Sunday 23 April 2017

Bucolic pleasantries




I mentioned in my last post that we recently bought an acre of land in the country, so I feel that I should introduce it to you!


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Towards the end of last year we were thinking of moving to the island of Tasmania.
Tasmania


We spent a couple of wonderful holidays in Tasmania.  We motored around the island, checking out the lay of the land, considering our options, and deciding upon possibilities.  It is a lovely part of the world and Mr. A. has close links to it as some of his ancestors went there as free settlers in the 1810s, but when we considered all the angles we realised that, alas, it would not be feasible to move to Tasmania at our time of life.  There is not a lot of work to be had, especially in our chosen fields, and it would be difficult for our family and friends to come visiting.  Reluctantly, we shelved the idea.

We then decided to look in our own back garden: the fabulous state of Victoria.  What a wonderful part of the world it is.  We checked the real estate web sites and discussed the possibilities of the various regions, eventually deciding that we wanted somewhere that had a high elevation, high rainfall, the sorts of things that we like (good food, nice countryside, civilised activities etc).  After visiting a couple of properties we decided that rather than buy an old house and renovate it, we would buy land and build our own. 

It was then that we came across the perfect piece of land upon which to establish our ‘estate’.  Mr. A. put in an offer to the owner on the very same day, and that is why we are now the proud owners of a block of land in the Daylesford-Macedon region. 


Here it is:



The above photo shows the line of Spanish Chestnut trees.  The tree closest to the camera is a walnut tree.
On the other side of the Chestnut trees there is a long meadow:


 And at the end of the meadow one walks into a small forest of Chestnut trees.

The trees are somewhat spindly, but we like them.  They will need some care and attention.  We have big plans for this little copse.

Within the copse is a well:
As you can see it is somewhat primitive, being nothing more than a hole in the ground with a pump attached, but we have had plans drawn up to have it beautified with a proper well head.  Mr. McGregor (the builder) is in charge of that and we shall see what we shall see...
I rigged up a bucket and rope system for drawing up the water, which after testing is deliciously drinkable!   This is good because there is no running water to the property (and no gas either)  At least there is an electricity supply!!

The land itself is part of an old dairy farm which was subdivided some time ago.  Apart form the well, our block contains an old, ramshackle cow shed which is used to store fire wood, and a rather characterful hut that has 'possibilities':


Mr McGregor's wife informed me that the hut was used in the 1940s as a potato pickers hut.  I like that.  The cowshed (which is on the right in this photo) will have to go, but the hut is going to become our very own dacha of sorts.
Those are hazelnut bushes surrounding the buildings and the old water tank,.  So what with chestnuts, and walnut trees, we should be quite okay for nuts!!!  

I hope that you enjoyed this rather rushed trip around our new purchase.  Last week was Easter and social commitments here and there made it difficult to find the time to visit my blog, but here is a simnel cake that I made to celebrate that special time.  
Do help yourself and while you are at it you can look at this website which show what the Daylesford Macedon region has to offer!

http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Daylesford-and-the-Macedon-Ranges




14 comments:

  1. Hello Kirk, Congratulations, what a paradise-like spot of ground you have discovered. It always was my dream to own land in the country, but my life has led in other directions. I am especially impressed with all those nut trees, (I would like to add some fruit trees into the mix--the grounds look ideal for that). And to have existing water and electricity--I sure that you are aware of what blessings those are.

    Enjoy your land as it is for the time being, and we will be anxious to see any progress in the design/building lines.
    --Jim

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments, Jim.
      We have plans for an apple tree and hopefully cherry trees. I also fancy a crab apple, but we will share the land with a big bunch of avian marauders who fly all over the place and grab as much as they can if the trees are not netted so I wonder how we will go!!

      Bye for now,

      Kirk

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    2. Hi again, They are doing wonders with dwarf trees now, so that netting is much more practical, as is pruning, spraying and picking. --Jim

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    3. I'm going to look into that.

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  2. It's a very nice part of our state. Are you sure you couldn't fix up the cow shed a bit? Some curtains on the windows, a few repairs and a coat of paint?

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    1. Hello Andrew,
      You are right there, it is beautiful. As for the cow shed, a friend of ours did think the same as you but it is such a cobbled together, hotch potch that while we may save a lot of the wood, the rest might very well fall down on its own - plus there are plans for a glass house to sit on that particular spot if Mr. A has his way.

      Kirk

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  3. Well done Kirk! I love your plan to build your own dacha (Russian word дача). Many nut trees, fields, fresh air, silent and bird singing,,,beauty!Thanks for piece of cake, it was delicious :-)

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    1. Thank you Nadezda, I have looked at dacha on pinterest and like that style. Cousins of my grandfather lived in St Petersburg prior to 1917 and they had one too. I really like the design of them. I'm glad you liked the cake - it has been delicious!

      Kirk

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  4. Hi Kirk, congratulations on buying the land to build your dream home on! It looks like a very lovely plot. And how wonderful that you have your own well with drinking quality water!
    Love the look of the cake and hope to see more of your baking goods in the future!
    Wishing you a wonderful new week!
    Christina

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments, Christina, It is an exciting time for us and we have many happy talks on what we plan to do. I hope we get them all done!

      Kirk

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  5. Are you guys nuts? BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Couldn't resist! What a gorgeous piece of property. And I love all those trees and bushes that will also provide food. And that well is crazy, I've never seen one just open like that. Now I understand how people (and animals) fall into wells. We have a well at the farm of course, but it already has the machinery and the little building around it so it doesn't seem like a well to me. This reminds me of what lies beneath, no matter where in the world we are, water requires a deep hole! Congrats, so happy for you guys!!!

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  6. Thank you 1st Man for your kind comments. You and 2nd man have been our inspiration! Actually at first I thought that we were nuts to buy the land on the very day we looked at it but now I think it was a very good idea!! Yes the well was the first thing we decided to get 'fixed'. It is normally covered in corrugated tim and wooden planks - not us at all!! A nice olde worlde well head will be much better.

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  7. Dear Kirk,

    Congratulations on your purchase! I know you will create something that is cozy and that has great character. And my experience has been that the planning stages are ecery bit as exciting as the building and the finished result. If this were my own land, I would want at least a bench in your copse.

    And thanks for including the cake, as promised. Were I to live with you, I imagine I'd weigh 400 pounds! You must have a very high metabolism!

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    1. Dear Mark,
      Thank you for your kind comments. Yes I agree, planning is exciting. We make all sorts of house plans: some are good and others would need Marie Antoinette's budget!

      And speaking of M.A. cake is an integral part of my life!

      Kirk

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