The first challenge was tackled today. My brother came over to put in a new telephone line and when he arrived I showed him the swimming pool underneath the house. He immediately started investigating and quickly discovered the problem. The downpipes on the side of the house were not going anywhere.

I was sent off to the plumbing supplies to buy some pvc piping and bits, then, no word of a lie, 3 hours later, my brother had dug a 30 meter trench, connected all the pipes, covered the trench back over and cleaned up. He is brilliant.

He is a home theatre installation specialist who can obviously do anything, including bake the best scones you have ever eaten! Thank you Thank you Thank you David! Click on the “house” page to view photos of our afternoon working on the house.

What a week. I am inspired more than ever. My infatuation with this place is growing. I have decided to commit to my blog every Sunday with an update on the week that was. Today was my first real Sunday morning. The start of a routine I hope to keep. Early morning coffee in the Glass Onion Cafe. I met the owner’s today. A lovely young couple who I am sure I will get to know well.

In my first week of living here I discovered:

1. My neighbours are lovely. John and Jenny. Massage therapists. Could come in handy during the renovations!

2. The owners of the Glass Onion Cafe Society are a young, innovative and dedicated couple and I am looking forward to getting to know them.

3. The locals are nice if you take the time to chat. I met two young fisherman on the jetty the other day. They were fishing for mud crab. After a lovely half hour of learning about life at Long Jetty, I discovered that Ben is a carpenter and his parents own the local timber yard. (The law of attraction at work for sure).

4. Twice now I have noticed the most gorgeous little swallows, flittering around the jetty. It seems they have taken up residence underneath the jetty. The cutest birds you have ever seen. I predict a future photographic subject once I have settled.

5. Today I mowed the lawn. At least I attempted to. I thought the lawn mower would run out of petrol but as it turned out, it was me that ran out of petrol! The backyard is huge. I love it love it love it. If the bin wasn’t full, I would have persevered! I managed to mow 1/3 of my backyard!

6. When a bird poo’s on you, it’s a sign. It is a sign that you belong here. Things are as they are meant to be. Why do I think that? Watch the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” and you will see. This is one of my favourite movies and yes, a Currawong did his deed yesterday. Thank you Mr Currawong, for letting me know that I have made the right decision!

7. Last but not least, I discovered, that I have purchased a swimming pool. It was not immediately evident when I viewed the property upon my first inspection, nor when the property settled, however, with all the rain we have had of late I have discovered that it is conveniently located underneath my house. Yes. That is correct. And not only is there a swimming pool, there are many pool accessories that came free with the property, such as timber debris, bits of metal, broken asbestos, plastic, concrete, you name it I have it!

Have you ever made a conscious decision to put yourself completely and totally out of your comfort zone and allow yourself to be submerged in the depths of fear and excitement?

This is the path I have taken. I have decided to follow my dreams. I am embarking on a journey of faith, hope and real adventure. I have left my comfortable home in Sydney suburbia and have bought a house to renovate on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW. I moved in one week ago. I am slowly getting to know the area and have been pleasantly surprised by how much I have already fallen in love with this place.

I am referring to Long Jetty. Uniquely quirky and oddly eclectic, it is slowly revealing it’s heart and soul to me…