Leaving our accommodation in Hokitika we were pleased that we'd managed to squeeze in all our belongings, including the two sets of golf clubs, into the boot.But they wouldn't be there long because we were heading for Lake Brunner B&B with Golf.It was another gorgeous day and Deb soon had us checked in to a spanking, modern and well equipped room overlooking the 9-hole course. We'd been attracted in part because the golf and club hire was included in our room rate, but we confessed to Deb that we now had our own clubs - so perhaps it was less of a bargain for us than we originally thought!We were soon out on the course which, being very new, isn't as challenging as it will be in a few years time. But it nevertheless has enough tricky holes and hidden hazards (that we kept coming across!) to make for an interesting game.Although Deb might not agree we enjoyed the quiet and peacefulness of the course (and not least the wonderful bird song from the adjacent forest) and were able to take advantage, after the first 9, of returning to our room and enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee sitting outside overlooking the course. Returning to the course we set about trying to improve on our scores for the first nine and we both ended with very creditable performances.As this was just B&B we had to go into the nearby village of Moana for our evening meal.The one and only place that's recommended is the Station House Cafe (yes, it really is a railway station on the line between Greymouth and Christchurch) which has a lovely position looking out over Lake Brunner.We had a really good meal and decided to return the following evening for M's birthday.On the way out we spotted the lady owner/chef sitting outside having a breather so took the opportunity to discuss tomorrow's menu with her.M was particularly interested in the Passionfruit Pavlova and the consistency of the meringue.We awoke the following morning to another glorious day (we'd only intended to stay one night but were enjoying it all so much that another day was a must) and birthday girl and ageing husband were soon out on the course for another day's golf. Our golf was certainly improving, at least on this course, and it was clear that we were getting used to our new clubs.We again stopped for a half-time and lengthy coffee break, but not as long as a Japanese couple who were also playing the course.They completed their first nine just after us and, leaving their clubs at the ninth, headed off for lunch in the village only to return five hours later having decided to have lunch AND go fishing.They then completed their second nine as the sun was going down. We'd completed ours much earlier and both of us made significant improvement on yesterday's scores - things are looking up!M was so chuffed that on her birthday her golf was at last improving that she went out to have a few more holes while E put his feet up.It was then time to get ready for another sojourn to the Station House Cafe where the food was every bit as good as the previous night.We celebrated M's birthday with a couple of glasses of bubbly.M also had the pavlova for pudding, which came with a candle in it, and delivered personally by the chef who joined us at the table.But when the bill came it turned out that Deb from the B&B had arranged to pay for the bubbly and the pavlova was on the house.What a lovely, lovely surprise - a great way to end a nice day. It was then back to our very comfortable room and bed at the B&B.A big bonus was a wonderfully clear sky and more stars than we ever seen with the naked eye. We could certainly recommend this B&B/studio units to anybody thinking of staying in this area, whether or not they fancy a game of golf - www.lake-brunner.co.nz email: [email protected] ; tel 64 3 738 0646).

E & M xxxxx