Just Wow.
These were our precise words as we walked into our next accommodation. We were back on the homeswap trail and had arrived at our home for 2 weeks in Carters Beach, on the Mid West coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
Our swappers were none other than Grant and Alison, whom we had stayed with in Christchurch. And by goodness do they own another beautiful property! We were stunned and completely overjoyed at what we walked into after the week on the farm. The house has 4 double bedrooms and wonderful sea views. After 5 weeks of not knowing where the next roof over our head was going to come from, it was time to relax and settle in for a 2 week stay in this amazing home. The kids chose their bedrooms and unloaded their toys whilst Mum and Dad unpacked and opened a bottle of wine.
Exploring the area was done at a leisurely pace, no rushing around from sight to sight, we had plenty of time and took each day nice and easy, plus the weather was stunning, so it was hard to leave a beach house, especially when the beach was pretty much our own!
In no time at all we had Glen’s wife new Nissan 4x4 to use!
Unbelievable generosity and a real testament to the people of New Zealand. everywhere we go we have been left speechless by the friendliness and generosity of the people here.
Thanks again Grant and Glen!
As luck would have it, our mechanic pulled out all the stops, or at least the bung in the fuel tank, and had Scuttlebug drained and refuelled by 1pm. We collected her, paid the bill (OUCH!), dropped Glen’s car back and hit the road for Takaka in Golden Bay.