The times, they are a-changing....

We've always said we were going to move back to the Blue Mountains, to the west of Sydney, Australia one day...

After nearly three years there before the birth of our daughter, we moved back down to "the smoke" when she was eight months old, for a chance to be closer to Karl's work, and to own our own home.

Hi! I'm Bess, and this is it... We're moving back!

This blog is a place for me to collect my thoughts about the move. It's about our Tree Change.

It's about the struggles we will probably have to get there (because it's definitely a challenge), and eventually, it will be about the process of carving out our very own space: for ourselves, for our family, and (we hope) in a better community.

Along the way, we'll share the things we learn, the Blue Mountains gems we find, and the events we love and share with friends.

I hope you'll come along for the ride!

Elizabeth (Bess) Elwell-Cook
April 2014

Photographic opportunities: Hartley and surrounds.

We took a drive this morning, because Karl wanted photos for his Uni course. There are loads of places around here to find interesting old building, rusting piles, heritage pubs and suchlike.

So we packed the kids in the car, and tooled off through the Vale of Clwydd, down into Hartley Valley, and Hartley Vale (township) itself.

This slab hut on Browns Gap Road was our first stop. Rusting and rotting, and almost overtaken by the blackberries, it may only stand for a few more years before it disappears altogether.

It was a tad bright... Karl had to go old-school to see the screen on his DSLR. The Boy was most bemused!

And we kept on following the road into Hartley Vale, 5 Miles from Mount Victoria, and the historic Comet Inn.

Buyer beware.

It seems that in the past few months, the price of land has gone up, and the size of block has gone down. And if we truly want to build our dream home, most of what we are looking at - in budget - provides serious challenges that involve steep slopes and difficulty installing onsite sewer systems, while still leaving space for you to build a dwelling.

I can hear what you're saying from here: "There is no flat land in the mountains!"

Well there is... but it's probably out of our price range. And last Saturday's lesson in the importance of Due Diligence, followed by a chat with the onsite toilet system bloke today, has cemented the idea that if we want a true mountain home, we might be constricting ourselves.

A lot.

In fact, if the bog bloke's information is anything to go by, most of what is now in our price bracket is there because the vendors failed to get systems passed by Council before a deadline of June 1st 2014, and the new rules simply prevent them from building on the block at all.

Buyer beware. A Geotech really is essential before you sign. It's now clear that the block we attempted to purchase was one of these blocks. My condition in the contract: "Subject to geotechnical survey" was most likely the cause of the vendor taking their time to get back to us. And thank heavens they did. They're not going to tell you that they can't build on this block. They're just going to hope that you're as silly as they were (c'mon.... They were silly... the neighbour told us they tried to build a straw bale house in the Flame Zone...) , and leave you with an unsellable $85,000 hole in your wallet.

This is not the block you were looking for...

What's a Pre-Open Open?!

Here it is!

Terry just dropped over the flyer he's been given to put in his RE Agency window. We're having a "Pre-Open Open" on the 9th August at 2:30pm.

What's that? Well, technically, we're not allowed to clean up. They want to show the house in the state it's been shown previously. This is what they'll be using to gauge what people are prepared to offer for our house before the renovations are done and they have a proper Open House with the new look.

So I'll be cleaning up. Because no matter how we live, I never show my house to potential buyers without vaccuuming and doing the dishes. Or putting my undies away in the drawer...

But the unfinished renovation and the peeling paint does speak for itself, rather. ;)

Still, it's getting exciting!

Happy Dance!

Just got off the phone from Melissa, and we're on! We're going on Selling Houses Australia!

 Dates for filming aren't locked in yet, but it will either be the end of August, or early September. That puts us back a bit, but I don't care at the moment! It means we have a fighting chance of getting our asking price for our house, and moving on!

I figure we've lost one block of land, and found another we love (but it's on the edge of a flammable area and this also raises questions of building costs).... But we both realise that there's little point if we have no money. The right block will come along when we need it and have the money for it.

Now, excuse me while I go back to dancing!

Sitting on Tacks

Must. Not. Be. Impatient.

I'm not the world's best example of patience at the best of times. Just ask Karl.

But we're both sitting on tacks here. Still no solid news from Selling Houses.  They've been wonderful. Mel asks us to wait just a few more days for a verdict. I know she's keen!

 Just a little nervous that we may miss the boat somehow and not be able to get our renovation momentum back.

Thinking positive thoughts. It will all be worth it!

Inside my wardrobe door...

Karl said to me last night that we should make a wish list for our Grand Design (I'm starting to think of it like that, because we're fans... but also because when - yes when -  we get on Selling Houses Australia I want them to think we're so awesome that they follow through and put us on Grand Designs Australia as well...).

Of course, that was just as we were getting into bed. So that didn't happen...

Backtrack a bit...

For the past several years, I've set goals every 31st December.

Then I print them all out, and blu-tac them to the inside of my wardrobe door, right where I can see them and remind myself that I have things to work towards. and underneath those, I have a very important quote (for me):

"Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened, you know. It's being frightened, and then doing what you have to do anyway" - Jon Pertwee, the 3rd Doctor Who.

Yep. I'm a geek. Deal with it. There's a lot of inspiration to be had from your heroes.

Sometimes I get so busy I don't look at that list. But I often see the quote! It's a good bucking-up when I feel down, which can be often, especially when my depression kicks in (but that's another story).

Thinking about it here, in a bit of spare time at work though, I know there's the beginning of that wish list. Right there, on my goals list... Now I'm wondering if we're on the right track...

I'd better check that out when I get home. Stay tuned.