Compendium
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is located in the living area, above the television, as well as in the two upstairs bedrooms. Please ensure all air conditioning is turned off on check out. Please do not use the air conditioning when lighting the fire as it will cause the fire to smoke. Once the fire is going then you can use the air conditioning. Please close all windows and doors when air-conditioning is active to ensure optimum cooling/heating and responsible energy use and turn off when leaving the property.
Simply press the ON button, wait one moment and select your temperature. Heating (sun icon) and cooling (ice crystal icon). The air conditioners should not be set below 21 degrees, in the cooling mode. Running the air conditioner on the lowest setting of 17 degrees will cause the machine to ice up and stop running. Please leave them set on 20 or 21 degrees
ATM
The closest ATM is located in the Broke General Store. All major banks, Coles, Woolworths, IGA and Aldi stores are located in Cessnock or Singleton.
Bathrooms
There are 2 bathrooms at Bonn Abbey and a toilet in the rear screened room. Each bathroom is equipped with lovely body wash, shampoo and conditioner for you to enjoy. Please use sanitary disposal bags and place them in the bins provided. Please do not use hair dye, spray tan or coloured products in any of the bathrooms as these will stain the tiles.
Batteries & Light globes
Spare batteries and light globes are located under the sink or in the dresser draw.
BBQ
There is a gas BBQ area on the front verandah of the property. Please ensure the gas bottles are turned off after each use and that they are cleaned properly before departing or a $100 cleaning charge for each will be deducted from your registration credit card.
Bedrooms
All beds are made up with one summer quilt in the summer and a double quilt in the winter. There is also a good supply of blankets available for use in the cooler months. We have one firm pillow and one soft pillow for your comfort.
Books & Games
Please enjoy the board games and books provided. We do ask when they are returned that there is no damage and that the games are left complete.
Bluetooth Connection
There is a Bluetooth Connection available to connect your phone for music and radio next to the television in the main lounge.
Check Out
Check out is at 10:00am. Late checkout is permitted only when arranged prior to arrival.
Children
Constant visual supervision of children is required at all times at this property. The abundance of native wildlife in the area can be a danger to children – please be vigilant.
Cleaning
Please leave the property in a similar state to its condition on arrival. Place all dishes in the dishwasher and turn this on and remove all garbage in the bins beside the Garage. There may be a cleaning fee charged if extra cleaning is required.
Coasters
Please use coasters and heat protectors for all drinks and food to protect the furniture, particularly the dining and coffee tables. They can be found on the dining table and coffee tables.
Day Visitors
This property is accommodation only. No functions (that includes pre-wedding drinks) are to be held without prior consent of management. Additional charges are applicable for extra day visitors unless agreed with us in writing.
Dishwasher
Please use the “On” button, followed by “Quick 45” and then press “start”. Dishwasher tablets are provided for you under the kitchen sink. Prior to Check out, please run a cycle with your dirty dishes to aid housekeeping.
Entertainment
DVD’s, books and board games are available for your enjoyment in the sideboard in the dining and reading room. Please replace neatly before leaving.
Emergency Contact
In the case of an emergency, please call 000. Our office number is 0488 881100
Features of the Area
The local Broke General Store sells most essentials and daily newspapers. If you wish to use the tennis courts around the corner, the key can be collected from the General Store for $10 per hour. Singleton is the largest nearby town (20 minute drive). It has a well stocked Woolworths Supermarket and butcher etc, Alternately; Cessnock is a 30 minute drive and has all the major Supermarkets.
Eating Out
We have one of the Hunters top restaurants on our doorstep, Margan and great alternatives are Nightingale restaurants and Mount Broke. The contact numbers are Nightingales 02 6579 1499 or Margans on 02 6579 1372.. and Mt Broke on 02 6579 1314 . You can also order a pizza from the Broke General Store or a takeaway from Oishii Asian Restaurant in Pokolbin (15 minutes drive each way)
Fire Alarm
Should the fire alarm sound due to a fire please make use of the fire blanket and/or fire extinguisher, call 000 and quickly vacate the property. Should the fire alarm sound and there is no danger, press firmly the button located on the unit to mute devise.
Fire Extinguisher
There is a fire extinguisher located on the wall in the kitchen.
Fires
Apart from the BBQ no outside fires are to be lit at any time and under any circumstances.
Fire Places – for use from the 1st October until 30th April.
Wood is available next to the fireplace for your use in the colder months, as well as matches, firelighters and newspaper. To start a fire, please use a fair amount of newspaper, with a few firelighters and kindling on top. Do not add larger timber until the fire has taken hold. Please ensure also that the flue remains open at all times to avoid inside smoke inside the house. Please ensure the fire grate is across the fire at all times and is closed before you retire for the night. Extra firewood is located on the back verandah.
Furniture
Please do not, under any circumstances, rearrange or move furniture throughout the property. If our housekeeping team has to arrange to have furniture moved back into the original position there will be an additional charge for this.
Garbage
The daily garbage should be taken to the end of the driveway and put into the appropriate bin (yellow lid – recycling, red lid – general waste). Please do not leave rubbish bags outside of the property, as this may attract pests. Please ensure bins are taken out on to the road on a Sunday night for council collection.
Gas
There are two 45kg gas bottles on the sidewall of the house and at the rear of the retreat. One is “in use” and the other is full, ready for use.
If the gas runs out, please follow these steps:
1. Switch off any appliance requiring gas
2. Close the “in use” gas bottle valve
3. Change the selector valve (tee piece between the bottles)
4. Open the other gas bottle valve
5. Resume using gas
6. Please inform our staff on 0488 881100.
Groceries
Salt & pepper, tea, coffee and sugar are all provided for you. We also have a supply of cling film and foil. Your closest large grocery stores (Coles, Woolworths and Aldi) are in Cessnock/Singleton. Other groceries can be purchased from Broke Village Store, which is open from 6am – 8pm. Broke Village Store is also a bottle shop, post office and take away shop. Phone 02 6579 1056.
Hairdryers
There are hairdryers provided in each of the bathrooms.
Instruction Manual
Instruction manuals are located in a folder in the sideboard in the dining room. Please do not remove.
Ironing
An iron and ironing board are in the cupboard in the main bathroom.
Internet Connection
Complimentary Wireless Internet access has been provided for your use for emails and browsing. Please do not download large files as we are in the country and have limited download capability. If the internet is not working please check that it is turned on. The Password is listed in the Compendium on the dining room sideboard.
Keys
We advise checking that all doors and windows are locked before departure for tours or activities at any time.
Kitchen
We have provided tea, coffee and sugar and you should find plenty of dishwashing equipment, tablets for the dishwasher and garbage bags under the sink.
Laundry
The laundry which is behind the doors in the main bathroom contains a washing machine and dryer for your convenience.
Nespresso Coffee Machine
To use, ensure Machine is plugged in and switched on. Fill up the rear chamber with fresh water. Select your pod, lift the leaver at the front of the machine, pop in pod and push button to start. A few pods per person have been supplied to get you started – please feel free to pick up some extras if you are a coffee lover. Please DO NOT immerse the milk frother in water and ensure the spring in the frother is not discarded when washing.
Noise – NO PARTY ZERO TOLERANCE
Please respect our neighbours, and keep noise to a minimum with no loud music or shouting after 10.30pm. Sound carries in the country so if playing music please ensure that the base is low or turned off. The Hunter has strict noise restrictions governed by both Councils and Police. In the event of a disturbance or complaint we will attempt to contact the Primary Guest on the booking to request that the disturbance cease. In the event that we are unable to reach the Primary Guest then a member of security or the police will visit the property at your cost. This may end in eviction from the property.
Parking
Please feel free to park in the driveway and shut the gates if you wish. Please refrain from parking on the lawns as this will damage the irrigation system. The lawns are watered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from about 5am-9am. If you are staying on these nights please remove your car to outside the front gate.
Petrol – Service Station
There is a petrol at the Broke General Store.
Pets
This property is a pet-friendly property. However we do require they remain in the outdoor areas only or in the enclosed screen area at the rear of the property and are not permitted on the indoor soft furnishings. Please clean up after your pet; Excessive amounts of pet hair or pet droppings can incur additional cleaning fees. We do suggest if when are your not onsite, leave your pet in the rear room or better still, take them with you as you explore the Hunter Valley.
Power Outage
The power box is located on the wall of the house on the opposite side to the entrance. There is a torch under the sink if needed. Please note if the power cuts out then the water pumps are also affected.
Sewerage
Drains and toilets all go to an onsite waste water treatment plant, which uses bacteria to ‘treat’ the wastewater before automatically spraying the throughput from the sprinkler hose system to the rear of the property (Purple hoses) . Only water, biodegradable cleaning products and solids/liquids that have passed through humans should go down the drains/toilets. Sanitary bags are provided in each bathroom. Please help to keep this system operating properly!
Smoking
All our Properties are no-smoking properties and are equipped with regulation smoke alarms. Please do not discard butts ANYWHERE at the property including lawns and gardens. Odours in the property caused by smoking will attract an additional deodorising fee of $100. If you need to smoke you must do so outside. Discarding cigarette butts in a rural area has the potential to ignite fires.
Snakes
The Hunter Valley does have Brown and Black snakes. Should you see one on the property, or near the house please call 02 4991 2444 and a volunteer snake catcher will attend the property. It is important for this service that you keep an eye on the location of the snake so they know where to find it. Equally, your safety is of priority so please maintain a safe distance from the snake.
Spa
Please do not run the spa without water. Ensure that water level is over the jets as it will suck in air and stop working. Do not submerge your head in the spa. Please do not use oils or bubble bath in the spa
Sound System
The house has wifi speakers. Just put your Bluetooth on your device and pair with the JBL Charge 3 or plug your device in the back of the speakers . PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OUTSIDE.
Television
“We have an Austar system which is paid TV. The controls are on the coffee table and instructions. Please do not play around with the settings as we are in an area with difficult reception and they have been set to obtain best result. We get digital reception so in bad weather the picture can break up in places. This is normal.
Torch
There is a torch in the kitchen under the sink
Towels
One towel is provided per guest. Please bring your own pool towels and face washers if required.
Water
We are on town water. This water is safe to drink but if you prefer, please use bottled water.
Windows and Doors
Please ensure that all windows and doors are closed AND locked upon departure and the Main Gate has been closed behind you.
Wildlife
Please do not feed the local wildlife, and drive carefully. Enjoy the critters and creatures, but please beware of snakes. If you encounter any injured wildlife, please contact Wildlife Aid on 0447 667 737.
WIFI
Complimentary Wireless Internet access has been provided for your use for emails and browsing. Please do not download large files as we are in the country and have limited download capability. If the internet is not working please check that it is turned on. The Password is listed in the Compendium on the dining room sideboard.
Wine & Oils
Please enjoy the bottle of wine and local olive oil on the kitchen bench – it is our gift to you!