Today I thought I would answer some of the many questions we have been asked since we started telling people about our upcoming tree change. We are excited to share the answers that we know. Some things we just don't know yet, but we are OK with not knowing all the answers! So here are some of the answers to our FAQ's:
When are you moving?
We plan to move in mid December 2011. I realise that this is not the greatest time to move but I need to finish off the school year first. Then we want to spend the maximum amount of time on the farm settling in before the summer holidays finish.
Why?
Why not? About 10 years ago I took a year of leave and we went to England and backpacked around Europe. 3 kids and a house later, we knew we would like to take some time out to focus on our family and do something different. Our kids are still at an age where they are fairly portable and the change won't ruin their friendships or education. We hope that our kids will enjoy the freedom of the open space.
We had also thought about helping my sister who lives in South East Asia for a while, but we felt that it wasn't quite the right timing for our family. Maybe in a few years we might do that!
Where is the farm?
The farm is about 4 hours Southwest of Sydney and an hour North of Canberra. It's about 5km from the local village which has a 2 teacher school, a hall, rural fire brigade, church, and post office. The nearest town is about 20 minutes drive. It has a small supermarket, and a few shops, pubs etc. It is 35 minutes to the nearest town if you are after anything more than the basics. The local village does not have cable broadband (we need to get a satellite - very expensive but necessary) and mobile phone reception is sketchy. (There is none at our house on the farm).
What is the farm like?
The farm runs sheep both for fat lambs (meat) and wool and is in 2 pieces. There is about 500 acres on the home plot, where we will live. This part of the property was originally owned by the Country Boy's Great Grandfather. Our kids will be the 5th generation to live on it.
CB's father has bought a further 1500 acres which is about 6km up the road from the home plot.
The area is fairly hilly and is quite cold for 9 months of the year meaning I am going to die!
Where will you be living?
The farm has 2 houses on it. CB's parents live in one, and the other has been empty for about 10 years since CB's grandparents moved to town. This is the one we will live in. It was built in the 1930's or 40's, and hasn't been updated since the 1970's. Although it is larger than our current home, it is not open plan. The kitchen is going to be a bit of challenge but I am grateful that at least we don't need to go outside to go to the toilet. Other good things include large rooms with enough bedrooms to have a play room and a guest room. We are looking forward to lots of guests!
Stay tuned for more of the FAQ's we have answers to, or leave a comment below and ask me your question.
you have me intrigued, I'm thinking the town with the supermarket is Harden and the bigger town Yass ? so you are out the back of Galong? Binalong? hilly hmmm Bowning> LOL I'll prbably see you up the shop one day, I'll be the one in the floor length ponch0 I got the other day , it's so warm :)
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