I love my big north facing deck.
Okay so don't say that with a kiwi accent.
But seriously, it's pretty special - it's a sun trap, so even if it's cold and windy elsewhere, it's a sun trap, so you can catch warmth like a lizard.
This morning I took a few snaps before I (sadly) went to work. The morning sun was already warm, and this time of year, it's just golden magic.
I have to say I love the succulents. They're architecturally groovy, and I dont have to water them as much as other plants, though I still do.
And they're easy to get for free, sneaking cuttings from the neighbours or friends or existing cactus. This pretty bluey-grey and pink flowering one came from across the road. There's a fan aloe in there too, and another succulent from a rather fast growing one that seems to pretty much plant itself.
I've been replacing some of the potted plants with various succulents. This one is catching up because I'd just shoved it in the ground from Mum cutting branches off hers.
A lot of the pots I had inside have been replaced now by self watering pots and have migrated outside to be cactus pots. Between them are shells and rocks I've picked up from the beach - a magpie collection of things that make me happy. I love the new 'breakfast' bar or dinner bar or even wine bar that looks over the garden.
Below this free lounger is given a new life with a couple of screws and wood glue. The leucodendron really doesn't mind the dry.
The deck is big enough for various chairs that chase the shade. If it's windy we can't have the umbrella up.
Here you can see the view from one end of the breakfast bar. There's a lot of native trees that attract kookaburras and parrots and wattle birds. Most directions you can barely see neighbour's roofs. That's our shed roof there - it needs replacing.
And of course, I love the aerial view it affords - a great spot for a cuppa and to think about how everything looks visually and what needs doing, or seeing if I can spot my secateurs or phone from above, haha!
Once that orange calenduala goes to seed, there will be another circle paver there so that it invites people to the bench (i'm hoping to find a better one off marketplace for free) as it's a lovely spot to catch the winter sun.
This kangaroo paw doesn't mind the pot. I was given it two years ago when Dad died so I'm hoping it'll keep going. In the background that bucket is always full of water to rinse my feet off after a surf before I take sand inside, and it provides water for a watering can I use to water the deck succulents without dragging the hose up the deck.
Here's another aerial view of the raised beds. I can swear at cabbage moths from any angle, it seems.
I got all the way through this and forgot to show you the whole of my big deck!
That's from the lower garden. It was definitely something the realestate agent was relying on to sell the house, as the rest of it needed work, but I've been pleasantly suprised with actually how much value it adds to my life.