Posted on 9th August 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
flights to Lord Howe, private jets
From Libby Grant, Capella Lodge Manager
Whilst most air transfers to and from Lord Howe Island are via the 32 Qantas Bombardier, private jets and helicopters are another transport option allowing flexibility and a little more luxury! Last week Mark, Manager at Capella planned a quick trip to Brisbane to undertake some repairs on his mainland house. He was scheduled to fly on a Qantaslink flight, but to his surprise he was lucky enough to fly with one of Capella’s regular guests Bob Hill on his private jet, a Citation CJ 2. Some people have all the luck! Mark sat in the co-pilots seat and chatted with the pilot the entire flight about everything relating to planes and flying. They climbed to 42,000 feet, and the trip took 90 minutes rather than the usual 40 due to strong head winds. What a buzz, great views of the island from a great looking jet! As I waited in the LHI Airport Terminal with departing guests we were all very jealous!
Posted on 30th July 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
Lord Howe Island, Lord Howe Island history, Lord Howe island images, museum
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Lord Howe Island Public School 1963
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Lord Howe fishermen
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Queen of Sheba… on Lord Howe!
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Adapted waterskiing, Lord Howe Island
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Beached Catalina flying plane, Lord Howe Island
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Kentia palms line the way, Lord Howe Island
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Dressup parties, Lord Howe Island
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Who’s who on Lord Howe
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Model with Lord Howe twin peaks in background
From Libby Grant, Capella Lodge Manager
Visiting the LHI Tip or ‘Recycle Centre’ is a favorite outing for Mark, General Manager at Capella. Not only is it the tip designed to minimize waste being sent off the island, it is also a favorite hangout for any ‘collectors’, Mark being one (you could call him a hoarder!). One person’s junk is definitely the next person’s treasure. Mark’s favourite comment is ‘you never know when you may need it”, ‘it’ being the latest piece of junk that he has collected from the ‘Revolve’ section of the tip.
His favourites are a 40mm shell case from New Guinea that happened to be owned by our neighbour’s father who served in New Guinea during the WW2, and dozens of old reel-to-reel movies depicting fashion parades on the island in the 30’s. Yes, on LHI you can even find out who originally owned the junk!
Mark’s latest find has been a good one. A few weeks ago he found some old slides which Daniel (one of our illustrious staff at Capella) had made in to digital prints. We have given a copy of the disk to local Jack Shick who has in turn shown some of the senior residents who are now excitedly working out who’s who.
Some of the photos date back to the 1930s and others are from the 1960s. In the attached photos you will see photos of the Catalina Flying Boats (one actually beached), photos of the many fancy dress parties the islanders held and of course some obligatory photos of old swim suits.
I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we did.
Ps We will probably donate the photos to the Lord Howe Island Museum for their displays.
Posted on 20th July 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
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Mt Gower waterfall
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Twin mountains – mists and waterfalls
Winter is a great time on Lord Howe. Not only do we huddle around the open fires at Capella every night enjoying good food and wine and of course great company, nature also throws spectacular weather into the mix. Over the last week we have had lovely sunny days when a BBQ at Ned’s Beach is a must, nights when the kentia palms rattled around like mad things during 50 knot winds and we have also woken up to the incredible sight of waterfalls cascading off both Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird.
The mountains seem to create their own weather on Lord Howe. Sometimes they seem to attract cloud and rainfall,but mostly we sit in the lounge and watch the clouds moving over their peaks and then rushing away.
Posted on 13th July 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
activities on Lord Howe, cool season, Harpers Bazaar, Lord Howe, thiongs to do on Lord Howe
Lord Howe's gentle season
The Gods have been kind to all this winter on Lord Howe. For the last few weeks we have had no wind, mild days and nights just cool enough to enjoy sitting around the fire with a glass of red wine! There’s plenty to do by day: Capella guests, Denis and Kate from Ireland went for a SCUBA dive in the lagoon yesterday with the local Pro Dive proprietor, Taz. With water temperatures at 20 degrees centigrade they didn’t even find the water cold… maybe it’s because they’re from Ireland?! Today they are climbing Mt Gower with local Jack Shick. It’ll be straight into the plunge pool with an ale followed by the hot tub when they get back later this afternoon.
Mark and I have been taking our guests to see the Providence Petrels land around the base of Mt Lidgbird. They are a spectacular sight as they come in from fishing in the open ocean in their thousands to nest on and around the island’s twin mountain peaks. So , it’s all happening at Capella Lodge and Lord Howe Island. We also welcomed the crew from Harpers Bazaar this month for a shoot. Look out in the October edition for a Lord Howe Island exposé…!
Posted on 14th May 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
hibiscus, Mt Gower, rock formations
From Lodge manager Libby Grant
Who says staying on Lord Howe and at Capella Lodge is not a spiritual experience?! If you look south from Restaurant or from the Gower’s Terrce at Capella, towards the peaks of Mounts Gower and Lidgbird you will see what looks like a giant cross that extends across the entire face of Mt Lidgbird. This is a naturally occurring formation that becomes even more distinct during autumn and winter. Once you spot it for the first time, it’s hard not to see it everytime you look towards the mountains. It’s quite appropriate as the mountains do have an almost other-worldly presence, a sense of magnedtism, of something great, powerful and mystical.
Lord Howe does have three churches to service the community the largest being the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Local islanders Ken (who just celebrated his 86th Birthday with us) and Dorothy Ryan are the lay priests for the Catholic Church. They can be found at Capella every second morning and greet all guests as they supply us with the most beautiful hibiscus flowers from their garden for the Lodge.
I am even lucky enough to have one named after me, ‘The Liberty’.
Mount Gower's blessing
