Loaring Place Bed and Breakfast, Margaret River, Western Australia

To the global climate warming sceptics out there!

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:10:00 +0000

I think you would agree that following three examples indicate that in the SW of Western Australia, temperatures have been rising. The long term linear trend is a bit misleading in that it suggests that temperatures have been rising for a long time. That is incorrect. If you look at them all you will see that the major increase occurred from 1970.

Now that trend might not alarm you, but you will have to admit that the trend needs to go down rapidly to get back to pre-1970 levels.

As a sceptic are you going to say that the trend does not exist. Maybe the measurements that the BOM have in their data bases have all been doctored in one great conspiracy.

Are you going to say that in 30 years time maybe it will come back to pre-1970 levels. We don’t know of course. If it does, we can at least say that for the next 20 years things are going to be about the same before we get to cooler and wetter conditions in the SW.

Now there is apparently some fairly basic atmospheric physics that can calculate the greenhouse effect that the increase in CO2 levels produces, and, I am told that these calculations suggest that the temperature increases in the SW are in the correct order of magnitude. There are also some fairly basic calculations that can attribute a major proportion of the recorded CO2 increase to the increased usage of carbon being burnt by anthropomorphs.

OK, it might be some weird coincidence that the temperature trends from Leeuwin, Naturaliste and Katanning are in parallel with the CO2 trend from Moana Loa.

Some sceptics appear to suggest that this increase is a natural, geological phenomenon and nothing to be alarmed about and that the climate will revert back to an interglacial going into a glacial period sometime in the next few thousand years. Sceptics refer to the European warm and cold patches in the medieval period and the Little Ice Age, as evidence of natural climate variability. The cause(s) of this variability is not fully understood, with theories of changes in the earth’s magnetism and changes in solar activity among the postulates. As we do not yet know the causes of those events, we cannot as yet find those causes in the present global warming. That these events caused global warming (as opposed to local events over a global scale that averaged out) is also open to debate.

It would thus be very good if the sceptics could come up with a cause for the trends as shown in the graphs. If there is no relationship between anthropomorphic activity and global warming, then we should see a disjunct soon. CO2 is predicted to continue to rise with the increased burning of carbon by India and China not the least. But temperatures should start to fall soon, if it is a short term cycle.

I’ve got charts for the rainfall of these areas, and there is a one to one correspondence in the temperature trends and the rainfall trends.

Finally, the SW of WA is just a small part of the globe. What a funny coincidence that everywhere else that you look, there are similar trends. Where increased temperatures increase humidity, then of course there will be an increase in rainfall, or as in parts of Antarctica, increased snow fall. Where increased temperatures increase aridity, as in the SW, then this is what we see here.

So I look forward to some solid geological data from the sceptics that proves that this is a short term, natural trend that will quickly revert back to pre-1970 levels in the next 10-20 years. Good luck!

will send our friends and loved ones to come

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:47:00 +0000

Delightful 'home away from home'. Many thanks for your hospitality. We hope to come back someday and will send our friends and loved ones to come, visit and enjoy. Jim & Dorothy, Sydney, NSW, 18/3/2010.

Very peaceful and Relaxing

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:04:00 +0000

Lovely property. Very peaceful and Relaxing. Very friendly Service, will be recommending to friends and family. Regards, Debbie & Martin. Perth, WA, 17 03 2010.

A beautiful property and welcoming hospitality!

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:58:00 +0000

A beautiful property and welcoming hospitality! So comfortable in all respects. Our two nights here have been a luxurious escape from many nights camping in our tent, as we travel Perth and the S.W. corner of WA. We will be very happy to recommend your haven to fellow travelers. Big thankyou. Best ever stay. Geoffrey and Maureen, Valentine, near Newcastle, NSW, 16/3/2010.

Accommodation with Wow! Factor

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:12:00 +0000

Accommodation with Wow! Factor. Made our trip to Margaret River very memorable. Very comfortable and a pleasure to have stayed here. One night was not enough. I will certainly be recommending Loaring Place. I hope that one day we can return. Karen & Alan, Essex, England, 9.3.2010.

Pam's scones are too much

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:08:00 +0000

What a wonderful property and visit. The welcome was warm and amazingly in 5 minutes we had a cup of tea, the internet and lay of the land. Dirk's advice on excursions and restaurants was excellent. Pam's scones are too much. Thanks. Louise & Will, Sydney, 7-3-2010.

Fabulous Scones!

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:20:00 +0000

Thank you for a very comfortable and enjoyable stay - Fabulous scones! and ports much appreciated. Fiona and John, Ewhurst Green, East Sussux, 1-3.2.10.

fantastic few days

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:47:00 +0000

	Date of Stay: December, 2009
We had a fantastic few days at this B and B which is beautiful, well appointed with all the comforts of home. The hosts were very nice and helpful. Very central location and would definitely recommend it and will return here.

Ah... The serenity

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:46:00 +0000

Ah...the serenity of your lovely home. The wind whispering and the cicadas calling. We will return. Thanks so much for a relaxing evening and gourmet brekkie! Sue & Jim, Georgia, USA, 23/1/10.

lovely little hide-away

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:20:00 +0000

TravellingQuoll Perth

TirpAdvisor.com, Jan 10, 2010 | Trip type: Couples

This lovely little place has obviously had a lot of thought put into it. The bed was super comfortable and beautifully presented, although reasonably cramped, which was a shame, and the bathroom was well appointed and roomy. The common space is a lovely airy room with comfy couches, an excellent sound system and looking over the tiniest bit of lawn straight into the bush. I really really wish I'd decided to have the cooked breakfast - other guests had it and it looked amazing, but the selection otherwise was good. Oh, and the DVD collection needs updating!

Date of stay June 2009
Visit was for Leisure
Traveled with With Spouse/Partner

A wonderfully different retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:16:00 +0000

PominOz44 UK

TripAdvisor.com Jan 22, 2010 | Trip type: Couples

We stayed here after a hard camper van trip from Darwin to Perth and the contrast couldn't have been more heavenly. The house is a little way out of Margaret River but as others have said this adds to the charm. The rooms are comfortable, the linen luxury grade, and the guest lounge is a lovely place especially on a sunny day. Dirk is happy to leave you alone or to talk about his bit of forest and to map out suggestions for whole days of sightseeing if you want.

We got a good rate on Hotelclub.

· Date of stay November 2009

· Visit was for Leisure

· Traveled with With Spouse/Partner

My ratings for this hotel

Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness

Service

A puzzle at the table

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:24:00 +0000

Such a delightful place. Thanks for your warmth and hospitality. See you on our next visit - a puzzle at the table in the grand room in winter sounds wonderful!. Cathy and Brian, Mullaloo, WA, 10/01/2010

Wild Flora Sneak Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:22:00 +0000

Artist Margaret Packam-Leavesley from Loaring Place in Margaret River, gave us a sneak preview of her cow today. Her cow will join all the others in the magnificent Cow Parade later this year. Wild Flora has been sensitively painted with some of the more spectacular native flowers that grow wild on the Wildflower Ridge. All the blocks of land around Loaring Place form the southern end of the Wildflower Ridge, so named because of the diverse wildflowers found on the ridge.

Travellers going through the domestic airport will soon be able to admire all the flowers painted on the cow by Margaret.

Meekadarabee Falls, Ellensbrook Homestead

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:21:00 +0000

There is a 30 minute walk to two grottos along the Ellenbrook River at the Ellenbrook Homestead. The bush is absolutely beautiful and the grottos quite enchanting.

Beginning of the walk with the homestead in the background.

Ellenbrook Homestead mulberries

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:07:00 +0000

The old Ellenbrook Homestead (1840) has a huge mulberry tree in its gorgeous grounds that was full of luscious fruit, but reminders were left on fingers and clothes.

Saskia in Margaret River

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:02:00 +0000

Casey, Dirk and Saskia (27/12/09)

Jo and Saskia

Saskia, Jo and Pam

Kangaroos on the lawn

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:56:00 +0000

A kangaroo family dropped by this morning for a feed and a drink. Their joey was in the bushes to the right and was too shy to come out. The big male had quite a long drink. They would really like to get to the grape vines but I have bird wire all around them now so they are protected. We have 4 bird baths around the house that are used all the time by the fly catchers and honey eaters that are in the forest.

Christmas Leek Orchid

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Joanna went horse riding at the Nicols in Karridale with Terry while I went for a walk in the bush. Discovered a leek orchid called the Christmas Leek Orchid, Praesophyllum brownii (it was first collected by Robert Brown in Albany in December 1801).

Joanna and Terry returning from a horse ride around the blue gum plantation. The leek orchid was down in that creek line to the right.

The perfect getaway in WA!

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:15:00 +0000

We arrived in the afternoon to a beautiful house tucked away amidst forest and wildflowers. And then it only got better. Dirk and Pam, our hosts, and now our new friends, were right there to greet us with warm smiles, tea with homemade muffins and lots of sightseeing suggestions.
There are 4 rooms in this B&B, and they are all alike - very comfortable and nicely appointed, with luxurious baths. The beds are particularly comfy and it was difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Except that a gourment breakfast awaited us. Eggs and bacon, or sausage, toast, etc. made to order. I recommend the mushroom omelet - superb!
We felt quite at home and were very sorry to leave after 4 blissful nights. This was the perfect compliment to the Margaret River region, where there is so much to see and do and you can come home to nice people, a fire is it's chilly and a great night's sleep.
Thank you Pam and Dirk. We hope to return soon.

thekidtraveler, Chennai, Tripadvisor, Oct 14, 2009

Date of stay October 2009

Best nights sleep!

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:12:00 +0000

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!

GGPOPNINO, Calgary, Tripadvisor, Oct 16, 2009

Date of stay October 2009

Heavenly Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:47:00 +0000

This place is amazing!!! Dirk was warm and sincere. He introduced us to many places that we could visit around the margaret river region as soon as we arrived. The bed was so comfortable that I just did not want to get out of bed. There were so many pretty pillows, layers of blanket and the bed could also be heated. The toilet was huge and i loved the double spa bath and aromatic salts that were provided. Breakfast was also a delight. There was a delicious spread which included fruits, cereals, yogurt, muffins. Dirk also whipped up a perfect mushroom/bacon omelette which i had for two days. The place is surrounded by nature and it was truly relaxing to enjoy breakfast at the verandah while listening to the birds chirping. This is definitely a place which I will return to :) Thank you Dirk, for making our stay so wonderful!

nicoltra, Singapore, Tripadvisor, Oct 26, 2009

Date of stay October 2009

Great base for Margaret River

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:44:00 +0000

We chose this place because of its fabulous reviews on tripadvisor, and weren't disappointed. The room is spacious with the high points being

- a fabulous bathroom [with both shower and spa tub, separate toilet area],
- cozy bed [spotless and comfortable linen],
- a glass wall overlooking dense trees
- fast wireless internet

Everything was spotlessly clean on check-in. We weren't aware that there was no room service when we booked, but that must be us over overlooking the details; it didn't turn out to be a problem. The accommodation is accurately described on the website.

The cottage seems to be designed as a B&B: four guestrooms are on one side of the cottage, and the hosts' private quarters on the other, thus giving privacy to all. In between the wings is the grand room which makes for the entrance. It's open to all guests for use and houses the TV/DVD system, coffee/tea stuff, munchies, DVDs etc.

The location isn't in the center of town, but that adds to the beauty of the cottage's setting. The city center is just a short drive away.

Our hosts Dirk and Pam were super - very friendly, with spot-on recommendations, and best of all, great cooks.

Should we come back to Margaret River, we'll be back to Loaring Place.

In case you're not a traveling couple, please note that the bathroom [at least in our room Ellenbrook] does not have a door. However the toilet area is separately enclosed.

anuja, Singapore, Singapore Oct 28, 2009 Tripadvisor

Date of stay October 2009

We loved the spa bath!

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:38:00 +0000

We went to Margaret River for a long weekend away from Perth and my boyfriend kept the accomodation details a surprise. What a great surprise it was! Loaring Place has friendly attentive staff who are always keen for a chat and are happy to offer reccommendations for lunch and dinner venues. The room was clean, luxurious and roomy. We loved the spa bath! Breakfast was delicious and relaxed served outside on the patio, with fresh eggs from the chooks that live around the side of the house. I hope we can stay here again next year!

nosila14, Date of stay November 2009, Tripadvisor, Nov 11, 2009

Comfy bed ++

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:35:00 +0000

Great location
Friendly hosts
Great breaky- fresh fruit, local jams and bacon and eggs if you wanted.
Spacious rooms
Comfy bed ++
Spa bath- perfect to enjoy a glass of champagne at night
Value for money (we stayed mid week which was cheaper than the weekend rate)

The first B & B that we have stayed at and would (and have already) highly recommend Loaring Place to others.

Travelleroo, November, Tripadvisor, Nov 17, 2009

Date of stay November 2009

Multiple jams from the local berry farm

noreply@blogger.com (Dirkus@LoaringPlaceBnB) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:29:00 +0000

Essentially, I agree with all the positive comments posted by other reviewers. In particular, the superbly comfortable bed with loads of pillows/cushions and the friendly/helpful owners. The multiple jams from the local berry farm were all delicious.

The lack of servicing was a surprise to us (pretty well unheard of in a UK B and B), but wasn't a problem for our 4 night stay. Also the “no food in the rooms” policy meant no morning cup of tea in bed (the well-equipped large communal area enabled us to have afternoon tea with lovely home-made muffins).

The one really negative point (though not serious enough to stop me giving a 5 star rating) was the lack of storage space for clothes. The room had a hanging rail with 5 coat hangers, but no drawers at all. The shelf over the hanging rail had a spare quilt on it, so could hardly be used. The bedside tables were exactly that – small tables without shelves or drawers. There were some small cupboards in the bathroom – not really suitable for clothes. JohnL45, Somerset, UK, October. Tripadvisor, Nov 18, 2009

My ratings for this hotel

Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness

Service