Full steam ahead!

left-to-right: Padma, Siegfried and Heike

 

It was a perfect final autumn day for a steamboat by the river. We talked, we laughed, we ate, we drank - and then we drank and talked some more.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

As the Piglet said to Winnie-the-Pooh, “We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?" "Even longer," Pooh replied.

Cinema Paradiso

 

We've just added another twenty-five classic masterpieces to the Cottage's DVD collection: The African Queen, Oliver Twist, The Importance of Being Earnest, King Solomon’s Mines, The League of Gentlemen, A Town Like Alice, Brief Encounter, Odd Man Out, Black Narcissus, In Which We Serve, Morning Departure, We Dive At Dawn, Operation Amsterdam, The Silver Fleet, Life & Death of Colonel Blimp, The Day Will Dawn, Secret Mission, The Heroes of Telemark, Reach For The Sky, Malta Story, The Battle of The River Plate, Above Us The Waves, 49th Parallel, North West Frontier, Ferry To Hong Kong.

Twenty-five DVDs; over forty-five hours of viewing pleasure. You may have to extend your stay by another week ☺

Refused

 

All the power points inside the Cottage went dead last night! Something must've tripped the 16-Amp fuse that protects the five power points which are all on the one circuit.

Thanks to the international co-operation between the Italian Alessandro Volta, the Englishman James Watt and the Frenchman André-Marie Ampère, it wasn't hard to work out how many Watts a 16-Amp fuse can handle: simply multiply the Voltage (240) by the Amps (16) and you know that 3840 Watts is just about the limit (this little calculator makes it even easier).

So where were those 'heavy guns" that drew the juice? I made a quick survey of what's plugged in:

Surprisingly, the television uses a mere 60 Watts; the fridge another 100 Watts. The toaster kicks in with 750 Watts followed by the microwave of 1000 Watts. Amazingly, it's not the electric heater that tops the list with 1970 Watts but the electric kettle that weighs in at 2200 Watts.

Put on the microwave, the kettle, and the heater all at the same time and their total of 5170 Watts will surely zap the fuse!!!

The “trick” is not to run the microwave and the kettle both at the same time while the heater is running!

 

Thank you for the toaster, Pat & John

 

We were so busy chatting that we never even took a photo of you, Pat and John. So all we will always remember you by is the new toaster you bought for the Cottage. Thank you again and also thank you for the half-share in the lottery ticket. We don't mind sharing it, John; after all, half of two million dollars is still one million, isn't it?

Thank you also for your kind words in our guest book. The place seems strangely empty now and we hope to see you again!

 

April 24 - May 1, 2013 Dear Padma & Peter As us city slickers arrived, away from the frantic hustle and bustle of Sydney life, we were enthralled by the tanquillity and peaceful atmosphere that welcomed us to our "Club Med" Cottage at Riverbend. We also had so much land and waterfront to ourselves. The Cottage is so tastefully furnished and very comfortable, we really had everything we needed. It was like a hidden paradise. What overawed was the timeless beauty of the ever-flowing enchanting river. In the evenings we were treated to such beautiful sunsets as the sun descended over the distant mountain ranges. On awakening each morning we asked ourselves what we would do? Fish, walk, go to golf or just relax and read a book from Peter's library. We have enjoyed ourselves at your peaceful retreat hosted by you both (unbelievable hosts). We thank you sincerely for your genuine hospitality in making us so welcome in every way. As we were departing on our final day - so sad to have to leave - we did "STOP TO SMELL THE ROSES"! Regards and God Bless Pat & John Oatley, N.S.W. P.S. Thanks for the chats, Peter, and Padma spoiling us.

 

Not-so-serious ladies serving 'Serious Coffee' at Café Nelligen

Sert and Alison

 

Your "Riverbend" Cottage has a fully equipped kitchen but if you get sick of cooking, there's always Café Nelligen where Sert, ably assisted by Alison, can cook up a storm in Thai food, pizzas, and fish 'n' chips.

Of course, they also serve cakes and coffees and supply you with fresh bread and milk and the latest newspapers (or you can save on the newspapers by just listening to their gossip ☺).

 

ANZAC Day morning

 

The mist, still thick on the river, promises a hot and sunny day.

 

 

Another day in Paradise in God's Own Country.

We're so lucky! Lest we forget!

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia fair.

---

First the march ...

... then the Service

... then the feed.

In downtown "New York", just 8 kilometres away, the turnout was a lot bigger as shown in this video clip.

For more photos of our low-key local celebrations - and to meet at least half the population of Nelligen - click through this gallery of pictures (the best are towards the end, especially # 51 of 68 ☺ )

She-who-must-be-obeyed and a battle-weary (and wary) veteran

Special offer to members of Curves in Cowra

The Riverbend Fitness Club

 

Our guests and friends Carmel and Laurie still remember their stay at "Riverbend" Cottage and have just emailed us:

"Peter, I have been promoting Riverbend to my members at Curves so you may get some inquiries, hope this is ok with you. Cheers Carmel"

That's quite ok, Carmel, especially if they're all as nice as you and Laurie!

And you'll be pleased to know that the Riverbend Fitness Club, which is equipped with a rowing machine and a stationary exercise bike, extends free membership to all members of Curves in Cowra.

But, as they say in the commercial, there's more: we also throw in a free Balinese massage by Lanny, a professional massage therapist from Indonesia now residing in the Bay (and, yes, we do have an upholstered massage table with one of those cut-outs for your face so you won't get a broken nose as well as a massage).

Is there anything better than a good workout followed by a soothing Balinese massage while watching the ducks on the pond from inside the Riverbend Fitness Club?

Maybe there is but you'd have to go as far as Bali to find it!