These people are born to be airbnb hosts. If there was ever a how-to-be-the-best air bnb hosts bootcamp, Lesley and Derek should be heading it up. Although it wouldn't exactly be a bootcamp... because everyone would be sitting around being fetched iced drinks while lounging on super comfy couches patting adored fur babies (dogs - yay!) and being treated to the fabulously entertaining passing parade of Lesley and Derek's repeat air bnb customers including the ones who just wouldn't go home (really).
I'm in love with these people and if they had an eligible family member I'd consider an arranged marriage just so I can be part of their family too. Seriously, what lovely, generous, warm, beautiful, and genuine people. The house is clean and comfortable and capacious, which in the latter instance is good because truthfully - it seems everyone regularly comes back to visit, including Lesley's two fabulous sisters so that within moments I was handed a drink and comfortably ensconced amongst five dogs, three interesting sisters, kind and generous Derek, their adoptee rebuild Christchurch UK builder sorta son, the couple from the UK who they'd rescued six months ago from a deranged Wwoofing host, and another air bnb couple from Bangalore - and it was good.
Anyone who ends up lucking into staying here will feel the kindness, warmth and genuine interest. They love people, love stories, love helping out, love hosting, it's a nourishing and joyous experience that just put such a gloss on our last night in NZ. Wish we'd found them on the first night and big thanks to both of them - they are beautiful people.