230 Acre Farm with Private Pond

Simply put, this is the best property we have ever had the pleasure of staying in. Our experience with these sorts of properties is extensive--several continents, multiple trips per year, etc.

The house--a converted hay barn is functional, beautifully decorated, and excellently equipped. The decor is charmingly "homey" with a nice mix of pieces that convey both comfort and good taste. It has neither the feel of a staid catalogue page where everything was purchased from Pottery Barn, nor that of grandma's attic where all the ratty furnishings and extra junk are stored. Unfortunately, we have experienced both scenarios before, but at Fielder Farm we felt like we were staying in our friends' home.

We love to cook, and the most disappointing aspect of most rental properties is the poorly equipped kitchen. Not here. The kitchen is well stocked with quality cook wear (including some very nicely seasoned cast iron) modern appliances, and a solid selection of kitchen gadgetry--peelers, shredders, a chinois, steamer basket, champagne flutes, cookie cutters, citrus press, zester, etc. We used them all, and were thankful for them.

The beautiful wood stove, located in the middle of the Great room, kept us plenty warm despite the availability of central heat. Wood is split and stacked on the ground level inside the workshop accessible through a door off the entryway mud room. There was also plenty of kindling to get the stove stoked back to life in the morning. I am quite familiar with wood stoves, and some can be fussy, but this one never required anything more than rustling the coals, opening the damper, tossing on a bit of kindling, and waiting two minutes for it to burst back into flame. Two weeks, zero matches. Don't feel that you have to be skilled in the art of primitive fire making to stay warm in this house.

Bert and Sarah were extremely helpful, friendly, and accommodating during our stay. The driveway was always plowed after a fresh snow, and we were provided with sleds for the children, christmas decorations for the tree, and everything else necessary to make our stay delightful.

The house is located very nicely between Sugarbush (a 25-30 min. drive in heavy snow) and the town of Richmond which boasts several wonderful restaurants and a marvelous local grocery store. Burlington--what a great town--is 30 minutes away.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention that the house boasts a library comparable to that of a small university.