Mr Jenner's Splendid AirB&B

Let me fill your glass and tell you more about my travels: this time about my 'accomodations'.  It is very easy these days for the travelling Knight to find shelter on his journey, what with Trivago to help and AirB&B to provide a very welcome alternative. Choice, you see, is now much easier than when I was a lad and one rode, camped in the forest, or found a handy castle to stay in -hopefully with a friendly Knight or King who does not send you directly to the dungeon until he has fully checked your credentials.  Many a customer has found the Tavern, by accident rather than plan.

Cowes, Main Drag

I wanted to visit Phillip Island as I had never done so while living for 20 years just 125kms north in Melbourne. An oversight. So, whilst I was to stay close by my beloved son (in whom I am well pleased) in an 'adequate' motel near the Dandenong Ranges foothills, I organised an overnight trip to that small and delicious 'holiday' spot. And stayed in an AirB&B operated by one Mr Jenner.

AirB&B is popular in Oz. I have stayed in several places enjoying the hospitality of ordinary Oz folk.  

A bit of background.....

Shortly after moving to San Francisco in October 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia created the initial concept for AirBed & Breakfast during the Industrial Design Conference held by Industrial Designers Society of America. 

The original site offered short-term living quarters, breakfast, and a unique business networking opportunity for those who were unable to book a hotel in the saturated market. 

At the time, roommates Chesky and Gebbia could not afford the rent for their loft in San Francisco. They made their living room into a bed and breakfast, accommodating three guests on air and providing homemade breakfast. Their first three guests were of a sold-out design trade show. 

In February 2008, technical architect Nathan Blecharczyk joined as the third co-founder of AirBed & Breakfast.  During the company's initial stages, the founders focused on high-profile events where alternative lodging was scarce. The site Airbedandbreakfast.com officially launched on August 11, 2008.

https://www.airbnb.com.au/s?allow_override%5B%5D=&page=1&ib=true&s_tag=-atIA0Mk

At the beginning of November 2012, Chesky announced his focus on Australia, the second largest Airbnb market behind the United States, as well as Thailand and Indonesia. To support this effort, Airbnb opened its 11th office in Sydney.

Australians account for one-tenth of the Airbnb user base. As usual, Oz exceeds its expected capacity.

I cannot be more recommending. If you are ever south of Melbourne, on Phillip Island, you will not do better than stay a while at Mr Jenner's 'Executive' B&B. It is fit enough for this King, that's a fact, and far less expensive than the 'adequate' other place in which I stayed, which was more akin to the Tavern's comfortable stables. But I am no horse.

Wayne, for that was his christian name, was welcoming and presented a fine resting base for exploration. A fine bed in a fine bedroom; a lounge and a kitchen - more than simply well stocked; and a large bathroom. And all very secure. 

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/7154239?s=Az3Xb71q

Check it out for yourself and better, book some time there.

I found him to be a gentleman and one with some similarities to m'self. A younger chap though. He knows the place well and was able to direct me to some places that I could visit. 

I had already, before arriving to settle in, explored a little, going into the Grand Prix Racing circuit and roaming through the countryside. The beaches are fine indeed and a quite different colour to what I am used to. (My nearby ones being almost white sand). But a pleasant change.

A welcoming and restful, quiet place is what one needs after travelling down from Melbourne. Few seem to appreciate the size of the city and its spreading environs. It is enormous.  And still growing. Already it is 100 kms from one side to the other and it spreads 130kms from top to the increasingly distant bottom well down the right side of Port Phillip Bay. I was expecting the lush farming countryside with its long, uninterrupted roads, and was astonished - and a little miffed - to find miles/kilometers of building sites, road works, even entire sections of Freeway moved to accomodate new housing developments. 

So far Phillip Island has resisted urban blight, even the rather spacious blight that surrounds Melbourne.  It is a small island; a holiday place attracting 'day' tourists, many of whom are Chinese. They come to see the tiny penguins. Other times sees the motor bike fraternity descend upn the place for the Grand Prix. Get there, if you can, quick. And stay with Wayne. Preferably when it is quiet.

Now, another pint?

Pax.