We are off to Europe to see Natalie. First stop Frankfurt and then on to Rottenburg and Fussen where we will meet the girls in Innsbruck. I am so elated we are going on the Romantic Road through parts of Germany. The car we lease works out well while we zip down the autobahn.
The heavily painted furniture in the small hotel we are staying at reminds me of Bavarian Hut. I am reminded that we are owners back home of two cuckoo clocks, five sideboard tables, five dining room tables, many paintings all included when we bought the Bavarian Hut.
The beautiful town hall clock strikes and the music starts up as statues move gracefully in a timeless tradition. We stand gawking along with the other tourists on the cobbled roads and tiny side walks. Flowers spill out everywhere in a vast array of colours.
Next day we leave for Fussen where we are staying at a small hotel with verandas lined with geraniums. We see majestic castles and the pretty town before having an early night. The next morning a spectacular breakfast is waiting for us. A three tiered plate with various types of cold fish, meats and cheeses along with yoghurt and rolls. The German speaking owner hands us what looks like fish rolled in cornflakes. I think that it is a rather solid piece of fish and when our empty plates are taken away, I remark how delicious the fish was. I then realise my mistake when the chap goes red in the face and spits out in rudimentary English that it is not fish but chicken!!! He goes on to swear in German to all the other guests about the stupid Frau and I am not too pleased that I can understand what he is saying! I nearly say that I am used to my cornflakes done in a different way and chicken is hard for an English person to have for breakfast. ...So I try to keep what little dignity is left and check out quickly..LOL
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Crazy Teacozies
Sitting in our Brisbane home, I am surrounded by teapots of all sizes which I found lined up in the original tea house before the Bavarian Hut became a restaurant. There are at least twenty five teapots with countless sugar basins and jugs.
I wonder what I am going to do with them? Then it strikes me that they need covering - I need another project to do while Nat is away. Finding a book of knitting patterns, I start on my quest to cover my pots. Before long I have knitted fifty teacozies and have collected a mound of vibrant colour wools, ribbons and buttons to decorate.
Amused Bruce watches while I purl and plain my creative little articles. I am dreaming up my business plan! But first I start giving them to family and friends trying to match up the teacozy with the character of the person I am knitting for. I also find a shop who will sell the articles and am delighted when they actually sell.
I wonder what I am going to do with them? Then it strikes me that they need covering - I need another project to do while Nat is away. Finding a book of knitting patterns, I start on my quest to cover my pots. Before long I have knitted fifty teacozies and have collected a mound of vibrant colour wools, ribbons and buttons to decorate.
Amused Bruce watches while I purl and plain my creative little articles. I am dreaming up my business plan! But first I start giving them to family and friends trying to match up the teacozy with the character of the person I am knitting for. I also find a shop who will sell the articles and am delighted when they actually sell.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Saying goodbye
As we hugged each other, we knew we would not see our youngest daughter for a long eight months. Nat was in the process of achieving her dreams as I had done when we bought the Bavarian Hut. She was on her way to London where she had a job offered to her in a pretty village outside of London. I was really excited for her but realized that I may not be able to visit her in the UK as the Bavarian Hut and Cottage although fully renovated needed our attention with holiday bookings in both houses.
I thought about the previous months where I had been away from her while organizing carpenters, tilers, painters, electricians and plumbers as well as all the supplies needed for the houses. Four truckloads of gravel were needed to build a road up to the house and every opportunity we spent in the neglected garden trying to salvage plants which were hidden under an array of weeds and overgrown shrubs.
A massive cactus which grew over the roof of the back house was chopped down and lightened the house immediately. Gen and Nat helped paint some of the outside fences and we had fun mixing up the masses of old paints we found in the sheds. They both tried their hand at gardening with Gen planting Irises and other bulbs successfully and Nat convincing us girls that we were capable of knocking down a walled barbecue! Before Bruce had a chance to object he was putting old bricks in a wheel barrow and stacking them for recycling later. Then exhausted we happily left for the Canungra Hotel for a large pub dinner revving up the music (and the car) all the way home on those winding country roads. Sometimes life was fun...
What were the renovations you might ask?
Well the Hut alone had the kitchen gutted (termites had eaten most of the external wall structure & left)
the former restaurant dining area was painted, carpeted and part of it partitioned off into what became the third bedroom,
and, possibly best of all, the partially enclosed verandah, was properly enclosed to become a combination sun lounge & games room --thanks ebay for a fooseball & an air hockey table.
We were able to retain most of the country charm while turning the house into a home that we could rent out as a holiday retreat where one can relax and enjoy the countryside in comfort.
I thought about the previous months where I had been away from her while organizing carpenters, tilers, painters, electricians and plumbers as well as all the supplies needed for the houses. Four truckloads of gravel were needed to build a road up to the house and every opportunity we spent in the neglected garden trying to salvage plants which were hidden under an array of weeds and overgrown shrubs.
A massive cactus which grew over the roof of the back house was chopped down and lightened the house immediately. Gen and Nat helped paint some of the outside fences and we had fun mixing up the masses of old paints we found in the sheds. They both tried their hand at gardening with Gen planting Irises and other bulbs successfully and Nat convincing us girls that we were capable of knocking down a walled barbecue! Before Bruce had a chance to object he was putting old bricks in a wheel barrow and stacking them for recycling later. Then exhausted we happily left for the Canungra Hotel for a large pub dinner revving up the music (and the car) all the way home on those winding country roads. Sometimes life was fun...
What were the renovations you might ask?
Well the Hut alone had the kitchen gutted (termites had eaten most of the external wall structure & left)
the former restaurant dining area was painted, carpeted and part of it partitioned off into what became the third bedroom,
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Bavarian Hut - Snippets and clues
We learnt that the previous couple were born in Bavaria and that they named the property, The Bavarian Hut with large white letters on a timber frame at the entrance. They bought the property formerly a tea house and continued to serve tea and scones while she seemed to live for her painting. Eerily, evidence of this was everywhere and brightly coloured child like paintings filled the rooms. Once I had removed the masses of oil paintings together with a macabre life size rag doll complete with adult clothing, I felt I may have the strength to complete the enormous tidy up. Maybe I had been watching too much television on renovation projects!
I asked neighbours if there was anyone who may like the paintings because it was apparent that the two adult sons were going to leave most of the items. One lived in Germany and the other in Northern New South Wales. I had hoped that the place would be cleaned up even slightly before we took it over but the house remained neglected with the dirty dishes still left in the sink and chaos everywhere. Unemptied suitcases and boxes stood while we tried to grasp and prioritise our steps before starting to renovate. Eventually I put the paintings in a pile in the garage hoping that someone from her family or one of her friends would claim them. It seemed very sad to me that no one wanted them...
My thoughts jumped to South Africa where I visited after my own mother died and left behind her personal possesions. I remembered the nostalgia I felt when carefully touching my mother's hand embroided cloths. She had sewn most of them in East Africa where she sat in the heat with a wet handkerchief in her hands working the fine thread expertly. Each flower was delicately woven and worked seamlessly. The difference was that both my brother and I wanted the cloths that reminded us of her although I knew that both of us may not ever actually use them and they would be put away carefully in a chest or at the back of a cupboard.
Going through a heavily painted sideboard, I was shocked to find a death certificate of the previous owner and later I found out that he had died suddenly in a road accident in which no one else was involved. Apparently he had a heart attack and left his wife living alone at the Bavarian Hut. She lived there apparently on her own for months until her neighbours were able to stay with her for short periods of time.
I asked neighbours if there was anyone who may like the paintings because it was apparent that the two adult sons were going to leave most of the items. One lived in Germany and the other in Northern New South Wales. I had hoped that the place would be cleaned up even slightly before we took it over but the house remained neglected with the dirty dishes still left in the sink and chaos everywhere. Unemptied suitcases and boxes stood while we tried to grasp and prioritise our steps before starting to renovate. Eventually I put the paintings in a pile in the garage hoping that someone from her family or one of her friends would claim them. It seemed very sad to me that no one wanted them...
My thoughts jumped to South Africa where I visited after my own mother died and left behind her personal possesions. I remembered the nostalgia I felt when carefully touching my mother's hand embroided cloths. She had sewn most of them in East Africa where she sat in the heat with a wet handkerchief in her hands working the fine thread expertly. Each flower was delicately woven and worked seamlessly. The difference was that both my brother and I wanted the cloths that reminded us of her although I knew that both of us may not ever actually use them and they would be put away carefully in a chest or at the back of a cupboard.
Going through a heavily painted sideboard, I was shocked to find a death certificate of the previous owner and later I found out that he had died suddenly in a road accident in which no one else was involved. Apparently he had a heart attack and left his wife living alone at the Bavarian Hut. She lived there apparently on her own for months until her neighbours were able to stay with her for short periods of time.
Brisbane-a world away from the Bavarian Hut
Back in Brisbane, our thoughts constantly returned to the Bavarian Hut and we wasted no time in seeing our bank manager before heading up to Lower Beechmont again. Days later our offer was accepted while we tried to explain to our daughters our motivation. Gen, our eldest, became pensive and puzzled as she realized how determined her parents were and despite reassuring her that we were doing the right thing, she remained unconvinced. Nat was encouraging but worried that we were taking on too much. I knew we were too, but it was as if we were unable to stop the powerful set of motions that was now in place.
Our Tibetan Spaniels, Jessie and Bruno patiently waited while we continued to travel up every weekend. Skips were ordered and filled, then reordered and filled again. I did not admit to many people how overwhelmed I felt because the more stuff I sorted and threw out, the bigger the pile seemed to grow. I found a double cupboard filled with plastic bags and as I threw them out I saw at the bottom a rats nest complete with dead rat. Grimacing I had to walk away - the stench was appalling. I knew that once the tradespeople arrived, I would have to live at the Bavarian Hut while Bruce joined me every weekend.
I did not revel in this idea. Leaving my beautiful three story home with my dogs, husband and daughters. How would I cope with living in squalor with holes in the walls and the neglected lifestyle of the previous owners. Somehow although the paperwork showed that we had bought all three houses, outbuildings, land and all the contents of the houses, I felt like an unwelcome visitor. Strange to have the consent to go through other peoples personal possesions. Didn't they want any of it? Weren't their children wanting a part of their parents history?
Our Tibetan Spaniels, Jessie and Bruno patiently waited while we continued to travel up every weekend. Skips were ordered and filled, then reordered and filled again. I did not admit to many people how overwhelmed I felt because the more stuff I sorted and threw out, the bigger the pile seemed to grow. I found a double cupboard filled with plastic bags and as I threw them out I saw at the bottom a rats nest complete with dead rat. Grimacing I had to walk away - the stench was appalling. I knew that once the tradespeople arrived, I would have to live at the Bavarian Hut while Bruce joined me every weekend.
I did not revel in this idea. Leaving my beautiful three story home with my dogs, husband and daughters. How would I cope with living in squalor with holes in the walls and the neglected lifestyle of the previous owners. Somehow although the paperwork showed that we had bought all three houses, outbuildings, land and all the contents of the houses, I felt like an unwelcome visitor. Strange to have the consent to go through other peoples personal possesions. Didn't they want any of it? Weren't their children wanting a part of their parents history?
Friday, November 5, 2010
Backbreak Shed and outbuildings
Leaving the Hillton behind us, we stepped carefully past the overgrown garden. Pausing in front of a door which was labelled Backbreak Shed gave us insight into the previous owners lives. Inside cobwebs covered masses of tools which had been hung all along the walls. Shelves contained interesting glass bottles and plastic containers filled with screws, nuts and bolts.
Bruce's eyes widened as he looked around numerous old farm implements covered with dust which sat alongside expensive looking new boxes, waiting for him to discover.
Above us hung work boots and aprons, as if all the equipment was waiting for the return of the owners. Outside we lost track of all that was included in the sale of this property. We counted a caravan, two boats, two tractors and numerous valuable farm implements which at this stage I was not able to identify their uses.
Gnomes, birds, and other stone figures dotted the garden. I was able to identify many rambling hibiscus and azalea plants and was exhilarated to hear that everything thrived up here on the mountain. The rich volcanic soil waited for me ...
Above us hung work boots and aprons, as if all the equipment was waiting for the return of the owners. Outside we lost track of all that was included in the sale of this property. We counted a caravan, two boats, two tractors and numerous valuable farm implements which at this stage I was not able to identify their uses.
Gnomes, birds, and other stone figures dotted the garden. I was able to identify many rambling hibiscus and azalea plants and was exhilarated to hear that everything thrived up here on the mountain. The rich volcanic soil waited for me ...
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Hillton
Charmed by the cottage, we chatted about the last residence we were about to enter - incongruously named The Hillton. The little red house stood alone with views across the mountains to Mt Warning. The worn deck gave way to the front door which opened to an open plan lounge cum bedroom with the tiniest bathroom I had ever seen.
On its panelled walls hung two old oil paintings in heavy gold frames. The man and woman looked unhappy to see us with downward curves of their mouths showing displeasure.
We learnt that this building had once been a real estate agency and after that a video shop which the previous owner had managed. He was a real estate agent who sold land in the area.
I wondered about the empty twin beds lying alongside each other seemingly waiting for visitors. Someone had tried to make this a cosy home with flowered drapes and lace curtains hanging from timber rods. Dusty dried flowers sitting on a mantelpiece completed the picture. An air of expectancy seem to hang in the air and I wondered again about its occupants. What would this house tell me of its story...
On its panelled walls hung two old oil paintings in heavy gold frames. The man and woman looked unhappy to see us with downward curves of their mouths showing displeasure.
I wondered about the empty twin beds lying alongside each other seemingly waiting for visitors. Someone had tried to make this a cosy home with flowered drapes and lace curtains hanging from timber rods. Dusty dried flowers sitting on a mantelpiece completed the picture. An air of expectancy seem to hang in the air and I wondered again about its occupants. What would this house tell me of its story...
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