Page 15 - Tropic Magazine Issue 34
P. 15
TROPIC • UP FRONT
Norm Elmer A DAY IN THE LIFE
Brigadier Extraordinaire
The Reef House, Palm Cove Tropic delves into the daily routines and habits of a local identity.
Easily recognised by his 6:45am parsley, beans and much more.
brightly coloured suspenders I wake up and have coffee and It depends on the season. I have quite
and much-loved for his Weet-Bix on the back verandah while a big garden.
watching the birds. Every year I have a
entertaining bar yarns, Norm pair of curlews nesting in my backyard. 2:00pm
has worked at The Reef House Early afternoon I have a read for about
for over 20 years, serving 8:30am an hour or so. I enjoy murder mysteries,
twilight drinks and canapes in Exercise time. I do a bit of walking as thrillers, action and adventure stories.
the Brigadier Bar. The former well as leg and arm strengthening and Some of my favourite authors are
banker is also a bird lover, make my joints move. At my age you’ve Clive Cussler and Stephen King.
accomplished wood carver, got to move because you’re no longer 4:00pm
playing sports.
and movie collector. I get ready to go to work, arriving
10:00am at around 4:30pm to set up. I serve
I would usually indulge in a hobby canapes and tropical punch but
around this time. Quite often I’ve got most importantly, I chat to guests
a jigsaw puzzle on the go, especially and answer their questions about
during COVID. I do a bit of woodwork where to go. I’ve done a lot of four-
too and one example would be the wheel driving; I’ve been everywhere
chess set in The Reef House. I made in North Queensland and I get a lot of
the whole lot, about 560 pieces. appreciation for my advice.
I really enjoy the socialising aspect
12:00pm and when I get the guests to talk to
After some lunch, I fiddle around in the each other, that’s when I really get
garden. I grow tomatoes, capsicum, a buzz out of it. Some guests have
formed lifelong friendships and
arrange to come back at the same
time every year.
6:00-6:30pm
This is when the twilight bar service
is generally over but I don’t watch the
clock. If everyone’s having a good time
we just keep going.
7:00pm
Back at home I cook something to eat
and sit back and watch TV or a movie
before heading off to bed. I’m a bit of
a night owl so I’m usually up until 11
or 12 o’clock.
INSTAGRAM: @reefhousepalmcove
15 • tropicnow.com.au
