What our guests have to say about us.

"A beautiful property in breathtaking surroundings. A place to totally relax whilst enjoying excellent cuisine and good company. We were pleased to have
found such stylish and classy accommodation, which was kept in a spotless manner.On arrival we were
welcomed and made to feel at home by our
hosts Andre and Alison." JT October 2008

"Absolutely magical spot. The house and services are very well done. It is nice to stay where attention to detail is not ignored. Many magical memories go with us!"D+C Christchurch and Capetown September 2008

" A delightful spot and superb retreat" Dand M Christchurch September 2008

"Beautiful setting, wounderful food,great outdoor bath. Enjoyed the privacy. Felt like coming home after a day of exploring" - Shantytown, Punakaiki AND jetboating all in one day! A and J Nelson September 2008

"Elegance and top notch care of location, construction, decoration, food (both stocked and cooked!). Fabulous."

Z W September 2008

"We spent a few days in Ferry Mans Cottage and were delighted. Lovely site overlooking 2km of fairyland swale to the Sea. Impeccably built and kept. Complete and usable kitchen, solid wood heat stove/fireplace. Excessive large and well-appointed bathroom. Great food. Very helpful hosts. A perfect stay, strongly recommended" Trip Advisor September 2008

"A lovely lodge in a stunning location. Excellent food and wine. Lots of options for activities. All very
professional." JS Septemeber 2008

"A heavenly hideaway that blends in seamlessly with the landscapes of the wonderful West Coast. A warm welcome awaited us with a first-rate cottage
dinner and a wood burner primed and ready to go. Panoramic views of the Paparoa National Park, the roar of the sea in the distance, tuis and fantails for company, beds to die for, an outside bath - we could have stayed a month. Our friendly hosts Andre and Alison and terriers Mick and Merlot treated us to a sumptuous lodge meal in front of a roaring fire on our second night, topping off a winter stay to remember." Jo. August 2008

"Bit of a 'Find' this one! We had a wonderful time"

J+J August 2008

"What a magical place. This was definitely the highlight of our trip around the South Island. The shooting star spotted from the garden bath was a memorable moment. Will be back really soon." G+S Brisbane August 2008

"A wonderful place. thoroughly recommend: Outside bath on a clear crisp winters night, Andre's massage and Alison's cooking! Thanks for a fantastic few days. J+R Nelson July 2008

"I have not found a better place to have a moment's rest from the real world into this wonderful, quiet and
beautiful place. The Ferrymans Cottage is superbly comfortable, equipped and supplied. We will come again."David, Nelson 2008

"Beautiful setting, very comfy rooms, spotlessly clean. Gracious hosts who made us very welcome, fed us like Kings and were very helpful and knowledgeable
about the local area and travelling in New Zealand. Would highly recommend and look forward to returning someday for a longer stay." I and P April 2008

Dear Andre and Alison,we wanted to thank you very much for your hospitality on our recent fantastic time in New Zealand.We had a truly wonderful holiday it was the trip of a lifetime.We will never forget your lodge;the birds, ducks, silence,views,and special vibes there; not forgetting the openair bath!!!!!!.You helped to make our visit very special Thank you.Good luck in the future!    C and C , UK March 2008

"Four nights in Ferrymans Cottage Feb 08.Superb accommodation, sensational views over the forest canopy with the gentle roar of the ocean in the
distance.Glorious call of the shy Bell bird.Wonderful to watch the changing weather in all its glory.Secret walks
through the hidden forest trails. Total privacy but hosts only a few hundred yards away.If we had the time we would stay for four weeks next time in NZ! A must do place to stay in South Island."Pand M, New Forest UK

"From the minute we got here, we have enjoyed every moment. The location is unparalleled, the accommodation extremely comfortable and the sound of SILENCE wonderful. You cannot tell from an internet site just what a place will be like and the photos did not do it justice however a photo cannot capture the tranquility and beauty of the scenery here. Wish we had stayed longer."Ferry Mans Cottage guests March 2008

"We really enjoyed our stay at Birds Ferry Lodge. The setting was magnificent with wide views across
bush land, mountains and in the distance to the sea, all well observed from the luxury of the hot tub. From
the start Alison and Andre were perfect but unobtrusive hosts. The bedroom was comfortable and well
appointed. Alison's dinner was first class as was the breakfast all with home grown produce.Everything perfect, just wish we could have stayed longer. Thank you". Pat and David Stringfellow

"Accommodation for the soul! A beautifully appointed exclusive cottage down to the finest detail. Absolutely gorgeous setting with fabulous views over the nz bush to the sea and over the pond where the birdlife abounds. What a wonderfully tranquil place to relax in total privacy and soak in an outdoor bath watching the sunset, where all your cares fade away. A photographers paradise!"

Kylie Thomas January 2008

What a wonderful surprise pulling up to Ferry Man's Cottage.Just the most amazing peaceful setting.Everything was just perfect from the bedrooms to the living area,kitchen & balcony.Everywhere was spotless and the little touches, for example the freshly baked covered bread & the outdoor bath, were the icing on the cake!! Would love to come back and will spread the good word. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience xxxxPejman Okhovat January 2008

"We stayed with you at Ferry Man's Cottage on 24 November, 2007 and just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your gracious hospitality and a truly memorable stay.

The Cottage is a fantastic, private retreat! The cleanliness and attention to detail in the cottage and on the grounds did not go unnoticed! The views were stunning and the atmosphere of the cottage and its grounds were very relaxing.

Alison - Your dinner was one of the highlights of our trip. The food was wonderful and we really enjoyed the experience of a carefully prepared home-cooked meal from a wonderful cook! The fresh-baked breads in the cottage were also a real treat!

Andre - Thank you for all your great advice! We visited as many of your suggestions as possible and discovered a number of really neat places that we would have otherwise not known about. We really appreciate you taking the time to provide us with so many great suggestion" Chris Pritchard and Family December 2007

 

"We had a wonderful stay at the Ferryman's cottage. It
was a surprise trip for my birthday and I couldn't of
dreamed of a more perfect location. I enjoyed the
seclusion and peaceful setting. Having a pond with
bird life to gaze upon and an outdoor bath to enjoy,
makes this cottage that bit more special. All our needs
were well catered for. With a wholesome breakfast,
firewood, everything has been thought of. Our
expectations were exceeded. We will definitely visit
again!" October 2007 N and K

"3 generations for 4 fabulous nights - Caving, biking,feeding chickens,train ride, seal colony,driftwood, Coaltown museum and Denniston Incline. Outside Pukekoes, Fernbirds, and a bath under the milky way with 10 shooting stars. AND we heard the Kiwi.Thanks very much. We WILL return."

Hayward family,Wellington July 2007

"Wonderful West Coast retreat - we thoroughly enjoyed taking in the lush views from your well kitted out and cosy cottage." Jo and Paul - Oxford. July 2007

"Having stayed at Ferry Man's Cottage for two nights, we can highly recommend it. It was superbly located and had everything that one could possibly want. It was warm, the bed was really comfortable (usually the opposite in other places we have stayed) and the
cottage was extremely comfortable and well fitted out. We can't wait to visit again. Excellent hosts.Recommended to anyone who
wants a quiet and relaxing base on the
west coast of New Zealand from which to
explore." Jane Green July 2007

"Thanks so much for our wonderful stay. I have been raving to friends and family about your fabulous location and B&B.

These are the things we liked so much about Ferry Man's Cottage....Total privacy...
Left to our privacy...
Beautifully clean...
The warm fire...
Nice crisp linen and well made beds...
The Jam!
The bread!
The outside bath
Of course the view
The rain forest and birds
The garden
Andre's warm service when we called in...

We have stayed in many places around the world and in NZ and we can say that this was a top experience. We'll certainly come back and stay a couple of nights later in the year." April 2007

"Have stayed in some great places in New Zealand but this has been the best. Super hosts and fantastic food and spa."
Val and Terry Wilson Winchester UK.

"A beautiful and peaceful location with perfect hosts and delicious food"
Ian and Annette Hood Cranleigh UK

"Another lovely stay in a lovely spot, good hospitality, company and food - see you next year." Buller Marathon weekend.
Vicki and Ross Lienart, New Zealand

"A miniature Huka Lodge but much better. Lovely hospitality and most enjoyable"
Conrad and Beryl Lockie

"Very nice place - great dinner. Alison is some cook! We would definately recommend it to our friends."
Alex and Sasha Friedland CA USA

"Great place with wonderful hosts. We enjoyed food and company. Exceeded all our expectations."
Bob and Shelley

"My husband wanted to stay the night in Westport or Greymouth on our recent trip to NZ and I was a bit glum about doing so until I found Birds Ferry Lodge.
The place is really top notch (on its own and esp. given the alternatives I found in the area)."

It would be worth a stay even if you weren't otherwise looking for a place to crash in the Wesport/Greymouth/Charleston area but it's a must do if you are (particularly if you are doing the Underworld Caving/Glowworms in Charleston/Westport).

Alison is a truly fabulous cook. (We opted to have her prepare us dinner and were very happy to have done so.) The place has a great wine selection as well.

Andre is very friendly and knowledgeable, helping my husband and I to fine tune the remainder of our itinerary.

While we only had a night at the lodge, I very much wished we had been able to spend a day exploring the grounds.

I highly recommend this place" Trip Advisor Dec 06

This stay was great. The best place we stayed on the whole island. Andre and Allison were wonderful and the cottage was more than we expected--absolutly great.We have marked it done for a return visit. Suzann and Vince
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Hi Alison and Andre,Thanks so much for our wonderful stay. I have been raving to friends and family about your fabulous location and B&B. These are the things we liked so much.... Total privacy... Left to our privacy... Beautifully clean... The warm fire... Nice crisp linen and well made beds... The Jam! The bread! The outside bath Of course the view The rain forest and birds The garden Andre's warm service when we called in... We have stayed in many places around the world and in NZ and we can say that this was a top experience. We'll certainly come back and stay a couple of nights later in the year.
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We were extremely well received, the cuisine as well as Andres massages were outstanding.
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A huge thank you to Andre and Alison for an absolutely wonderful experience staying at their lodge. The food was divine, the company fantastic and the outdoor spa magical. If we are ever down that way again we'll be sure to call in for another stay. Thanks again to you both, Alan and Kelley (Auckland)
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We really enjoyed our stay at Birds Ferry Lodge. I was especially impressed with the hospitality of the hosts. The breakfast was excellent. The room was quiet and made for a very good night's sleep.We enjoyed our stay. The Morrows
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Heather and I enjoyed our stay with you immensely - it was an integral part of a wonderful experience travelling up the west coast of South Island. We plan to be back, if only to take advantage of your generous offer! It goes without saying that we shall certainly recommend you to any friends or family traveling in your vicinity. Best wishes to you both and thank you for such a lovely stay in your beautiful home. Regards Bernard and Heather Judge
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Having stayed at Birds Ferry Cottage for two nights, we can highly recommend it. It was superbly located and had everything that one could possibly want. It was warm, the bed was really comfortable (usually the opposite in other places we have stayed) and the cottage was extremely comfortable and well fitted out. We can't wait to visit again.
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The Ferryman's Cottage was very well equipped, and is situated in a beautiful, peaceful environment. It would be very hard to beat lying outside in the bath and listening to the native birds as a form of relaxation!
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Excellent hosts and very well appointed cottage. Recommended to anyone who wants a quiet and relaxing base on the west coast of New Zealand from which to explore. The Bayhouse Restaurant serves as good as food as I have had anywhere in the world
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A relaxing change from the normal work accomodation. Great hosts and spectacular setting.
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The bumpy road that leads to the lodge really needs some upgrade work.( This has been carried out as of March 07) Yet the moment you got into the lodge, it's a totally different world. The spaciousness of the living and dining area, the home-like warmth and the simplicity of the setting makes everything worth! The dinner arranged by Alison was top class - the quality, the setting and the combination was perfect. They paid full attention to the smallest details which was impressive. Worth the stay!
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Beautiful, private and secluded location. Well though out facilities and landscaping, it's impossible not to relax, unwind and appreciate the beauty of nature around you. Would highly recommend.
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Stayed at the lodge in January and had a wonderful stay. Andre and Alison were very welcoming and prior to our stay were very helpful with regards to our specific requests. We both had massages which were fantastic and worth every cent! Would thoroughly recommend staying at the lodge and are looking forward to returning for another stay and massage!
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The Ferryman's Cottage was a real gem and we loved our overnight stay. The cottage was beautifully furnished and had everything we required. It was so beautifully peaceful and we loved the quiet location. We would like to return again one day for a longer stay.
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absolutely wonderful visit. we do plan on returning in the next year, and have suggested your wonderful cottage to several other couples. Sue and Vince Ferachi
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A delightful setting in peaceful surroundings, ideal for a relaxing break.Welcoming hosts, knowledgable and informative of the area.Excellent cuisine and wine selection.Secure parking, motorcycle friendly.Highly recommended.
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Arriving at Birds Ferrys is a bit strange as you have a 1.7 dirt track (so be careful for your car). Once we got there the views were lovely. You are in the middle of nowhere. Alison (one of the owners) gave us biscuits and a cup of tea on arrival and then left us to relax. Dinner menu was placed on the coffee table on a wooden board which was a nice touch and not too expensive. Room was lovely, great view with double doors out onto the joint patio. Great lavender organic products in the bathroom (note if you have a bath afterwards you\'ll end up falling asleep especially if you put one of the cosy bathrobes on). Dinner is spectacular and Alison is a fanastic cook (I recommend the crayfish). Breakfast was continental (although we could have had a cooked one) and there was loads of it from homemade muesli, jam etc.
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We arrived on a cold summers day, Alison lost no time in lighting a fire for us, Andre her husband returned from doing some outside chores and relaxed in the outside hot tub with a beer. Good work! On arriving I worried about my choice of accommodation as the road to the Lodge is rough with no tarmac, but as soon as the Lodge came into view my fears were gone. It is well maintained and spotless, also very beautifull. The visitors lounge in particular is lovely with views over open countryside. We were offered tea and shortbread on arrival and a long convivial chat with our hosts. Do take up the option of having dinner provided, Alison is a good cook and Andre offers a good selection of wine with inside knowledge of NZ wines. We had a very good breakfast and we were given tips on our next ports of call. The prices were very reasonable, and I recommend a stay here. A very nice couple prepared to go that extra mile. Elaine Lichfield UK Helen MA USA
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My husband wanted to stay the night in Westport or Greymouth on our recent trip to NZ and I was a bit glum about doing so until I found Birds Ferry Lodge. The place is really top notch (on its own and esp. given the alternatives I found in the area). It would be worth a stay even if you weren\'t otherwise looking for a place to crash in the Wesport/Greymouth/Charleston area but it\'s a must do if you are (particularly if you are doing the Underworld Caving/Glowworms in Charleston/Westport). The house is great -- the room in which we stayed was small but well appointed. The common area is wonderful -- expansive and inviting. Allison is a truly fabulous cook. (We opted to have her prepare us dinner and were very happy to have done so.) The place is a great wine selection as well. Andre is very friendly and knowledgeable, helping my husband and I to fine tune the remainder of our itinerary. While we only had a night at the lodge, I very much wished we had been able to spend a day exploring the grounds. I highly recommend this place.
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Hi Alison and Andre, Thanks so much for our wonderful stay. I have been raving to friends and family about your fabulous location and B&B. These are the things we liked so much.... Total privacy... Left to our privacy... Beautifully clean... The warm fire... Nice crisp linen and well made beds... The Jam! The bread! The outside bath Of course the view The rain forest and birds The garden Andre\'s warm service when we called in... We have stayed in many places around the world and in NZ and we can say that this was a top experience. We\'ll certainly come back and stay a couple of nights later in the year.
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Hello There Andre & Alison, Can we just say what a perfect stay we had at your lodge on out Honeymoon. It was amazing. Hope all is well and we hope to see you in the future. Thanks again, Marc & Sally.
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Absolutley perfect for our honeymoon! Staying in Ferrymans cottage made us feel like the only people on the West coast of New Zealand. We were very cosy in the cottage despite the storm. Would defintley stay again and would love to go back for a wedding anniversary sometime very soon.
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You've turned the area into a lovely, private, and tranquil place to stay. The outside bath was wonderful, and the cottage itself is cosy with a relaxing ambience about it. We felt like we'd stayed longer than one night.
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We had a wonderful stay at the Ferryman's cottage. It was a surprise trip for my birthday and I couldn't of dreamed of a more perfect location. I enjoyed the seclusion and peaceful setting. Having a pond with bird life to gaze upon and an outdoor bath to enjoy, makes this cottage that bit more special. All our needs were well catered for. With a wholesome breakfast, firewood, everything has been thought of. Our expectations were exceeded. We will definitely visit again!
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A memorable experience! Andre and Alison are wonderful and gracious hosts, and the property and accommodations are top notch with great attention to detail. Highly recommended!
,

What a wonderful surprise pulling up to Ferry Mans Cottage.Just the most amazing peaceful setting.Everything was just perfect from the bedrooms to the living area,kitchen & balcony.Everywhere was spotless and the little touches, for example the freshly baked covered bread & the outdoor bath, were the icing on the cake!! Would love to come back and will spread the good word. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience xxxx
,

Accommodation for the soul! A beautifully appointed exclusive cottage down to the finest detail. Absolutely gorgeous setting with fabulous views over the nz bush to the sea and over the pond where the birdlife abounds. What a wonderfully tranquil place to relax in total privacy and soak in an outdoor bath watching the sunset, where all your cares fade away. A photographers paradise!
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Accommodation, location, hospitality and food were all excellent - the attention to every detail and the high quality provided by Alison and Andre has to be experienced to be appreciated.
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Wonderful property in the most beautiful setting. I think the scenery here is just unbeatable. A very comfortable realaxing stay and the whitebait for breakfast was a real treat! Jill and Francoise, Oakland, California
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We really enjoyed our stay at Birds Ferry Lodge. The setting was magnificent with wide views across bush land, mountains and in the distance to the sea, all well observed from the luxury of the hot tub. From the start Alison and Andre were perfect but unobtrusive hosts. The bedroom was comfortable and well appointed. Alison's dinner was first class as was the breakfast all with home grown produce.Everything perfect, just wish we could have stayed longer. Thank you. Pat and David Stringfellow
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I find it difficult to see how anything could be improved about the quality of the accommodation at Ferry Man's Cottage, the way in which we were received or the dinner we were served on the one evening we stayed there. The setting is magnificent, standards are exceptionally high and bird song recordings are even available for those of who want to verify what we thought we heard.
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Wonderful location with great views and rooms, throw in good food and ready access to surrounding areas of interest while still feeling out of the hustle and bustle, perfect, many thanks.
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we found both location and facitiles supperb,food and service unfaultable ,we especially liked the use of the space with the feely of privacy,the hosts where always there when needed but never imposing, leading us to believe that we were there by our selevs to enjoy the most anmazing surroundings ,thanks again will reccommendid to our friends and passers by,we will be back!
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Hi Alison and Andre What a wonderful time we had with you and the wee terriers! We so enjoyed our stay and the really lovely food. Thanks again Diane and Gavin Fortune
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Wonderful stay but too short !! Superb hosts and meals par excellence.If we return to NZ we will definitely try to have a longer visit. Great pair of dogs as well. Many thanks.
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Wonderful hosts that go out of their way to make your stay an enjoyable one. Alison cooking is divine. During our stay it was my partner's birthday - she even baked the chocolate birthday cake to die for! Andre does the very best in holistic massage and would highly recommend a session. The Cottage is in a beautiful location, well appointed facilities, clean and very cozy. A+++++++
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We are finally back home in Pennsylvania.....had a great trip (no wheezes intended)in NZ with your place being a highlight!!! Thanks for the great meal!!!(outshone anything else we had while on the South Island). The spectacular golden-red sunset, and the thought that we were probably the westernmost humans in NZ enjoying it, was a memorable bonus!!! Keep up the excellence!!! Jeff & Mary Bretz
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Ruth and I had a most enjoyable stay at the Cottage and we were quite sad to leave our first stopover on the West Coast. We had lovely home- prepared food and the accommodation standard was extremely high. The Cottage is a magnificent "chill-out" spot and relaxation is guaranteed. Massage therapy at the Lodge is an added bonus!
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Ferry man's cottage was everything ( and more)that we wanted on a relaxing getaway break. The food was superb, the quality of rooms, furnishings and toiletries first rate. The garden and lake were beautiful and we loved the whole place. To bathe under the stars surrounded by native forest and wonder back into comfort and luxury - what more could you ask for. Highly recommended!
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At Birds Ferry Lodge we were made to feel very welcome. Andre was very knowlegable and answered all our questions on the wildlife and where to go. We had a delicious meal prepared by Alison. Birds Ferry is lovely house and it certainly felt like Home from Home. Thank you, to our two charming hosts.
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It is a wonderful experience to spend some time in this paradise ... especially for us living in China, which is great but more than noisy. The cottage was much better than we could imagine, it is as ell the best we had in NZ. Don't think about going there ... just do it !!! Clo & Nox
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Birds Ferry Lodge, Westport, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.
Tel 021 337 217
Free phone Customer Line in New Zealand 0800 212 207

 

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