Tales from an Island

The challenge of winter

2011-06-23T12:06:00.003+10:00

Winter is a challenge in this business. No two ways about it. Any business has its ups and downs, to be sure, but hospitality it seems particualrly succumbs.

The trick is to review constantly what you do, and how you do it. For instance. We shut our restaurant about a year ago. People had slowed spending tremendously, which left us with two options. Either to a) attempt a ninja style hijack our guests as soon as they left their room in search of off site sustenance; or b) rethink what we were offering people in the way of convenient food.

Thankfully, the more sensible side of me opted for the food offering rethink. Besides which, I look terrible in black tights and ninja outfits. Not flattering at all!

So what we have now is a Guest Lounge affair. We still have our fully licensed bar with many great local wines. Open fire place, comfy lounges, magazines and books. And we have our lounge menu, which has a focus still on local produce, but so simply put together even our dog mollie- bless her little cotton socks- could swing into action in the kitchen if we got busy to push out a steak sandwhich or beef and guiness pie. Mind you, two problems there a) she's not allowed in the kitchen and b)she's a dog. Dogs like steak very much! The point is- the saving we make on having a dedicated chef on hand, in favour of an easy to cook but still tasty option, is tremendous.

So even though its winter, the lounge was buzzing last night with people milling around our open fire place, chatting, playing tennis on the wii and drinking moo brews. (yes we have a Wii). So okay- now the most expensive meal option is $15, so the revenue stream isn't huge- BUT, the costs are in line with the spend, and most importantly, the enjoyment factor for our guests (priceless) is what we are winning on here. Rethinking our offering in line with a climate of people who are, lets just say, close to their money, has still allowed us to offer a great option to our guests, and still generate a little revenue stream, where once there was very little.

So now that just leaves me to a) finish up now or b) get mollie to make me a steak sandwhich.....

Until next time
Cyndia

Winter finally here!

2011-05-16T16:13:00.007+10:00

Hello to all my readers out there- hello? Hello? Is there anybody out there? Well, okay maybe not that many just yet, but bear with me on my ponderings.....it helps keep me sane!

Winter has finally arrived in Tassie! Its has been the warmest Autumn I have experienced here and frankly, I was beginning to feel a tad glum at the prospect of there being no snow in in the higher up areas behind us. Coming from Darwin originally, I have this thing about snow. Maybe a lack of it growing up as a child, means a love of it now. Justin looks at me incredulously when I say I love the snow. Growing up in New Zealand he had ample opportunity to get his snow fill on. I had to rely on a childs imagination whilst shaking a snow dome standing in front of an open fridge to get my fix. Not the same as running around and throwing the stuff at the nearest unsuspecting passer by.

So cradle mountain has had a sprinkling last week as the antarctic blast came through the area.

We were in Strahan at the time.

First time we have been since moving to The Island. What a treat.

We stayed at the lovely Franklin Manor and did the World Heritage Cruise.

The cruise was excellent, and despite being a little overcast, we thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Sarah Island. Lunch was a well coordinated affair and eveything was very well put together. I managed to get some pretty good shots I think! And because its not peak season, there are deals to be had and space to enjoy it all to yourself.

So, in my humble opinion, the best time to come to Tassie is now! Snow in them thar hills and deals everywhere and best of all, no crowds, plenty of solitude and thinking time!

Cheers all

Cyndia

Spritely Austin Healeys

2011-02-21T13:04:00.002+11:00

What a treat! To see several beautifully restored MGs and Austin Healey sprites parked out the front of the motel. From a previous visit from an MG car club group, we had a couple of memers deecide to bring the Austin Healey Sprite group along to our lovely spot.

Sadly the weather was a bit ho hum, particulalry for that type of open top car, but once the BBQ was due to start out the back, the weather cleared, and the waft of sizzling snags and steaks began to fill the air.

Sadly just an overnight stop, the travellers, all bar two who required a visit from the friendly RACT man, were on their way to Strahan to continue their tour of tassie. Kind of inspires me to start restoring my MGB roadster.....

Sunnyside Up Gardening

2011-02-06T18:49:00.009+11:00

Well, after a fairly busy breakfast, I'm not sure what really possessed me, but I decided to tackle the spot that I had been eyeing off for some time as a new sunflower garden.

The poor unloved piece of earth, right behind room 12 and 11, was crying out for some lovin', and now that it was sporting a new fence as well, I felt it might be time to tackle that little garden area today.

What a day to tackle it! The sun was out and a cool breeze kept the sun from completely baking me. Never-the-less, the ever present collection of exoitic weeds required much digging and grunting effort from me, to yield the finished product. Mind you as I dug, I managed to produce several fully formed ready for cooking potatoes. Yes! You've never seen anyone as I excited as me as I pulled those spuds out. Not sure from whence they came, but happy to eat the results.

So today I tilled and toiled, tomorrow I will sow and hopefully in about 12-14 weeks I shall reap my rewards. Pretty sunflowers, and a plethora of free mint in the minty corner.

Sitting out in the cool, surveying the back lawn, I see a sea of dandelion tufts. Its funny how life's perspective on things changes. When I was a kid, nothing would give me greater pleasure that yanking one of those tufts up and blowing hard to release the seeds, and watching them ascend into the air. Now I look and them and think, aww crap, weeds!

Until next time

Stay Nice!

Cyndia

A new year, a new blog entry

2011-02-04T16:05:00.002+11:00

Hello all

I know, its been a little time since the last entry- no excuses on my behalf apart from being a bit busy!! But definintely time for an update on events happenign at the waterfront.

Over Christmas and New year, we were lucky enough to be part of the Sabot Nationals held at the Wynyard Yacht Club. What a trully excellent event with young sailors and their families coming to Wynyard to race their little hearts out on the beutiful bass strait waters. The weather was excellent, and well times (Week before it was ouring and the week after) so the sailign God's were smiling ont he event.

The new year has started off well, with a brand spanking new garage at the rear of the property. Justin and Robbie our retired can do man, constructed the garage, and now we are busy filling it up with stuff- including my MG roadster which is in dire need of attention. The hope is to restore the roasdster and the boat this year!!

On Waterfront News, we will be redisignign the web site this year, so I know there are a couple of out of date notes on the site currently, these will be changing soon.

Justin and I will be off the Hobart Wooden Boat festival next week, to see if we can find any relatives of our boat Pixie. Huge festival in Hobart, and we are really looking forward to a night away.

That's it for the moment

Take care, and see you this way sometime!

Cyndia

Some things are worth waiting for

2010-07-26T07:31:00.004+10:00

Some things are worth waiting for.

The bus, an ice cream being dished up to you on a hot summer day, this blog and getting married.

It took awhile, but Justin and I finally tied the knot this month. A few weeks ago we had an influx of our wonderful friends and relatives from allover the place, and we actually closed the motel down for a day or two.

Its such a huge build up to The Day, and then before I knew it, like a dandelion tuft in the breeze, everyone was gone, back to their lives leaving the two of us to the rest of our lives.

It took awhile for justin and I to meet, but not long for us to know that we were the right fit. He's a big thinker, I'm a more detail kind of gal, he's pretty stade, and I'm a bit left off centre (at times). I have a rich broad sense of humour, he is from New zealnd.....but hey it works!

So for all you out there in bloggy land, who may not have found the right person in your lives yet, take hope- I once bet a friend of mine a TV that I would never meet anyone who would want to marry me, and I now owe her a TV for her study.

Good thing I didin't bet her a million bucks.....

Days are getting dimmer but the fires are getting brighter

2010-05-31T17:51:00.001+10:00

The days are starting to diminish earlier, but it's no call to feel gloomy. Our big open fireplace in the restaurant is burning brighter than ever and offers a warm tranquility not availble when hugging a plain old heater. So mesmerizing, dancing flames provoke meaningful thought as one stares into its depths, whilst sipping quiety from a mug of steaming hot chocolate. Winter is ace!
Stay warm everyone, hug a fire today!
Cyndia

Boaty on the move

2010-05-12T09:23:00.003+10:00

For those who may or may not already know, Justin and I have become the proud parents to a 1927 Derwent Class racing yacht. I know, sounds tres chic, glamourous and brings to mind cocktails in sun, flimsy swimming costumes, and sunny times swishing along the french rivera perhaps. I know that's what sprung to my mind when Justin announced the imminent purchase of said boat.

I am told by some resident old sea dogs that it is a Huon Pine boat, so very good quality, and will last a lifetime given the care and attention so deserving to yacht such as this. But I wasn't quite prepared for what presented itself to me as Justin gleefully gesticulated to the wharf opposite the motel, at the tired old grungy boat, harnessed to the the wharf, rolling about aimlessly waiting for a good time.

Is that it? Where's the yacht? Where's the cocktails? The glam? *SIGH*

But I will admit on closer inspection of the said vessel, I felt for the little tacker. Actually it was a lot bigger close up, and from the inside of that grimy cabin, I felt like the boat was saying a quiet little thank you to us for rescuing it from it's watery prison.

Upon doing a bit of research on the Derwent class yacht, we found a few good pictures of them in action- they were actually pretty fast boats and specifically designed to race up and down the Derwent River. "Pixie", as we discovered was her original name, was built in Hobart as part of a series of boats names after various mythological and fairytale creatures. So the name has to stay, as apparantly it is bad luck to change them (another old sea dog told me this).

Originally there was no cabin, but in our restoration we plan to keep the cabin (where else will we store the cocktail making equipment?) Our first plan was to raise the good ship Pixie and take her across land to a cradle at the back of the motel to be worked on lovingly by Justin and various other visiting sea dogs. (There are a lot of sea dogs around Wynyard). So in true Justin style, he made it so. The journey was surprisingly easy, and not fraught with the headaches we thought we might encounter. Everything fell into place and Pixie was hoisted ashore to the realms of the landlubbers for a spell.

So far we have had a spot of barnacle scraping, and Justin even managed to find a live fish in one of the boat's orafaces. The boat now rests in the back yard, adding a very pleasing garden ornamentation and conversation piece for our guests.

We have had many people swing past for a look, and some have brought around tools we might need for the challenge. I have had a few sea dogs say encouragingly to me, that it will look just beautiful when it's finished. I'm hanging on to the dream that it will.

In a quiet moment today, I stood outside with Pixie, our boaty, and could swear I heard a small sign of relief from the poor thing. "I am loved again", she said, "and looking forward to a margarita or two on the high seas around Wynyard when the work is all done." You and me both Miss Pixie, you and me both!

So if you are headed our way, come and have a look at Pixie, there's plenty of painting and scrubbing to go around for everyone!

Ahoy!

Cyndia

Lovely Lovely Autumn

2010-04-14T13:31:00.002+10:00

Ahhh, this is the most favourite time of the year for me. The sun hangs lower in the sky, and sends this lovely long sunshine into the restaurant and the rooms. The mornings are spectacularly good at this time of year, crimson and rose hues welcome the day in.

The nearby Oldina picnic park is starting to glow with the turning leaves. They have loads of great little spots in the park to stop to enjoy a bit of local vino and fresh bread and a bit of lactos creamy red square. MMM, now that's my kind of food heaven.....

Currently working out the new autumn/winter menu. We had a very big discussion around rhubarb, which is coming into season soon. Hot stewed rhubarb may have to make an appearance on the breakfast buffet, as will a freefrom rhubarb tart on the dessert menu. Any suggestions for rhubarb menu items??

2010-03-24T11:34:00.001+11:00

Ok- the promised picture of mollie down the rabbit hole.... sounds like something from Alice in Wonderland.

Good by yellow container

2010-03-24T11:18:00.006+11:00

Hello all out in bloggyland!

A bit sad today, as we bid farewell to our "temporary" storage solution of 6 years now, the big yellow container to be replaced by a brand spanking new double garage.

Okay, I know what you are saying- why the sentimentality towards a big yellow shipping container?

Well I guess it's the association I have with it of when we first started out in the motel business. Like so many things at the time, we had competing priorities, and had to make do with so many "temporary" fixes until we could get everything up and running properly. I liken my wistful gaze as it ascended to the back of the truck on it's way out of the property, to one of a parent saying goodbye to a child leaving home- that feeling that one has moved on, and whilst those temporary fixes served their purpose, they were no longer needed as our business has grown, and moved from strength to strength. That old shipping container was part of the development of our business in a kooky storage kind of way, and so today I waved it good bye to where it was needed next.

What followed next was like a scene from watership down, with a massive rabbit warren being revealed underneath the storage container. Not only had it been home to our rollaway beds, and spare bits of timber, but also to a colony of rabbits, who it would appear, had been busy adding on a rumpus room to the existing warren before us.

Mollie of course was in rabbit hunting heavan, and finally could come nose to nose with the furry critters. But as usual, mollie was a bit slow on the uptake, and spent most of her time simply pushing her nose as far down the holes as it would go. I do have a photo of this scene, but I can't get the photo to load up just yeat- so stay tuned, will try again later.

More later...

Christmas Time!!

2009-12-15T08:56:00.003+11:00

Okay- I've been a tad slack on the blog front, becuase I have been very busy with christmas functions! Yes it's that time of year again, when thoughts turn to decorations of tinsel, pies made from sweet mince, dogs with reindeer ears and horizontally challenged men in red suits struggling to gain access to entry of houses via chimneys. It goes a bit loopy in the restaurant with back to back christmas cheer for the local offices and businesses. We will be looking forward to a christmas break this year- 2 weeks off for the chef who will be very happy indeed!

Spotted our resident platypus yesterday. He/She lives out the front of the motel in the creek and can be spotted feeding or cleaning her/himself on a semi regular basis.

Off to the last of christmas shopping today.

Christmas Cheers all
Cyndia

2009-11-16T19:58:00.003+11:00

Hello blog land

Well, not sure whos reading this but I'm enjoying writing it!

We have the lovely bob in from RACWA tours for a few nights. They are a lovely bunch and Bob is always infectious with his good humour and sunny disposition.

Bit of a quiet week ahead, good time to get stuck into gardening and the like. I have been progressively de-weeding the rear garden area, and it occurred to me as I roamed on all fours with my weed picker thingy that the lawn looked pretty green from a distance, and that was largely due to the huge quantities of green flat leafed weeds in the garden, as opposed to the smaller clumpings of actual lawn. Since I found my weed depicker thingy, I have become like a woman possessed- itching to pull out each one of those weeds one by one. I kind of get the same feeling I get when presented with fresh clean unpopped bubble wrap- irrisistable urge to pop all those bubbles as quickly as possible! It's actually quite carthartic I think, and one tends to ponder things quite deeply as one pulls and tugs at the fuzzy green patches. Mind you, owing to several blisters now on my hands, I am not able to do much more than 10 minutes at a time. And let me tell you dear bloggy readers, that ain't going to cut it. It will take me more than a month of Sundays to get to all of those weeds.

The poor lawn at present, is looking somewhat like a chicken that has been progressively plucked of it's feathers, with little pock marks where once there was a green weed. But time is of the essence, and I have to concede some weed defeat at this point and seek assistance in the form of a bottle elsewhere.....So off to the garden centre roamed I today in search of weed killer and lawn feeder. I was delighted to see that some clever gardening type somewhere, has invented a single liquid that will do both, so I promptly bought it and intend to give the lawn a good going over tomorrow.

So if you are passing though and stopping with us on your next sojourn to Sunny Tasmania, please come and check out my rear garden- weed free hopefully, by the time you get here.

Have a great evening all

May the weed be with you - and not with me!

Cheers
Cyndia

Lucky Cow

2009-11-12T16:50:00.003+11:00

Breezing along the tollymore road the other day along the top of table cape, I spied some cows along the roadside.

Lush green paddocks, azzurre waters in the distance, a smug look of indifference about them- they did indeed appear to be lucky to me. So I jumped out of the car with my brand new camera and took this snap. I just love it.

They kind of sum up life on the North West coast, great views, clean air, green grass and happy, lucky cows. Of course they are- wouldn't you be if you lived here as well!

Hope everyone had a great day. Warm here today- the water is looking very inviting indeed, but sadly work beckons me!!

Cyndia

Hobart Travel Show

2009-11-11T13:06:00.006+11:00

Hi All

Hope everyone is enjoying the heatwave wherever youa re. Frankly I'm just happy to be by the water in this kind of weather, even if I can't necessarily get out to have a swim.

Melissa and I were in Hobart this last weekend for the Hobart Travel SHow, coordinated by the Travel and Tourism Information Centre in Hobart. The idea of the show is to promote travel within the state- so encouraging all you Hobartians out there to get in your car and come and see us for a weekend away.

Ok- so whilst we weren't overwhelmed by thousands of visitors, there were a few about and we made the most of getting the word out about the North West Coast of Tassie being the holiday destination of choice!

It was great to meet and chat to a few of you and it sounds liek The North West Coast is definately on the radar for most of you- either that or it may have been the free trufflkes and chocoaltes we were handing out that was on the radar..... etiher way people looked keen!

As I don't venture down to Hobart too foten I forget how beautiful it is. We were especially lucky with the weather, it was just delightful and of course it wasn't all work!

The Salamanca markets were on on Saturday morning and well, what's a couple of girls like us going to do with that dangling under our noses- head for the markets that's what!

There were stacks of people there- so maybe we should set up a market stall next time! We both managed to do a bit of Early Christmas browsing and shopping.

All up it was a very productive weekend away- chance to chat to everyone and a few people in the industry along the way.

Have a great day everyone! Cheers Cyndia

2009-11-05T18:43:00.003+11:00

Been a bit slack with the old blog arooney. So a quick update on what's happening here.

Have a great new zealand tour through today and yesterday, from Crowleys Coach Tours- they are always good fun and have been coming here for years. It makes Justin feel a tad homesick for the old country I think. When they all get together it can get tricky to understand them particularly when "chilly bins" and "jandels" are being talked about.

Well, Missy our receptionist, and I are off to Hobart tomorrow for the Hobart Travel and Leisure show. We will be on the North West Coast stand hopefully meeting lots of people and telling them how great it is up this way. So if you are in Hobart this weekend- come and say hi!

Take care eveyone
Cyndia

2009-10-29T11:15:00.003+11:00

Well, the wind is trully whipping about today. In fact for most of the night it was pretty blustery around here. A cool front must be coming through as the temperatures here have dropped.

There are whales crossing bass strait at the moment, there have been plenty of sightings of whales breaching out to sea. So keeping my eyes peeled!

Busy morning with a tour breakfast, and we have just finished and taking stock of the day.
Justin and Robbie our "Super-Handyman" has been beavering away in the back shed making the most beautiful timber bedheads. They are simple, but functional and are eventually going into all the rooms to replace the existing bedheads.

Even more exciting than that, if it was possible, we finally received a shipment in of our custom made waterfront chocolates. These chocolates are made here in Wynyard and our logos put on them. We give to people as a little welcome treat on arrival- so apologies to those who were supposed to get them last week- we clean ran out and were waiting a little longer for our deliveries than we expected. I know the Ferrero Rochers are still nice, but not as good as these babies!
Stay warm everyone and rug up! (If you're in Tassie that is- you Queenslanders won't really be having a problem with that I should imagine.)
have a great day!
Cyndia

2009-10-28T16:00:00.002+11:00

A funny thing happened today in Burnie, well funny for me, fairly inane and insignificant for anyone else I suppose. Justin and I did the usual rat run into town picking up various things we needed for the bsuiness, vacuum cleaner (our other one was blowing smoke which we figured was not the usual modus operandii for such sucking devices), tea, noodles and other items. Due ot lack of street parking we had to park in the park house, multistorey park facility in Burnie. We spent quite a time in Burnie scooting about the place, and as we were heading towards the parking bay to pay, justin handed me the business credit card and said pay for the parking with that. Of course not thinking, I slotted in the card and processed the princely sum of - wait for it 90cents. Yes folks, we have been so conditioned to the expensive luxuries of parking in big cities, that we actually thought the bill was going to be sufficient for a credit card. It's just little things like how cheap the parking is here, that make me glad I became a sea changer!

Motel is full tonight- so gotta be happy with that!
Take care all

And think of me as you process your next expensive parking ticket.

Cyndia

Beautiful Day

2009-10-26T16:55:00.002+11:00

Days like these make you want to jump in the river and join the kids swimming and splashing about. It has been magnificent. The beach still ahs a little cool chic breeze to keep you on your toes, but sitting int he rear garden today having a cup of tea was bliss!
On Saturday, went to visit my new pork suppliers, Mt Gnomon Farm, just at the base of the dial ranges. they breed Wessex Saddleback Pigs, and they are free to roam about the farm where they wish, within reason! They are lovely animals, and quite curios. I still have a truffling snouty mark on my jeans where are rather large male pig came to check out my shins.
I also got to hold a piglett- and man do they squeal! But soooo cute. But they are farmed of course for consumption, so I resisted the temptation to get too palsy with any of them. SUffice to say they provide the most lovely pork meat, and they are wel cared for. So look our for them on our new Summer menu. I do have a picture somewhere of me and the piglett- will load when I download them.
Until we see you next- take care!
Cyndia

2009-10-23T11:14:00.003+11:00

Well the weather here has been spectacular over the past few days. I noticed when I was walking Mollie last evening that there are fairy penguins footprints everywhere along the beach where we walk. This is hte first year I have noticed them on that beach, they usually gravitate to another beach a bit further down the coast. I haven't spotted any, but now is the time they start to build nests and do family penguin stuff.

Still working on my chocolate muffin recipe- not quite perfected yet, but still rather tasty. I can tell summer is on its way now, as for the first time in ages I have been able to throw off my shoes and walk along the beach barefoot. Next step- braving the water!
Justin has finally got around to applying for our Kayak licences, which means this summer the kyaks will be available to rent out for a couple of hours. The kyak up the river is just beautiful. Its so serene, all you can here is the distant sounds of cows mooing in the paddock, You wouldn't think that there was a township within cooee anywhere. The river trail is really underrated, but in a way that's good, as you get the whole place to yourself. So don't tell anyone!!

Off to organise the kitchen pantry today- I've come into some free storage jars so am making the most of it!

Have a great day everyone
Cyndia

2009-10-21T07:56:00.003+11:00

Goodmorning Everyone!!!

I love this time of year, the sun is getting higher and warmer, there is still a nip in the air- the perfect time to come to Tassie for a short break!!!

Up early today to make the most of the semi quiet week to get on track with a few jobs that have fallen by the wayside.

Good time to visit us, as if you book direct with us, you get a free continental buffet breakfast-including some of my fabulous home made muffins. I am now getting a bit of a reputation for these muffins I might add, people are stopping and staring, and hushed tones saying, "There goes the muffin lady...." (People don't have much to talk about here) I will be raod testing a new muffin for the bfreakfast buffet along the lines of choc/mocha killer muffin. Have quite got the right consistency, but hey, I'm having fun trying.

Tulips are starting to fade a bit too folks, so if you are planning on coming to see some tulips, I'd be hopping over soonish.

Well, time for a morning coffee to kickstart the motor, I am now having double-shot lattes to start me up and get me into high performance mode!

Have a great day all

Cyndia

Back on the bloggy path

2009-10-20T18:50:00.002+11:00

Welcome to The Waterfront Wynyard's blog.

I know what your saying, Cyndia, didn't you start a blog like 2 years ago and we've been waiting for ages for an update since june 2007? Don't torture us?? What's been happening at The Waterfront WYnyar din all that time?

Yes well, this may be true, but I can say fairly confidently that this is the beginning of a new day, new week, new blog. Well, actually it's more around the middle of the week if you want to be precise. But I think you catch my general drift.

I have been charged with the task of providing meaningful, if not somewhat meandering updates ont he happenings here at the waterfront. This will be linked ot our website, so some of you will get an opportunity to read at your leisure, and hopefully it will be so exciting that everyone in the universe will want to sign up to read my blog- notes from an island.

Monday

2008-06-30T08:54:00.004+10:00

Well today is monday and the last day of the month and financial year, so time to pay all the bills !! It was a windy night last night and you could hear the crashing of the waves all night, this morning it's a looking ok overcast but the blue sky is trying to peak thru.

Reception is a bit of a mess at the moment, mollie the dog got bored and decided to shred paper ... her favourite past time. After chewing up paer she saw her stick that was hidden in reception and decided she wanted to chew that as well. Now she is waiting patiently behind the restaurant barrier to get into the restaurant and back yard once everyone leaves.

well I better get on with the day ... back soon

2008-06-29T20:18:00.002+10:00

The week comes to an end and it's been a busy week at The Waterfront, been repainting and decorating the Restaurant it's looking really good now all new colors. Will add photo's later. This wek also saw the restart of the restaurant after being closed for a few weeks to allow us to renovate the kitchen. Ben has joined the team over here as the new Chef and Rodney will be here soon as the manager a welcome change.