With only a few hours of 2008 remaining we wish you all the very best for 2009 with much health and happiness. It appears there are interesting times ahead for everyone regardless of what country you come from.

We have been at the lodge just under 2 years and have loved having met so many people from diverse backgrounds with all with a common ground: their love of New Zealand and its scenery. It has been a pleasure to host so many, welcome several guests back for a return stay and even to stay with some of you while on holiday in the winter.  We have been very lucky to have had such an opportunity. We have strong bookings for 2009 which is wonderful and many new guests yet to meet.

From our family to yours, thank you so much for staying with us and if you haven’t been to the lodge before we would be more than happy to host you in the future if you are in Wanaka.

Have a fantastic 2009.

Kind regards, Karen, Peter, Adam, Courtney and of course Chase!

Over visiting their daughter for the second time this year, were a couple who stayed with us for 8 days back in February. Returning to NZ in November they came and stayed with us. Their family and ours plus guests at the time (also from the UK) and friends who were staying all gathered together for dinner last Saturday evening; 13 of us in all. Our honeymoon couple were happy to join us and we had a great time with lots of laughs and catching up on what has happened over the past 9 months. We Kiwis were just about out numbered. What a quiet time the next day when everyone had to leave but with promises we will visit them if/when we get to the UK in the future.

The photo here shows us at the dining table enjoying some Central Otago wines and Southland lamb and beef.

Recently our guests have been venturing south to walk the Routeburn Track and should have been fortunate with the weather. Although as the saying goes – Expect the unexpected!

Our season ahead is going to be very busy with fishing groups, hunting groups, 4 wheel drive tours, weddings and independent travellers. It will be so much fun meeting all these new people.