!

Sky Blue Pink

Mon 28 Feb:  Just managed to delete everything I had just written (I blame the cats wanting to be fed), but probably a good thing as it was a bit of a rant about a certain megalomaniac with Freudian issues who needs a sorting out.  How can one person destroy so many lives.  But then Hitler did it and by the time we cottoned on it was too late.  Where to from here?

Seems that not many people are familiar with the term Sky Blue Pink but we used to get skies in the UK which were both blue and pink like today’s photo.  I haven’t seen it here much (as we normally get the rich red and orange skies) so today I had to capture it.

On rather more trivial issues, the heat here is just oppressive and we have a few more very hot days to look forward to (41 degrees) before finally getting some storms (which for me is rather more scary due to the potential for lightning strikes and wind damage).  The smaller plants, and those awaiting transplant from smaller pots, have had to have a twice-daily watering to keep them happy.  Must get our irrigation sorted, but there is still a lot of work to be done in preparation.

We heard nice things the other day – one company who sends guests here regularly, actually posts photos of our accommodation on their noticeboard along with details of a job post to the town to entice people to come here (apparently it was a tough posting otherwise!). How nice is that!  Thankfully it works, and we’ve had some lovely people stay with us.  

I met my first Australian earthworms the other day when I was clearing weeds.  I didn’t think we had any as the ground is abysmally hard, and had looked up ordering them online (yes, you can do that!), but seems we have a fair few.  Let’s hope they stick with us as we badly need them.  

Night folks.  Thinking of you all in the Ukraine.

Veggie Patch

Thurs 3 Feb:  Big rain last night (hurrah, no watering needed), but boy do we have to do some major weed clearance instead!  The Secret Garden is coming on nicely and we are so looking forward to opening it up to guests soon – especially during once the temperature drops.  It’s lovely in the evening even now (although at tad humid with all this rain), but what I love about Australia is that you just need to give a plant a bit of water and a bit of food (and a good talking to) and it grows so, so well. 

The blueberries and raspberries went in today (I’m still unsure if they’ll really take off as I’m told they rather prefer cooler weather) but they have survived two transplants and seem happy enough. We even had half a raspberry a few weeks back!  The capsicum, eggplant, tomatoes and all the herbs are also settling in well. Herb-wise we have Sweet Basil, Rosemary, Vietnamese and Chocolate Mint, Chilli, Oregano, Stevia, Parsley, Lavender and Ginger.  Fingers crossed.

Feline Royalty!

Wed 19th Jan 2022:  Well, here’s just an easy one for today while I get to grips with this photo software (which is actually quite good once you’ve got to grips with the basics).   Meet The Duchess and her daughter Princess who have obviously caught sight of something off-screen.   They are in the Secret Garden which is where we take them every day for a change of scene.  My second batch of veggies are in (more of the same unfortunately until I get hold of something new), so we have more capsicum, tomatoes and eggplant.  I have yet to start on the herb-bed but need to do it soon as they are growing fast and need a proper home.  The pathways are coming along very nicely and it’s almost time to get the side beds planted out.

What happened in the big bad world today?  Queensland announced it is opening up its borders to international travellers (if vaccinated).  It could almost be said that life might be returning to normal.

Tomorrow may see the citrus trees being planted, but we’re still waiting on some soil improver to come back into stock as the ground is rock hard (literally) on the roundabout and they need something for their roots to get stuck into while they settle in. We’ve chucked lots of ‘stuff’ down the holes but it’s not quite ready.  They’ll need as much help as we can give them in this heat. 

I thought The World was burning…

Mon 17 Jan 2022:  Ten minutes later and the sky was pure blue. The Devil’s warning was true however – so hot today, and our little plants in The Secret Garden are trying to hard to impress us and improve they are survivors.  As I write I can’t believe that this sunrise was today, and will share later the pictures I took this evening as the full moon took the place of the hot, hot, sun.  

Just as a reference point, No-Vak was deported today; for our news we have some lovely guests staying who heard from previous guests that they just had to stay here if passing through (which is ALWAYs nice to hear), we had another two 10s for reviews (again, ALWAYS nice), and yet more return guests.  We are making progress on our two VIPS suites, and (mea culpa), I’ve actually started writing our blog.  Full of Sangria I must add, but writing anyway!  

Watched by the sunrise, our Secret Garden started taking more shape again early this morning, amidst blood and bone, mouldy leaves and, of course, watched over by a couple of the Kernow Kats (#kernowkats).  Our second veggie bed should be planted out soon, and homes prepared for some of our stunning bougainvillea which are just raring to go once in their final home. Watch this space!

Our New Short-Stay Accommodation

For overnight or short stays why not try our new Terrace Rooms and West Wing Suites and Apartments. They are all very quirky, and offer a range of facilities, from hotel-style studio rooms just with coffee and tea, to mini-suites with microwave, and finally to our mini-apartments which have small kitchens. The choice is yours – keep coming back and try them all!