Coast&Country - Call of home

An elderly couple thought they were set for life on their lifestyle block, until their plans changed.

65 Alexandra Redoubt Road, Tuakau.

No one is more surprised than John and Shirley Neesham that they are leaving their piece of rural paradise behind to return to England.

They were so certain that they would see out their days in their single level brick and tile home that John bought two plots at the Tuakau Cemetery. And to guarantee their comfort in old age they recently made some improvements to their house, such as installing four heat pumps and extending the lounge.

John, aged 82, had to sell the plots back - at a loss, he points out ruefully - but the biggest heartbreak is having to leave behind two of the four labradors that they have bred because of the cost of transporting them.

And the dogs are the reason the couple bought the property five years ago. They had been living in the Bay of Islands but were finding it a chore to travel down to Auckland with their dogs for retrieving trials. So they decided to cut out the hassle and move "across the road" from the South Auckland Gundog Club.

They've found a home for one of the dogs so far, which has helped to ease the pain of separation a little, though both John and Shirley say they will miss "the space, the views, the privacy and tranquillity".

The home is elevated with the living areas on the north-facing side of the house. The open plan dining room and kitchen area opens out to the deck which leads down to the solar-heated in-ground swimming pool.

The modern kitchen has a dishwasher and double pantry. Double doors from the dining area take you through to the sunken lounge, which has a woodburner and enjoys views across the pool and out over the countryside.

Behind the kitchen is an office and at the end of the hallway is the spacious master bedroom. This is where the Neeshams made more changes, turning three bedrooms into a glorious master suite with a large bathroom.

The couple run steers on the paddocks around the home and John, as a retired farmer, has made sure the pasture is in top condition. A large corrugated iron hay shed is ideal for storing winter feed. There are also stockyards and a loading ramp.

John is being called home by family and will return to live on the farm where he was born in Lincoln. It's been in the family since 1932 and successive generations, including John, have worked it as tenant farmers.

John's son is now in charge and John's hopeful that tradition will continue with one of his grandsons, and the six-month-old great grandson he will soon meet for the first time.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 2

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 3

SIZE: Land 4.0998 ha, house 250sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected from $700,000. Auction September 12.

INSPECT: Sun 1-2pm.

ON THE WEB: www.century21.co.nz # 434139

CONTACT: Debbie Timmins, Century 21 Pukekohe, 09 238 4236 bus, 0274 831 388, 09 2360468 a/h.

FEATURES: Attractive brick home in a private location on a well-fenced north-facing property. Log fire in the step-down lounge. Four heat pumps in house. Electronic remote controlled gates. In-ground heated swimming pool. Large hay and implement shed.