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"Writing, when the writer feels the work is going well, when the words are flowing and the story is a strong one, can be a godlike experience."
Margaret Mahy
Braefern (the farm name) is an ideal place for writing. I love the quiet, the views and the space, yet we are close enough to the city to not feel isolated - unless the river floods. Even this is part of our wonderful lifestyle and usually only closes the road for a few hours. We now offer full accommodation for writers who want a quiet place to work for a set period and weekend or one-day workshops for writers who want critiques.
I take the critiquing workshops and am happy to work in both fiction and non-fiction, but no poetry or plays please - not my strength. Both Keith and I enjoy having guests and apart from the writing it's great fun to cook for friends. We have a good library for browsing, in the summer evenings you can sit on the patio and listen to the water tumbling in the creek below and in the winter we light the open fire - nothing like it for atmosphere.
Braefern is on a no-exit road in a valley called Tapuhi and has a mix of pasture, native bush and forestry. There are farm tracks and natural bush areas to walk with the birdsong at dawn worth listening to - especially in spring. Our house overlooks several small dams and native bush with large kauri trees and a stunning grove of kauri rickers. The guest bedrooms have their own ensuites, a view of the rising sun and a superb snapshot of the stars on a clear night.
I take the critiquing workshops and am happy to work in both fiction and non-fiction, but no poetry or plays please - not my strength. Both Keith and I enjoy having guests and apart from the writing it's great fun to cook for friends. We have a good library for browsing, in the summer evenings you can sit on the patio and listen to the water tumbling in the creek below and in the winter we light the open fire - nothing like it for atmosphere.
Braefern is on a no-exit road in a valley called Tapuhi and has a mix of pasture, native bush and forestry. There are farm tracks and natural bush areas to walk with the birdsong at dawn worth listening to - especially in spring. Our house overlooks several small dams and native bush with large kauri trees and a stunning grove of kauri rickers. The guest bedrooms have their own ensuites, a view of the rising sun and a superb snapshot of the stars on a clear night.
"A quiet, beautiful haven for a writer to finish off a novel. Enjoyable company, superb food, what more could you wish for? And of course the animal and bird life - lie there in your cosy bed and listen to the kiwi at night!"
Kathie Pilbrow.
"What wonderful hospitality and your food, your fire, your home, your patience and your smile. Thankyou it was bliss."
Janice Marriott
"Lovely the way you made our little group feel at home and so well looked after. Beautiful spot too!"
Peter Dane
"Deep in the bush, above the sun, beautiful food, ambience, friends and the foes of written word vanquished."
Lavender Sansom
"Apart from the weather a most enjoyable weekend. On the other hand perhaps excellent writing weather! Thank you."
Owen Marshall
Northland, New Zealand.
Front of house. Looking east.
Sunrise.
Moonrise Winter 2007.
Braefern, looking west.
A little damp.