Nick and I met in late 2003, in New South Wales. Back then he rented a small fibro shack, which was about 10 or 15 steps from front door to the back - and then the same distance to the creek edge. It was a pretty, peaceful place. We'd sit by the water, watching fish and the occasional sting-ray drift past. He could sail from his back yard into Tuggerah Lake! At the same time, I was renting an older four bedroom home near Lake Macquarie. The girls and I had plenty of space the weeks they were with me and I rattled around the weeks I was alone. The location wasn't quite as peaceful as Nick's but I grew potted herbs and tomatoes on the large verandah - and would enjoy al fresco meals there, admiring the distant lake views.
I'd lived there nearly three years when Nick moved in with me in December 2004. The owners delayed their plans to terminate the lease and move in when they learned of my/our pregnancy but we did move in August 2005, when Vaughan was just four months old.
We moved 30km further down the coast to a quieter (and cheaper) lakeside suburb. It was closer to Nick's work, because he worked full-time (and I was on maternity leave).
That house had a huge lakeside park reserve next door with picnic tables, netted swimming area and waterfront walking trails. We were married while living at that house and Vaughan had his first birthday there also.
Soon after Vaughan's second birthday we moved again, just 600 metres away into what we dubbed the "brick box". We were a street back from the lake, in a line from the spot where we were married.
A bit over two years later we were on the move again. Our third one in the five years we'd been together. Nick spent several days in hospital after our arrival - he'd been sick and overdid things due to the time limitations we were dealing with.
That house was closer to the beach, which we all enjoyed. We celebrated Vaughan's 5th birthday in great style but had moved again before his 6th. 14 months was our shortest time in any of our homes but long-standing building issues weren't disclosed prior to moving in. Once we raised them, we received notice to move.
Our next home was smaller, which presented challenges but it had direct access to a huge reserve and that was great. A lot happened at that address. Nick and Erin became emergency WIRES carers, with Nick also taking on snake relocations. It was a learning experience for all of us to have so many wildlife visitors. During our second year School of Hamby was opened, when Vaughan commenced Distance Education with me as his supervisor.
On our second anniversary of moving in, we received a Notice of Termination. Nick was already facing a work relocation so we packed and culled (while still doing school work) - preparing for our 5th move in seven years. I'll pause here and pick up the story in a new post.
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