Soaking up the view
There’s even an outlook from the bathtub — and no one can see in, writes Donna McIntyre
Its design is simple but extremely workable. This home is designed for the site, the lie of the land, the views and to capture absolute best sun. Barbara Myers bought the home from the people who had built it. “I bought it almost new, nearly three years ago.” She has lived here with family. And family is also the reason she is selling.
“Two of my three adult children have moved south and had babies recently. That’s my reason for moving. I want to be closer to them. They are such precious years. Otherwise I think I would be here forever. It is such a beautiful spot.”
Barbara hadn’t heard of Cowan Bay before she came to live here. “Not many people have. And it is just such a beautiful situation, the water and rural views. Also the house style and design were very attractive.
“I love board and batten houses. This is rustic but also quite sleek. I had been looking for quite a while. It is a peaceful spot. I would have to say this is the loveliest house I have lived in.”
Also she can be at her Auckland workplace, door to door in 45 to 50 minutes. ”It’s less than it takes some of my colleagues to get across town in Auckland.
Her title includes private access down to the water: “I can walk down but the neighbours take a four wheel drive. We have paddle boards and kayaks down the bottom. My neighbours go fishing for snapper and flounder.
“That private access does make it a special property. There is no public access down the end of the bay. The fishing, the paddle boarding and kayaks are wonderful drawcards for my adult children. They love it.”
Barbara especially loves the luxurious space of her en suite with its double shower and the bath that looks out through a large picture window over the water and the hills.
“It is a very nice place to soak. And no one can see in.”
Returning to the front door, double doors open to a sheltered al fresco room.
“This room has potential for somebody to turn it into something else but I love it as an outdoor room. We can sit out in the warmth and have a glass of wine and catch up.”
Turning left are the other two bedrooms, a Jack and Jill bathroom, laundry, toilet and outside access through to the garage.
“Because it is a long house you get that view in every room.
“Sometimes I feel as if I’m sitting inside an art work because even when you go along to the laundry, that window looks out to the hills and it’s kind of like a little painting.”
The double garage has a room at the back that, over the years, has been used as an art studio, a sewing room and for storage. There is also a sleepout.
Because of the views, instead of planting at the front of the home, Barbara has kept this in lawn. On the southern side is some native bush. “This has really come away and I love the drive up to the house. When I turn into Cowan Bay Rd I feel as if I was going on a magical mystery tour along the winding road.”
Another pleasant surprise was the caring community.
“If I could take my neighbours with me, I would. There is a really supportive community and it is quite varied now. They are all at different lifestyle stages. We have young families moving here, some empty nesters and a couple of multigenerational families. We are not in each other’s pockets, but we are only a text or a phone call or a quick visit away.
“And the proximity to what is one of the most lovely parts of the world.
“Warkworth is a hop step and a jump away with lovely cafes.
“I often go to the markets at Matakana, and Puhoi. There are plenty of restaurants and fabulous places for visitors, the sculpture trail, Omaha, the beach walks.
“I’m feeling a bit sad about leaving, but family comes first.”