After 87 days from idea to realisation, we are now all moved and settled in to our new place. Well not quite settled in. We are living in a caravan with all our worldly possessions scattered about the place waiting to be rearranged in a orderly fashion. We may be there for a short while, the house arrives, all going well in early March or hopefully even sooner.
Our new place is 10 acres on the rugged west coast over looking the Tasman Sea. The sand is black, the beach is empty for miles and the waves are often wild. It is a mesmerising sight to sit and stare at. We’re not on the beach front itself, but we have beach access and I can see the waves break from where the garden will be. The view is spectacular. This alone is worth the move.
The land, while gorgeous, doesn’t currently have a house. This is not a big problem for us as we like to embrace difficult situations. It builds character. Although I’m not sure our character requires strengthening in the area of building, so yeah nah, we’re not building a house. We did look into that, and not only is it extremely expensive, but there are so many logistical hoops to jump through and takes a very long time, we decided we’re not up for that kind of a challenge.
So we are relocating a house. That way, we get to look for our perfect house to go with our perfect section. As there is a lot of development going on in the country where old houses on large sections are making way for numerous townhouses, it didn’t take long to find the perfect one for our place. All we have to do now is wait for it to arrive, so I’ll share more about that later. It is the ultimate form of recycling!
In the meantime we are going to live in a caravan that the lovely previous owners have left for us use for the few short months it will take for the house to come. It is summer and most people about the place are staying in caravans by choice right now as they go off on their summer holiday, it can’t be that much different from that! We have created several locations beside the caravan – tents and a large gazebo, so we don’t all kill each other in the confined space of the caravan. It’ll be fine and won’t be for long.
The place I want to put the garden will be perfect for it – it gets all day sun and is mostly sheltered from the worst of the winds this coastal property will throw at it. I will need raised beds as the soil is mostly sand. I will miss the wonderful rich soil we had at the last place, but I won’t miss the mud. Although come next summer I may be bemoaning the fact there is too much drainage! I have great plans for the garden and you can check it our here in my wee video tour of the new place:
It is an ambitious plan which is exciting and scary all at the same time. There is a lot to learn as things are very different, but a gardener is always learning and I am looking forward to the journey. There will be ups and downs. Mistakes will be made, but at the end of the day I can sit and let the troubles of the day wash away as the sun sinks into the ocean. It would have taken a pretty special place to take me away from my old garden and this, I believe, it that place.
Come again soon – it is the first day of an very interesting journey.
Sarah the Gardener : o)
Ooo exciting times. Looking forward to seeing things develop and grow. Good luck in your new home (when it arrives) and your holiday home for now guys 😀 x
Thanks so much Elaine. And thanks for your message on moving day. It really meant a lot. We still don’t have internet at home so it is taking a while to get on top of computer related things. Hopefully we will be hooked up sometime next week – fingers crossed. Cheers Sarah : o)
love the video! exciting times ahead for sure! all the best will follow,follow,follow 🙂
So excited for you, really looking forward to watching it develop! What an awesome spot!
Thanks Nicky. It is an amazing place. At this point things are happening quite slowly, but in a few weeks when the house arrives I think it will go a little crazy! : o)
I found with each move I had to change my garden plans. Some plants like the new environment, others didn’t. The seeds I order even change. Good luck with your garden.
Hi Betty. I am looking forward to that kind of change. I was finding I was starting to get stuck in a bit of a rut… growing the same things every year, in the same place – but one bed over. I was in danger of getting bored in the garden. But not any more! Funny the way life turns out. : o)
Enjoy your new challenge. It a good way to learn new tricks
It sounds like a very exciting project indeed. West coast? Black sand? I’m thinking around Raglan somewhere! As a kiwi living in Australia, I can’t help trying to guess. I look forward to reading about your new journey. Good luck.
Hi Jane, close – just above the Waikato River. The great thing is we are still in the same community as we were before, same schools for the kids with the same bus route and even the same postman! But a completely different environment. So far it has made a lovely change. : o)
Oh, Sarah. I am not sure I have ever turned quite this shade of green before. Enjoy this season in your life! -Alli
I think some people would say we are a little crazy. But once we get through all of the madness, hopefully at the end will be a wonderful home and garden to enjoy for many years to come! : o)
What an extraordinary adventure you’re on. I can’t wait to see your up cycled home, and of course the garden as it unfolds.
Hi Alys. It is the best kind of recycling. These old homes with large yards would be demolished otherwise, to make way for several townhouses. I am looking forward to seeing how the garden turns out myself – in my head it is amazing! : o)
wow how exciting!!! I am happy for you. I can’t wait to see when everything is all setup.
I have been enjoying taking the time to make the plans and design the garden, and am really looking forward to setting it all up. : o)