IN the bubs’ class we were “little tadpoles” doing frog kicks in the shallows.
By year seven, mist rising from the river, we stood shivering on the Bicton Bath’s jetty, eyeing off the clouds of man-o-war jellyfish, while a well-rugged up teacher yelled at us to dive in.
Years of swimming lessons were recalled as I drove down Blackwall Reach Parade to this four-bedroom/three-bathroom home.
No need to brave cold water, nor jelly fish, with a huge L-shaped pool of your own, I noted, passing through the grand entry hall with its golden brush-box timber floor and sweeping staircase.
Belgian fireplace
The pool is accessed off a massive ground-floor games room, so big it dwarfs a full-sized pool table and a six-seater lounge.
Three queen-size bedrooms are on the ground-floor, two looking out onto the pool while the third has river views and an ensuite.
The real heart of this Mediterranean mansion is the second level, where an antique Belgian fireplace takes pride of place in the gracious formal lounge/dining, and four sets of corner windows take in river views.
The less formal living/dining area is adjacent, where banks of doors open onto a huge balcony for the same view.
Protected on two sides and roofed, it’s the place for a family to gather for Sunday breakfasts or have friends over for a barbecue almost year round.
The view from here is a delight, with boats bobbing on the river and a swathe of natural bushland on the other side.
There’s acres of bench space in the spacious kitchen, including an island bench with a second sink.
The huge walk-in pantry has a dumb-waiter, so getting groceries from the three-car garage is a breeze.
Banks of doors and windows off the rear of the kitchen lead to a delightful, private courtyard garden, where espaliered trees form elegant, living sculptures.
The cavernous main bedroom is on this level, with river views, a balcony from which to really enjoy them, and stylish timber louvres in case a subtler ambience is called for.
The huge ensuite has a spa and lovely white, marble vanity.
Manicured gardens abound on this whopping 908sqm block, with hidden nooks and crannies to spend a pleasant hour or so with a book, or just enjoy the solitude.
But should you need more the Bicton foreshore really is on your doorstep.
And there’s no shortage of cafes and shops a short drive away.
by JENNY D’ANGER
15 Blackwall Reach Pde,
Bicton
$3.75–3.95 million
Eric Hartanto
0421 272 152
Harcourts Applecross
9364 2788