- Check-in :- 1 pm
- Check-out :- 11 am
If there is no one booked in to your cottage for the following night, you are invited to leave as late as you wish on your departure day. The cleaning staff (Paul), is on flexy time. If the receptionist (Paul) failed to inform you, and you wish to depart late, just check with the manager (Paul), to see if this is possible.
If there is a booking to arrive that day, we ask that we can access the cottage at 11am for servicing. In any case you are invited to remain on the property after vacating the cottage if you wish.
Laundry
At the cottages is a laundry tub. At Black Bean Cottage it is on the veranda, and at Maple Cottage it is under the veranda. There is a laundry for guests to use (free of charge) in the games room shed between the cottages, and contains a small automatic washing machine and tub. Detergent supplied, or should be. If the maintenance staff (Paul), has been slack, see the manager (Paul). There is a clothes line outside, but many times natural drying is hopeless, don’t bother with the washing machine, but bring the lot to the homestead where I have a matched washer/dryer pair.
Phone
There are no phones connected in the cottages, but you are welcome to use the phone at the homestead which is good old twisted copper wire. Mobiles mostly work at Maple Cottage and mostly don’t at Black Bean. You are also welcome to use e-mail, though connection speeds are ordinary. Phone and e-mail free to use, unless the cost is substantial i.e. a long phone call to Botswana. If you want to receive a message, you may give the ph no/e-mail (0740978177, paul@possumvalley.com.au) and I will be delighted to deliver the message par cleft stick.
Information about local attractions
There are some brochures etc left by guests in the chest of drawers. You could try asking the information desk (Paul), but frankly, I don’t get out much. Your best resources are the local information centres.
- Ravenshoe ph 40977700
- Herberton 40963474
- Malanda 40966957
- Atherton 40914222
- Mareeba 40925674
- Cairns 40410010
Check Out
When checking out, please ensure the following protocols are observed.
- Please make sure you take all your stuff as I am fed up with mailing bits to you. If you have kids, please look in all the ingenious places they choose to stash stuff.
- Please leave all my stuff as I need it for the next guests.
- Don’t worry about paying for your stay or seeing me on the way out. I’m sure you will get round to it when the next pay cheque hits your account.
- Do not try and help me by stripping the beds or other efforts to minimise my labour. I actually expect to work for a living and anyway, after doing this for 30 years I am in a very comfortable rut and any disturbance of my routine causes me discomfort. I mean why the fuck would anyone strip a pillowcase and turn it inside out??? If it is soiled, I want the outside to be outside in the washing machine!!! You see how delicate I am to disruption. Please humour me.
- If you find you are unable to leave due to the totally atrocious access and steep hill, I will probably hear you struggling with engine revving and gravel scrabbling and will stroll over to offer assistance. I can without towing, drive out 90% of distressed guests. For the most unfortunate vehicles, designed by accountants, I occasionally have to tow out with my 4WD. Only one vehicle in 30 years was too difficult for me to help. A Mack truck with 18 tons of gravel and a trailer with also 18 tons of gravel. 50 tons all-up weight and 30m long. To say he had lost his way, rivals Columbus thinking he had arrived in China. My guests managed to put up with 3 extra days imprisonment with remarkable bravery.
- Do not even think about recommending Possum Valley to your friends. You might not be able to book again.