2/104 Stanley Point Rd, Devonport, Auckland. Photo / David Rowland / Getty Images
2/104 Stanley Point Rd, Devonport, Auckland. Photo / David Rowland / Getty Images
Hidden away, right at the end of Devonport, Carolyn and Brett Fotheringham's house - which they describe as "an oasis of solitude" - has grandstand views of the harbour, cityscape and bridge.
It's a vista that makes for compelling viewing and no two days are ever the same. "We love it, morning, noon or night," says Carolyn.
"It's a 24-hour show and you just never know what you're going to see.
"One day my daughter and I spotted an orca, and of course the birdlife is wonderful, with shags, terns, kingfishers and lots of other seabirds."
The couple, who have lived here for three years are only the second owners of the 1940s bungalow - they bought it from a daughter of the original owner, who had grown up there.
"She still remembered the thrill of watching the harbour bridge being built in the 1950s," says Brett, who serves in the Navy.
Simple but sweet, the light, bright house feels rather like a bach or holiday home and is surprisingly spacious with pleasant, laidback decor.
Two double bedrooms lie beyond the front door and the bathroom is compact but tidy.
The kitchen is in the middle of the layout, with dining and living space facing the water.
The master bedroom is large and airy and the first thing Carolyn did after moving in was to take down the curtains.
2/104 Stanley Point Rd, Devonport, Auckland. Photo / David Rowland / Getty Images
"It's perfectly private here and who would want to block out that beautiful vista?
"We just love waking up here and watching the water and sky."
Though the house is very liveable as it is now, there are loads of options for developing the site, which ends at the water, beyond a stand of huge pohutukawa trees.
With the possibility of an America's Cup campaign taking place on the harbour in 2021, that potential has just increased enormously.
2/104 Stanley Point Rd, Devonport, Auckland. Photo / David Rowland / Getty Images
Brett says since Emirates Team New Zealand won the Cup, he's spent ages mentally plotting out different courses for the yachts to take.
"It's so exciting and this will be one of the best spots in Auckland to see the action from."
Though many homeowners their age are looking for somewhere smaller to live, it turns out that Carolyn and Brett's reasons for selling are just the opposite.
"We downsized too soon, coming from a big family home to here," she says.
"At the time our three children were studying and I guess we expected them to be moving on.
2/104 Stanley Point Rd, Devonport, Auckland. Photo / David Rowland / Getty Images
"The trouble is that they've all come out with student debts and we really want to help them pay those debts off so we've bought a 5-bedroom house in Cheltenham and we'll all be together again!"
The view won't be the only thing the Fotheringhams miss when they leave. Carolyn is a keen swimmer and during summer she jumps into the water from a little jetty at the end of the cul-de-sac, while family like to launch their kayaks there.
They say the neighbours have been welcoming and a street function last year turned into a big party.
"We're only about five minutes' drive or a 20-minute walk from Devonport and there are nice cafes in Calliope Rd," says Carolyn.
