Underhill Earth House - Waikato Accommodation

A Night in a Cave

Pippy McCurdy

http://www.unusualstays.com/

http://italyoffthebeatentrack.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/italy-off-beaten-track.html


Nothing can ever quite compare to staying in a cave. To begin with , its something that you just don't get to do every day  - unless perhaps you live in Cappadoccia. This particular cave is memorable in so many ways. It is buried into the hillside and yet it is open to the landscape with its enormous hewn timber doors. It is megalithic, with stones set into the wide arched roof and furs on the bed, yet it is warm and enclosing, no sign of dampness, no hint of gloom. The cave is hand crafted with a great round table and curved timber bench seats. Everything in this dwelling feels hand made and much loved. There is time and craftsmanship invested in every aspect of Underhill.

 Outside there is a small lake with a wonderful arched bridge crossing it., - handmade of course. The small raft-like platform in the lake is set just at the edge of the shore with a table and chairs,  - and a vase of fresh flowers to add to that perfect setting.

There is no electricity at Underhill but there are candles and lanterns everywhere, waiting to spread that romantic glow over the scenery as dusk falls.

The outdoor bath at Underhill is a few steps up on a stone platform, making you feel just that touch special as you recline in the great outdoors and look out over this idyllic setting. There is hot water, a shower, and cooking facilities both indoors and out, at Underhill. It may be another world, but the essentials are not forgotten.  There are sheep and llama on the nearby hillside. There are weeping willows; water -lilies,frogs; birds flying in to roost in the surrounding trees. Underhill is an adventure not to  be missed.

Warm Earth Cottages

Warm Earth Cottages

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

These little cottages sounded just so charming, just so perfect I nearly didn't want to go. There were promises of seclusion, of romance, of  the perfect hideaway. So much was promised.
Was this exaggerating the charm? Promising more than could be delivered?
Were Warm Earth Cottages going to be just another pair of quaint cottages in a pretty setting?
Well they weren't. They were much, much more than that.

In rural Katikati Warm Earth Cottages are set by a small riverlet, amidst beautiful gardens, lovingly tended. Surrounded by a mass of flowers and shrubs, the cottages (there are two) are instantly alluring as you approach  Chaotically colourful they are offset by the vast expanses of lawn leading down to the river.
Set amidst this floral chaos are the cottages, and yes they are rustic; they are quaint. And they are beautiful both inside and out.

In each perfumed garden is the outdoor bath - breathtakingly appealing and romantic. The fire is set and lit for you. The waters slowly warm as the sun begins to set.

 Every little detail was provided; - the furs and candles of the bedrooms, the little details of the bathrooms, the outdoor spaces, the posies, sprays and flower arrangements,  the pot belly stoves, the wonderful breakfast hampers... I loved these cottages.

There was nothing missing. Electricity banished. Candlelight indoors and out. A cosy lodge with roaring fire to spend time in should the weather happen to fail you ..

These cottages are romantic in the extreme - a Valentine's Day dream! They create the setting for moments to savour and remember. How many proposals must there have been in the candlelight of  Warm Earth Cottage?

These Cottages are everything you could wish for. Little wonder the blackboard overhead on the verandah is covered in writings overflowing with the pleasures of a wonderful night at Warm Earth Cottage.

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/