One of the things that attracted us to the New England region was the promise of four distinct seasons, and the seasons of Guyra each have their own unique charm.
Coming from Sydney, where seasons can sometimes feel more like subtle suggestions than actual weather events, the idea of proper autumn colours, frosty winters, spring bulbs and even the possibility of snow felt wonderfully exciting.
We are finally getting to the point where we will be more permanently based in Guyra and have been able to enjoy some of the stunning autumn days the region is famous for. The next adventure is experiencing our first Guyra winter.
Over the past few months, there has been a lot of travelling back and forth between Sydney and Guyra, juggling renovations, moving plans and generally trying to work out where we left important things. Dad moves out and into town; his organisational systems and packing systems are quite different to ours. But in the next week, we will finally be settling in properly, which means getting stuck into the kitchen demolition, learning more about the garden and beginning to enjoy the slower rhythm of life here.
It is starting to feel much more real now. We even bought a “Roseville” sign for the house. Naturally, we proudly installed it on the back door, as we know the back door in a country farmhouse is really the front door that everyone enters through. I am now entirely confident the front door exists for decoration purposes only.
Dad was so concerned about whether I had spelt Roseville correctly that he walked all the way down to the letterbox to check. I did work in real estate on the north shore of Sydney and lived in the area for only 30 years of my life, but hey! Thankfully, the sign passed inspection and can remain in place.
Of course, country life isn’t entirely peaceful.
Toast has already decided that fences are merely suggestions.
His latest adventure involved discovering a hole in the fence and introducing himself to the neighbour’s cows. Apparently he was convinced they were simply very large dogs.
The stress involved in trying to convince him otherwise was enough to make me consider a glass of wine by 9am.
Needless to say, some dog training may be required before he progresses to chasing sheep, alpacas or Highland cows.
Speaking of which, the great livestock debate continues.
Do we get sheep?
Alpacas?
Highland cows?
All of the above?
At this stage I am happy to continue researching. My Instagram feed is now almost entirely made up of fluffy farm animals and somehow every single one of them looks essential.
Autumn in Guyra
Autumn here has been everything I hoped it would be.
The mornings arrive wrapped in fog, the air is crisp and fresh, and by the middle of the day the sun has enough warmth to make you want to sit outside with a coffee and pretend you’re being productive.
The poplars and deciduous trees throughout the district have turned beautiful shades of gold, orange and red. Even a quick drive through town feels picturesque.
The sunsets have been particularly stunning, casting warm colours across paddocks and gardens and making me stop far more often than necessary to take photos.
Not that I need any encouragement to take photos.
Waiting for Winter
Now all eyes are on winter.
Last year Guyra received around 30mm of snow, which according to the locals was the most significant snowfall in decades. The golf course apparently became the local ski resort as people arrived with snowboards and sleds, eager to experience snow without paying Thredbo prices.
I only visited Thredbo once and somehow managed to see mostly man-made snow, so the possibility of seeing proper snow at home is still quite exciting.
Ask me again after I’ve scraped ice off the car windscreen for a few weeks.
Everyone tells me winter can be cold, but there is something appealing about frosty mornings, wood fires, warm drinks and seeing the landscape transform.
And while the garden may appear to be sleeping, I am learning that gardeners view winter very differently.
Apparently everything is quietly working away beneath the surface preparing for spring.
Much like me before my morning coffee.
Spring – The Season Everyone Talks About
If autumn has been beautiful, everyone assures me that spring is spectacular.
The bulbs begin to emerge, gardens burst back into life and the countryside turns green again.
The New England Garden Festival, and other open Garden Days which Dad has been involved with for many years, brings visitors from all over the country and showcases some incredible gardens throughout the region.
I have a feeling spring will be the season where I suddenly realise how much gardening I don’t actually know.
Thankfully I seem to be surrounded by people who are more than willing to share their knowledge.
One unexpected part of this move has been discovering a whole community online as well. What started as sharing a few photos of Roseville and our adventures under Guyra skies has introduced me to some wonderful people through Instagram.
There are fellow renovators, gardeners, farmers, animal lovers and country dreamers all cheering each other on from different corners of Australia. It has been such a lovely reminder of how welcoming people can be.
I am particularly looking forward to finally meeting some of these new Instagram friends in person over the coming months. It will be nice to put real faces to the names that keep appearing in my comments and messages.
Summer on the Tablelands
Summer is another season I am looking forward to experiencing.
One of the reasons so many people love the New England region is that while much of New South Wales is sweltering through heatwaves, the tablelands generally remain cooler and more comfortable.
Long evenings, time in the garden, produce growing, outdoor entertaining and hopefully the beginning of our vegetable garden all sound pretty appealing.
Although if the last few months have taught me anything, it is that country life has a habit of introducing unexpected projects along the way.
Looking Forward to the Seasons of Guyra Ahead
One of the things I am enjoying most about this move is having the opportunity to experience each season properly. You can see more pictures of our property in the Gallery of Roseville which shows the house and garden and we will continue to add to it. You can also read about many of the local discoveries that I am finding as we get to know the area more within the New England region.
There is something comforting about the rhythm of nature and watching the landscape change throughout the year.
For now, I am soaking up the last of autumn, preparing for our first Guyra winter and trying not to buy every fluffy farm animal that appears on Instagram.
One season at a time.
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