Immediately upon opening the front gate to Ute's property I knew I was in for something special. Both the yard and the house itself were filled with clever, beautiful, and whimsical art and architectural features; and to top it off, there were fresh flowers and a bottle of wine on the dining table! The kitchen was well stocked and I found it so welcoming that I wound up cooking there, although this had not been our plan. Ute provided many helpful "tips" on where to eat and what to do in the area. At her suggestion we went to the public Saturday Market that sets up behind her house and were able to purchase gorgeous organic produce and baked goods. We had breakfast on the covered porch. The fresh boysenberries were so yummy that after we'd eaten a whole box, our daughter went back and bought another. We took advantage of the opportunity to do laundry there and hung it out to dry in the most charming garden nook I've even had the pleasure of using. Ute was very responsive and even offered us the chance to extend our stay when she had a cancellation. Our whole family agreed that Ute's place made for a great base of operations for exploring Able Tasmin National Park, Takaka, and the beautiful beaches in the area.