And then...

We contacted Margaret from the Solar Sisters for a consultation about how suitable the land was for our ideas. We were certainly idea rich and experience poor then (and aren't much different now!) so we considered that it was a very good idea to get some help. Margaret came along and brought a friend, Gareth with her and we had a lovely time chatting with them and getting some advice. The photos are of the view from the front gate down to the belt of trees along the creek, which runs only after a deluge; next is the dam, and then the natural waterhole which we call "the swamp". The creek runs right through the middle of the property, with the dam and the swamp being "over the other side" which is left completely alone.

Consequently we put in an offer on the place and it became ours in December 05. To say that we were thrilled would be an understatement! Ray threw in his job in February 06 in order to live in a tent on the block and get our new life underway. The plan was that the girls and I would follow him there in March 06 to rent in Ararat whilst we built our home on what was now known as Frog Song Farm. Unfortunately that plan went astray and Ray lived up there alone with me commuting there every second weekend until May 07 when he came to live in Gisborne. We now only get there every fortnight for the weekend and that will continue for quite a few years, but we're still managing to get a few things done whilst we're there.