by Paynes Hut | Sep 27, 2014 | Blog
Guest post by Sam Bell
Yesterday I visited Payne’s Hut for the first time in many months and the usual happened – my mouth was agape… a little earlier this time though, as I travelled along the driveway and saw the new igloo installed in the veggie patch, the impressive verandah around the main Hut and marvelled at the leaf-less garden this time of year.
Touring through the garden, the new laundry frame is in. In the main Hut, the newly enlarged main kitchen (the outdoor kitchen is going strong) is so delightful. Accordion windows will be installed soon and afternoon teas served through here will be such a treat. The verandah is certainly the place where dreams become real.
As it is anytime, now is a wonderful time to be at Payne’s Hut.
The blue skies and sunshine didn’t quite make it out for the photos though Flora the dog did!
by Paynes Hut | Sep 14, 2014 | Blog
Tess has come up with a clever new tagline for Payne’s Hut: “Reconnect, unplugged” – originating from electric guitarists in the ’80s who reinvented themselves by being acoustic. In Payne’s Hut terms, this reflects people coming to Payne’s Hut, enjoying relaxing times, delighting in their phones no longer connecting and perhaps even reconnecting with what’s important in their work and lives.
In a similar way, we encourage you to enjoy a pre-Christmas get together or gathering as a lead into the Christmas season – sit around open fires together or at the bar, sit along our new verandah overlooking the Shannonvale Valley, or in the dining hall that now seats 20 people.
Always remember that Gordy’s “Glen Wills Retreat” up the road can extend the number of people you can bring into the area to 20 (accommodated across both properties). It accommodates up to 11 singles or 8 couples and is now complete with ensuites.
The scene is now set to celebrate each other be it family, friends or workmates. Enjoy good food, BYO drinks or buy from the bar, soft drinks available. Be enticed by our seasonal, 2-course dinners, or simply use the outdoor kitchen to whip up your own delights. The property is yours to explore and to luxuriate in.
Early bookings assure you the dates you’re after – especially the public holiday weekends. Book your “Reconnect, unplugged” stay now.
![Garden Update!]()
by Paynes Hut | Sep 14, 2014 | Blog
Here at Payne’s Hut, the big news over Winter was transferring the igloo from a laundry on the Western side of the property to atop the rich garden beds. The compost created from Do Lectures in April has now turned into luscious soil which has now enabled us to fill the igloo where we’ve sown and planted the seeds of the lettuce.
Spring veggies are developing early thanks to the generosity of Nielsen’s Nursery.
Kale has worked well this year (more going in soon) and rhubarb is starting to pop it’s head out if the strawbeds. Rainbow silverbeet is already on its way up and the worms are doing their job!
We’re now planting pencil radishes, snowpeas and greens.
Now’s the time to book your berry picking in late December or January!
by Paynes Hut | Sep 1, 2014 | Blog
It’s Springtime here at Payne’s Hut so as the frost melts away, there is plenty that we’ve accomplished to share with you.
Early this year, Graham, his mates, neighbours and friends built a new wide deck around the main Hut that has transformed the building and the whole property. It now provides a wonderful place to look out over the High Plains and is perfect for long summer dinners. Of course!
There are so many aromas and tastes that accompany each changing season and Spring is a very special time to visit us when the place is transformed into a photographer’s paradise. The mornings are crisp and we’re seeing many more sunny, blue skied days. It’s charming.
Come on up and unplug from the world. Surround yourself with warm fires, feather quilts, and our beautiful scenery.
In the past year, we’ve finished the bar which provides the quintessential experience of being by the open fire and sampling local wines.
international and local Aussie speakers, glorious April sunshine
and a total of 120 people accommodated at Payne’s Hut and Mitta Mitta Campground in Happy Glamper tents.
A year in the planning and making, it was an experience we all revelled in, including sprucing up the Glen Valley Hall to delight many newcomers to bushdancing.
Tess and Graham’s Do Lectures talk will be online for the world to see here, later this month.
We’re looking forward to the next Do Lectures Australia, set for 19-22 March, next year (apply here!). We’ve a few alterations that we’re working on in the meantime- enlarging the main kitchen and creating a new laundry building – as well as supporting the Do team with the design of the event and bringing the delights of the High Plains to visitors.
The West Wing is now complete with a four poster bush bed made by Graham, using local logs and the new heater worked away well through the Winter. Thanks to Charlie Brown for the great photos! It’s a cosy wonder to wake in.
Read about the new developments in the garden here, the new workshop dates and we recently ran a competition for a free night stay on Facebook so do join in the conversation there as we’ll be sure to do more.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Come on over to see what Graham is busily doing in the main kitchen and do find your favourite book to bring along for your stay.
Reconnect and unplug…
by Paynes Hut | Aug 10, 2014 | Blog
Hi Everyone,
We’re delighted to have a spruced up website. We hope you enjoy the new design and photos – more to come. Let us know what you think via Facebook.
Payne’s Hut newsletters are also coming to be – we’ve always wished to do these every quarter or more often when something interesting is happening or coming up. They will be full of the latest news from Shannonvale, the garden, the construction, recent findings and events. We’ll entice and encourage you to book your annual stay to rest, recharge and unplug!
Enjoy hearing about Payne’s Hut from afar via our emailed newsletters. Get yours here ~
Happy travels, relax – you’re almost here.
~Tess and Graham Payne
With thanks to Mark Lobo, Liz Bull, Carly Heaton and Charlie Brown for the exceptional photos throughout the site, Karlie from Bali Buddies for our Facebook and Instagram management, Vanessa from The Exceptional Assistant for our newsletters and Sam from Runway Digital for the production.
