We've done it!

Pleasant Hills farm October 2012

Marty and I have taken the plunge and tomorrow we should become the new owners of a small farm on the outskirts of a very small town in New South Wales.

We've been looking at property for over 2 years on and off, when 5 months ago, we saw the one property that ticks almost every box.

The old mudbrick cottage, June 2012

There is just over 20 acres of land plus an old mudbrick cottage. There is a dam and a few stands of native trees. The farm is about half way between two big population centres of Wagga Wagga and Albury. The price was about right, too!

There are a few solar panels, but no real batteries to speak of, so there is no power as yet. The cottage is in pretty good condition inside, needing a little renovation. A bathroom / laundry is needed, as is a kitchen fit-out, and running water into the house would be nice some day. Those are the major things, but I'm not going to list everything, because it wouldn't be a good read. It might just make us change our minds if I wrote down everything - and it's far too late for that! :)

So, we're in for a big learning curve.

We spent a couple of nights there this week, doing a final inspection before settlement / closing. It was basically like camping inside a house, but only slightly warmer than a tent!

The weeds and grasses have grown long, so we've got to do something about that soon. We're planning on going back in a week or two to try and make a start. We still have so much to do before we can even think about moving in - especially at the Old Miners Cottage - but eventually we will move there permanently.

In the meantime, we'll take the squeaky hinge approach. Most urgent things first, but we won't try and do everything all at once. Slowly and gently is the idea, with lots to learn as we go.