Living The Dream

After leaving London is 1995 and travelling for 11 months through South America, Southern Africa and SE Asia, we purchased a property in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Back then, Australia was a relatively cheap country to live in, particularly when compared to London, and we were thrilled to discover that we could sell our flat in SE London and, using the small amount of equity plus a similar mortgage to the one we already had, purchase a 12 acre block of land with modest living accommodation and space for a couple of horses - a dream come true. The icing? One salary provided the same lifestyle as both our salaries had done in London which meant that Ian could pursue his career and I could make the property into a home and, of course, ride the horses which were soon part of the family.

Our flat in London was typically easy maintenance, the most we had to think about was cleaning, shopping, organising the odd dinner party and an occasional call to the plumber when the hot water boiler needed a service. We knew nothing about land management and it wasn’t until 4 months after we had moved into our new home that we realised there was no mains water. We had been drinking directly from the rainwater tanks which were now completely empty. OKaaay, so we needed some new skills. Ignorance might be bliss but it’s not very helpful when one of you needs to shave and look reasonably presentable when there is no hot water or even any water at all.

And, so our education began. We went on agricultural courses, landscaping courses, learnt about irrigation, fencing, turfing, growing vegetables, using power tools and water divining. Yes, we really did pay thousands of dollars to a drilling company to bore a hole 120m deep on the advice of an octogenarian with a coat hanger. We both worked harder than we ever had but our efforts were well rewarded. Ian became partner at the insolvency practice and the property slowly transformed into our dream home. We threw everything we had into this great lifestyle, physically, mentally and financially, as we couldn’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else nor do anything different with our lives. So what changed?

For the last couple of years, seeds of doubt about our future have been rising up in both our minds Although the property is now finished and provides us with every comfort we could possible want, there is no getting away from the ongoing maintenance and expenditure that is required. We no longer have quite the same levels of enthusiasm and energy and as we head towards our senior years and the prospect of retirement and reduced income is a looming reality. It is time for change ……. we need a plan.

Here’s an idea! Let’s sell up and drive around the world.