UPSTAIRS in the two-storey, 30 room Edwardian mansion known as Saumarez Homestead, Jonathan Larsen lives largely undisturbed.
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Something of a recluse, Mr Larsen has occupied the upstairs quarters for the last five years.
“There’s something about a triple brick house and the quietness – there’s moments where the rain hits the roof and you think this is just the most perfect place to live ever,” Mr Larsen said.
“In Winter it can be particularly gruelling, it’s always dark when you come home, it’s just black and it’s cold and you think ‘What am I doing here?’”
Decorated with mirrors and ornaments reminiscent of the time the ostentatious homestead was built, the feeling inside Mr Larsen’s home is surprisingly humble.
“I’ve been collecting all of this stuff in an attempt to fit in or belong I think,” Mr Larsen said.
“I just keep fossicking around in all these little junk shops trying to find things.
“Very few people have been here, you see all this silliness I’ve collected – a lot of it reminds me of my grandmother’s house.”
Tours of the homestead run throughout the week and many of the visitors are unaware of the solitary resident upstairs.
In his time on the property Mr Larsen has hosted two guests, a blogger from New York and members of the Tamworth Paranormal Society.
“The blogger described me as living in a monastic style – whatever that means,” he said.
“The paranormal people really did just look like cowboys from Tamworth, but everyone thinks there’s a ghost here.
“In their report they said they heard the sounds of a ghost making a cup of tea upstairs – I think that was just me.”
Mr Larsen moved into the mansion when the old homestead manager moved out and didn’t think he would stay long.
“Time sort of passes you by really,” he said.
“The quietness is good in many ways, it’s a little bit lonely.
“But the view out the window here has to be one of the best there is.”