Quiet, Safe Guests' Retreat I: Close to City

Work trip? Wanting a place to stay safely until restrictions are lifted? Mama Jen offers a comfortable private bedroom, breakfast-makings and other meals by arrangement, two relaxed living spaces and a good kitchen, shared with one other guest and an INSIDE Abyssinian cat. 15-20 minutes to city by bus, close to parks, city universities and Queen Elizabeth, Royal Adelaide and Women & Children's hospitals Stays longer than 1 month possible. Early check in for small fee. It's a quiet home at the moment, though we've had guests from many different countries, cultures and religions, and we like that interesting mix of cultures. The house is furnished with the tropical pieces that Mama Jen brought home from her humanitarian work overseas. It's a well-kept older home with a large modern extension, kitchen and two modern bathrooms. We have two separate living areas (one large with a dining area and bar, the other quiet and reflective), with R/C air-conditioning and good wifi. There is a big modern kitchen, a pantry, welcoming dining space, and a separate laundry / washing machine, which you are welcome to use. We have a lovely private lawned back garden, with another dining area for summer days/ nights, and secure off-street parking. Treat Mama Jen's home as your own. Bedrooms are private, but the living areas, dining area, laundry, kitchen and gardens are yours to share and enjoy. There are two living rooms, so we keep our louder conversations away from the sleeping areas. You will be sharing house with host Mama Jen. She has returned from 10 years working/ volunteering in Asia Pacific region and (when Covid is not interfering) does catering, using recipes gathered in Mexico, West Africa, Indonesia, the South Pacific and other fascinating places. We also have a very special six year old Abyssinian cat called Habibi (which means My Love in Arabic). Habibi loves people, but won't bother you. He MUST stay inside for his safety, so please BE ALERT when coming and going, as this cat is SPEEDY :-). The kitchen is spacious enough for people to cook separate meals and social distancing is still important, but we can share a glass of wine, a meal and conversation. If you want some evening meals provided, we can arrange that before you arrive or you can "pay as you go". If Mama Jen is around and cooking something special (pulled pork soft tortilla, prawn laksa, African chicken), guests get an sms, in case they want to join her. Feel free to ask what's cooking! Usually $10 - $15 for dinner. There are two quite separate living spaces, so there's always space for someone to be quiet when they wish :-). We are just north of Adelaide city - 5.5 kilometres (3.5 miles) - in a quiet, pretty street, with simple, fast bus connection to the city centre just round the corner. The house is 10 minutes walk from Queen/ Elizabeth Street with its trendy shops, restaurants and cafes that are just starting to open their doors. We are close to Arndale shopping centre and a good gym. We have a lovely park with tennis courts and children's play equipment very close by, and lots of other facilities. We are very close to the bus that goes direct to the city - you'll be there in 15-20 minutes. A lot of neighbours bicycle to work or university, and there's a bike you may be able to borrow while you are here. We find that guests sleep, work and go out at different hours, so we usually say "Quiet space!" in the front half of the house, including the front living room, if anyone else is sleeping. We recycle and do our best to care for our environment. South Australia is a very dry state, so we also conserve water where we can. So: 1. We will ask you not to bring plastic bottled water to the house, except in your own bottle. We have PLENTY of glass bottles you can use, and healthy filtered water. 2. We'll show you where compost bin and recycling containers are; please use them. 3. We'll ask you to capture the cold shower water in the bucket provided, instead of watching it go down the drain while you wait for the hot water to arrive. In the spring and summer, that water goes on the herbs and flowers in the pot plants outside (and yes, you can use any herbs you wish for your cooking!). In autumn and winter, empty the water bucket into the washing machine in the laundry. If you have any other suggestions for us, to help us protect our environment and conserve our precious resources, please let us know! Thanks