In the spirit of increasing biodiversity, my partner and I bought a little insect hotel for our Blue Mountains garden. Perfectionist owner-builder Rob decided to seal the back panel with Bondcrete and add a waterproof membrane to the pitched roof. Well, we do get a lot of weather in ‘Bleakheath’.
We sat it on an old tree stump and waited for a stream of guests, especially native bees. My associate Editor Des was intrigued by the whole enterprise.
Sadly, there were no enquiries whatsoever. We tried to give the new hotel a little more street appeal, with a sprig of nectar filled golden wattle and a banksia bloom. And though it was a difficult decision, we slashed the room rates. Well….there’s the pandemic, with closed borders etc.
Oh yes, the old Roger Miller song is echoing in my head.
‘‘NO PHONE, NO POOL…..SOME PETS!’
Keep it quiet, but that security boosted second floor might be the go for grey nomad Boomers who still enjoy a cone or two.
We put an ad in the Blue Mountain Gazette and on the community FB page. Finally, success! A prospective tenant turned up.
The first floor’s circular sleeping pods appear to have been designed just for him.
Only problem is that I’ve heard he’s a very slow payer….. hoho! A bloomin’ backpacker by the looks of him.
Oh my word, now an early summer tourist is interested. Mr Cicada says he is both a singer and a greengrocer, so paying the rent should not be an issue in this case. However, cicadas are notorious for earsplitting, group raves. That might not go down well in our quiet neighborhood.
His main concern appeared to be the roof, which he insisted on inspecting. Was that waterproofing applied by a professional, or just some backyard bozo?
I’m thinking I may have to create a NO VACANCIES sign before long.
NOTE – My partner and I take a great interest in hotel design. For more info, CLICK HERE.
