It was a great place with good company. Baerbel and Thomas were very warm and friendly and they and their woofers did everything they could to make our stay a happy and memorable one. We had our old dog with us and they were so accommodating of us all, they even arranged for our dog to be taken care of while we explored Golden Bay. Daja dog thinks of Valentine as her 'other' master now. There was a lot to see and do in the bay, including my favourites, walks to Wharariki beach and the Pupu hydro walk. Horse riding with Baerbel was perfect. She is a really wonderful horse woman - living and breathing it. We learnt a lot as beginner riders and she really took care of us. There was wonderful, inspiring art and craft everywhere and the shopping village of Takaka, with great cafes and markets, was a joy to hang out in. The breakfast Baerbel and Thomas provided was delicious and filling to start the day, and to finish the day with a walk to see the 'starry night' of glow worms on their own track to the beach was magic. What a great place! We loved the table tennis table (2 all so far, we will have to come back for the decider).