A Bittersweet Goodbye

67 Summer Street, Ponsonby.

A couple are giving up their ideal villa for the love of their grandchildren.

Sometimes you need to make sacrifices. Pam talks to friend Hannah about what she'll miss from her 30 years in Ponsonby.

When Pat and her husband Mike bought the Ponsonby villa they'd always dreamed of nine months ago, they thought they'd be there until they retired.

They made sure it was big enough to take their son and his young family when they visited from Blenheim, and they've hosted them three times in the short time Pat and Mike have been in Summer Street.

But as photos arrived between those visits, showing 2-year-old Oscar and 11-month-old Lily passing through babyhood, the grandparents had a gnawing feeling they still weren't seeing the young ones enough.

They felt they were missing out not only on their grandchildren's milestones, but also the day to day laughter and hugs that go with living close by.

"We got some photos of Lily walking around the furniture," recalls Pat. "She'd been a baby the last time we'd seen her, and Mike said it wasn't good enough, we should move down there. Then six weeks ago we found out that number three was on the way, and Mike said 'Right, that's it, we're going'. I said 'Are we?' and cried for two weeks."

Pat's tears are understandable, given that Ponsonby has been home for about 30 years, and they had just found what she considered to be the perfect house.

"At first I thought I couldn't bear to sell this house, it's so beautiful."

She has renovated a number of houses over the years, and worked as an interior designer, but had had enough.

"We wanted a place where we didn't have to lift a paintbrush or a screwdriver. This place had been done from top to bottom in a quality way - we haven't had any nasty surprises."

The house's four bedrooms lead off the wide, light hallway. The master has its own en suite, and one bedroom has been wired for use as a home office.

At the end of the hall the house opens out to an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, which in turn flow out to a deck through combination French and bifold doors. Northwest facing, the deck and back yard capture plenty of sun, and look out to trees planted around the section's edge, and in the back yard of the house behind.

Pat's right about the quality of the renovation - it is solid, graceful, and the neutral palette means the interior lends itself to any kind of décor.

Summer Street is relatively narrow so gets minimal through traffic. Pat says it is remarkably quiet considering they are just down the hill from Ponsonby Road.

"I will miss Ponsonby - being able to walk so many places or catch a Link bus into town. I'll miss the community and my friends. But sometimes you need to make sacrifices. Until you go down this path, where your children are producing children, you don't know how you'll feel, but we've decided we want to be with them."

She and Mike are also looking forward to creating a new life for themselves in Blenheim, getting involved in the community and making new friends.

"We came out from England 37 years ago so have done it before," smiles Pat. "We thought a few months ago we'd retire here, but instead we're heading off on another big adventure."

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

* NO GARAGE BUT OFF-STREET PARKING FOR 2 CARS.

SIZE: Land 304sq m (approx), house 160sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $960,000. Auction March 16.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1.30-2.15pm, Wed 1-1.30pm.

CONTACT: Heather Lanting or Marty Hall, Ray White Ponsonby, ph 0274 394 124 (Heather), 0274 500 168 (Marty).

FEATURES: Fully renovated villa with open plan living/dining/kitchen that flows to northwest facing deck and garden. Wired for home office use. Walking distance to Ponsonby Road shops and cafes.