Eddie the cavoodle is going to miss his walks to Mairangi Bay, which is only a few minutes away down the shortcut from the big blue house where he lives with Steve Wilson and Wendy Grell.
Wendy will miss those walks, too, and the Mairangi Bay Tennis Club.
She and Steve will also miss their lovely home which, on a clear day, looks across the water and drinks in an island seascape, stretching from Whangaparaoa all the way to Mission Bay.
But it's time to move on. They are relocating up north where they plan to build -- by the seaside, so Eddie won't be miffed for long.
Steve, who has been involved in America's Cup campaigns, says he won't miss the Auckland traffic but that everyone has loved living in this five-bedroomed house of windows and views for the past six or so years.
Wendy says the house has become a hub for the extended family and that when her great-niece found out they were selling, the little girl phoned in tears.
"She said, 'My mum's just told me that you're selling the house and you can't Wendy, you can't'."
Wendy had eyed the house when they were living nearby in Murrays Bay and was delighted when they were able to buy it.
"I used to drive round the block all the time. I just loved the position."
Jokes Steve: "She's a house stalker."
Wendy says the character of the house appealed. It was built in the 1960s and still has the rimu flooring of the era but was extensively and stylishly added to before they bought it.
They then added a pool, outdoor shower and spa and extended the decking.
The entertainer's kitchen opens to a large double living space and a dining space.
"It's become our meeting place for the whole family. We have all our reunions here," says Wendy.
Last Christmas, they had 13 people staying and the house had no problem absorbing everyone.
Wendy says: "One of the reasons I really love it is because in the summer we have these (bifold) doors open most of the time and I love living outdoors so, to me, it's just perfect."
Upstairs is a big master bedroom which is almost all windows and has its own deck, a large en suite and roomy walk-in wardrobe. The en suite has a spa bath and there are great views from here, too.
There's another bedroom up here and another room Steve uses as his office, which also has a deck.
On the ground floor are more bedrooms and a surprise wing-like area with an indoor/outdoor living area looking out to the pool, and a private bedroom.
"It's just kind of separate," says Wendy. "For the kids it was very handy when they had their friends around and they could come out here and we could be private inside."
There is also a double garage with plenty of storage and room for a pool table or man cave.
Image 1 of 6: Easy walking distance to the beach, the tennis club, the shops. Yep, it's not just cute pooch Eddie who'll miss this lovely abode
The couple's two boys have moved out now and Wendy says as Steve is away a lot the house is too big for her.
"I want a family in here. I just really want it to be loved. It will be very sad to leave here. I love the sun and looking out at the birds in the bush. I love being able to walk down to the local restaurants and I play a lot of tennis so Mairangi Bay Tennis Club is just seven minutes down the road."
It wasn't an easy decision to up sticks -- and both Wendy and Steve will especially miss taking Eddie on his regular walks and swims.
