A quindecennial anniversary

 

It was Christmas 2000 and we'd just come back home after having listed "Riverbend" Cottage with the tourist office in town when the phone rang and a man's voice asked, "Is that Fisherman's Paradise and do you have a vacancy?"

I hesitated. Fisherman's Paradise? Yes, of course, that's the name under which we had listed the cottage with the tourist office.

"Yes, this is Fisherman's Paradise and, yes, we do have a vacancy", and, having detected a German accent, I added "Where are you from?"

"Same place you're from."

Touché!

And that's how Thomas Flock, his wife, and his sister became our first Cottage guests and "Riverbend" Cottage got started - although we no longer call it Fisherman's Paradise; it's simply Paradise!

Riverbend Cottage has become even more affordable: during our anniversary year we offer a 10% discount on every direct booking!

As for our first-ever guest, Thomas, if you read this, please join us in the celebrations by being our guest again. This time it's on the house - or rather, on the Cottage - see here.

 

We've just had a visit from two tax inspectors

 

No, they weren't from the Australian Taxation Office but from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs in the U.K., and instead of demanding money they paid us some - for staying at Riverbend Cottage on their trip around Australia.

Despite a less than favourable forecast, Elaine and Mike had three warm and sunny days. Even the weather dare not get on the wrong side of the taxman! ☺

And here are their guestbook comments:

"We must first thank the internet and Google as without them we would not have found Riverbend Cottage!

It has been a wonderful experience and we have really enjoyed the accommodation and beautiful grounds. The 'extras' provided for breakfast and the ice cream and wonderful soup and wontons made our stay even more special.

It was great to be able to chat to Peter & Padma and their welcome and friendliness will be something we will never forget. We have taken so many photos, we will have lots of reminders of our stay here.

We wish you both health and happiness for the future.

                                       Elaine & Mike
                                       Melton Mowbray U.K."

 

A $660 "Wolf Blass" Red Label bottle of wine

Johan and the Boys in Blue

 

Johan, our Dutch cottage guest at Christmas 2013, had a little too much "Dutch courage" on his last night out and got caught crossing the bridge on their way back to "Riverbend" - see here.

As he explained in the following message, today is the end of his 12-month good behaviour bond:

"Hi Peter and Padma, Today is worth a celebration: a year ago I was dragged before the magistrate to be sentenced to either a driving restriction and a fine, to go to prison for some time, or have a good behaviour bond imposed on me. After a $660 legal representation, the latter happened and I have survived the ordeal. On that evening in Batemans Bay I had my most expensive "Wolf Blass" Red Label bottle of wine of my entire life. Thanks for your support as well as your friendship. Kind regard, Johan"

Johan, the next bottle of red will be on the house and inside the cottage right here at "Riverbend", far away from the Boys in Blue.