Our property has often been described as a magical and spiritual place.
Mature trees, totara forest, gardens and birdlife, the on-going
production of hand-made salt fired pottery, historic kilns, a railway
station, a lookout tower and
the relaxed charm of our old villa makes this a truly
special place.
Our driveway is lined with mature
pohutukawa trees, which turn the ground a
brilliant red when the flowers drop their millions of
tiny petals during the summer. We have dozens of mature kowhai, totara
and titoki trees, and an acre of
protected totara, estimated to be between 70–100 years old. Native birds
abound.
Historic beehive kilns were built and used during the 1970s. Like tiny Hindu temples they remain a much admired feature of the property.
John’s old pottery
studio, old bricks, pottery relics from the past, old farm tools, railway
sleepers, and a collection of birds' nests gathered after windy nights all
contribute to a rare, rustic atmosphere, and serve as a reminder that creative
people have been busy here, and still are.