A wild and wonderful setting for some time away - we stayed here for 7 nights for a bit of an escape. Despite it being a last-minute decision, Natalie, the host, was very accommodating and had the guesthouse ready for us in under an hour.
The guesthouse had plenty of room and it was wonderfully warmed by the heat pump. We decided to splurge on wood for the ambience and the ember-cooked kumara. The kitchen was fully kitted out with pots and pans for all types of cooking which was handy.
We enjoyed the sauna several times during our stay and the plunge bath just outside was an exhilarating combination of a healthy treat. The outdoor bathtub with the star canopy was also special - there's a rumour that another bath will be installed for the guesthouse with private access - we are planning to return at a later date to verify this. There's something about the water out there, it had a softening effect on both hair and skin.
The week we spent there was mostly rainy but the trees were just starting to bud and we got to enjoy the visual transition into spring. Trees budding, flowers blossoming unchecked and native birds flitting in and out, all from the comfort of the sofa. We also spied the grove of fruit trees with the promise of fruit in the coming months. The walk to the creek is absolutely necessary, glistening water and warm rocks, beckoning on a summer's day. There were also two lovely, well-behaved pooches on the property who were always up for cuddles and pets whilst respecting our space.
Natalie, the host is a lovely soul and is generously sharing her piece of paradise and her way of life with others. She welcomed us into her space and let us know that she was working out the kinks in her newest listing and was keen to hear about any thoughts we had. She also offers personal and professional development in the form of a 'purposeful retreat' that I found intriguing.
This was a much needed break for us and being close enough to still get things done when we needed to head into town, whilst feeling like we were staying in a haven of green, was just what we needed.