Drury: Land lovers

CEDRIC GRAY meets a couple whose love of the country is reflected in their delightful Drury home.

As a young man, Croydon Thompson hunted the hills and the valleys of the King Country. Later, as a helicopter pilot he flew dozens of missions over the same rugged terrain. Now, as a property owner he has retained his links with the bush - his striking home at Drury features 10,000 lineal metres of native timber milled, in the main, at sawmills in Te Kuiti and Waimiha.

The native timber theme is not confined to a feature wall here, a feature wall there. It is all embracing. Not only are the walls and ceilings in every room impressive, they are also easy on the eye with rewarewa, tawa, matai and rimu blending to perfection. And one can add a small amount of kauri for good measure.

The beautiful setting on this 6.583ha property at 164 Fitzgerald Rd was well planned. The home was built in the late 1980s, but well before that Croydon and his wife, Dianne, planted native trees on the site. Name the species and they planted it.

The trees form an island on a circular driveway near the house, and they shield a large sealed parking area. They are superb specimens offering food and shelter to a wide variety of native birds.

The Thompsons raise red deer as, perhaps, another link with Croydon's past. The hinds have the run of the picturesque 10 deer-fenced paddocks sheltered by rows of Japanese poplars.

It is gentle free-draining country within five minutes of the southern motorway, and the deer - up to 100 head and two stags can be grazed - thrive in the peace and quiet of the environment. Quality bore water is available for stock and household use.

The magnificent home of about 600sq m occupies a commanding north-facing site. Wide decks along the front capture full sunlight, providing superb outdoor entertaining with easy access to spacious lawns and a delightful ornamental pond, which is a feature of the landscape.

Four double bedrooms are situated in one wing, and there is a large guest bedroom (with en suite) in another wing, both areas linked by the open-plan formal dining and family rooms. A step-down formal lounge has a library on the mezzanine floor, and the family room features a neat conversation nook. The large modern kitchen has several neat features, including sliding shelf access to all cupboards.

A large billiard room and bar is a feature of the guest wing, and there is a nearby study. Winter heating is provided by two woodburners.

There is three-car garaging with internal access, and a nearby three-car carport, a large workshop and shed, which doubles as a helicopter hangar. The outbuildings could easily be converted into a stables complex, or used for vehicle storage.

The Thompsons intend moving to the far north, and the property will be auctioned by Bayleys, Papakura, on August 18. Contact Kathryn Passier on 298 2525 or 021 800 079 for details.