First night on the homestead

Well really it's just a cottage now, but it's ours! We got the keys yesterday afternoon, then proceeded to triple Bridgewaters economic gain as we "stocked up"! Now I Need to work another two years to make up for it before I retire! Not really, but we did spend a truck load of cash (not all of which was in the tackle section of Canadian Tire).

The little creek that runs along my property line has a lot of little fish, but nothing more than about six inches, good thing the Lahave is only a couple hundred yards away. I do think I am going to have issues with Mr. Beaver. I found a newly downed tree this morning and the culprit was certain if he kept slapping his tail on the water I would go away. It's a bit frustrating because I can't afford to lose any of my precious meadow, especially since we paid extra to get it added to the property. I guess I may have to deal with the problem before the creek has no trees left, and I have no meadow left. Sorry beaver. Why can't we all just get along? Maybe I will try reasoning with him.

I did clean the wood stove, it is a Fawcett Jett model 715 it is in great condition but filthy, so it was an hour of soot, ash and crud for me. All while Laura and her posse slept! Once I pry the kitchen windows open I will spark it up. Hopefully the chimney is not too fouled.

Anyways it's a day of messing about, and checking out local markets before our first guests arrive for a fire, fishing and maybe a couple beer. I wonder if they know I have plans to put them to work?

In the begining.....

......There was "The Salt Box" house.


The Salt Box, apparently the name of this style of house, tall and skinny (unlike me) like a salt box.

This was the nickname we gave the property so we had an easy way to remember and differentiate all the properties we looked at. There was The School House, The Sheep Farm, The Salt Box, and several others. The search turned out to be an often stressful and annoyance filled process of searching for, and purchasing what we hope will be our dream "retirement" home. I use the term retirement, because we plan on turning our little acreage into as true a homestead as possible, and become as self sufficient as possible.

Laura and I have not purchased a house in about 10 years, choosing to live in military housing since we moved so often, across several provinces and commonly with only a month or two notice. Now that my military career is nearing an end, we decided it was time to find a place to settle. We love Nova Scotia, and acreages are plentiful and inexpensive..........if you're willing, and are able to put in the time, effort and cash to do some reno's. For under $100k it's possible to find your paradise. Not to many places that can be said about.

So it begins, the first things to be done you may ask? PAINT! Although the colour of the house is somewhat fitting of the name we have chosen for our slice of paradise, the green has got to go. At least on the house.  We have chosen a vibrant, rich celestial yellow with white trim for the house, barn and future outbuildings. Also all the windows and roof will be replaced, after which I can get to doing the interior reno's. Should be fun!