After reading Didymo Dave’s account of dealing with the authorities, I could not resist adding our latest experience with their staff…

Yesterday, just as I was drifting off on my granny nap after a hectic busy morning walking the dog, my dreams were rudely interrupted by the reception buzzer. This was an official visit confirmed by the Taupo District Council car and their very serious “Senior Environmental Health Officer” who announced he was investigating an official complaint.

To throw him off guard I responded enthusiastically that this was quite exciting as TRM had never been subject to an official “health & safety” complaint of this nature. Most complaints in the past have been about signs or the fishing… He was hiding behind a covid mask so I could not gauge his reaction.

He would not reveal who it was from so I immediately suggested it was sure to involve SWMBO. (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the manager of all health and safety matters at TRM.) He provided the dates occupied by the complainant who stayed in Unit 2 and had sent him photos as evidence of the dirty filth and grime…

The photos exposed some ranchslider-type window sashes that resembled more of a fly cemetery. Disgusting, except for one small detail; I could see they were not TRM’s window sashes, so this was a chance for some fun.

Just then SWMBO fronted up – She could not ignore me being interrogated by a Senior Council Officer without Her approval so he had to explain everything again about such a serious life-threatening complaint. Much to his surprise, I supported his concerns about the disgusting evil grime filmed at the crime scene and suggested that it was really a complaint about Her management practices and She was obviously guilty. Being a pedantic soul in a blind panic She checked the dates from our Booking Sheet to advise our Unit 2 guests at that time of the complaint were a mother and child who stayed longer than the complainant, so something did not add up.

I jumped at the opportunity to register my own complaint about the years TRM have endured Council bullying and victimisation to enlighten him on TRM’s history of our signs war with the Council. He had done some homework as he knew all about the fines… His face gradually disappeared even further behind his mask.

Then I got lucky and caught a glimpse of the signage in his photo supplied of the motel in question. He was in the wrong place! In fact, it was not a motel but one of those cheap back-packer type tourist accommodation facilities where the peasants, who cannot afford a decent motel, all share the same kitchen and lounge room. While he was befuddled with his mistake it gave us a wonderful opportunity to share our views about the way Taupo Council has mistreated TRM in the past 18 years… He was so anxious to escape he forgot to apologise.

So there you are. Never a dull moment at TRM. I should write a book about it.

SWMBO is still in recovery.