The ox-wagons of South Africa

DeOudeHuize

This history as told by the hosts of De Oude Huize Yard 

In South Africa, the ox-wagon was adopted as an Afrikaner cultural icon. 

 Ox-wagons are typically drawn by teams of oxen, harnessed in pairs. 

The oxen were given names that would give and indication of their character.  

These wagons had a very wide turning circle, the legacy, of which are the broad, 

pleasant streets of Harrismith "wide enough to turn an ox-wagon".

Hard sprung wood for spokes, iron wood for axles, nailable timber for the superstructure. 

The South African oxwagon is a piece of industrial design.  Built with interchanging parts to quickly replace damage parts. It was made for easy disassembly in order to be transported by the oxen when crossing rivers.  

It's separated front and rear axle and wheel components allowed it to take the sharp bends of the mountain passes. 

The ox-wagon's size determined the size of components imported for building infrastructure such as the railways, its bridges and determined the widths and sizes of public roads and squares. 

The wagon builders were very proud and the wagons were decorated with pride 

The oxen that pulled the wagons had names like Ribbok en Somer 

(Ribbok is the name of a buck and Somer means Summer)

Friesland, Rooiland en Wiegeland 

(Rooiland means red soil) (Wiegeland means to be sleepy)

Robbert en Duiker 

Joeman en Vryman

(Vryman means a free man)

Liefhebber, Witbol and Fluit

(Liefhebber means to love, Witbol means there is a white spot on the ox and Fluit means to whistle)

Witsenberg, Tiegerberg and Blouberg

(names of mountains)

Regter en Roman

(Regter means Judge)

Lots of blessing from South Africa 

Sandra 

Thank you for all the wonderful friends whom are sharing this story!!!

A Stroll Thru Life; A delightsome life; Any Girl Can Do It; Craft Berry Bush; Crafty Allie; 

Create with Joy; China on a shoestring; Confessions of a Plate Addict; Elizabeth & Co; 

Embracing Change;  Fabulous Friday;   From my front Porch; Fabulously Creative; 

French Country Cottage; Fishtail Cottage; Funky Junk;  Have a Daily Cup; 

Ivy and Elephants;  Katherines Corner; Knick of Time; Lavender Garden Cottage; 

Life on Lakeshore; My Romantic Home; My Salvaged Treasures; 

Miss Mustardseed; Revisionary Life; Rooted in thyme; Redoux Interiors; The Dedicated House; 

The Charm of Home; Rose Garden Malevik; Tilly's Nest ; Shabby Art Style Sisters; 
Savvy Southern style; Sweet Bella Roos; The Shabby Nest; The Jenny Evolution; 
 Too Much Time;  We Call It Junkin

Rhubarb favour

The hosts of De Oude Huize Yard shares the live with you. 

Some time ago I posted about our vegetable garden.  

We have had a wonderful season and the veggies is doing extremely well.  

You can read the post about the veggie garden here

The jar has been filled with Rhubarb, apple and ginger jam.  

Rebecca and Aletta helped to make this batch.  

Thanks to these wonderful friends.  

Lots of blessing from South Africa 

Sandra 

things I love

the past six months were filled with joy and laughter.  

midwinter in July 

the wonder of awakening in September 

the full burst of summer in December 

In July we posted our hand knitted face cloths. 

These little treasures are still favourites.

These are easy to knit.  Cast om 50 stitches.  Knit 100 rows in your favourite pattern. 

Then we posted our hand made quilts.  You can read more here
These treasures keep everyone warm in winter when the temperature drops to below 12oC and the snow covers the landscape.  

I have collect antique pieces of lace to use as decorations on the quilts.  

As Spring started to draw closer the patio was given a make-over.  
A ceder wood server is the showplace of an antique collection.  The old grape press forms the centre.   

An old butter churn, a scale, some shoe moulds, and a grape press.  

We live in the shade of Platberg (Flat mountain) and you were taken on the beauty of what the mountain offers. De Oude Huize offers beautiful views of the mountain. There is to read here 

What you will experience when visiting Platberg.  

Spring is our season that is filled with preparation and love.  Read more about the preparations for Summer in the garden 

Little garden displays 

The peonies stole our hearts.  Watch them blooming here.  

De Oude Huize was filled with the wonderful blooms for weeks on end.  

Love from South Africa 

Sandra 

Hunting trip for a bathroom

DeOudeHuize

We are awaiting our building plans approval from the local Municipality for the addition of an extra guest room.  As there is a law that your cannot just change a house older than 60 years without prior approval, this is taking longer than anticipated.  

We operate as a bed and breakfast establishment and has grown where we need and extra guest room.  

The original house was built in 1860 and we try to keep it as close as possible to the original style but like to keep away from the museum feel.  

De Oude Huize Yard 2014

The hunt started a while ago and we came back with two laboratory basin in perfect condition.  

We were then able to find an old cast iron bath with beautiful eagle claw legs.  

We then came across five old chairs in a sturdy condition but in desperate need of charm 

Our latest find - and old buffet - with sturdy legs 

The hardware needs some help and the original top was replaced with a very thin board 

but the price was excellent 

We also had two pigeon baskets

The mirror is beautiful as it is.  

Now if we put this together this is what we have.  

Next two the basin is two old high voltage fuses.  

Read more about it here

Please let us know what your would have done with all of this.  

I am looking forward to your comments 

Love from South Africa 

Sandra 

Thank you for all the wonderful friends whom are sharing this story!!!

A Stroll Thru Life; A delightsome life; Any Girl Can Do It; Craft Berry Bush; Crafty Allie; 

Create with Joy; China on a shoestring; Confessions of a Plate Addict; Elizabeth & Co; 

Embracing Change: From my front Porch; Fabulously Creative; 

French Country Cottage; Fishtail Cottage; Funky Junk; Have a Daily Cup; 

Ivy and Elephants; Katherines Corner; Knick of Time; Lavender Garden Cottage; 

Life on Lakeshore; My Romantic Home; My Salvaged Treasures; 

Miss Mustardseed; Revisionary Life; Rooted in thyme; Redoux Interiors; The Dedicated House; 

Rose Garden Malevik; Tilly's Nest ; Shabby Art Style Sisters; Savvy Southern style; 

Sweet Bella Roos; The Shabby Nest; The Jenny Evolution; The Brambleberry Cottage; 

Too Much Time; We Call It Junkin;