Doug Osborne loves that special moment on the drive north to Omaha when you turn off the motorway at Warkworth and the rolling countryside lies in front.
"You are in a beautiful rural setting, like you have just moved into a different place." Doug's family have owned this bach, one sectionback from Omaha beach, for about 15 years.
He says the holiday property was built purposely as a comfortable, relaxing beach bach, unlike a lot of the larger homes in the area.
"It feels like old baches used to be like, your typical beach bach. That is what so good about it; it is a place where you walk in and instantly relax. Kids can run around inside with sand on their feet."
Doug tells how they used to own the two-bedroom Lockwood bach next door. "We had been there about five years. The neighbour came to say they were selling and wanted to give us first option to buy.
"We had to dig deep because this was four-bedroom. A lovely couple from Pakuranga bought our bach and we moved next door."
This bach at 12 Esme Grove, designed by Lindy Leuschke and built in the 1990s, had two owners before Doug's family. It is built of timber panels and has a distinctive curved roof.
The north-facing living area (lounge, dining and rustic styled timber kitchen) and master bedroom (with en suite and separate toilet) open to the deck through ranch sliders, all with security screens.
12 Esme Grove, Omaha. Photo / Supplied
"We use the deck all the time; it is at the same level as the house.
"You make a cup of tea and walk out onto the deck in the sun."
A chimney rises from where the bach originally had an open fireplace but Doug removed this to install a gas fire.
"When you get up here in the middle of winter and it's cold, you want instant heat." Down a couple of steps at the back of the bach are three double bedrooms and a second bathroom.
12 Esme Grove, Omaha. Photo / Supplied
Because Doug and his family get on well with their neighbours, they have never fenced their boundary. This allows a large common lawn, ideal for a game of cricket or volleyball.
"The beach is safe at Omaha and we have lots of families come and stay with kids, 12 to 16 years old, and they go surfing and use the beach," says Doug.
"The one word that stands out from all the time I have been here is joy. It is a joyful place to come to. I think it is a little oasis at the end of a quiet street in the middle of old Omaha."
