Our Puhoi house is charming, but it is like camping with electricity and a roof. It is a cozy little cottage with a rolling green yard decorated with lots of plants, two ponds, and many birds. There are leaded, stained glass windows throughout and when the sun is shining, it makes a beautifully colorful effect. All of our water comes from rainwater collected off the roof. It is important to keep the gutters clear; otherwise, the water supply is interrupted. There is a large water tank, but Beth is always nervous that we are going to deplete our supply with all the laundry, dishes and showers for six people. There is no heat. We have to rely on a wood-burning stove. Gerard and Xavier have taken on the role of fire tenders. They chop wood and make fires, a necessity on cold winter mornings. Dust and cobwebs rule the house. Beth had the illusion that she could clean it up, but clouds of fluff magically reappear only hours after sweeping. We may have to learn to live with the daddy long legs. We have a washer, but no dryer. Beth has to be very clever about how she times the washing, so that she can actually hang out the clothes to dry in between the raindrops. Sometimes, she is not successful. It is very sad to see two loads of clean laundry hanging soaking wet on the clothesline after a heavy rain. The house comes with a resident dog, a male boxer named Denem who is very sweet and easy to live with.
There is also a pair of ducks on the pond and few NZ “swamp chickens” (they are called "pukehos" here).
