My husband, teen daughter, and I just returned from a wonderful stay at Avril's and Terry's Metchosin Cottage. We felt extremely honored to be their first Airbnb guests! The central location was great for our day trips to Victoria and the west coast of Vancouver Island. We also loved the retro vibe (reminiscent of Grandma's house, right down to the La-Z-Boy chairs). Avril and Terry were friendly and exceptionally conscientious hosts. They greeted us on arrival and answered our questions and made it clear that they were always available via phone/email if anything else came up. We did have to contact them once when we accidentally locked ourselves out of the cottage, and Avril promptly rescued us. Avril and Terry stocked up the fridge/pantry for us so that we were completely set for the next day's breakfast and beyond. They supplied us with half-dozen free-range eggs from their neighbor's chickens, packs of bacon and homemade sausage from their daughter's butcher shop, wheat bread and bagels, coffee and organic half & half, tea and hot chocolate mix, condiments, chocolate, and other treats. We felt totally pampered on the food front! The kitchen was well equipped with dishes/cutlery, pots/pans, cutting boards, colander, scissors, corkscrew, etc. Kitchen appliances included an electric range, fridge/freezer, microwave, coffee maker, hot water kettle, toaster, and gas grill on the patio (with propane). For temperature control, there was at least one portable fan, along with baseboard heating in most/all of the rooms. Wasn't sure if the cast-iron stove was just for decoration or if it was actually used in winter, since we were here in August. Furnishings and fixtures all worked and were of good quality. La-Z-Boy sofa and chairs, aaahhhh. New beds and duvets. Fast wifi, excellent T-Mobile cell coverage. Roomy bathroom with combo shower/tub, shower head that blasted out ample hot water. Excellent water. We didn't use the washer/dryer and the TV, and I don't know whether there is cable TV. There was a little desk in the living room that could be used as a laptop desk, but we just used the kitchen table for our laptops. The padlocked shed below the cottage was useful for securing our mountain bikes overnight. There was plenty of parking. The back yard has a fire pit, but we couldn't use it because of the BC summer fire ban. What Metchosin lacks in nightlife, it certainly makes up for in wildlife. We loved watching the neighbor's chickens and listening to the rooster's mid-morning crowing. We also saw deer, bats, and hummingbirds. Since this is critter country (including bears and cougars), don't leave food lying around on the patio or in your car and remember to clean out the grill after use. Don't leave the cottage windows open overnight or when you leave for the day. When you drive around the area, keep a sharp eye out for deer, especially at dusk. Metchosin Cottage was ideal for our family, and we highly recommend it! That said, be aware that the...