The Garden

Click on any of the images for a larger view:
 

Fullsize Image (892 x 550 px, 53 kb) This is Sally and Alicia at play in the garden. She looks different without sunglasses. Sally is our pet donkey, and she lives in the same paddock as Eric, our kune kune pig.   Fullsize Image (693 x 472 px, 53 kb) Our garden has many surprises and secret grottos. Here is a view across one of our ponds to the green green grass of home. In summer this area provides a welcome respite from the heat of the midday sun.		Fullsize Image (367 x 573 px, 37 kb)   Much wildlife ambles into our garden. Here some ducks can be seen taking a welcome rest from the height of the season. Fullsize Image (361 x 541 px, 28 kb)   Thoughout the year our garden exhibits bouquets of colour, and various fragrances tantalise the nasal nerves.

Fullsize Image (393x552, 37kb)   The hot bath is in a secluded part of the garden, in our fern area. The water is heated by gas, and provides a relaxing atmosphere in the bush surrounds.		Fullsize Image (774 x 480 px, 67 kb) Here Alicia, Al, and Sally are off for a walk down our driveway to visit the fern area and have a look at the magic spring.

 

Your Hosts

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Julie Fletcher loves the rural setting in which she lives, and spends much of her spare time maintaining and improving the garden.

Although also known for her works of art, including paintings, batiks, screen prints, and drawings, she now prefers to direct these talents to organising the garden. 

Allan Soon is originally from Malaysia, but has lived in New Zealand for the last 30 years, most of it in the Central Volcanic Plateau, where he formed an interest in the native timbers that he uses for woodturning. 

Fully aware of conservation issues, he only uses timber from wood that has naturally fallen in the forest.
 
 

Other Features:

Accommodation

Our homestay is a fully self-contained unit with beautiful wood carved furniture and views of the mountains. The building is a colonial jailhouse, once used in the settlement of Tokaanu.

Fully renovated, the unit incorporates native wood paneling and stairwell, while still retaining much of its original character and some of its original features such as a heavy wooden door complete with lock. The unit offers views of the mountains, and provides a warm and relaxing setting after a day of skiing or tramping. 

Gallery

Our Gallery is situated adjacent to our homestay. Here you can see the beautifully turned native timbers crafted by Allan.