Herne Bay: Four birthdays and a wedding

The back yard provided the ideal backdrop for the couple’s wedding in 2000.

From kittens being born to face painters on the deck, a wealth of family memories fill this home.

As Michael and Philippa Hood reminisce about the times they've had at the home they're about to sell, they admit to some sadness at leaving it behind.

"We were married in the back yard," recalls Michael. "It happened to be the day we won the America's Cup in 2000 and just as the ceremony finished, a plane wrote 'congratulations' in the sky. It seemed like another sign we were meant to be here."

The couple's children, Solomon, aged six, and Isabella, four, spent their first few years at the house, including celebrating those special early birthdays.

"We've had a clown on the steps and a face-painter on the deck," smiles Philippa. "The kids have had some wild times with tramps and paddling pools. Even our cat had kittens here."

Six years ago Michael and Philippa were attracted to the family atmosphere of the Herne Bay avenues, and spent months looking for a home. When they found 47 Wanganui Ave they bought it within a day. They haven't been disappointed with the community they hoped to find.

"Everyone knows each other along the street," says Michael. "If someone's burglar alarm goes off, people will come out to check what's going on. If we go away, there's always someone who can keep an eye on the place. We have a street party once a year when everyone gets together for a barbecue and the kids have a ball."

After buying the turn-of-the-century villa, Michael and Philippa set about a complete renovation. Michael's brother, Peter, is a builder who has featured on the TV programme My House My Castle, and he was roped in to work on Michael's home. Michael spent hours painstakingly stripping back features, such as a beautiful, tiled fire surround in one of the front rooms, and a flower embossed arch in the hallway. Even the ebony door handles have been taken apart and put back together.

When it came to restoring an antique Royal Doulton claw foot bath, which is thought to have been in the house since it was built, the couple called in one of the few experts who take on such work.

"He was impressed because it has the original Royal Doulton seal on the front, and is a particularly large example," says Michael. "We know - we've had several kids at once in there over the years."

With another America's Cup approaching in 2003, and inspired by the sign of goodwill given them on their wedding day during the previous event, the couple made their house available for rent by families of overseas syndicates. It was chosen by the Prada syndicate skipper, Francesco de Angelis, to be his home away from home with his wife and their two young sons.

The Hood family is now selling the house to move to Laingholm, where the children will be closer to their Steiner school in Titirangi.

"We've been commuting to and from the school, but want to be part of the school community, and feel that Laingholm is another lovely area like this one," says Philippa.

VITAL STATISTICS

ADDRESS: 47 Wanganui Ave,

Herne Bay.

FEATURES: Four bedrooms; two bathrooms; two living areas; garden studio; off-street parking for two cars; renovated throughout but with character features retained; built-in stereo system; security system; gas heating; north-west-facing deck; fenced back yard; subtropical garden.

AUCTION: February 16, on site. Interest expected above $850,000.

AGENT: Daniel Burrill, Unlimited Potential, ph 021 755 793 mob.