My family, extended kin, and numerous friends had the best imaginable stay here at the Manse. We spent a little over three weeks on a sabbatical leave. The lake shared her dependable sweet serenity and purity with us. The woodsy setting took us all back to natural rhythms and simplicity (thank you, H.D. Thoreau, for the guidebook). The Manse enables a mystical sort of time travel. We could easily imagine that the year was 1895; or 1921; or 1942; or 1969... or with microwave, wifi, cell-phones, computer/tv links, and propane fueled fireplaces, a very comfortable 2014. The access site at the lake's edge allowed us to store all our fishing gear in the convenient shed, and pull our Old Town canoe up under the hemlocks. Every room has its own cozy and quaint decor--very simple, colorful and comfy. The array of bathrooms and showers allowed 12 to 15 of us to all feel at ease. The Hardy family, owners for several generations, couldn't have been more cordial, helpful and kind to us. Although we were warned that black flies could be a problem before Memorial Day, it was not the case while we were there, thank God! Special joys: sharing the enormous wrap-around porch with a nesting mother Phoebe and her newly hatched tweeters; watching a red fox cavort around at the woods' edge; seeing the blueberry blossoms emerge, promising a nice mid-summer harvest; fly fishing on a pristine, clean, clear lake; sipping cold wine at sunset on the second floor screen porch, surveying the southern NH loveliness; banquets for 15 of us in the expansive family dining room with a wood fire adjacent, food just off the grill, and all the room in the world to spread out when folks wanted less company. This place is a unique gem!!