It's quite simple - I sold my house. It was a lovely house and I miss it heaps - very sunny and warm, central to most places in Auckland. So central I used to have people popping into see me all the time. I miss that.
My Old HouseHowever, Auckland is expensive and I needed to bring my mortgage down so I can afford to do other things, so the only way to do that was to sell and move out of Auckland. Whilst I will miss my house, I will not miss Auckland's traffic, rush hours, fumes, and crowds.
I have bought a section in Renwick, Blenheim, and am in the process of building a house on it. The section lies alongside a vineyard, so my outlook is a field of grapes, then it looks down the valley towards the Richmond Ranges (mountain range), so it's very beautiful and peaceful.
Here's a pic of my outlook...
The photo was taken in winter, hence the grapevines were brown, but come spring that will all be green and lush.
The subdivision I've bought into is River Terrace, and there has been extensive work on it to make it look really nice. You can see what I mean in the following pic, where you can see the light almost looks like a gaslight..
I'm right next to the vineyard so my view cannot be built out by ay other houses. I'm also close to 6 very good vineyards (2km walking distance), so if you come and stay we can do walking wine tours!
I'm really looking forward to this next stage, although I'm going to miss all my family and friends when I do move down.
I won't be moving for at least another 4 months. I've spent the last 4 weeks at my mother's place, and today I moved out to housesit in Devonport for 2 weeks to mind two cats while the owners are holidaying in Italy.
On the 12th September, I go to St Heliers to housesit another house while the owner is in Britain until 24 October. I then head to Birkenhead to housesit another 2 cats until 20 November. Then I'm homeless!! Actually I may be going out to Pukekohe for a mmonth or two, and my plan is to move to Blenheim February sometime.
In the meantime my beautiful burmese cat is being looked after by my mother at her home, but she's talking about putting her house on the market so that's in the air at this stage!
So - that's where I am and what I'm doing - unfortunately internet access is very patchy so I'll update this blog when I can :)
what an exciting thing to do!!! I would love to build my own house, but it is just too expensive in the UK - I suppose it is more the thing to do in Australia!! And what fun to live in lots of different houses until then!
ReplyDeleteAre you designing the house yourself or what? How much of a hand do you have in this house?
Awesome view. The vinyards are nice, but you didn't say anything about the incredible mountain view behind them! Sheesh! :-) I have missed you so much. Eric and I are still planning to visit-- but waiting for you to get settled. Will probably be next year--2011 now.
ReplyDeleteKim
@Sam - I've worked quite closly with the building company to design the plan in relation to sun, and placement of the view. When I'm able, I'll post up the floor plan so you can see!
ReplyDelete@Kim - Next year is 2010 :) I'll be in around beginning of March so anytime after that you will be welcome (I can't wait). Of course if you come too early you might be roped into planting one or two fruit trees :)