Country Retreat - 36. Manakoora

“What! Wow, that is incredible,” Giles reacted. “Yeah, it has been built as a secret retreat, hidden away from view and it has all the amenities needed to survive here for long periods. Apart from solar panels, which are the only visible thing that can be seen from the air, we have a septic waste system, a water desalination plant, parts of the garage as a hydroponic garden for growing fruit and vegetables,” I said as Jarrad and I grabbed the icebox and headed into the dining hall building.

“Wow, this is amazing,” Marcus said, as he followed us in with a box of groceries as did the others. “As you can see we have a full commercial kitchen, pantry, scullery and dining hall, where we will have all our meals. At the moment, we only have two tables to seat a total of eight people, but there is plenty of room to seat everyone,” I said to my friends.

“What exactly do you mean everyone?” Rebecca asked me, “Well, this complex can accommodate a total of ten staff in individual rooms with private bathrooms, as well as eight single guests in twin accommodation pods, and a total of four families in four-bedroom family pods, Apart from this dining hall, we also have a multi-purpose administration centre, and education centre, medical clinic, a community activities centre, a sports complex with a semi-outdoor stadium that overlooks a standard size sports field for soccer, rugby or hockey,” I announced, as we gathered in the now crowded kitchen area, and began to put away everything.

“So, what is the purpose of this hidden secret complex?” Marcus asked me, “Well it was built a couple of years ago, and has been in caretaker mode since it was completed, allowing me to concentrate on my studies, and my grandparents come up regularly, mainly because we are on a farming property as you will see in the morning, and we have a herd of beef cattle.

I have wondered what I will do with such a large place, far greater than I need, and it came to me very recently, after thinking about my special close friends. Jarrad here and Hugh in New Zealand are studying the same university course in Criminology and Justice, while Koen in Canada is studying Law, and I am studying Neuro Science Philosophy and Psychology, which combined give us a great baseline to establish a network to help people.

With Rebecca studying Paramedicine, and Giles studying Information Technology, they are a great addition to support this network, and lastly, we have Marcus here who is studying Horticulture and Conservation and Ecosystem Management, who will be perfect to manage this complex property once it is fully operational,” I announced, and there was silence, as this information was absorbed.

“Do Hugh and Koen know about your plans?” Jarrad asked breaking the silence, “No as it is a new idea of mine. They stayed overnight here just days before they were due to fly out of Perth to return home. They are kept in the loop about when I visit the property, to check on the stock and stay overnight sometimes, that is all,” I replied. “I think you have a very good idea here about how to use this place, and I am all for supporting you in any way possible,” Marcus said to me smiling.

“That would be awesome, I was hoping that you would be interested, as I will be relying on you while I am away from studying over east, and be able to assist my Grandparents when needed,” I answered. “Happy to do that mate, I am sure I will have lots to learn,” Marcus said. “Right, let’s follow the chief and get you all settled in,” Jarrad announced, taking the cue, I led everyone outside, through a different door, where we were in the small courtyard that separates the education centre from the community centre on each side and the Medical Clinic and Admin building ahead.

Giving my friends a brief look inside all three buildings, we continued around the buildings, with just three buildings remaining. “The end building is what we call the master pod, which is my Grandparents and my accommodation, but Jarrad stays here too sometimes.

To your left and right are the senior staff quarters or pods, take your pick which one you want, there are two bedrooms in each pod, and get settled in, and we will meet back in admin once you are done,” I suggested to my friends, who set off back to the quad bike where they left their luggage, and I had just a backpack with me, as I already had some clothes in my pod.

I was in my study when Jarrad returned, “How are the others settling in?” I asked and Jarrad chuckled. “They threw their luggage into the living areas before taking off to explore the rest of the complex, so I am guessing we won’t see them for a while,” Jarrad replied. “That is fine let them explore and have fun, it means we don’t waste any time tomorrow, and get down to the beach for some beach fun,” I replied.

Jarrad nodded his head in agreement, as he went into the lounge area and sat down to read a book that he had brought with him, while I had my laptop open and I was looking at my travelling plans back to Canberra in a week. About an hour later, I was getting tired and I shut down my computer and walked into the lounge, only to find it empty, I went outside to look to see where everyone was, and I heard distant talking and laughing.

Following the sounds and the floodlighting, I found everyone on the playing field in the middle of a game of touch football, “About time you got here, come and join us,” Rebecca called out, as she walked towards me. “I am exhausted, you can take my place,” she added, as she headed for the lower seats of the stadium to sit and watch.

About half an hour later, we called an end to the game and headed towards our accommodation pods to shower and sleep, agreeing to meet in the dining hall in the morning at about 8 am. Jarrad appeared out of his room soon after me the following morning at dawn, “I can never sleep in when I am here, which is bloody annoying, but then I wouldn’t get to see the ocean views like this. Let’s grab the kayaks and head down to the beach, we better leave a mud map for the others too,” Jarrad suggested.

“Already thought of that, I made one up yesterday while in the study, I just need to add a little note to it,” I replied, as I headed downstairs to retrieve the mud map, with Jarrad following. I taped the map to the master pod front door, with Jarrad taking a glance at it before he laughed. “I don’t think they will like being called holiday hounds, but as long as they get the hint,” Jarrad said as we headed towards the other complex, where we loaded up the two bike trailers with all four kayaks, and the pop-up gazebo and drove down to the bottom corner gate.

Once we had set up the gazebo, we carried the kayaks to near the beach edge and having already changed, we set off paddling up and down the coast, and sometime later Jarrad caught my attention not far away, he pointed towards the beach, where all the others were gathered, so we headed to shore.

“Good morning all, how are you today?” Jarrad asked as we reached the beach, “How about you guys take these out for a spin on the water,” I added, and Rebecca, Miles and Giles grabbed a kayak each and Jarrad did the same, and they kayaked for about an hour, before deciding that they had enough for now.

Once packed up, we rode back onto the property, locking the gate behind us, as we headed up to the garage compound and put the kayaks and gazebo away. “What is behind those sheds, anything there?” Rebbeca asked me, “Yes, the single staff pods are located there, as well as a staff lounge and recreation area, and one of the hydroponic gardens and fruit trees,” I explained.

“The other hydroponic gardens and trees are at the other end behind the vehicle garages,” Jarrad added, as they walked around the back of the sheds to see the other staff accommodation and recreation area. “Not growing any vegetables at the moment I see, but the fruit trees seem to be doing very well here, and such a variety too,” Rebecca commented as she wandered around the gardens which included many large potted fruit trees.

“Wow, look at all the tropical fruit trees, I like that you have them here,” Marcus commented, “That is good to hear, I hope you will look after them well when I am away,” I replied to Marcus, “You bet I will, as long as I can have some of the fruit when it ripens,” Marcus said as he looked at the Guava, Banana, Lychee, Mango and Avocado trees. “There are grape and passionfruit vines as well, so help yourself to all the fruit you want, so they don’t go to waste, but make sure you take some to my Grandparents too,” I commented.

“What else do you have in the way of fruit?” Rebecca asked, “Well, the other garden has few fruit trees as well, mostly stone and citrus fruits as well as a few varieties of apples and pears, all of which are automatically watered, with the tropical trees also getting a regular mist spray to create a humid environment,” I replied.

After a very late breakfast, which was still before 9 am, we gathered in the administration centre to have discussions about the complex. “I asked all of you to see the Country Retreat so we can look at what it can be used for in the future,” I said beginning the meeting. “Has this property got a name?” Rebecca asked.

“It does. There is a reef just over a kilometre off the coast near here that we named the property after. Manakoora Reef, so we named the property Manakoora Country Estate, and we have a total of six shipwrecks in this immediate area from Ledge Point down to Guilderton,” I replied.

“Well, that is very interesting, and I like that name, so what are your thoughts on what you want to do with this place?” Giles asked. “Well, I would like you guys to be my Board of Directors to monitor any events and activities happening on the property, as well as provide suggestions for its future,” I stated.