Hello and Welcome!
If you are staying in Shady Bend these notes may be helpful
We hope that you enjoy your stay and you find everything you need. If there is something missing I would welcome your feedback.
These notes may make settling-in a little easier.
If you are picking-up these notes in the binder inside the house then you will already have the access code and can skip the first section.
Keypad Entry - Front Door (Pic. 1)
When you leave just touch the logo and it will lock, no need to re-enter a code to lock the door.
Keypad Entry - Garage Door (Pics. 2 & 3)
To enter through the garage door using the keypad under the right-hand carriage light, be sure to press each number firmly and deliberatley. It takes a moment to respond. Once in the house you will have a garage door opener to keep in your car and keys for the door between the garage and kitchen.
Once inside
If you arrive in the evening you will notice that there is a table lamp just inside the front door on a smart switch timer.
This is set to come on for a few hours each evening as a simple security feature. Feel free to leave it, or remove the socket and use the lamp manually as you like. If you do remove from the smart plug please reinstate as you leave.
Water
As a matter of routine, when the house is unoccupied for a while the water heater is turned-off at the breaker in the garage. Make sure to check this early, and if needed flick the breaker number 11 (marked clearly as Hot Water Heater) to the 'on' position.
In the extremely unlikely event that you need to turn off the mains water supply, the valve lever is on the left side of the external garage wall (as you look at the house) below the electric meter.
Air
Humidity controller on living room wall should be left in the 'on' position.
The aircon may have been left at a high temperature prior to your arrival, you may want to adjust to your comfort.
Den
Internet is provided by Xfinity, the wireless router is in the den.
You will find the WiFi password in the binder and a quick-connect QR code on the desk beside the breakfast table.
Television Options
Living Room (Toshiba)
Choose whether to watch cable, stream TV, or play BluRays by toggling between inputs. The Xfinity remote control and the Toshiba remote control have buttons to change the input.
- Input 2 is Xfinity Cable TV
- Input 4 is the BluRay player (also plays DVD and CD)
BluRay player in Living Room
The BluRay is also linked to the soundbar. This must be operated using its dedicated Samsung remote control (not touch screen).
Troubleshooting Living Room TV issues -
Master Bedroom (Sharp - Roku TV)
There are various options to shut down, 'All Power' again is one as is the off button on the Roku remote.
Guest Bedroom (Sony TV) and Den (Samsung TV)
Washing Machine
The washing machine is really simple to use. It senses the amount of laundry by weight at the start of the cycle and determines how long a wash cycle will run. It seems to take a while to start as it works through this procedure.
There is an instruction booklet in the file draw in the Green Hutch if needed.
Drier
The washing machine will tell the drier what setting it recommends depending on the load at the end of a washing cycle - you can of course over-rule and set what you like. Please can you remember to check the lint filter occasionally.
There is a drying rack in the garage for those items you prefer not to tumble
Dishwasher
The dishwasher works most effectively when not heavily loaded and the cycle is set to ‘Pre-wash’ and also ‘Normal’. This cycle takes approx 95 minutes.
Lanai/Patio
You may find that some dining furniture has been stored in the garage rather than arranged on the lanai. This is especially so in hurricane/rainy season. You are most welcome to use any of the items stored in the garage, we respectfully ask if you found these in the garage please can you return them before you leave.
Unbreakable plates and glasses are recommended for use on the lanai to avoid broken glass / china getting into the pool. These can be found in the Green Hutch.
The seating area is protected by a storm shutter that can be closed during heavy wind or rain. Please make sure that the area across the full width of the opening is clear of any obstructions that may impede the closure of the shutter. A small remote control is located to the left of the sliding doors, and a hand crank is stored in the garage for use in emergencies if power is out.
During very heavy rainstorms water can back-up into the seating area of the lanai. If this is forecast it is best to make sure that personal items are not left on the floor.
Pool
Pool is serviced weekly usually on Monday mornings. The pump and heater are set on a timer/thermostat to run daily. Zane (Company name 'The Pool Geek') attends to the water quality, he will add chemicals if needed, and will keep it clean as necessary.
On some winter days it can be difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature as the pool heater tries to beat the ambient temperature. It can take a little time for the heater to compensate.
We would ask you to keep an eye on the water levels for evaporation. The ideal level is half way up the skimmer box to avoid damage to the pumping systems. If a top-up is needed there is a timer on the hose under the guest bedroom window to make this easy just drop this over the side to run for as long as needed. Let the timer run its course once set even if the water is turned off at the tap.
Grill
BBQ tools are provided, as is a griddle which may help to keep the cooking surfaces clean. You will also see a reserve tank of propane in the garage if you run low.
Refuse / Recycling collection
Quoting the Verandah Community Association – ‘Trash pickup happens every Friday for household garbage, recyclables and yard waste. On weeks when there is an observed holiday, trash pickup is on the following Monday. You can set your bins out to the curb by 6:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Please bring in your bins after your trash has been picked up. Stored bins cannot be visible from the street. Yard waste should be placed on the ground or in a reusable bin rather than a plastic bag. Be careful not to block storm drains.'
Grounds maintenance
‘Vision Landscape’ teams cut the grass and tend to the plants as they do for the rest of the street. They do most of the grass cutting and plant trimming on Monday mornings.
If you happen to be awake in the early hours of the morning you may notice the irrigation sprinklers in action. They are controlled automatically taking care of the planting and the grass.
Verandah Social Club
You will get an account in your own name which can be used to charge food and drinks at either Blossom's (bar) or the River House. See the Club to arrange this for you. You will also gain access to the tennis courts, pickleball, bocce, fitness center, communal pool, and kayaks.
Wildlife
It goes without saying that Florida is home to alligators. There are alligators in Verandah. Please pay close attention near water, and supervise children near the water's edge and also on the trails.
A map of the trails around Varandah ...
Contacts
Recommended phone numbers are listed in the folder that you will find in the house.