Tuesday morning, while Billy was again doing his thing at the hospital, Victoria picked me up and we searched for several homes she and I had found on another website that Roland hadn’t mentioned. We called the listing agents for three of them and arranged two showings, one later that afternoon and one the following day. Victoria would meet us for both, but first Roland had arranged for us to see the “subdivision” house.




The house was very pretty with a view of the mountain as well as distant sea views. However, we had learned that “if you can see the mountain, it’s cold.” I wasn’t terribly impressed though Billy was. I felt it was rather far out and if I was going to sacifice land, I wanted convenience. Also, I felt the subdivision was too American which lessened the whole “move to a foreign country” thing.



We left the “subdivision house,” retrieved our hospital loaner and hurried to our appointment to see what I’ll call the “wood house.”



The “wood house” was located in the Merrilands area, not too far from the contemporary house. It was, however, on a cul de sac. We entered through an iron gate in a brick arch to a courtyard. There were raised flower/vegetable beds and shrubbery but no grass. We entered the main door into a foyer and walked back to the kitchen where the wall of windows revealed a simply breathtaking view!! Behind the house was a reserve which consisted of forest down the hill to the river below. While there were paths down to the river, the vegetation was too thick to be able to see it. Oh, but you could hear it!



The house was quite suitable logistically. The kitchen was terrific and had an amazing 5 gas burner, 2 electric burner, 2 oven, one grill drawer stove imported from England. It was black and huge and awesome! I might would even enjoy cooking with it!! But…



Billy was not a fan of this house. The main floor had tongue in grove wood on the walls AND the ceilings as did the master bedroom. The backyard extended out a few feet from the back of the house then dropped to the river below. There were paths with steps but Billy saw a lot of work in improving the steps. I didn’t find any deal breakers that a can of paint or a hammer couldn’t fix but Billy saw work.





At the end of the day we had one house Billy liked but I did not and another that I liked but he did not. Hmmmmm….



Dinner of pork tenderloins at Roland and Linda’s house with Debbie, Jim and Stephanie. Billy mentioned the “wood house” to which Roland said had “peat slipping”. We'd have to do more research on tha!. Billy also mentioned the house we were to view the next day to which Roland commented on it's single car garage. I had read it was a tandem but we would see...