Well the move is over and the boys and I are getting settled
into the new house. Finally the phone and internet have been connected and I
can post again. Though I do miss things about the old cottage, I just love the
new place and everything it offers. We now live a sand dune from the beach and
surrounded by a lovely beach reserve, full of native trees and natural swamp
land...there is even a fresh water spring near the house that seeps down to a
brick lined channel where watercress thrives.
There is one raised veggie garden
made from chunky driftwood posts and upcycled iron which I am currently weeding
and digging over, that will be a good start for my new plantings and I will add
more as I get the rest of the property how I want it. Hopefully I will get to finish that tomorrow
and then I can get a little creative with it!
The back yard is much bigger than I am used to, than any of
us for that matter. Going to be a
mission with the lawn mower but the boys seem so happy here it’s worth every
bit of it.
Mr seems to have a new lease of life lately, suddenly he will roar
across the lawn, shoot up a cabbage tree, sit staring wide eyed and having a
quick scratch on the bark, then he lets out a pitiful mew as if to say “I’m
stuck, help!” which he isn’t. He didn’t have any trees to climb at the old
house so I can appreciate why this must seem like one huge playground to him.
Diesel loves tearing around too, here he can run around to his little heart’s
content and there are tons of places to rummage and explore. The picture above is Mr sunning himself in one of the packing boxes on his first day outside.
The thing that is most noticeable is just how quiet it is
here. Apart from the odd car or bike during the day all you can hear are the
waves crashing against the shore and crickets chirping. Even as I type I can
only hear the waves and the bird’s morning chorus, It’s just so peaceful.
I have been amazed at the different insects
and bird life I have seen too, though, I doubt I will ever get used to the size
and quantity of the spiders I have found lurking. And just when I think the can
of spray in my trembling hands will save
me, more come crawling out as if a show of support for their comrades.
It’s
also lovely looking at the night sky which is uninhibited by the street lights
of the city, gazing at the stars and hearing the sea is heaven on the doorstep.
Whilst there were a few casualties, most of my treasured
plants made the three hour journey quite safely. Most seem to be adapting to
the coastal life very well but I am thinking I will need to make some
provisions for winter.
And while mentioning winter, there is an outdoor bath in
a sheltered part of the garden that will be lovely for a winter soak but I will
have to do some trimming around the fence lines so as not to encourage those
many legged visitors to my hot pool!
There is also some lovely rustic wooden
bench seats that are being over taken by the gardens that I need to rescue and
a huge planter that looks like the melting pots they use in foundries...Now that
I will be able to do something great with!
Overall the house is a tidy mix of
beach, hippy and rustic charm, comfortable and welcoming...I think we are going
to be very happy here...
