WITH aspirations of a better life in Australia, Michael and Carol Poole are reluctantly selling their beautiful self-built home and hoping to emigrate. The couple, who have two children, Beth, eight and Josh, four, run a haulage business but want to sell their five-bedroom home in Burnopfield and move Down Under to Perth, where Michael’s brother and family live.
“We spent two weeks out there at Christmas,” said Michael. “And we went the year before and just loved it.” Michael says the better weather and lower cost of living are major draws. Michael, 40 and Carol, 31, who are originally from Stanley, bought two adjoining plots of land about seven years ago “when prices were sensible”. They built on one plot, lived in the house for about four years then sold it three years ago before building this home on the other plot. “We were going to sell the second plot,” explained Michael. “But then we decided we fancied moving again and built the house to our specification. It’s a traditional style built in old stone and reclaimed slate with sliding sash windows. There are no pokey rooms – they’re all well proportioned.” Modern features include underfloor heating to both floors, double-glazing to the sash windows and a cinema room with surround-sound drop-down projector and reclining seats. On the ground floor an entrance porch with solid wood door and hallway with marble floor lead to the spacious living accommodation. Michael’s favourite room is the light and airy 24ft lounge with bay window at the front, two sash windows at the rear plus double doors to the sun room. There’s also a diner, 17ft kitchen with oak units, granite worktops and Aga and there is a utility and downstairs toilet. The first floor has a spacious landing, master bedroom with en-suite, second bedroom with en-suite and three further bedrooms. There is also a family bathroom with double-ended free-standing bath. There’s a block-paved driveway for up to four cars, lawned areas, a patio and double garage with electric door. The couple have loved living in Burnopfield, which has plenty of amenities including shops, a bowling green, cricket pitch, dentist, new doctors’ surgery, takeaways, mini markets, coffee shops and pubs. It’s a lovely village with a great sense of community,” said Michael. “When we go walking in the woods, which are just three minutes from the house, with our labrador Cody, everyone says hello. We’re also very near a good school with a nursery. If we weren’t going to Australia we certainly wouldn’t move out of the area.” Stonehaven, East View, Burnopfield is for sale through Sarah Mains at a guide price of £425,000 to £450,000, tel: (0191) 488-9999. | 
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