A few weeks ago, I decided to make a last minute trip down to Vavenby; it was going to be a long weekend and the garden had just been weeded, so there was almost no excuse not to go. With the car packed and the dogs in tow, we said goodbye to Corbin-the-cat, and hit the road. I didn't realise until I got down there, that this weekend would be the one year anniversary of when I first visited the property.
On my first visit, we had just taken possession of the house only days before, so I drove down to spend a weekend at the property. Cam couldn't get off work yet, so I was there with the dogs to take it all in. I remember thinking that the grass was so incredibly tall and the woods seemed so dark and scary. It was a short(long) weekend as well, but I got to meet the neighbours and tour the property. It was funny, I camped in the driveway on that trip because the house was still in need of some repairs and I didn't feel comfortable sleeping in it. My neighbours probably thought I was crazy camping in the driveway! To think back on that now makes me laugh.
Day one: scary house with tall grass.
One year later it almost looks charming.
When I say "we" built this bed, you can guess who really built it.
On this most recent trip, the grass was a bit shorter and the woods seemed more friendly now that we had explored them so thoroughly and I was more comfortable with them. I also slept in the house on a bed Cam and I had built together, instead of a tent. Major improvement. A better night's sleep does change a holiday. Ha ha. It really was a lovely trip; the place just looks and feels so different one year later now that it is filled with our furniture and we are so comfortable there.
After arriving, it was so hot that I immediately had to have a nap to escape the heat. Amen for having a bed. Once I woke up, it had cooled a bit and I got to explore the property a bit more. That is one of the best things about Vavenby; it could be plus thirty during the day, but every night it always cools down. The dogs just love it there because they can run around off leash and explore their surroundings. Jacky was especially good because he likes to stay close to my side. It's nice to see what plants have come up and how green everything is.
Look how happy Jack is.
Where is Hadley?! There is obviously some grass that still needs to be cut.
We (the dogs and I) also took a tour of our mini orchard before hitting the hay, and from what the neighbours say, because of the heat this year, the trees blossomed before the bees were out, and it means we won't have very many apples this year. Last year the trees were heavy with apples, even after completely filling my trunk with a load to take back home, and this year only the crab apple trees are bearing fruit. This might not be the worst thing since I haven't quite finished the apple sauce I made with last year's apple bounty.
I guess we'll be having a lot of crab apple jelly this year.
My favourite part of being down there has to be my tea ritual each morning. The mornings are lovely and cool, and perfect for sitting on the back deck to enjoy a cup of tea. I didn't have the means to make it like how I usually make my perfect cuppa, but it was pretty good none the less. And who am I kidding, I always love my tea ritual.
Tea tastes better when enjoyed with a view.
This is my view from the porch.
This is Hadley's favourite view.
Over the next couple of days, I did a bit more exploring and a lot more visiting before heading home. The property seems alive in the sunshine and heat and I can't wait to be down there for a longer visit so I can take it all in and be there while the seasons change.
Of course I made a stop off at the farmer's market to get some fresh produce and talk to everyone there. It's amazing to see stands with beets, onions, and broccoli already. It makes me so excited to think that we will be able to harvest so many vegetables weeks earlier than we would up north. I also bought six samosas from one stand and ate three before I was even home.
And on my last day there, the neighbours all got together to enjoy some snacks under a willow tree. We had fresh blueberry pie/tart and jalapenos poppers made from freshly harvested jalapenos.
As one year has flown by, I feel like it brings us closer to the day when we will live there full time when the dogs can roam free every day and I can enjoy my tea with a view each morning. Until then, I am quite happy with my long weekend road trips.