Hosts devastated to hear 'gorgeous' guests in crash

Nigel and Cynthia Charlton (pictured) were "just gorgeous people" say Hawthorne House hosts Debbie Harwood and Paul Jeffrey.

Just 10 days ago the hosts of Hawthorne House at Pakipaki, Debbie Harwood and Paul Jeffrey, hugged and farewelled two guests Ms Harwood simply described as "just gorgeous people".

For two days and two nights they had hosted Nigel and Cynthia Charlton who were enjoying the New Zealand leg of what they had said was their "big trip" after Mr Charlton had retired and sold up his business practice. And then Ms Harwood heard on the news there had been a helicopter crash at Fox Glacier which had claimed seven lives and she went cold - she remembered the couple from Hampshire had said they were heading down south and would be visiting that region.

"I just felt some of our guests could have been on it."

When the confirmation came through she said she was shattered. "They were so full of life and they loved it here."

She said the Charltons spent almost all their time at Hawthorne House as they felt so comfortable and relaxed there, and happily walked their hosts through the stands of trees nearby, identifying them all. "And they loved to talk about their grandchildren and said they were going to tell their daughter she had to come here."

Ms Harwood said she felt sick and saddened to lose two people who had been not just guests, but who had in just a couple of days become memorable company and friends.

"They really stood out - they were enthusiastic and just gorgeous people."

She said juggling the demands of her musical career as well as co-managing and hosting at the historic rural lodge was hard work and challenging. "But when you meet people like that it is all so worth it."

There had been lots of hugs when they left and Ms Harwood gave them a copy of her jazz album to play. She was now planning to write a letter to their grieving family.