Monday, November 30, 2009

Absolutely wonderful retreat

An absolutely wonderful weekend retreat. Hospitality and breakfasts superb!! Thank you so much Dirk and Pam. Looking forward to our return very, very soon. Cheers, Leanne and Leisha, Duncraig, WA. 29/11/09

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Wondeful experience - in Japanese

It was a wonderful experience for us. Thank you very much, Takashi and Kana, Singapore/Japan, 28/Nov/09.




Monday, November 23, 2009

Leeuwin Lighthouse wins tourism award


SW tourism winner a leading light at awards

CHRISTIANA JONES, The West AustralianNovember 23, 2009, 5:28 am

Cape Leeuwin lighthouse supervisor Paul Sofilas.
WAN / Danella Bevis ©
    It may conjure thoughts of a solitary life but for Paul Sofilas being the manager and guide of Australia's tallest mainland lighthouse has seen him celebrated for sharing the Cape Leeuwin building's heritage with about 90,000 people each year.
    The manager and guide of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse was just one of the winners at the weekend's Western Australian Tourism Awards, which acknowledge the State's best tourism service providers and event holders.
    Mr Sofilas, who lives at the cottages at Cape Leeuwin and manages the 113-year-old lighthouse, received the Golden Guide Award in front of 820 people at the Burswood ballroom on Saturday night.
    Other winners included the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association, which was awarded the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism for a second time.

    Beautiful scenery

    Thanks to Dirk and Pam, we have had a lovely stay, restful, lovely hospitality and beautiful scenery. Rosalind and David, Perth, 23/11/09

    Sunday, November 22, 2009

    Peacetree Pineau to die for

    Jane Tucker from Peacetree Estate produces some marvelous preservative-free wines that we all love. We bought 1 1/2 cases of SSB, a case of 05 Cab Merlot, a case of 04 Shiraz and a case of 2008 Tempranillo. The Tempranillo has just been released, and she reluctantly let me have a case, as that represented 1/30th of her stock. It was only on the promise that I would put most of it down for a few years, that she let me have it. It is a beautifully complex wine with the characteristic fruity flavour that I so love.

    But she has just bottled a Pineau, A white wine with 2 year old brandy and aged in oak. It is real heaven in a glass. We could only have a taste as the bottles had not been labelled, but as soon as they are ready, we are going to get a couple of bottles. The wine makes a beautiful apperitif (22% alcohol) and has an amazing balance of sweetness and acidity, with a subtle butterscotch flavour.



    Jane, Pam and Jo, with Jo carrying her stock of SSB



    The empty barrel and two demijohns filled to the top with Pineau. These will be placed in a sunny spot to "mature" in a "traditional" way for a year. Seems an awful lot of good liquer to go to waste if the experiment fails?



    Jane in her winery is an absolutely enthusiastic wine maker. Their 2009 stock is rapidly running out, so you better get in quick if you want any. The entire bottling of the 09 Pineau is on the right, waiting to be labelled and boxed. That definitely will not last long. Order at www.peacetreeestate.com.
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    Flower Girls


    Pam, Jill and Dee arranging flowers for a dinner with Premier Colin Barnett as speaker. The dinner was at the new Convention Centre in Margaret River and Colin Barnett spoke very well, outlining some of the things that are happening in the region.



    Difficult to leave

    We had a wonderful stay, it is difficult to leave. Thank you for the delicious breakfast and wonderful hospitality. Loved the room's decor, just my taste and the spa was an added luxury. Thanks Dirk and Pam for a most enjoyable weekend. We will recommend this little gem to our friends. Thanks, Cara and Adam, Perth, 22/11/09

    Saturday, November 21, 2009

    Beautiful Retreat

    Thank you very much for your kind hospitality - We have had a lovely stay in this beautiful retreat. Julie and Karen, Perth and Warwickshire, UK. 21/11/09

    Forest Stay

    Well we wanted a "forest stay" and that is exactly what we got - it was wonderful. Neil McLeod's day tour was a super recommendation - his farm tour to see the "roos" was a lovely extra! Thank you Dirk for your hospitality. Your B&B is really special.  Hazel and Duncan, UK, 20th Nov. 09.

    Thursday, November 19, 2009

    Faboulous Stay

    Thanks so much again - we had a fabulous stay. See you again soon. Anne and Brian, Perth, WA. 19/11/09

    Anne and Brian spent 3 nights here with their NZ guests Mike and Barb.  They really enjoyed driving through the Boranup Forest with the roof of their convertible down.  They visited many wineries and took home a great stock of wines. A new winery they visited and really enjoyed was Cavalier Crest.

    Lovely Location

    Very lovely location, and great hospitality, will recommend to my NZ friends coming this way. Mike and Barb, New Plymouth, New Zealand, 19/11/09.

    Wednesday, November 18, 2009

    Coy Cows and a Classic Cowaramup Garden



    Pam up close and personal with some holsteins that are waiting to get dressed up and perform at the Cow Parade next year



    A great group entertained the crowds that visited this Open Garden in Cowaramup.



    Apart from beautiful gardens around the house, the property had three dams so there was plenty of water, which made Pam very envious.
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    Yummy muffins

    Thank you so much. Loaring Place has been an incredibly nurturing time for us both. From awakening to the sounds of the bush right outside our doorstep, to the calming classical music accompanying the love-filled breakfast made to order. What a selection of fruits and yummy muffins too!!  Through to an evening spa designed for two. Loved every moment and Dirk, you have been amazing. Cheers for accomodating all our needs and requests. Indigo and Odette. 17 Nov 2009.










    Monday, November 16, 2009

    Old friends and colleagues

    We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this very pleasant environment and thanks to Dirk we "met" many old friends and colleagues. Thank you so much! Hennie, Wout and Jurriaan Feijth, 16 Nov. 2009.

    Wout and Hennie lived in Seria and Miri (Borneo) and Jurriaan grew up there. Many of their friends from that time moved to Perth and I worked with them at various times. These included Jan Van Niel, Henk Barten and Ho Kiam Fui, but also Douglas Bruce and others.

    THE TRUE GOURMET BREAKFAST

    We chanced upon this place and are absolutely delighted with this precious find. Dirk's hospitality, friendly Casey and the rest of the crew mad this stay especially memorable and not to forget, the true gourmet breakfast with homemade toast and muffins. YUM! Thank you! Best. Evelyn and Eric, Singapore, 16 Nov 2009

    Sunday, November 15, 2009

    Wallcliffe House Open Garden


    Wallcliffe House was built by the Bussells on the edge of the Margaret River very close to Prevelly Beach in 1865.  It has been restored and a new guest wing and gardens have been build by Rose and Michael Chaney. The gardens were opened to the public today (and tomorrow) with funds going to the local FES. Rose took her gardener with her to Europe to plan the new gardens. The Alhambra in Spain was one of the inspirations. The result is one of the best gardens we have ever seen.






















    Saturday, November 14, 2009

    Five weeks to get to Brisbane

    Had the most wonderful time here. Other guests made pleasant converastion. Great place to stay. Definitely worth a mention to thers. Thank you so much. Carol and Mick, No fixed abode, 14/11/09.

    Carol and Mick are kiwis who have made their money in WA, packed there house and put it into storage and now heading to Queensland somewhere to start something new, but also Qld is closer to their grandkids back in NZ.  But they don't want to go back there though.

    Wednesday, November 11, 2009

    Remembrance Day

    Remembrance Day and what a place to remember!  We had a lovely stay and enjoyed all the very helpful hints and stories along the way. Thankyou. Sam, Jess and Libby, Brisbane, QLD, 11/11/09

    Tuesday, November 10, 2009

    Pam's Sweet Peas


    Pam is very proud of her sweet peas, growing on our table grape trellis. We had to put chicken wire all around the trellis to stop the kangaroos from eating the vines.
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    Discow beginings

    RockSand has started work on her cow for the Cow Parade that will be held next year. At this stage it is all smoke and mirrors but soon will have black patches, fancy feet and alluring eyes. The cow parade will see over 60 cows in many guises located from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, so you will have to stay at Loaring Place B&B if you want to see them all.
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    Tuesday, November 3, 2009

    Three days is is far too short

    What a nice place to enjoy and live close to nature!  We have been very well looked after and we need to come back soon - 3 days is far too short.  Many thanks!  Kerstin and Hans, Singapore and Sweden, 3/11 09.