Clifford Bay perspective

This modern character home puts its owners in touch with the changing seasons, writes Erin Boyle.

GEOFF ROGERS and Katrina Delzainne weren’t even interested in the property market. They both had fantastic, character homes with no intention of selling. But five years ago, a trip down to Marlborough from Wellington and a chance Sunday drive changed all of that.

‘‘We were walking down Cable Station Rd, talking about real estate and the amount we were spending on rates, even though half the time our respective homes sat empty.

‘‘Then when we saw the house and property at 317 we actually said simultaneously – ‘now if that was for sale, I would sell my house’. And literally minutes later we encountered the neighbour who said it was up for auction the following week.’’

Hours can be whiled away for Geoff jamming on his saxophone in the implement shed where the acoustics are great.

And there is plenty of room for his mates to come down and join in the music with the doors wide open to the view and sea air from Clifford Bay.

At this time of the year Katrina enjoys her morning stroll to the glass house, garden and orchard which provide an abundance of fruit and veges. The recent garlic harvest was a great success.

‘‘Nothing beats picking homegrown organic produce and enjoying it the same day. Being a foodie and having enough land to grow produce or run a few livestock on is heavenly.’’

Seasons bring change to their lifestyle, but only in a positive way. Summer is wonderful, ‘‘really wonderful’’ says Katrina, always long and hot, but not unbearable because of the sea breeze.

After a busy day, there is almost nothing better than relaxing on one of the decks, listening to the sound of the waves and looking across Blind River to the Yealands Vineyards – even better with a glass of Marlborough wine in hand.

A stroll down the road to watch people surfcasting from the beach is also a favourite pastime, or long walks hoping to catch a glimpse of seals or whales.

However Katrina and Geoff have actually found that it’s wintertime when the property really comes into its own.

‘‘The rain always seems to bypass us here and even though the nights are cold, being close enough to the sea means frosts generally aren’t a problem.

‘‘We stoke up the Wagener coal range with wood from the property and pop in a casserole or roast for a slow-cooked meal. If it’s really cold, once the Wagener has heated the water, we switch the system over to underfloor heating,’’ says Katrina.

‘‘Or we can be truly decadent and