Free coffees for the rest of your life

 

 

Own a piece of Nelligen's history and Nelligen's future! A unique picture postcard opportunity on the banks of the picturesque Clyde River. The freehold block has two buildings: a commercial café and a 3-bedroom residence.

It's been eight years since Benny last sold it for $710,000, and we still miss his innovative merchandising of placing DUREX right after Chuppa Chups and before Panadol. At least he's got the chronology right!

 

 

Benny Housiaux had bought the old store in 1998 for $200,000, and constantly had his magnanimity tested by customers quoting "Blue fish blowing bubbles" which, according to his website, entitled them to a free Coke (I tried it once and was nearly handcuffed and handed over to the authorities for verbal shoplifting ☺).

 

 

He tried to sell it again in 2009 but no luck. Then, in April 2010, it burnt down and, with a bit of help from the insurers, a new store arose from the ashes which Benny then tried to sell for over $800,000. He had to wait three years before he found a buyer in October 2014 at $710,000.

 

Quote the phrase; "Blue fish blowing bubbles", when you place any takeaway order over $4, to receive a free can of Coke!

 

Interested? Click here and quote "Blue fish blowing bubbles" and you might get yourself a bargain and free coffees for the rest of your life!

 

A very Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!

 

 

Some old photos ...

 

... courtesy of the By-gone days of Nelligen & Batemans Bay facebook page.

 

 

A piece of Nelligen's history is up for sale

 

The Old Steam Packet, a piece of Nelligen's history almost as old as Nelligen itself, is up for sale. It hasn't been a pub for many a decade during which time it was used, on and off, as a private residence, and last sold when old Benny was still running his old-fashioned Fish 'n' Chips next door.

 

The FOR SALE ad reads:

Built in 1905 and originally operating as a cheese factory, The Old Steampacket Hotel is one of the South Coast's most iconic historic buildings. Located on 5,500sqm (1.3 acres) and directly across from the pristine Clyde River, famous for its Sydney rock oysters, fishing and water sports. Nelligen Village is located 2 hours from Canberra or 3.5 hours from Sydney, this quaint, picturesque village steeped in history offers a relaxed, laid back lifestyle. The property is for sale by tender, private inspections only, building report available upon request. Close of tender August 15th 2021.

 

I'm storing the photos from the FOR SALE ad here for their historic significance as much as for the fact that I've never seen the inside of the place and some of the photos show the state of progress of the new bridge being built and two show the downriver location of "Riverbend".

 

If you do want to lodge your tender, click here.

 

P.S. The above property last sold in March 2001 for $300,000. Past sales figures for the adjoining properties are as follows: 1 Wharf Street (Benny's old Fish 'n' Chip shop and now the River Cafe) last sold in October 2014 for $710,000; 11 Wharf Street (the double-storey brickhouse to the left) sold as recently as July 2020 for $800,000.

 

Nelligen's new water supply and sewerage system

 

Things may still be a bit crook at the Top End of the country, but here in little Nelligen we'll soon have our very own new you-beaut water supply and sewerage system which, according to the Council's own website, will be linked to existing water and sewer infrastructure in Batemans Bay and be fully operational by 2022/23.

Not everyone is looking forward to a reticulated potable water supply. I mean, what could be more potable than beautiful, clean rainwater free of chemicals and pollution due to breaks in the pipes?

As for the pressurised sewerage system, a pump unit will be installed below ground on each property to collect and pump sewage to the street mains. In case of power failure, the system is supposed to allow for approximately 24 hours of storage. After that, we simply hold our collective breath, I guess! Or have fewer curry dinners!

The existing septic tanks, which have been working without fail for as long as Nelligen has existed, will be replaced by this new system to "reduce the risk of harm to the environment and public health".

What about the risk of harm to the environment and public health by the scores of privately-owned houseboats on the river? From here I can see half-a-dozen moored upriver. They never seem to move from one year to the next, and yet are lived on during weekends and holidays by scores of people, none of whom I have ever observed carrying away with them little porta-potties as they return to the city.

Maybe they do it differently; maybe they do it by some sort of osmosis (I don't even know what the word really means but it sounds good; almost as good as Council's promise that "odours from the new sewerage station will be minimised thanks to an odour control system"). Or maybe they just have fewer curry dinners!

Those chaps at ELDERS take better shots than I do

Can you spot "Riverbend"?

 

If you have ever wondered where we go for our (sometimes not so) brisk morning walk, wonder no more! Thanks to a recent real estate advertisement launched on the internet by   Elders   - see here - you can trace our walk across the bridge (left to right) ...

Three kayaks hired from Nelligen Kayak Hire. Another free plug provided by yours truly

... and past the jetty which is popular with anglers at any time of the day (or night), but which at this early hour is still awaiting the arrival of the daily lunchtime tourist launch from Batemans Bay, MV Merinda ...

"Less than 150 metres away" from the   Elders   house, but two kilometres from "Riverbend"

Phone 44724052 to make a booking. Mention my name to ensure I get my commission
(Note for Tong: don't bother buying a ticket; simply buy the whole business outright!)

 

... and also past the River Cafe which tempts us with a big mug of hot chocolate but which we know we wouldn't leave again for under an hour if we sat down as the view from the front porch is s o o o relaxing ...

DON'T mention my name to ensure you won't get thrown out!

 

... through the boat trailer park at the far end of Wharf Street which is very popular with Canberrans who come down the coast with their boats to spend whole days and nights on the river, fishing, drinking, or both ...

... and past the house which was last sold in August 2017 for $400,000, and which   Elders   will auction off next month because no-one knows what people are willing to pay in this crazily overheated market ...

... leaving the tennis court behind us to struggle up Currowan Street where Richard lives who usually does two, and often three, laps 'round the village - anti-clockwise against our clockwise - while he waits for the travel restrictions to be lifted so he can jet off to Thailand again ...

Your last chance: can you spot "Riverbend"?

 

... then along Runnyford Road, maybe stopping at "Tugboat" Tom's house to discuss the merits of shopping at ALDI, then turning right BEFORE the cemetery - they can carry me up there when the time comes! - heading down Reid Street where we might call in at Elaine and Neal's place to buy a dozen fresh eggs or a pot of honey or just talk to their horse ...

... and back onto Braidwood Street, past what used to be the Catholic Church and is now a private residence, and what used to be the Court House and is now the Anglican Church, and what used to be the local Watchhouse and is now also a private residence, before crossing the old bridge again which will soon be replaced by a new bridge - click here.

Rather thoughtlessly,   Elders   didn't take photos of all the streets - nor the people - I have mentioned in this blog. Must have a word with them!

We're back at "Riverbend"! I've switched on the computer to look at the sharemarket. It's a sea of red across the screen which once again proves what goes up must come down! I cracked a COKE to steady my nerves and, absentmindedly, poured it into my half-finished cup of lemon-and-ginger tea. It tastes absolutely awful but I might as well drink it as the current state of the market doesn't allow me to waste it! Cheers! 😜

Googlemap Riverbend

 

Nelligen in pictures