We had to have the car back at Enterprise Rentals by 10.10am, and did that. They drove us back to the Marina/boat.
We had put more gas in the car and done what little food shopping we needed, last night after our meal. It was a bit much at the end of a long day driving south. We were glad to get home.
With the car gone, we felt we had time up our sleeves to walk back into the middle of the old town, and have lunch. We arrived back at Sidney's where we had enjoyed a lunch two days previously. Problems started with the Latte we ordered. It was a $3.99 latte, but the milk was 'warm'. The owner assured us that they use the thermometer to steam to only 140F. I might be Sudanese (with apologies) before that was 140F! Waz likes his very hot, and there should have been steam coming off the milk. Nada!
We ordered our sandwiches...well, he did, and I ordered a Gyro with potato chips. Waz ordered a side of French Fries with his. The food came after a long while (We had finished the latte by then and it was 1.30pm! not exactly rush hour) and Waz's French fries were luke warm. They assured us that they cooked them from scratch for his meal...there is no way that happened. They just picked them out of the basket as left overs from the previous meal...I know, I was watching the chef work. They agreed to make him fresh HOT ones, but he had already finished his sandwich, and the chips were not arriving. In the end he told them to keep the fries. They did take his meal off the bill, but again, there is no excuse for this kind of food service! NONE!
We decided a long walk would put us in a better mood...and though it was cool outside to the point of us wearing sweaters...we trod the pavement. Coming around a corner, we spied a lovely old Victorian. We didn't know this was the BACK of the house. A lady had come out to check the mail and I made enquiries of the property. She invited us over to look at the outside from INSIDE the property. This is the back of the house that we saw first, from across the road. See the Porte Corchere on the far left? That is the tradesman's entrance!
This home needs a LOT of work. It looks like it has never had all the paint taken off or properly prepared before another coat of probably lead paint, was applied. Too bad! It will take lots of time and effort to repair and make like new.
The woman we spoke to was the caregiver for the 99 yr old owner who still lives in this home. It is quite a long story. soon....This is the side of the house from the street. The lilies in the garden are gorgeous! Orange and yellow and some pink tiger lilies further around.
And as you come around the corner to the Main Road, this is the front! WOW! As we were about to leave, a man came around the side of the house after us, and called out "Are you Aussies or Kiwis??"
To which I replied...
"Shame on you for not knowing the difference", with a chuckle. He laughed too...He was SO happy to know we are kiwis. His son went to Wollongong (Australia)University for his junior year at Uni, and the family had visited Downunder while he was there. The man (Harry) is the son of the owner, and told us all about the family home. He doesn't want to inherit it...and told us, now he had our Contact details, he would find us an make us an offer on the home that we couldn't refuse:) Ya think?
We would LOVE to do a home like this up...if we win the lottery!
Apparently there was an exact replica (or maybe this was the replica?) of this home in New Bern, further south. The family had been in Lumber, initially, and made a lot of money, then Cotton and done likewise. The grandfather of he present owner gave this home to the owners mother as a wedding gift! generous soul! There used to be another family home right next door, so that effectively, the family owned the whole city block. That was torn down and replaced with what is now some social services building. The New Bern house was torn down and replaced with a new Bank Building! arghhh!! How can they do these things??
I guess this home will go to rack and ruin also, if someone doesn't buy it. It would take a small...no, make that a medium sized fortune to bring this home back to it's former glory. It has four bedrooms upstairs with three bathrooms...one of which is a relatively new addition.
The wide veranda is where the family lived in the summer months. There was no air conditioning of course, so they would throw open all the windows and doors and let the small sea breezes blow through. There is a gas fired boiler (new) in the basement of the home now, that keeps the home warm in winter. The old radiators still work too!
We stood outside talking for ages...comparing notes about NZ and all, and I was busy asking questions about the inside of the home...angling for an invite inside...cheeky me! Well, he took the bait and Harry invited us into his mother's home through the back door! We met the lovely 99 yr old mother, and Harry's daughter and grandson, who were visiting the old lady...who has all her marvels, I might add. Harry is anxious for the home to be preserved, and has considered putting a collection box at the gate to ask the public to help preserve this lovely home. It was built in 1913, and represents all the very best of the Victorian era. The Wallpaper was added in the 1930's I believe. It is in excellent condition. The lovely marble bust should stay with the house...just my opinion!
The room on the right is the morning room, and the one at the back with what looks like a yellow something at the door...it is actually a fireplace surround...is the Sitting room, I believe. That is where the old lady was sitting reading the newspaper, when we entered. She was interested and interesting!.
We headed home after this delightful interlude and made a cup of tea.
Along the way, we visited a community Art Gallery, which was also a theatre and school...fantastic community resource! We got talking (we usually do!) with one of the administrators who is a boater (40 ft sailboat that a tornado took apart, not so long ago...needs fixing!)..I think this was BEFORE lunch, now that I think about it some more. We went back afterwards to take a look at something in particular...memory not serving me well!
We had learned that there was a Japanese restaurant (Toyama) that has THE BEST SUSHI...or so we were told. We are always a little skeptical about these rave reviews...everything like this is so subjective, isn't it?
Our 3pm departure came and went. We thought we might make the 7pm bridge opening (The last one before we left the town), but that also went out the door when we decided to walk back into town to get Sushi! Well, if it IS the best, we want to know, right?
We were given a lift over the bridge (which is currently a construction zone and not very pedestrian friendly) and dropped not far away, with instructions on how to find the restaurant. Decent people here!
We sat down...there isn't much in the way of décor, but we hoped for the best.
Miso soup followed by Shrimp and vegetable Tempura, followed by the special of the day for $19.99...Three different sushi rolls on one plate.
The miso was good...nothing like a bowl of that on a cold night! (Which it was...I had on coat and scarf).
The tempura, however, was not in Japanese tempura batter, but regular...what we would call fish ...batter. Hmm...this didn't bode well for the rest of the meal...Why wasn't it in tempura? so easy!
The three rolls were tasty, but not too memorable, which is why I cant really remember what they were!! We will have to find better. I do have to say, though, that it is the best Sushi to date! Doesn't say much for the Sushi, does it!?
We walked home in the cold, and were glad we had our longs on. Waz set the alarm for 6.00am ..we need to get under that bridge before 7am!..and we need to request an opening!
Early night, but I didn't sleep. I got up and finished my book, going back to bed around 1am. Not a lot of sleep, but enough, apparently.
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