Stephanie enjoys the sweet life

my passion’’ – and a propolis tincture Stephanie makes from the propolis off the hives.

They’re supplemented by a range of related extras such as bee balms from the South Island, and honey wraps made by a friend of a friend.

Stephanie was raised in Morrinsville, but moved to Hamilton for employment and university. She met Martin when they both worked at New Zealand Dairy Group (now Fonterra).

Staying in the Waikato is a given, ‘‘I couldn’t think of being anywhere else’’.

‘‘Our family connects us – the boys’ grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins – and some help with the harvest and packing. If we were to live in, say, the South Island, we would miss all that.

‘‘My dream is when the boys get married and have kids that we would still have family meals together and tramp in the bush. I don’t need fancy things.

‘‘We’re outdoor people, and I’ve been involved in tramping ever since I can remember.’’

It’s not just the physical exercise aspect that draws Stephanie. ‘‘It’s the botany side of things and the birds. There’s a real connection as soon as I get into the bush.’’

She would like to travel more though. ‘‘We did lots of travelling before we had kids. I’d like to go back to Nepal, I’ve trekked there before but this time I’d like to take Martin and the kids.’’

Meanwhile life’s pretty much idyllic chez Lynch.

When Tempo magazine visits it’s a bleak rainy day. We trek up a bush-lined path to an arched opening in a wall, step inside, and enter another world.

Large windows frame views and bring indoors the clever textured planting scheme as rain gently drips off trees and makes its way down into a gully.

That it was formerly Hamilton Gardens’ mastermind Peter Sergel’s home explains it all.

‘‘I love being out in the country like this. The greenness and the peaceful privacy, but I like being close to town.

‘‘We’re a close community out here; I think I would find it really hard to settle in another place after having these connections.’’