Mixed Fortunes

A month or so ago we noticed that there was an orienteering event just outside of Launceston on the same day that there was a Port Power game in Launcestion. Now we wouldn't normally be interested in an orienteering event so far from hobart but we are in charge of the results for the upcoming Australian Orienteering Championships and we have written some software that we really needed to test at an actual event.   So we could test our stuff, and have time to go to the footy afterwards.    And since we like the mtb riding areas in Launceston we thought we could go up the day before (Saturday), after the kids soccer games, but in time for each of us to have a jaunt around the fun Kate Reed Reserve before it got dark.. what an excellent  plan..

Just for fun I booked 2 nights at Grindelwald which is now called Tamar Valley Resort, cos I was thinking the kids could have fun at the playground and jumping pillow and mini golf and other activities when we were back here..  yep - it was looking good for a great weekend away.

Then about a week after we'd booked and paid and bought tickets for the game we discovered that the orienteering had moved to a place called Royal George, which is about 90 minutes from Launcestion with the first half of that back towards Hobart - Bugger.. Oh well, all the more reason for  staying at Grindelwald for that second night we figured as it was going to be such a big day with the footy and all the driving..

Then.. about a week after that, Zali got an invitation for a party that wasn't going to finish until 4.30 on Saturday.  So there went our riding opportunity.. hmmm.. this wasn't turning out as planned at all  - particularly as we've booked into a fun kids place with almost no time for them to enjoy it..

So now we've arrived for our not-quite-what-we-were-thinking weekend and just checked into Grindelwald. The last time I was here was in grade 8 or 9 and I remember it as the height of luxury.. I'd say the only thing which has changed in these units since then is probably the TV - everything else is 80s vintage.  Which I normally wouldn't bother picking about - we stay in plenty of other places like this except that this place stinks. Literally.  Of smoke.  As soon as I walked in it smelt like a country bar and when I went into the master bedroom it smelt like a chain smoker had lived his entire life in there and his body and entire smokey wardrobe was still stuffed under the bed.  It was like when you sit on a plane next to an old person who has smoked for the last 60 years - they just reek to the point where it is nauseating.   It's really bad - so bad that it's the first time I've ever rung reception to complain about our accommodation (normally we just accept that we get what we pay for!) - but they would have to pay me money to put up with this..