The challenges and joys of living on a bush block

I’ve already entertained you I hope with my past blogs about moving into a bush studio with my daughter and grandchildren in the nearby house. It has been an idyllic time really, after living in a unit underneath a house in suburbia. Waking to the singing of the birds, the wind in the trees and the peace of a glorious sunrise from my wooden deck overlooking the trees. Add in a glass of wine at sunset on my deck and I feel like I’m in heaven.

There have been the practical benefits of helping out my daughter who is a busy teacher by helping with the children. Likewise I get a few nice dinners which my grandchildren bring down to ‘nanny seagull’ (as I am likely to pinch a few of their chips). My big grandson hefts down the huge water bottles of drinking water and gives me a hug before returning to his busy life. My daughter’s cats come for a visit too, they like the quiet at my place.

There are three white chooks. They refuse to lay in their cage, so two lay in pot plants and one on a shelf behind an old tv in the garage. Odd places, but when I hear their happy squarks of egg laying jubilation I know where to look for the treasure. The one who bustles off into the garage like she is rushing to spend a penny really amuses me, but hey, fresh poached eggs are glorious.

There have been the fun family times around the pool over summer, and I’m pretty sure my pool cleaning skills and leaf blowing skills are excellent. When it’s really hot, this nanna has a quiet skinny dip while keeping an ear out for approaching cars. Along with a new septic tank being installed and the water tanks being cleaned, and keeping roof gutters cleared of leaves, there are a few challenges to deal with. A huge branch fell on my deck and smashed the railing. I know now why gum trees are called widow makers. Emptying the overflow pipes from my water tank sends a gushing torrent of water all over me and into my gumboots, complete with a few hungry leeches. Add a few snakes and killer ants into the mix along with the brush turkeys who destroy the veggies.

This is the second year of our lease which ends in December. I fully intend to enjoy every moment here until we have to move. The experiment of my living close by, and not with my family has really worked. I realise I need my own space and privacy, and that living with a lot of loud children is not my thing, however being nearby is the best of both worlds. I get the joy of spending time with family, being a taxi driver, cook, babysitter whilst receiving lots of love, hugs and support when needed, also a helping hand when I cannot get things done on my own. I’m told I have to leave climbing ladders to the younger ones. Good advice I suppose as I remember my broken hip from a few years ago.

Where we live and how we live is so vitally important. I’ve had some strange living environments over the years, some I have loved and others which I have hated. However, currently it is almost perfect, except for those pesky leeches and falling tree limbs. Life is definitely an adventure here in the bush.