"Dear Meredith,
Shane and I have had the most relaxing and indulgent weekend for a long time. This is an exquisite home and every need or want has been catered for by you. I'm so pleased that we came here for the first time at this magical part of spring - your garden gives as a warm a glow as the comforting fire within.  I'm a fussy old thing and even though the cottage has old souls in its walls, we felt as if we were the first to stay here.  I wonder if you've  ever seen that romantic film of the 40's "The Enchanted Garden"?  Birch Cottage reminds me of the spell it wrought. 
We shall highly recommend it to family and co workers. I know whenever we return it will became our special own cottage again."
Lynne & Shane

"Dear Meredith,
Birch Cottage is a special place to stay there is an ambience and peace here which is hard to define.  We stayed two years ago when we lived in Adelaide but have retired now after being  back in Queensland.  The scones were delicious, the log fire, the beautiful flowers make it difficult to leave.  My husband and I are fascinated by the history of Burra, its buildings and the natural beauty of the area.  Burra has a soul which so many modern towns have lost.  I was so touched in 2003 by Burra that I wrote the [following] poem.

Secrets of the River

By Jill Henderson

As I sit here by the river watching the yellow roses bloom in the early sun
I have to wonder just how far we have come
The giant gums bending and quivering in the breeze, whisper the secrets of the river
The serenity and beauty of nature, the enduring stone buildings and the history
of Burra touch my soul.

The spirit of the miners lives everywhere
From Cornwall, Scotland, Wales and Ireland they came
Building Redruth, Aberdeen, Kooringa and Llwchwr the same
Their homes, their dreams of new life in this land
To break the shackles of their sons and daughters through the times of sand
No longer a miner or a miner’s wife

Toiling in the depths of the earth, cold and dark
Danger lurking in every tunnel, tragedy ever near
Their love for their children sand loved ones urging them on
Their courage so strong in their hearts

They lived in the dugouts embellished in the womb of the river
Here they pais no rent and their vision of their own home could one day
Become a reality

The miners children laughed and played on the banks of the river but they died here too
The angle of death hovered above them
Taking the little ones from their mortal life
The typhoid and the terrible smallpox ravished their small bodies
Listen closely as the reeds of the river dance in the wind
Their cries still linger

The mournful cries of the miners and their wives echoed through the valley
So they left the river
Weeping for their bairns
Their grief ran deeper that he river
And can be heard today in the wild cries of the cockatoos as they shriek
Flying along the path of the winding river

Thank you for your hospitality Meredith."

Jill Henderson and Steve Overton Meleny, Qld

"Meredith, what can I say?
What a beautiful Cottage you have, Everything was just perfect, I even was proposed to  in front of the fire place.  How romantic!
Definitely will be back.  Burra is such a beautiful town and absolutely  lovely people.  What a gem of a place!
Thanks heaps,"
Chisty and Dean.

"Thank you for a wonderful stay.  We loved your cottage.  We loved Burra.  Hopefully we will be back and definitely staying in Birch Cottage."
Diane and Merv, Sydney

"At last we have found the perfect little historical cottage.  Thank you so much for all your hospitality and generosity.  We have really loved being here - surrounded by history in the cottage and in Burra itself."
Penhurst, Victoria

"Meredith, yet another day in your little piece of paradise! Yet after twelve months it seems that Birch Cottage gets even better. You have created an ambience here that makes us want to return again and again. You have a magic touch.  Thanks again."

"We really enjoyed staying in your lovely cottage - especially the combustion heater. Looks like the nicest accommodation in Burra and very central. We look forward to staying again in the future. We definitely recommend Birch Cottage to others. Kind Regards."

"Our stay in historical delightful and tasteful Birch Cottage was highly enjoyable. Anticipating our every need and providing fresh flowers and biscuits, Meredith was extraordinarily hospitable.  Thanks."
Bacchus Marsh, Victoria

"After seven weeks on the road it was lovely to stay in a "home".  Our stay was too short but the cottage made our Burra experience memorable.  If there is no place like home, Birch Cottage would be the next best thing!"
Mildura

"Thank you for the beautiful, cosy cottage.  All your small personal touches are exquisite and we wish we could have stayed longer.  The wood fire was a definite bonus!"
Pt Vincent, South Australia

"We had a fabulous time in your lovely cottage.  It was a really great place to spend our anniversary.  Your delightful cottage has inspired us to speed up renovating our 1878 cottage at Parkside.  We just adored eating out on the front porch."
Jo and Terri, Adelaide, South Australia

"Thank you. We loved the soothing ambience of your charming, spacious, comfortable cottage, with it's combination of modern comforts and original decorative touches.  A luxurious experience for us both."
Adelaide, South Australia