Sheepish Stays

On a recent trip to New Zealand, a friend and I followed the advice of the article “Rural Visits Can Make for Moo- ving Experience,” April 25, and included three farm stays on our visit. Our favorite was Wharehau, a sheep and cattle farm in a valley near the east coast of North Island. The two-story farmhouse was charming, the meals delicious and our friendly host, Ros Phillips, went out of her way to make our stay memorable. We toured her brother Rupert’s apple orchard and packing plant at the height of the Gala apple season. Phillips not only warned us of the quality of food served on the ferry to South Island, but insisted on packing sandwiches. For anyone interested in a warm welcome in a peaceful country setting, her address is: Ros Phillips & Family, Middle Road R.D. 11, Hastings, New Zealand; from the U.S., telephone 011-64-6-877-4111.

K.W. KOSSYTA

San Diego