Lord Howe Island Week Part 3

 Welcome back to the final of Lord Howe. Part of the deal of staying at Pinetrees was a cooking demonstration from the head chef, Alasdair Nicolson  who has been there 10 years. He also wrote a cookbook with the owner, which was presented to us in our room. He  did a demonstration of two spicy sauces which went with two of the cookbook meals, using a blender.

What we didn't know was that he then cooked up lamb loin chops, and sliced thin zucchini on a mandolin and marinaded some of the sauce in halloumi cheese. We had not long eaten lunch and I only ordered a sandwich anyway, as I so so full, as every meal we had was a cooked one, and normally they don't serve sandwiches.  Anyway this demo smelt wonderful and we did have some although I tried to pick the smallest.

This is a very nice book.

Meanwhile while this was happening I noticed a local breed of  pied Currawong, having a lovely time eating a pear, so I dashed over and scared it away and hid the fruit under the bar shelf. They are fruit eaters and this one has discovered where the fruit is kept. Now they cover it with a tea towel for guests.

We also had a tour of the complex and the way they are going about carbon neutral. Fascinating talk, as everything they do as much as possible, from black and grey water, food scraps, cardboard etc, ever leaves the island, and what does they have to pay per kilo for. They also only source food and goods on the mainland from other carbon neutral businesses. A large vege garden has been started, compost bins, and outdoor covered laundry clothes line, for all the sheets and towels, to save electricity. Stopped using tablecloths also and purchased soap in small sizes bars. Using paper straws, bags, wraps etc. plus containers, so no throw away plastic with anything.

 The next thing is to change over to solar hot water. We all now should be aware of plastic for everything. The company hopes others on the island will also come on board with this to keep the waters, and land pristine.

Huge vege garden being started up again after covid.

 Another complimentary outing was in a glass bottom boat. Snorkeling was also part of it which I didn't want to do but John got "the outfit" and was all in for it. 

 

Boarding was done with definitely bare feet and rolled up jeans for me, as straight through the water.

 

We traveled out to the breakwater reef, where it was quite deep, plus a talk on the different coral, fish and the ways of the island with monitoring it to stay healthy.

 

Fish following the boat owner as he feeds them with anemone, they have become pets, as he takes the boat out daily.

The water was freezing and the wind blowing about a lot,  so in the end a few of them didn't go in as quite deep. John hung off the back with his go Pro camera in the water. I really enjoyed boating around the lagoon and watching the fish and coral.

The final day before handing our bikes in, we did a visit to the local museum and learnt the history, which was also, very interesting.

From there we then continued on seeing it was the same road, to the local made brewery and hydroponic gardens, and nursery,  that feeds most of the town.

Beer Kegs

Had to have a taste, and apparently delicious.

  The garden consisted of mainly huge sheds, but a lot of herbs were  growing outside, as was eggplant..

 

 

Bags of coir were used which I hadn't seen before.

Cucumbers

Of course by the end of the week which this was, riding around like a Pro.

The Pinetrees complex also had what was called a boat shed, a place you could visit and serve yourself by an honesty system of wine and beer. I also had a shower but no toilet.

I had my picnic lunch there and read while John went to Ned's Beach for the 2nd.time, relaxing and watching the ocean as well.

On our very last day, while we waited for lunch and boarding,  he decided to take some black and white photos. There was a little turnstile you had to go through either side of the road.

A little long this time but I hoped you enjoyed our trip, and finally my favorite birds there. 

They lay their eggs on a branch, and quite small birds.

Till Next Time