HOLIDAY HOUSE FACILITIES
Welcome to our holiday house…
Welcome to our holiday house in Russell, in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Comfortable furnishings and modern appliances make our holiday house like a ‘home away from home’ - to make the days & nights as restful and as enjoyable as possible. We spend most of our time on the beaches, taking walks, and in the numerous cafes and bars ! If you feel more energetic, there are 2 bicycles in the shed.
We hope you have a wonderful time here in the Bay of Islands !
Below we have listed the most essential information you need to know about our holiday house.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to call us: Dave 0275 701 701 or Maria 0275 701 706.
Best regards,
Dave & Maria.
Appliances
Instructions for all appliances in the house can be found in the ’sideboard’ unit in the living area.
BBQ
There is a 3-burner gas BBQ on the back deck. The steel lid hooks onto the back edge of the BBQ and acts as a splash guard / wind shelter. To start the BBQ, first, remove the cast iron grill and plate. Then, open the valve on the gas bottle (turn counter clockwise), and then turn the first burner valve to ’start/ignite’. Once the 1st burner is lit, the 2nd, and then the 3rd burner can be turned to high, and they should light automatically. Keep head and face well away in case of sudden ignition of the gas. When finished, turn off each burner valve and then turn off the valve on the gas bottle. When the BBQ is completely cooled down, please replace the steel lid and the rainproof cover. Should the gas bottle run dry, it can be filled at the hardware store in Russell township. Or, you can use the good old fashioned brick BBQ (use the firewood stored in the shed)… Outdoor table, chairs, and sun-umbrella are provided.
Bicycles
There are 2 bicycles in the ‘garden shed’ (and a foot pump (just in-case the tyres are soft!). If you want to see around Russell and get fit, here’s your chance. These bikes have been described as ‘butt-busters’
Ceiling Fan
There is a ceiling fan in the living area. It is operated by the rotary switch on the wall, next to the light switches in the living area. (The fan has 5 speeds : 1 = fast ; 5 = slow). The ceiling fan makes a nice breeze in summer, and circulates the warm air in winter.
Cleaning
Please leave the house in a clean and tidy condition when you leave. (There is a vacuum cleaner in the 2nd bedroom wardrobe). If you are staying for an extended period, and you would like the house to be cleaned, or laundry service (sheets, towels, clothes etc) - we will be happy to arrange our cleaning service on request, for an additional charge.
Decks
There are decks at the front and back of the house.
Disclaimer
We do not accept liability for any losses whatsoever, including consequential losses, personal or property.
Dishwasher
Sorry, there is no dishwasher ! Please wash the dishes the old-fashioned way - this is a good ‘bonding’ opportunity !
Dryer
There is an automatic (front loading) tumble dryer for drying laundry. When you use the dryer, please make sure the ‘lint filter’ located just inside the loading door, is empty of any lint.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is located in the kitchen, on the side of the cupboard, just above the refrigerator.
Food
Please do not leave any food / perishables in the refrigerator when you leave.
Heating
During the cooler winter months, room heating is by electric oil column heaters. There is also a free-standing ‘Kent’ woodburner in the living area. Use softwood only in the woodburner, and do not overload with wood. Do not cover electric heaters with any objects. Do not leave electric heaters unattended. If you go out, switch all electric heaters off and set the Kent woodburner to low. All surfaces of the Kent fireplace, including the flue, get very hot when in operation. Do not touch hot surfaces and please supervise children at all times
Hot Water
When you arrive, please switch on the hot water (switch located in the hot water cupboard near the bedrooms) - it takes several hours until the water is hot enough for a shower. Please also remember to turn off the hot water when you depart to go home. (the switch is in the hot water cupboard near the bedrooms). Note: Our water is pumped from a bore, for which there is a switch on the power board. Please do not touch the switch.
Please do not drink the tapwater. Drink only the bottled water provided. (located in the refrigerator)
Keys
3 keys are supplied, for the front door, back door, and shed. Please send the keys back to us in the paid envelope provided. Drop into any NZ Post mailbox.
Kitchen
The kitchen includes a full-sized fan-forced electric oven with ceramic cook top. Full-sized refrigerator/freezer. Large microwave with convection function. Electric Jug (Kettle). All cuttlery, crockery, utensils, salt & pepper etc are supplied. (you just need to bring your own food) Instructions for all appliances are in the sideboard unit in the living area. And yes it is true ! There is no automatic dishwasher ! So you have to do the dishes by hand - a good ‘bonding’ opportunity !
Linen
Clean bed linen is provided. (in the unlikely event that the beds are not made up, you will find the bed linen on the ends of the beds, or in the hot water cupboard near the bedrooms). When you leave, please strip the beds and place the bed linen in the ‘laundry basket’. If you are staying for an extended period, we can provide a cleaning and laundry service on request (additional charge).
Phone
There are no landline phones in the house. Reception for mobile phones, both Telecom and Vodafone, is excellent, and mobiles can usually be used without any problems.
Portacot
A portacot is provided, and is stored in the wardrobe in the main bedroom.
Power
The power system is 230V / 50Hz / 1ph.
Rubbish
There is no rubbish or recycling collection service in Russell. Please take all rubbish with you when you leave. There is a refuse disposal depot at the top end of Florance Avenue. You can dispose of bags of rubbish at approx. NZ$2.00/bag, and recyclables can be disposed of at the disposal depot free of charge (cans, glass, plastic).
Security
When you go out, please turn off all lights and heaters, close all windows and lock all doors. When you leave for the last time, please turn the hot water switch off. If you are going out at night, it’s a good idea to leave the front and back outside lights on.
Shed
There is a small shed in the back garden. The key to the shed is attached to the house key. Please feel free to use the bikes, body-boards, beach chairs etc. Just remember to put everything back in the shed, and to re-lock the padlock.
Shower
There is a shower cubicle (with stainless steel base and nylon fabric shower curtain). The water pressure is a ‘low pressure’ system, which is gravity fed from a storage tank. To operate the shower, turn the valve clockwise right around to about the 11.00 o’clock position, and adjust the temperature as required. When you use the shower, please remember to open the adjacent toilet window for ventilation.
Please note that water is precious in Russell ! There is no town water supply, and we obtain our water from a deep water bore. This bore water is pumped up to a water storage tank, which also collects fresh rainwater. PLEASE TRY TO HAVE 3 MINUTE SHOWERS to help us conserve water !
Smoke Alarm
There are 4 smoke alarms fitted in the living area, kitchen, and bedrooms. When a smoke alarm is triggered, it will make a very high pitched sound. If a smoke alarm is triggered, get everyone out of the house immediately and call the fire service on 111. Tell the operator you need ‘fire service’ for 4C Grants Avenue, Russell, Bay of Islands. In the case of a false smoke alarm (eg caused by cooking smoke, steam etc), you can silence the alarm by pressing the reset button on the front of the smoke alarm device, or by removing the battery.
Stairs
The loft bedroom is accessed by a ’stair ladder’. Take extra care when using the stair ladder, and do not allow children to play on the ladder, or to use it without strict adult supervision. We recommend the loft bedroom is used by adults only, and that children use the bunk beds in the second bedroom downstairs.
Stereo
There is a micro stereo in the living area with FM radio, CD and tape player.
Television & DVD
There is Satellite TV (Freeview) in the living area, and in the master bedroom. To operate the TV’s, press the power key on the ’satellite’ remote (silver), and the TV remote (black). Then use the ’satellite’ remote to change channels and adjust volume. Please do not adjust any settings.
There is also a DVD unit in the living area. There are several DVD’s (in the sideboard) and additional DVD’s can be hired from the liquor store in the township.
Towels
There are towels in the bathroom, however please bring your own towels if possible.
Washing Machine
An automatic (top loading) washing machine is provided.
Water
Please do not drink the tap water. Our water supply comes from a deep water bore, which is perfectly safe for washing, showers, and laundry etc. However, for drinking and cooking, please only use bottled water, which is usually kept in the refrigerator or under the microwave. Additional bottled water can be purchased from the grocery store in the township if required.
Note, an automatic system pumps water from the bore to a water storage tank, and you can sometimes hear the pump running, particularly at night when the house is quiet. Note: there is a switch for the pump on the power board. Please do not touch the switch.
When you first arrive, please turn on the Hot Water switch (located in the hot water cupboard near the bedrooms) – it takes several hours until the water is hot enough for a shower. Please switch off the hot water (switch located in the hot water cupboard near the bedrooms) when you leave.
Please help us to conserve our precious water supply - Please try to keep your shower to 3 minutes !
More Questions ?
If you have any further questions, or need any advice or assistance, please feel free to call Dave on 0275 701 701 or Maria on 0275 701 706
We hope you have a wondeful stay !
