"Dark blue is the river; Golden is the sand
It flows along forever; With trees on either hand..."

Glühwein Ingredients: 1 Liter Red Wine 1/8 Liter water 60 grams sugar (approx 2oz) 1/4 stick cinnamon 3 cloves Peelings of half a lemon or two lemon slices Preparation: Bring the sugar, spices and water to a boil. (instead of the water experts say that you really should use red wine for a better flavour) Then let this mixture steep for 30 minutes. Finally, mix in the remainder of the red wine and carefully reheat to just under boiling point. Zutaten: 1 Liter Rotwein 1/8 Liter Wasser 6o Gramm Zucker 1/4 Stange Zimt 3 Gewürznelken Schale einer halben Zitrone oder 2 Scheiben Zitrone Zubereitung: Zucker und Gewürze mit Wasser (anstatt des Wassers sollten Sie Rotwein nehmen - das gibt einen besseren Geschmack) aufkochen, 30 Minuten ziehen lassen, abseihen, mit dem Rotwein vermischen und vorsichtig bis kurz vor dem Siedepunkt erhitzen.

Deposit Once availability is confirmed, a 25% deposit is payable by cheque or postal order, mailed to P. & P. Goerman, "Riverbend", Nelligen NSW 2536. You may also pay by PayPal. The deposit is non-refundable if the booking is cancelled within four weeks of the arrival date unless the accommodation can be relet. However, the non-refundable portion remains current for twelve months if a suitable alternative date can be nominated. The balance is payable on arrival in CASH (sorry but we do not have credit card facilities). P.S. If you have been with us before, forget about the deposit! There's no deposit necessary between friends!

Long-Term Rates "Riverbend" Cottage is a real little home and an ideal place in which to "get-away-from-it-all" convalesce and recover study paint meditate write a book do absolutely nothing (and lots of it!) ......... We offer special rates during the "low season" for rentals of two weeks and more. Please email us, stating when and for how long you would like to stay.

OUTSIDE Dogs welcome Your OUTSIDE - repeat OUTSIDE - dogs are welcome at "Riverbend" but you must at all times: keep them under your supervision accept liability for any damage or accident caused by or to them ensure they do NOT enter the Cottage. P.S. All dogs who have visited us, from dachshund to Doberman, have given us a very "PAWsitive" rating!

"Health Warning" Riverbend Cottage does not compete with establishments whose toilet seats are wrapped in cute little "Sanitized for your convenience" covers or who dull your senses with Muzak and the drone of air-conditioning ("air-conditioning" here means opening the window and letting the gentle breeze come in off the river). Our TV reception is limited to the ABC, SBS, and WIN (however, you have a choice of dozens of excellent DVDs - all without commercial breaks!) And there are plenty of books to read (you remember books, don't you? they are like DVDs with pages) Once here, you may even relax enough not to miss your mobile because, guess what, it won't work here. However, we gladly take your messages on our phone or, if you're the President of the United States or some other important person who is totally indispensable to the running of the world, you can bring along your own laptop and log on to our FREE broadband WiFi. Our guests from the city always enthuse about the air here. It's fresh and composed mainly of oxygen and nitrogen, unlike what they are used to. They fall asleep almost immediately, their bodies exhausted from the lack of carbon monoxide and lead they have come to depend on. This is a pristine bushland setting on the water's edge, so please wear sensible footwear and behave in a responsible manner. We'd be happy to leave it at that but since some people employ such a good team of lawyers, we also require you to read and accept the following Risk Warning. It is quiet here and very peaceful and you're the only guest. Instead of having to listen to somebody else's snoring or be "entertained" by some ablution noise in the room next door, you may hear the occasional possum wander over your roof at night or be surprised by a little green frog looking at you from under the bathroom door. All this sensory deprivation may come as a shock to you and we suggest that, as a rough guide, if your chronological (or mental) age is less than 40 (this used to be 30 but a recent encounter with a youngish couple made us think that 40 is probably a better age), you will probably lack the appreciation of being miles away from McDonald's and the sounds of an infternal combustion engine. To all you others and to those who want to recover their energy and rediscover themselves, please come and stay and stay long, sit quietly, breathe deeply, and listen to the river, to the birds, to YOURSELF!

YOU DON'T NEED A CAR TO VISIT US FROM CANBERRA! MURRAYS Phone 13 22 51 offer a service from Canberra to Batemans Bay and we meet you at the bus stop and take you to Riverbend Cottage, and do the same for your return trip. The full fare is $47 RETURN and the trip takes two hours during which time you can admire the scenery and have short stops at Bungendore and Braidwood. You arrive at the coast relaxed and ready to start your holiday! Departures from Canberra Departure Location Daily Thu/Fri Jolimont Centre 07.30 18.00 Murrys Terminal Kingston 07.40 18.10 Giles St. Bus stop Queanbeyan 07.55 18.20 Crawford St. Bus stop Bungendore 08.20 18.45 P.O. Gibraltar St. Braidwood 08.55 19.25 P.O. Wallace St. Arrival Nelligen 09.45 20.10 Steampacket Hotel Arrival Batemans Bay 09.55 20.30 Orient Street Leaving Batemans Bay for Canberra DAILY 15.30 and also FRI/SAT 8.52 am For more information go to Murrays

YOU DON'T NEED A CAR TO VISIT US FROM SYDNEY! PREMIER MOTOR SERVICE Phone 13 34 10 offer a service from Sydney to Batemans Bay and we meet you at the bus stop and take you to Riverbend Cottage, and do the same for your return trip. The full fare is $64 RETURN and the trip takes five hours during which time you are shown a movie, make short stops at a dozen places with a ½-hour lunch break in Nowra. You arrive at the Bay relaxed and ready to start your holiday! Departures from Sydney Departure Location Mon-Fri 7 Days 7 Days Central Railway 07.30 09.30 15.15 Argyle Street Domestic Airport 07.45 09.45 15.30 Govt.bus stop QANTAS Int'l Airport 07.55 09.55 15.40 Shuttle Bus stop Hurstville 08.20 10.20 16.05 Ormonde Parade Sutherland 08.40 10.40 16.25 Rawson Ave/Flora St. Wollongong 09.30 11.30 17.18 Keira/Campbell Sts. Arrival Batemans Bay 13.00 15.05 20.25 Orient Street Leaving Batemans Bay for Sydney SUN-FRI 06.00 + 16.00 and MON-SAT 10.35 For more information go to Pioneer

HOW TO FIND US: To print this map, click here and print from the new window Caravan Park Steampacket Hotel Cemetery Fire Station Catholic Church Mineral Display Anglican Church Old School Picnic Ground Old Post Office Nelligen Cafe Community Hall General Store Old Steam- packet Tennis Court Sunlit Waters "Riverbend"

We are just 1½hours by car from Canberra and 3½hours from Sydney. Turn off the Kings Highway on the Batemans Bay side of Nelligen Bridge at one of the two turn-offs (marked # 1). At the junction (marked 2), turn down Bridge View Road and follow it to the very end of Sproxton Lane. Enter through the bottom gate marked "RIVERBEND". OUR POSTAL ADDRESS: Padma & Peter Goerman "Riverbend" Nelligen N.S.W. 2536 Phone (02) 44781081 Mobile 0412 624 746 email riverbend@batemansbay.com website www.riverbendnelligen.com Click here for a satellite picture of "Riverbend"

Testimonials   Dear Peter and Padma Thank you for sharing both your recreational and personal space with us. This was truly the "perfect holiday" in a well-kept secret paradise. We leave with many memories that will need to be topped up from time to time, so we look forward to returning. The week here has made us consider how much the pace of life dictates both our mental and physical well-being. Time to relax, chat, read, row and sleep have given us a new energy. Thanks again for all your hospitality and for Padma's fantastic rations. Max and Sharron, Wanniassa, Canberra Dear Peter, Padma, Malty & Rover Thanks for letting us share your beautiful Riverbend. We have had a fabulous time & Lizzy and Darcy have had so much fun swimming (for the first time), canoeing, chasing bunnies, and hanging out with Malty & Rover. Thanks also for your endless generosity & hospitality. It has made us all feel right at home. All the very best for the year ahead. Many thanks Andrew, Jo, Lizzy & Darcy Surry Hills, Sydney P.S. Lizzy & Darcy give Riverbend 6 paws!!! Padma & Peter, Thanks again for yet another wonderful stay. Will definitely be back, & next time for at least 2 weeks. Joy & Tim, Orange Dear Peter and Padma, What a beautiful place to spend our 28th anniversary - everything you need and nothing you don't need! Your generosity and hospitality was very much appreciated. As you give to others may you continue to be blessed in return. With gratitude and heartfelt thanks Ian and Jill Dear Peter & Padma, Don't let them drag us back to Sydney!!! You are two wonderful people who have gone to extensive trouble to make sure we have had a tremendous holiday. As if this beautiful piece of the world wasn't enough, you have provided us with everything we could possibly need & so much more We will miss the tranquility more than we can say. It has also been wonderful to just sit & watch the wildlife (sorry, we couldn't resist giving Lulu a few grapes). Thankyou for your wonderful hospitality & for allowing us to experience "Riverbend". We will be raving about it to all our friends & family. Kind regards Michael & Yvonne Lane Cove Dear Peter & Padma Once again a lovely restful stay but all too short. One day, who knows, we might get the time to stay 2 weeks. All the best for your own travels which you are about to embark on. Take care. Cheers, Jan & Dick Clontarf Beach, Qld. Dear Padma & Peter, We (as before) had a lovely time. It's a beautiful spot. The dogs love the river. We loved the passionfruit butter Thankyou for a lovely stay. You're the best hosts we've ever had! We'll see you again very soon. Tim & Joy Spring Hill (via Orange NSW) Dear Padma and Peter Thank you for a very special 'impromptu' weekend allowing us to share time in your lovely home with two very warm and thoughtful people. God bless you always Robert and Lesley Pinelodge Pastoral Goulburn NSW Dearest Padma & Peter, It may have been 6 months between stays but the warm hospitality & serenity of Riverbend remains. This time we were able to share the wonders of the river with Lachlan (5 yrs) and perhaps a few lessons in patience. We bid you au revoir until the next time not sad but relaxed & peaceful for the moment in time at Riverbend. Colette Paddy & Lachlan Dear Peter & Padma Thank you for a very restful stay. Your warmth and hospitality was greatly appreciated. Grant loved the jetty (although it was I who caught the fish) and I loved swimming at your very private beach. Unfortunately our stay was cut short due to the terrible fires in Canberra - back to work I'm afraid! Best wishes to you both Rebecca and Grant Schults, Gundaroo NSW Dear Peter and Padma Thankyou for opening your private piece of nature to us. We've had a lovely, quiet and relaxing weekend - just what we needed. Your hideaway is a wonderful alternative to a sterile hotel room. Warm regards Heather and James Waverton, NSW Dear Peter and Padma, Thank you for a wonderful stay at Riverbend. We have been able to do everything we set out to do: relax, see wildlife, breathe fresh air and catch fish. Both of you have been extremely generous & hospitable so we won't hesitate in coming back and recommending Riverbend to our friends. Thanks again!! Karen & Mick Dear Peter & Psdma, Thank you for the relaxing weekend - there is no better way to spend a birthday - sitting by the river & relaxing. Many thanks for the birthday cake, Padma, we enjoyed gobbling it all up. See you again sometime next year. Peter & Pauline Kapp, Canberra Peter and Padma We think your spontaneous, warm and sincere hospitality was the highlight of our one week stay. The essence and feel of Riverbend is unique and wonderful and it was just what we had hoped for and gave us the wonderful sleep and rest we often miss in the city. We were exceedingly comfortable and your attention to the little details ensured complete satsifaction. The 'starter' breakfast pack, the Glühwein and pancakes all added to an already great experience. Good luck with this enterprise in the future. We plan to visit you again - just not sure when. Take care and have fun Richard & Jan Howlett, Brisbane P.S. If my writing is all over the place it's because I've forgotten how to write during our stay. Dear Peter & Padma, What can I say? This place is HEAVENLY. Thankyou for a quiet & lovely place to work, and your generous hospitality. Linda Elliott, A.C.T. Dear Padma & Peter, It was all too brief but chance showed us a place that we will long remember and long to return. The perfect setting for any time of the year - although I dream of long, lazy summer days! A little tocuh of paradise - you lucky things! Til next time Ken & Lee Opits, Seaford, Victoris P.S. Ever want to seel an acre 'down the back', let us know! Dear Peter & Padma We would like to thank you for a very relaxing and enjoyable stay. It's been a lovely extended honeymoon! The views are just gorgeous and although we didn't do too well with our fishing, it was great just to sit and talk. The breakfast you provided was a lovely touch and our room was lovely and cosy. We hope to be back in the near future when it's time to 'get away from it all'. We will be telling our friends about this place, or will we? Maybe this should just remain our little hideaway!! See you soon Ashley & Melanie Godfrey, Pearce, A.C.T. Dear Peter and Padma Thank you for allowing us to share your beautiful hideaway. I am leaving this place feeling very relaxed and we look forward to visiting again in May. You are a lovely couple and made us feel very welcome. We enjoyed our chats and lovely breakfast and spending time with little Malty and Peter's stories. Till May. Bye from Debbie & Trevor Love Dear Padma & Peter Thanks so much for your hospitality. We found Riverbend by chance this time, but next time chance will play no part. We loved everything about your hide-away It's a very well kept secret. Peter, you brew the best 'nightcap', and Padma's pancakes are heavenly. See you again Best wishes Steve & Ethel Hooth, Lugarno, Sydney I tell people that strangers are only friends you have not met. As a last-minute decision to spend the weekend at the coast, it could not have been a better decision. Not only did we meet two wonderful people, but we found a haven we will be (to be honest) reluctant to share with too many people in case we have to compete for time here. Tnank you for your hospitality & warmth. We look forward to many memorable stays at Riverbend in the future. Colette & Paddy, Gowrie, A.C.T. Dear Padma & Peter Thank you for a relaxing stay in such a beautiful place. Your position here is really very special. It's great to be able to leave our fishing boat and canoe tied up right here out front of the cottage. In other places where we have visited, we would have to drive to the boat ramp two or four times a day. Your hospitality and friendship are very much appreciated. We look foward to seeing you both again. Many thanks. Ron & Charlotte Stahl, Canyonleigh, near Moss Vale Dear Peter & Padma, Thankyou for your hospitality over the past couple of weeks. You have a beautiful, peaceful part of the world here, and both Peter and myself have enjoyed our relaxing stay. Padma, you are the Queen Pancake Maker, our tummies loved your breakfast treats. We look forward to telling our friends about our Nelligen adventure, and hopefully we ourselves will be back for more visits sometime. This has been my best 29th birthday ever! Many thanks Pauline & Peter Kapp, Vinventia, NSW Dear Peter & Padma, Thank you for allowing us to stay at Riverbend. The setting is very realxing and breathtaking. The birdlife here is wonderful. Many thanks for your hospitality. You made us feel as if we were part of "the farm". With kind regards Ken and Margaret Sherriff Dear Padma & Peter, Our holiday started really here. This is a beautiful and quiet place with a wonderful view at the river. We will miss breakfast and tea at the treehouse, wake up by the cockatoos and the silence. Thanks for your hospitality and the 'Club Med' feeling and the experience in the local pub and of course the mushroom farm. Merel has informed us that she'll return here when she is 18 years old. So don't sell your property! She will miss Padma. Now we have to compete with the attention and care of her second other. Hope we can satisfy her. We will keep this place and your friendship in our heart and memory. Enjoy both Peter's retirement. Kind regards Peter, Merel and Marjaleene Boogers, Nederlands Hi Padma & Peter The expression "words fail me" seems so appropriate right now because it is very difficult to express adequately our thanks for inviting us to share in your piece of Paradise here at Riverbend. In Stuart Magee's book on the Clyde River he talks of the atmosphere he experiences - "peace", he says, "that you could carry in a bucket" and that is possible to find here at this bend in the river as we watched the movements of the tide. Add to this the hospitality on a most generous scale along with stimulating conversations, and surely the world's largest book and video collection and one has the recipe for the greatest R & R ever!!! Thanks again Marianne & Peter Cruickshank, Mittagong, NSW Thank you Padma & Peter We discovered you on the internet - that most modern medium - amd found exactly what we were looking for - a step back to life as we prefer it: quiet, peaceful & undulating. Loved the chairs! 1 week was almost long enough to try most of them with different favourites every day, mood and weather, time & tide all playing a part - but long live the tree that supports the 'house'. We will return to our own home and seek a seat or 2 to capture the same feeling - thanks for the inspiration. And thanks for the treats and sharing your animals; they are delightful, domestic & wild. Don't change a thing! Kath & Philip \ Hi Padma & Peter It is 18 months or so since we last visited Riverbend but it was just a few hours after arriving here that the magic of the place settled on us. The stillness apart from the biord chorus - the most active thing was the ebb and flow of the river. Here's to the next time! Marianne & Peter Cruickshank, Mittagong P.S. I forgot to mention the special effects of the night sky - WOW! Has anyone seen stars quite in such array? Then there is access to Peter's extensive selection of books and videos and Padma's culinary treats (and lessons) - one could go on and on!!!!