WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

Menowerwhelmery; the getting of more than expected

I mentioned that on the 7th I transferred (by train and bus = approx. 2.5 hours) from Wollongong to Mosman. This is one of Sydney's more salubrious and affluent suburbs. It is sited on the spit of land which incorportes Taronga Zoo, Balmoral beach on one side, Chowder Bay on the other and Middle Head at the end

I was going here because, you may recall, there was the small matter of a two-part wedding to attend. Mosman was for part one, the Hindu Vedic event. Having booked for two nights only at "Private Room - Luxury Mosman Home", I was ready for a bit of indulgence. The great attraction of this particular place was it's proximity to the wedding venue and the ease of access, a bus pretty much being door to door.

Having thought things through a little, I recognised that I might need to alert the hosts that I would be arriving a little ahead of their advertised check-in time. This was due to the need for flexibility with wrangling the Beast Luggage.

...what? You've forgotten about the fact I had to pack several saris and salwar suits for this trip and had twice the amount I would normally travel with? Or that I have one gimpy wrist now which just refuses to do anything weighty? Look, I was getting on with things but it required planning. Logistics and such. Digression. Back to the story.

What a delightful message came back, stating no problem and that assistance could be provided to get the case from stop to door.

Now, I know you all want me to get to the wedding - but patience please because I really must sing the praises of my accommodation and hosts. Julie and Tony were true to their word being at the bus stop just as I was organising myself from alighting. I and the Beast Luggage were whisked into the car and within seconds we were into the most wonderful home being greeted by Hank the Labradoodle and Billy the Bichon Frise/Poodle (Bifoodle???), who both took an instant liking to Soffee Mouse.

Having booked the queen with external bathroom, I was now told I had been 'upgraded' to the ensuite room as it was 'free this week anyway so why not use it?' That set the indulgence factor another notch up. There was all care taken to ensure I had everything I needed, even the ironing board being set up for me to prepare the sari to be worn next morning. I sat on the terrace looking down on Balmoral beach and over to Clontarf and had a belated lunch, before getting myself together and heading out for a little 'round the block' wander. This involved a fair few steps down and a lot of puffery up steep lanes at the other end of a delightful little bush path and round to Georges Head artists colony. There were found metal sculptures, incredible scenery and a real sense of well-being. Salubrious indeed.

Back at the house, I indulged in a lovely hot shower before getting into nightwear and eating my dinner in front of the telly (I don't even do that at home!!!) It felt very decadant. There was absolutely nothing lacking in this room or facilities. In the kitchen, the guests' fridge was filled with yoghurt, juice, milk and water and for breakfast there could be croissants, fresh crusty bread, marmalade, jam...


This was not simply a homestay, it was a full bed and breakfast situation. Even more, Julie and Tony were interesting, informed and charming, willing to chat or not, according to their guests' wishes.

The indulgence notches kept building though; or should that read spoiling? When J&T realised I was to go down the road rather early in the morning in full-dressed sari, they did not hesitate in offering a lift. The dogs could be walked down past there anyway, so use to be made of the quite short trip (by car). I felt like a queen! Later, having been deposited back up the hill by some dear friends from the gathering, Julie and Tony were happy to listen to me prattle on about the event and show photographs. Then they bowled me over with their thoughtfulness and generosity once more when, on discovering I had to wrangle the Beast Luggage onto a bus again the next morning for a rather more convulted trip (more on that in due course), there was again no delay in offer of a lift.

So it was that all too soon my little fairy-tale holiday had to end! Photographs were taken, contacts exchanged, and hugs of farewell. Within ten minutes of being left at the bus stop, I was on my way to the next little chapter.

If anyone anywhere reads this and has a notion of staying somewhere incredible in Sydney, click that link above. You will not regret it.




















14 comments:

  1. Well YaYa this was giant leaps and bounds over the RRI in 2016 and I bet the shower was well behaved and luxurious. What a perfect height tub!! I think Hank and Billy and the peeps were very sorry to see you leave.
    Hugs Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Their photo shows clearly that those two peeps are very nice. We could tell as soon as we saw their pups:) We are glad you were so royally treated - isn't it wonderful to find such kindness in our world?

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautiful room...and gorgeous views! You look so very happy in the last picture!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You make me smile. You discount how easy you are to like.
    A dear friend came to the wedding recently of her great niece several times removed. There were two weddings, first a wonderful day long celebration of the Hindi part of the wedding, and the next day the conventional Baptist bit, and reception and cake cutting and offing on the honeymoon. My friend is thrilled she was invited and would not have missed it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMD!!!! HOW LOVELY!!!! What an amazin' stay! And their house is just the most FABulous place I have ever seen! AND puppers??! Oh man,you really did score the stay of a lifetime! What truly lovely people!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

    ReplyDelete
  6. What lovely people and it seems they were happy to have such a lovely guest as you!
    hugs
    Mabel

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh that does indeed sound a wonderful place, with the bonus of two beautiful dogs. Bliss!
    Cheers, Gail (currently overnighting in a modest inn in Central Wales).

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh the view and the bright room... a place to be ... pawsome!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Yam - that sounds wonderful and when I got to look at the pictures amazing ... how very kind and how absolutely gorgeous. Looking forward to news of the wedding. Glad to know where the zoo is situated - my grandfather and uncles were out there in 1932 to see the Bridge. What a delightful couple ... and yes if I ever get out there ... I'd hope to visit your B&B ... lovely - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful spot and a view to go with it and pups to hug. You've hit the mother lode!

    ReplyDelete
  11. We want to be little stuffes in your suitecase.
    It all sounds so wonderful and beautiful.

    ♥ Astro and Mitzie

    ReplyDelete
  12. It sounds like you had a perfect stay in Sidney. The house and hosts were excellent as well as their two pups.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a delightful time ~ for all ~ especially love the sweet doggies ~ ^_^

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a lovely spot!!!! I am so happy for you. xx

    ReplyDelete

Inquiry and debate are encouraged.
Be grown-ups, please, and play nice.
🙏