The down house
Once a week I do restoration (plant native plants) along the stream corridor that runs behind Wren's school. I work with two other women, one of whom decided to move for a year in Australia with her family. She very kindly offered to rent us her house while she is gone.
The house we have been living in was the first place to offer us shelter, one year ago. When we moved in the fridge, stove, dishwasher and shower all didn't work. The roof leaks and I have to put out buckets when it rains. It's up on top of a steep hill and we have to drive to anything. The wind up there is so loud it keeps us awake. But most importantly, there is no outdoor space to roam. Wren and Quinn can't play outside and that just didn't sit right with us. But in looking around, there was nothing we could afford. If we could afford it, there would be 40 people at the open house.
Jess' house is down on the flats, in Owhiro Valley. It's a block from the ocean and three blocks from school. There's a little playground just a house down from ours. There is a big flat area with a garden and established fruit trees. We pick lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini and broccoli now. Wren forages as her favorite activity again.
The house is two bedroom, so much smaller. But more our size. When Jess bought it, it was derelict. Her and her husband fixed it up and it feels like a house with character. The downsides? No heat besides a fireplace so it will be cold in the winter. Drying clothes in the winter will also be a real challenge. One bathroom again and no office for Lucas. But even from the first evening it felt like home and we are so glad we made the move.
Down the long driveway from Happy Valley Road (that's Quinn in pink). The garden is on the left.
Front of the house. They so nicely stacked up firewood for us before they left.
View from the house looking back down the drive. Shed doesn't have power but is a good place to keep bikes etc. Laundry line in distance.
Panning South...
Side deck that looks over Cook's Strait.
South deck, good in a northerly wind.
Enjoying the deck
Kitchen. Big!
The kids' bedroom
Our bedroom. Really the main feature is the view of the ocean from bed.
The funky small bathroom they built
The beach down the way, Owhiro Bay
The house we have been living in was the first place to offer us shelter, one year ago. When we moved in the fridge, stove, dishwasher and shower all didn't work. The roof leaks and I have to put out buckets when it rains. It's up on top of a steep hill and we have to drive to anything. The wind up there is so loud it keeps us awake. But most importantly, there is no outdoor space to roam. Wren and Quinn can't play outside and that just didn't sit right with us. But in looking around, there was nothing we could afford. If we could afford it, there would be 40 people at the open house.
Jess' house is down on the flats, in Owhiro Valley. It's a block from the ocean and three blocks from school. There's a little playground just a house down from ours. There is a big flat area with a garden and established fruit trees. We pick lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini and broccoli now. Wren forages as her favorite activity again.
The house is two bedroom, so much smaller. But more our size. When Jess bought it, it was derelict. Her and her husband fixed it up and it feels like a house with character. The downsides? No heat besides a fireplace so it will be cold in the winter. Drying clothes in the winter will also be a real challenge. One bathroom again and no office for Lucas. But even from the first evening it felt like home and we are so glad we made the move.
Down the long driveway from Happy Valley Road (that's Quinn in pink). The garden is on the left.
Front of the house. They so nicely stacked up firewood for us before they left.
View from the house looking back down the drive. Shed doesn't have power but is a good place to keep bikes etc. Laundry line in distance.
Panning South...
Side deck that looks over Cook's Strait.
South deck, good in a northerly wind.
Enjoying the deck
Kitchen. Big!
The kids' bedroom
Our bedroom. Really the main feature is the view of the ocean from bed.
The funky small bathroom they built
The beach down the way, Owhiro Bay
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