We found this to be a convenient spot to stop, as we'd been to see yelloweyed penguins and the Moeraki Boulders and a WONDERFUL dinner at Fleurs at the Moeraki wharf. The dark entrance to the property and the note posted outside his front door had written directions to our cottage. He had written he would be there. We found the tiny anitique cottage, but it was freezing cold inside- would have been nice if Michael had turned on the inside heater before we arrived. We'd heard he was a bookbinder and an interesting guy. He came out after we'd been there, to say hello and to tell us he'd be leaving us to ourselves. We asked if we could see his house as had heard so much about it. His passion is collecting all the lead soldier figures from the Napoleanic Wars, and hand painti g each and every one. We were grateful to see and hear about this unique passion of his. Part of house is from the late 1800's, the rest was Victorian and we fortunate for the tour and all his stories. He also filled us in on THe Wizard of NZ-quite a brilliant impressive political character. The bed was comfortable but room still very cold as we went to sleep. we had trouble with heater and it eorked very slowly. Not sure I'd recommend this air B&B. We never did hear about his bookbinding, and never saw him again. We knocked before we left, but no answer. We felt he was mostly interested in the $ he was receiving from air BNB.
He didn't ask a single question about our lives. One of our favorite things about the Air BNB experience is meeting the people. Breakfast was minimal- no milk, yogurt,or cereal. Had rye toast, can of sardines from the cabinet, and coffee. There were eggs from his chickens that we hard boiled and there were a few onions and a tomato and some old apples that needing damage spots cut out in a hanging basket. So we headed to old town and had breakfast at Espresso- the best scones we've had since visiting England a long time ago. Also took iANZAC memorial ceremony that we accidentally came upon ourselves. Cost was also highest We'd we charged at any BNB.
Brooks & Cherie
April 2014