We had a lovely stay with a few important exceptions. First, the positives: 11 acres of beautiful hillside, trails to explore, a feeling of being completely away (and out of Los Angeles). The house itself is as nice as – or nicer than – the pictures, and our hosts kindly gave us some fresh eggs, wine and chocolate and asked if there was anything they could do to help.
Unfortunately, they did not tell us that rat poison was in use in the immediate vicinity of the house. A dying mouse ended up just a few feet from the front door, where our dog (or wildlife) could have suffered severely from eating a poisoned rodent. Second, if you are a light sleeper, please be aware that the roosters start as early as three or four in the morning. Finally, the gardeners who arrived on the morning of our departure spent a couple of hours leaf-blowing, including a significant amount of time directly around the house -- making it a challenge for us to enjoy the outdoor spaces, leaving us feeling trapped inside for part of that time, and then returning just as we were trying to pack the car.
With a little more consideration and communication, it could have been an outstanding stay. As it was, we left a little stressed out, and happy to be returning home.