Originally from Northern Ireland, Brian McCandless served in the Royal Air Force for 37 years, retiring as an Air Vice-Marshal.
During this time he and wife Yvonne lived in numerous countries around the world.
After Brian retired from the RAF he spent a few years in the software industry. In 2001 the couple’s son was in a round the world yacht race, which laid over in Wellington, giving Brian and Yvonne the perfect reason to visit.
“We fell in love with the place. New Zealand had everything we wanted for our retirement: tramping, sailing, fresh air and nice people.”
They quickly decided to settle. Heading south for somewhere to buy, Brian and Yvonne ended up in Te Anau.
“Having previously lived and worked in three different continents, rather than relocating to a large, densely populated area, we had our sights set on a small community. Fiordland definitely meets the criteria. Views across Lake Te Anau to the Murchison mountains are unbeatable, and the cost of land at the time gave us much better value than comparable places we looked at,” says Brian.
Since then, Brian and Yvonne’s time in Fiordland has exceeded those initial expectations, starting with their house.
“Given the builder and I designed it over the internet during an 18 month period, we have been delighted with the quality of the house: it has been superb,” says Brian.
Attracted by the views, and an enduring love of sailing, which the lake gave them unlimited opportunities to pursue, Brian and Yvonne were soon welcomed into the community.
“We joined several local clubs and organisations, including bridge, bowling and Rotary, so made plenty of local connections. We’ve never lived anywhere with such a sense of community. Te Anau people are fantastic: so many great people.”
Now the time has come to sell. Brian and Yvonne have engaged Sandra Macnamara of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Te Anau who describes the 1.2 hectare Patience Bay property as the perfect lake-side haven.
“Elegance and style radiate from this exceptional home.
“An open plan lounge, with its feature wooden vaulted ceiling, looking out to the outdoor living area, then across the expansive lawn to the lake and mountains, sum up its special appeal. Outdoor access from the dining, kitchen and master bedroom, alongside a generous office, flowing through to a second living area, make for comfortable, friendly expansive spaces, while the three large bedrooms, with the master hosting a substantial ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and sunroom, exhibit the quality of this widely appreciated home.
“On established landscaped grounds, the property includes a purpose-built generous sized boat shed, providing a new owner with a tantalising invitation to make the absolute most of Lake Te Anau,” she says.
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