Unhappy with review of Twizel

YOUR travel writer Pamela Wade’s undisguised bias against Twizel (Weekend Mix, 25.2.17) — quote: ‘‘So far, so good; but Twizel was a letdown. Hardly surprising perhaps; after all, Twizel’’, meant the chances of a decent review were slim. But to judge a town, and 50plus Airbnb hosts by one bad experience is poor form. The lack of breakfast supplies seems to have been the catalyst for the rant, also the Mother Hubbard crack. However, supplying breakfast is not a prerequisite of being an Airbnb member; maybe this writer should have checked the details more carefully before making her booking?

Just for the record, we don’t provide breakfast at our property either, but guests get tea, coffee, sugar, milk, cookies, condiments, oils and sauces, access to a pantry cupboard; plus toiletries, for $50$60 each for two people. My advice to anyone looking at treating themselves to a future stay in our slice of paradise is to google Airbnb Twizel, and have a look at the hundreds of glowing reviews on the diverse selection of properties available.

(Mother Hubbard may well live in Twizel, but so do the butcher, the baker, and the local cheesemaker; no need for anyone to go hungry here.)

Val McMillan

Twizel [Pamela Wade replies: ‘‘Having been to Twizel before, I had no high expectations, and was not surprised; but am glad that your correspondent seems to like the place. I stand by my assertion however, that if the second B of Airbnb is not to be supplied, that should be made clear, which in this case, despite the flattering selfdescription, it wasn’t. Not even to have a filled salt cellar in the kitchen seems to me the absolute definition of Mother Hubbard. Certainly research beforehand is key; but honesty and basic generosity on the part of the host should also be standard.’’]

Pension age

SUPERANNUATION in New Zealand should be at the old age of 60. I do not agree with the Government about superannuation and I hope for its materialistic sake it reads this.

Frances Szeker Temuka

BIBLE READING: Whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. — 1 John 5.12.