THE RETREAT COUNTRY HOMESTAY

Tony and Colleen welcome you to The Retreat. This historic homestead, built in 1867 from the kauri trees then growing on the property, was the home for a family of 12 children The fully restored rooms are decorated with colonial furnishings. Upstairs the spacious guest bedrooms overlook the garden and surrounding farmland.

Perennial borders

Set well back from the road the house is surrounded by an extensive landscaped garden and orchard. Fresh produce and herbs from the garden are a feature in our home cooking. On summer evenings you can play croquet or in cooler months relax in front of a log fire and perhaps learn to spin. Colleen is a weaver and our flock of sheep provides the raw material for the woollen goods that are hand made and for sale from the studio.

Our friendly sheep love being hand fed and come running to meet guests, lambing is under way from the end of August. We have travelled extensively overseas and in New Zealand and are happy to share our knowledge of our country to help you plan your holiday. Our interests include local history, genealogy, photography, gardening and bird watching. Situated 60 minutes drive North of Auckland Harbour Bridge the Retreat is on the main route to the Bay of Islands or the Kauri Forest.

Directions: Coming from Auckland The Retreat is 7 km North of Wellsford, 1 km beyond the village of Te Hana on the left. You will see the "Weaving Studio" sign at the entrance.

Local places of interest: *The Kauri Museum * Matakohe Mangawhai *Pakiri Beaches - swimming, surfing *Fishing Goat Island Marine Reserve *Bush walks Kawau Island. *Sheepworld - sheep shearing *Golf Courses.

GARDEN TO VISIT

Created since 1986 to compliment the style of the house the garden extends over more than an acre of gently sloping land. Perennial borders run down to a gazebo, which overlooks the croquet lawn. From the formal lawn surrounded by clipped hedges meandering paths lead through the shrubbery and flowerbeds to a sunken garden with fishpond. Old-fashioned roses climb over the fences and arches surrounding the formal herb garden. Open by appointment from September to April. Groups welcome Entry fee $3 per person.

WEAVING STUDIO

Woven Jacket

Wool from our flock of sheep provides most of the raw material for the spinning and weaving. The sheep are predominately Romney crossed with a little Merino and come in a variety of colours from black through greys and brown to white. Colleen began spinning and weaving in 1971 as a hobby but after the move to the Retreat in 1985 began selling from the studio. There is a large range of goods from hand-woven place mats and table runners to floor rugs, throws, shawls, scarves, vests and jackets, hand spun knitted sweaters and hats. Also available are washed and carded fleeces in various natural colours or over dyed. Visitors welcome. Open most days but it pays to ring first.

The Retreat is an historic farmhouse, built 1867. Surrounded by one acre of landscaped gardens. Small sheepfarm with pet sheep. Weaving studio and shop with goods made from our own sheep's wool.

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