Saturday, 31 October 2009

Guide dog Casey

Thanks so much for a most enjoyable stay. We particularly enjoyed the walk around the property with our guide Casey. We will certainly recommend Loaring B and B to anyone who is visiting Margaret River. Warmest regards, Brian and Helen, Brisbane, 30-10-09

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 9:38 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Tranquil Setting

Many thanks for a warm welcome and loverly stay in such a tranquil setting. We will recommend you to any of our friends who may venture down under. Tom and Caroline, Surrey, UK, 27 Oct 09

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:33 AM 0 Comments

Spot the new plant species

I've discovered what might be a new species. I first saw one specimen last year and thought it might belong to the Arum family (Araceae). The same plant flowered again this year and I've since spotted quite a few other specimens on our block and the neighbours block.

This morning looking out the back I noticed one hiding in the bushes. See if you can spot it.






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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:30 AM 0 Comments

Monday, 26 October 2009

“Perfect place to relax and recover”

Because of the bad and cold weather, we decided to go to a b&b-place instead of camping.
Loaring place was a very good decision to stay in - it was beautiful with a very nice room and a spacious living-room to relax, read, write postcards or e-mails (free internet-access) or just to enjoy doing nothing at all. Evelyn and Joachim, 21/09/09. From TripAdvisor.com Oct. 4, 2009.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 3:23 PM 0 Comments

“Best nights sleep!”

We arrived Saturday afternoon at 3:15 to find the front door open and Dirk and Pam, our hosts, working in the garden. They were both up to their elbows in top soil as they did Spring planting. Dirk checked us in, showed us the house and took us to our immaculate room. We felt comfortable within seconds. It was like we were family. He showed us the features – including the jetted tub, separate toilet and shower and provided a quick talk on their contribution to the environment by collecting the ‘cold water’ from the shower ‘start’ to water the plants outside our patio door. A black bucket is in the shower and we did our part and watered those newly planted flowers the next morning. They do collect rainwater and are very focused on energy conservation. Our room had everything we needed to make it comfortable including a nice heater and dual electric blankets to warm up the bed before we got in. It was chilly out here in the quiet forest. The room was spotless and the bed perfect with a comfortable high end mattress. Dirk provided recommendations on where to go for dinner and what to see in the area. He recommended some very good wineries, one of which wasn’t even on the map. We both had one of the best nights’ sleeps we’ve had in a long time, with only the squawk of Rodney the Rooster waking us up in the morning. There is absolutely no noise from the other rooms even though the B&B was fully occupied. We were the first ones out for breakfast and found a variety of cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, muesli, tea, juices and ....liquorice allsorts and incredible 'fresh baked muffins' which are always there. It was set up perfectly and offered selections even for those on restricted diets. We helped ourselves and Dirk came out to see how we were doing. Grant finished his cereal and Pam came out to ask him how he wanted his fresh eggs – ‘the hens are laying’. He decided on a mushroom/bacon omelette with toast and was delighted with the result. We were soon joined by the other guests who were also provided with their custom excellent ‘hot’ breakfast selections. As we chatted, the time passed quickly and we suddenly realized it was 10:30. Unfortunately, we had only booked for one night and were heading back up to Perth with clear directions on how to get to the Margaret River Chocolate Co. We’d definitely go back in an instant and certainly stay for more than a single night. Thank you Pam and Dirk!  Grant and Linda, Calgary, Canada, 1/10/09. From TripAdvisor.com, Oct. 16, 2009.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 3:15 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Home is where the heart is

They say "home is where the heart is" - it's a beatuful home with a beautiful heart! Expressions of your heart are everywhere - the garden, the birds and the walks - on the outside. On the inside, the muffins, the omelettes and the family, Amanda, Andrew and Saskia the little jewel.

Thank you for sharing the gems of the Margaret River with us, like the walks and Patricia Negus' gallery and we have appreciated your many kindnesses. Every blessing. Warm regards, Richard and Roxanne, Canberra, 20.10.09.

posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 5:04 PM 0 Comments

Monday, 19 October 2009

Cape to Cape Book

A lovely 'surprise' when our original B and B was overbooked! We have very much enjoyed our stay and feel very relaxed. Have appreciated your local knowledge and loan of Cape to Cape book. Thank you for looking after us so well. Dianna and Andrew Smith, UK, 19th October, 2009.

Dianna and Andrew wanted to go for a good walk, after landing in Perth direct from London, getting a car and driving direct to here. They borrowed our book "The Cape to Cape Track Guide Book" and walked from Prevelly, across the Margaret River to Ellenbrook and return (about 18km). Although tired, they had really enjoyed it and after a spa-bath were ready to go into town and have a good meal.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 12:07 PM 0 Comments

Friday, 16 October 2009

Sarecen Estate Stained Glass


Had lunch at Sarecen Estate with Anne and Joe Hawksworth.  Very pleasant surroundings and good food. I had Bratwurst and Sauerkraut with Dunkle beer. There is a very interesting pagoda with large glass panels with very interesting historical items on wine through the ages, laminated in the glass in a very artistic manner. Our mutual friend John Colley designed the pagoda and the stained glass was done by his artistic friends - the same couple who did the swans at Burswood and the monument on top of Parliament Building in Canbarra.




posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:04 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Rainbow Birds have returned

Spring is in full swing, with our Scarlet Robins building a nest and the arrival of the Rainbow Birds (AKA Bee Eaters). These birds winter in northern Australia and Indonesia, returning each Spring to nest in sandy open banks on the sides of the Margaret River. They make burrows in the sand and nest in the bottom of them, flying out and in at speed so that predators can't see the nest.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 9:46 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

B and B vs Tenting

You've made this so easy and relaxing that now we're no longer looking forward to our tent for the remainder of our trip. Thank you for the pleasant stay and the orchid walk. Emily and Tim, Geraldton, 14 Oct 09.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:40 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

Humungous spa bath - James and Jen

Was absolutely fantastic, breakfast delicious. And I thought your puppy dogs were so very cute. And the spa bath was great, so humungous, and fitted the both of us perfectly, which never happens. The fire place was so cosy too. Could not have picked a better place to share our anniversary. Thanks so much. James and Jen, Stirling and Warramunga, 11th Oct 2009.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:18 AM 0 Comments

Friday, 9 October 2009

Volunteers for Anaconda Adventure Race 2009 Augusta 7 and 8 Nov.

Volunteers are needed for either full or half days on Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of November.
Jobs Include:
Saturday -registering competitors for the junior race and race martials
Sunday - registering competitors for the main race (very early start I'm afraid), race martials and transition assistance
There may be other duties available and we'll keep you updated as we receive information.

If you think you can help out, please contact the CCG on 9757 2202 or respond to this email with your contact details and the day/s you are available. The CCG will provide transport and refreshments on the day.

Its a great way to be involved in what promises to be a fantastic event and support the CCG at the same time.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 2:23 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 7 October 2009

Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island

Thank you Pam and Dirk for a wonderful stay. We really appreciated all the touring tips!  This is a beautiful spot here in the bush. We loved it here. If you are ever near Cowichan Bay, near Duncan, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, please look us up. Laura and Steve, Canada, Oct 7th /09

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:25 AM 0 Comments

Cape to Cape MTB Ride Summary 15-18 October

Cape to Cape MTB Ride Summary


http://www.capetocapemtb.com/en/default.htm



Date
Townships
Distance
Thursday 15th October, 2009       
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse to Hamelin Bay       
38.02km
Friday 16th October, 2009               
Hamelin Bay to Prevelly                                       
59.36km
Saturday 17th October, 2009        
Margaret River Special Stage                               
58.93km
Sunday 18th October, 2009             
Prevelly to Yallingup                                           
65.56km

posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:15 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Lovely place, great service, very comfortable bed, kangaroos, orchids/wildflowers

HotelLoaring Place Bed & Breakfast
Dates:30-Sep-2009 - 02-Oct-2009
SiteRates To Go - www.ratestogo.com
Customer Comments:Lovely place, great service, very comfortable bed, kangaroos, orchids/wildflowers, easy drive to all attractions, knowledgable/friendly host, Rain water and fresh breakfast of choice. Wish we could have stayed longer. Bliss!



Carol and Lee, Australind.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 3:24 PM 0 Comments

Monday, 5 October 2009

Anaconda Adventure Race 2009 Augusta

Mike and Carolyn spent 2 nights here to check out the Augusta Anaconda course, so they brought their bikes and drove down to Augusta yesterday and checked out the course and the area. They were very glad of the spa-bath afterwards.


Location   Augusta, WA
Date8th November, 2009, 8:00am
LegsKeen Footwear Coastal Run, 13.5km
Event Rent Ocean Swim, 1.9km
Finn Kayaks Inlet and Ocean Paddle, 13km
Tanita Mountain Bike, 32km
www.margaretriver.com Team Run, 2.5km

Looking for a new adventure challenge in a wild part of the world ? Well you’ve just found it with the Anaconda Adventure Race in Augusta on November 8th, 2009.
Do you remember a time when the world felt wild and untouched, when the teaming masses we find around every bend just weren’t there? When you could go ‘down south’ and find yourself – not your neighbours...? Well these times continue at Augusta with beaches ready for exploration, rocky headlands and islands untouched by others and forests and bushland with only you and a few wallabies setting the trail. Experience all this amidst the atmosphere of an adventure event with a couple of thousand passionate others and you have found Anacondal enlightenment

Combine all this with an adventure expo and kids entertainment on the scenic Augusta foreshore allowing families and friends to spend the afternoon watching finishers propel themselves over the finish line, catch some free entertainment and share a drink with the winners in the event bar. This is one hell of an event.

Choose your style and get involved - the Anaconda Adventure Race can be completed in a range of categories to get anyone and everyone to the start, and then over the finish line:
  • Individuals – do every leg as a non stop race around the track. Designed for every one from heros and want-to-bes
  • Pairs – do every leg but in the company of your mate who’s by your side the whole way round
  • Relay teams – with up to 4 people where you do one (or more) legs each. A great way to get involved without being a super hero – build up a team of friends and work colleagues and join all the fun

posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 1:34 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, 4 October 2009

Batgirl

Watched the Joker last night. Heath was terrific. Great film that stuck to the genre. Out of left field is Batgirl


posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 10:45 PM 0 Comments

Dinosaur Story

posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 4:55 PM 0 Comments

Karen and Axel, India

So nice to share your lovely, warm B and B / home with you and your guests - and Casey too! Axel and I had a marvelous 4 days here and when out exploring, referred to Loaring Place as "Home". We hope to be back to MR and will definitely look you guys up again. The muffins were an added special treat! Good luck to you both and we leave you with our wonderful memories. All the best. Karen and Axel, India, 4 Oct. 2009.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:43 AM 0 Comments

Saturday, 3 October 2009

Them's the breaks


Cassandra Murnieks PERTH TODAY
October 03, 2009 06:00pm
biggest wave cow bombie
HUGE RIDE: Sunshine Coast surfer Mark Visser rides an 11m monster at Cow Bombie in WA's South West. Picture: Calum MacAulay
THIS towering wall of water off WA is the biggest wave surfed in Australia this year.
That's the claim of Mark Visser, the man who conquered the 11m monster at a secret location in WA's south this week.

``The weather was unbearable out there,'' Visser said. ``It was very windy, around 30 knots. Along with the wind, the water was icy cold. So cold that my feet ended up going numb.

``But I reckon that was the biggest wave surfed in Australia this year. I haven't seen one bigger.''
The waves were surfed at an offshore break nicknamed Cowbombie, about 2.5km off Gracetown. Cowbombie is gaining a reputation as one of the hot spots for big-wave surfing, attracting Australian and international daredevils.

Surfers from around the world flew in for the session, including big-wave specialists Grant
``Twiggy'' Baker, Doug Young and Ross Clark Jones.

Visser flew in from his home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

``I heard about the big swell on Wednesday morning and we arrived in Perth on Wednesday night,'' Visser said.

``On Thursday we got these monster waves. It was pretty wild out there.

``We then backed it up on Friday, hoping it might be bigger.

``The waves weren't as big, around 25 foot. I went in with a paddle board, but got smashed a few times.''

Cowbombie has legendary status among surfers and its location is a closely guarded secret.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:24 PM 0 Comments

Friday, 2 October 2009

Margaret River Rail Trail

Some info on the Rail Trail

The Margaret River Rail Trail takes you through some of the most beautiful natural bush, farmland and vineyards in the Margaret River region, three hours south of Perth. Passing though peppermint, jarrah and young karri forest the trail provides a firsthand view of the abundant bird life.

The trail was once a part of the old railway network that was built during the timber boom. The trail begins or ends (depending where you start) at Cowaramup and finishes at Margaret River.
Along the 5 kilometres north of Margaret River there are numerous bridges crossing a major river and creeks and streams of varying sizes. The trail is easy to navigate with picnic areas along the way. The spectacular birdlife includes yellow robins, parrots and blue wrens and the wildflowers are stunning in Spring (September to December).
As it was a railway, the gradient is relatively flat, and the terrain is generally gentle.  However, it can get moderate in some places and a mountain bike is recommended.


posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 11:27 PM 0 Comments

“Excellent Retreat!”

This is an excellent retreat! The location is not too far from the main Margaret River town and is secluded enough to give you privacy. The house is just beautiful, very country-style and very comfortable. The room was beautiful and the bed and jacuzzi were just heavenly!
Definitely coming back here again!Whalesith  June 2009 TripAdvisor

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 5:05 PM 0 Comments

very impressed we will be back”

We came down for a romantic weeekend to recharge the batteries over a long weekend and thought that it was the best B&B we have stayed at to date.

Great location - half way between beach and Margaret River town (quiet bush setting)
Brand new custom built modern facilities
Guest lounge with huge tv and fire was great
Hosts (Dirk and Pam) were very friendly but not imposing
Rooms were comfortable/soundproof and had private external entrances as well as inernal.
Very tasty cooked breakfasts
Did not use in-room spa but it looked comfy. weekend_traveller005 May 2009 TripAdvisor

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 5:04 PM 0 Comments

“Affordable Luxury”

We had a lovely time. Pleasant staff, great breakfast, plenty of space. Tucked away just off the main road in a pleasant bush setting. CanberraNomad May 2009 TripAdvisor

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 5:00 PM 0 Comments

“Perfect place to rest after walking the Cape to Cape"

Very comfy rooms with spa and views into bush.
Generous communal room with lots of natural light where we had sumptous breakfast and even our strange dietary needs were accomodated with no fuss.
We will definitely be back! lucyteale May 2009 TripAdvisor

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 4:57 PM 0 Comments

“Lovely place”

We stayed here for a night recently and this property really has the wow effect. Lovely host and the acommodation was superb, gorgeous rooms with spa baths in each, own private deck/entrance and an incredible lounge/dining/entertaining area for quests. All this set in a lovely bush setting just up the road from Margaret River and near the winerys (go to the Voyager Winery-amazing). Breakfast was awesome, would definately stay here again.
M and K Smith, NZ August 2009 Tripadvisor

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 4:55 PM 0 Comments

Whales and Seals

Carol and Lee from Bunbury spent two nights here and yesterday went to Cape Naturaliste. They got some good sightings of whales and saw some seals as well. They were driving to Albany to pick up their children and going straight back to Bunbury this afternoon.

This morning about 7.30am Lee knocked on the door and said Carol was in the shower and washing her hair when the water went cold. I had to run out the back and switch the gas cylinders over. It is unfortunate that I can't tell when the gas is going to run out but it is soon fixed.

Jennie and Jeff from Brisbane spent three nights here and got to see most of the sights. Richard and Andrea from Perth had been in Margaret River a few times before and were happy visiting some of the wineries.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 4:48 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Duckstein for Lunch

Pam has gone to Vasse Felix with Anne and Joe to buy some wine, then I will meet them shortly at Saracen Estate and Duckstein Brewery for lunch. I'm looking forward to some bratwurst, sauerkraut and pilsner.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 12:54 PM 0 Comments

Beef in Beer

Jeff and Jennie from Brisbane wanted to eat in last night as they had been on Neil McLeod's wine tour (which they thoroughly enjoyed). Pam cooked Beef in Beer with Pumpkin Soup for starters. Anne and Joe Hawksworth were staying with us so we all enjoyed a lovely meal and sat around the fire chatting the night away.

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posted by Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB at 12:51 PM 0 Comments