Many people dream of making a sea change, but what is it like in reality?
In the recently released book Foxey’s Hangout, author Cathy Gowdie chronicles her family’s experience of moving to the Mornington Peninsula. Moving to a leafy green wine-region and starting your own winery and cellar door may be high on the list of ‘if only’ dreams for some people, but as Cathy and husband Tony Lee discovered, life in a winery isn’t all long lunches and sampling the wares. Foxey’s Hangout describes the couple’s leap of faith as they move their young family from inner city Melbourne to a 100-year-old weatherboard cottage in Red Hill and start their winery. They soon discover the hard work required to make their vineyard dream a reality as they tend to their fledgling grape vines and try to get their plans for a winery through council. The family encounters some of the realities that a sea change can bring, including a dwindling bank balance and the harshness of life on the land in an area with bitterly cold winters and dry summers. Adapting to life in a small community can also take some getting used to, as local sensitivities to the Foxey’s Hangout name are revealed, along with some unexpected reactions to their plans. Foxey’s Hangout, featuring scenic photography and a seasonal recipe for each month, may prove to be the inspiration you need to make a change of your own, or at the very least sit down with a lovely glass of wine. Available at book stores for $45 (RRP).
IMAGE: JACQUI MELVILLE
