This isn’t a guide on how to “do” country life the right way.

It’s simply our story as it unfolds, living in Guyra, living at Roseville — one renovation, one season and one slightly chaotic project at a time. Some days involve gumboots, some involve garden plans and some involve wondering how Toast managed to get himself into trouble again.

If you’ve ever wondered what life in regional New South Wales is really like, or dreamed about slowing down and starting a new chapter, I hope you’ll find something here to enjoy.

Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram at Under Guyra Skies for our latest photos and stories, or subscribe if you’d like a little Sunday morning coffee reading delivered to your inbox.

Our Story

Our story began when my father moved to Guyra 15 years ago — a place I had never even heard of at the time.

Six hours away? With two young children, I couldn’t imagine how visiting on weekends would ever work.

But from the very first visit, I knew there was something special about it.

Roseville felt like magic.

The previous owners simply didn’t have the time or energy to manage the property, and as Dad is a passionate gardener, he eagerly set about tidying things up. What he didn’t expect was what lay hidden beneath years of overgrowth.

Forgotten fountains.

Formal gardens.

Pebbled pathways.

Century-old roses.

The more he uncovered, the more remarkable the property became.

Fifteen years later, after countless hours in the garden and many appearances in garden shows, Roseville has become a beautiful and peaceful haven. More importantly, it has become part of our family’s story.

Now it is our turn.

Our turn to care for the property, continue restoring and improving it, and hopefully add a few chapters of our own.

With a little help from Dad, of course.

Moving from the City to Country Life

This move represents a lifestyle change for our family, but it is also something much more personal. You can read more about our journey when we started here.

It gives me the opportunity to spend more time with my parents while I still can, to create new memories together and to be part of the next chapter of a place that has already meant so much to our family.

Roseville already has a story.

Dad spent 15 years uncovering and restoring what had been forgotten.

Now we get the privilege of continuing that story.

There is plenty to learn, plenty of mistakes still to make and no doubt many unexpected adventures ahead.

If the first few months are anything to go by, there will also be escaped dogs, renovation dust, gardening debates and ongoing discussions about whether sheep, alpacas or Highland cows are the better choice.

Why This Blog Exists

This space exists to remember the small details.

The quality of the light on a frosty morning.

The quiet.

The changing seasons.

The excitement of a new project.

The people we meet along the way.

And all the moments that never make it into glossy brochures but somehow become the stories we remember most.

It is a place to document life at Roseville as it evolves, to share what we are learning and to reflect on what it means to build a life in a small regional community.

Most of all, it exists because stories matter.

Especially in places like this.

From Frost to Field

That phrase sums up life at Roseville rather well.

Life here exists between seasons, projects and possibilities.

Between hard frosts and flourishing gardens.

Between old traditions and new ideas.

Between preserving what makes this place special and carefully shaping what comes next.

This blog lives in that in-between space too.

Whether you’ve made a similar move yourself, are dreaming about a change one day, or simply enjoy reading about country life from somewhere warmer, I’m very glad you’re here.

Put the kettle on, grab a coffee and follow along as we continue the next chapter of life under Guyra skies.