My Slice of Heaven

I saw it Day Two of my arrival into 'The Bay'. I was no hurry to buy but very happy to start looking. By chance we went to the small hamlet of Maraekakaho (about 15 minutes south west of Hastings) because I had seen this cute house on the web and was keen to know where it was. And there it was - the cutest house sitting proudly on the small hillock overlooking pastureland. Ran into an estate agent who already had two other listings in the same and arranged inspection of all three that same week. Saw the house again on Day Four - loved it! Came back for a further look later that week - loved it even more! Put an offer in the following week and, by week's end, a contract was in place. So much for taking my time. But, honestly, I couldn't have written the property description better. It was advertised as a "Rural Retreat" and it lives up to its name. Nicely nestled at the end of a shared driveway the property boasts a gorgeous modern, clean lined home with a great outdoor entertaining area, a little vege garden, two car garaging, a petanque court and my own mini olive grove. There are neighbours around but not in your face. Perfect. So, now every morning I wake up to the view of pastures, hills and utter tranquility.

THE BEST.......Space, space, space

THE WORST.........Melting the soles of my slippers. Ditzy city girl didn't realize that the top of a woodburner stove can be used to cook on. Not the best place to put your rubber based slippers to dry. Not only that - the suede tops were still damp.

I'M LEARNING......to recycle almost everything. From no recycling to recycling fanatic. That's what lack of a rubbish collection service does to you.