Antique Furniture Victoria
My first sunset at the cottage
When people find out where I live, the first words out of their mouth is " you drive the Malahat everyday". I find the statement amusing, first off I dont work 7 days a week! Thank god those days are over. Secondly, yes, I commute, I love the drive. In fact, the Malahat is my favourite part, from Langford in. sucks. Thirdly, there are many beautiful places on the island, most of that beauty is north of the Malahat.
My house is called Rennick Cottage, 11 years ago the house was bulldozer bait, it was ugly and neglected. The land was amazing. I offered to purchase the property before I entered the house. In all honesty, I really did not care what the house looked like, I could change it, but the view. it was worth every penny!
Day 1 at Rennick Cottage
There were many reasons to move to the Cowichan Valley, but probably the most important is that I was closer to my parents in Qualicum Beach. My dad had been diagnosed with early on set dimentia, being one hour closer really made a big difference. I changed my work week to Thursday thru Saturday and Linda came on board to do Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
My neighbors thought I was crazy, a single woman from the city buying a tear down on a country road. My mom and Dad thought I was brilliant, and came to visit me every weekend during the reno's. This time spent with my Dad will be most cherished memories.
I acted as my own General Contractor. something I would never advise anyone to do! I excelled at it, but really it's not for everybody. It was a domino effect the day the windows went in. If I do new windows, I should do new siding, which leads to new roof ( shingle roof never leaked), and the list went on and on.
When I said bulldozer bait, I meant it! Powder post beetle had eaten through the sill and all the load bearing walls, they had not made it to the floor joists. My carpenter told me it was the worst case he ever saw. I did not win a prize for that. The house is jacked up a small amount, as everything is replaced with new full dimension lumber.
