Thursday, February 18, 2010

More on the New Zealand cottage...

Our cottage is located in this little village 30 minutes drive from the city of Dunedin in the south of New Zealand. It has a northerly aspect over the inlet you see here to the Pacific Ocean. We've owned it for about 30 years, we lived in it full time for 4 but otherwise it was a weekend and holiday retreat. Since we've been living in Australia it's mostly been unocupied and that combined with the fact that the 'old girl' is getting on a bit has meant that recently we've had to turn our attention to some serious repair/renovation work.

Don't forget to 'poke' the photos for a better look :)

If you drive past this is all you will see as it sits down below the road line.


However, if you stop and stand at the top of the steps you will see the door so come on down and take a look around - take care though because the steps are made from old railway line sleepers and they can get a bit slippery...


Walk on by past the door, around to the front of the house...


From here you can enjoy the bush and coastal view for a moment, unfortunately it's a bit hazy today so you can't see the ocean as well as usual - and I must ask the neighbours to take the top off that pesky tree!...


Let's go down to the bottom of the yard, where the trees are, so that we can look back and see the front of the house properly...


Now if we turn around, there she is...


The poor old shed on the right has seen better days and is overdue for a coat of paint, maybe next summer.

It's a pity that the beautiful window in the upstairs bedroom has broken in the bottom left corner. Just what happened is a mystery but our neighbours noticed the lead and the glass had collapsed in the corner after a period of very strong wind. We've had to cover the broken area with a piece of board to prevent further damage. The lead has started to collapse a little in the middle at the top also so the window has to be removed. It will be replaced by a plain window, not as pretty perhaps but at least we'll be able to see the view from up there then! At the moment three little diamond shapes of plain glass are about all you can see through.


We are hopeful that this window can be restored and located elsewhere in the house.

Before we go up to the house for a look around inside I want to show you something hidden among the trees down here...


... a derelict chicken house! Isn't it cool?? Every yard should have one!

16 comments:

christine said...

OH WOW, the whole place is really cool, not just the chicken shed!!!lovely getaway, we all should have one!!!

miniacollection said...

What a beautiful view. It's super to have a little cottage in such a place.
Geneviève

Jo Raines said...

It's beautiful and like a little hidden paradise! I would just love to visit your part of the world one day. Hey, I could stay in your little cottage! LOL!
(Don't worry--I won't invade--couldn't even afford the plane tickets!)

Jody

Francy said...

Oh! It's so beautiful and romantic!

michelle said...

Wauw,wauw,wauw!! it's just great, I love it, we would like to rent it for the rest of the year;-))
thanks for the pictures Norma!

Pubdoll said...

Such a lovely cottage, and the surroundings are spectacular!

Mercedes Spencer @ Liberty Biberty said...

Oh, what a fabulous little house! ANd the derelict chicken house is perfect!
Mercedes

JStardust said...

This place is so beautiful. A perfect retreat from the busy city life.

Cynthia's Minilife said...

Norma, your cottage looks very cozy! I also love your blog title picture of your Mom and her toys. Thanks for joining my blog, and for all your nice comments!

minwks said...

Dear Norma, Thank you for showing us your cottage, it is a heavenly spot. I am sure you could watch the weather pass through below your eerie. Do NZ's only call a batch a batch when it is on the beach? We met many NZ sailors in New Caledonia and Vanuatu - a fun loving group!! You know that already.
Will you eventually return to NZ?
NB: Re the scale of the taps in my bathroom. The taps are integral to the wash basin. I wonder if I can saw them off and replace them? Yes! I will find the new taps first.
regards Janine minworks.blogspot.com

Norma Bennett said...

Thanks everyone for your comments, it's nice to know that you enjoyed seeing the cottage. There are earlier blog pics of some of the interior but I'll post more shortly.

Jody and Michelle, you'd be welcome anytime :)

Janine, a bach (no T - the word is derived from bachelor as it was initially attached to one room 'shacks' thought suitable for single men only) can be located anywhere. It usually refers to a little place used only on weekends or for holidays, not a permanent home. The term 'bach' is used in the North Island of NZ, in the South it's called a 'crib' - I don't know the derivation of that word. Our place started out many years ago as a one room crib/bach and grew 'organically' out on all sides and then up. There is a theory that the 'shed' is in fact the original building on the site as it's dimensions are those of a 'bush bach' in the old days. It certainly is possible.

michelle said...

We will remeber that, one day we come and visit New Zealand and your great cottage!

synnøve said...

Thank you for your nice comment Norma!
I love to visit your blog too, It is so exiting with all the miniature people spread around the world posting pictures and giving us glimpses of their daily life etc.
Thank you for sharing :)
Have a great sunday Norma!

Merry Jingle said...

What a place you have there - and the plants, my little inner gardener started whining about the climate here is too harsh for many plants :(

I always have wanted to visit New Zeland, maybe someday I'll see one of the worlds most beautiful places in real :)

Susanne said...

What a beautiful place you have there!

bec said...

gorgeous views from your lovely cottage and I'm in love with that chook house...
Bec x