Cosmos flowers and the Anglo Boer War

DeOudeHuize

In autumn - April and May, our area lights up with a multi-coloured cosmos magic. 

A little fragile flower in marshmallow shades of pinks and white. They fill ditches, stand guard and wave in the wind.

In the years from 1899 to 1902, the cosmos seed came over in the horse feed shipped across from Argentina for the British forces. So wherever you see banked rows of cosmos, you will know that there’s a good chance that a British cavalryman may have passed there.
Photo MarkVeePhotography 

In the years from 1899 to 1902, the cosmos seed came over in the horse feed shipped across from Argentina for the British forces. So wherever you see banked rows of cosmos, you will know that there’s a good chance that a British cavalryman may have passed there.

Now it's been discovered that our cosmos comes in 20 different species, and that their lands of origin include Paraguay, Central America and parts of the southern US.
Photo MarkVeePhotography

Thanks for visiting and please make sure to visit our friends
Lots of love
Sandra

De Oude Huize and trains

De Oude Huize and the love for trains started a long time ago.  

Life is a train of moods like a string of beads; and as we pass through them they prove to be many colored lenses, which paint the world their own hue, and each shows us only what lies in its own focus

My father, Gerald Fincham, was, as a youngster, working for the South African railways.  The route he used to work on was known as the Great North Route.  That was the track running from South Africa to Zimbabwe.  He had some good and bad experiences while being and employee of the South African Railways.  

Locomotives nr. 243 and 102 in Mafeking station.
The White Train as it was known with the then Princess Elizabeth and family touring South Africa 

The old bridge built during the Anglo Boer War in South Africa situated about 30km from De Oude Huize Yard.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

 A beautiful bridge just outside our town, Harrismith South Africa 
There is the headlight, shining far down the track, glinting off the steel rails that, like all parallel lines, will meet in infinity, which is after all where this train is going.

Today large sections of the rail tracks in South Africa is in disarray.
Thanks to MarkVee Photographs for this beautiful picture telling it's own story.  

Nobody has a perfect past, but everyone has a clear future. It is up to us to take control and become pioneers of tomorrow. Its never too late to jump off your train and head down a different track.

Hope that all of you will have a wonderful day. 

Love from us to you 

Sandra 

Wonderful surprise gift from a special guest

A gift is always very special this one now forms part of the history of De Oude Huize Yard 

Wendy and Hanchen stayed with us.
They are marketing Nursing as an Occupation in our area.
We have had a wonderful time talking and learning about the life of our guests.    

Little did we know that they will stay at our establishment during a second trip.
It was then that we were presented with this beautiful original painting dating back to 1890.  

Look at the beautiful dafodills . . . so charming in spring 

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
Marcus Aurelius

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. 

Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. 

  Pamela Vaull Starr 

This wonderful oil painting by Anton Ferreira dated back to 1890
will now form part of the history of De Oude Huize Yard 

The ground we walk on, 

the plants and creatures,

 the clouds above constantly dissolving into new formations - 

each gift of nature possessing its own radiant energy, 

bound together by cosmic harmony. 

 Ruth Bernhard

We will be showing off at:

Ivy and Elephants;  Lavender Garden Cottage;

Time Washed ; Lavender Garden Cottage; Tilly's Nest ; Boogieboard Cottage;  Knick of Time; My Simple Country Living;The Savvy Southernstyle; A delightsome life;  

Harrismith history and fancy Driving

DeOudeHuize

De Oude Huize Yard in Harrismith offer guests who have an interest in Free State history something a bit special... A tour of history, treasures and stories of Harrismith all in the comfort of a vintage car.

"If you would like to delve into the history of one of South Africa's hidden gems, then you have to take a trip . . . that will make you click your heels together in joy..."

A tour of history, treasures and stories of Harrismith all in the comfort of a vintage car 

Hennie drives you himself in his mint green 1948 Chevrolet fleetmaster with immaculate 

brown leather bench seats.

The tour stars at the Town Hall which is the third biggest red brick and sand stone building

in South Africa.

There are a lot of war memorials in the gardens, including Deborah Retief Gardens.

As fans of Anglo-Boer War history will almost certainly know. 

Harrismith was a major military base during the Anglo-Boer War. 

A drive to the blockhouse and military cemetery is next on the list.

Along the way, you'll learn about the Norwegians, who were stationed in the area and 

skilled in ship-building - in fact they decided to build a ship and sail home. 

The ship took over two years to complete and was named Homeward Bound. In 1886 she began her journey to Durban.  

And yes they reached the English Channel in 1887 and were entertained by Queen Victory before reaching Norway. 

Then there is the 15km mountain race which is the oldest race in South Africa, it originated in 1922 when Major Belcher returned to Harrismith and Mr Schruby bet him that he could not reach the top in less than 60min.

Harrismith also boast the 3rd oldest golf course in South Africa

You'll see many beautiful old offices and houses on the drive - the oldest built in 1858 -

only 2 years before De Oude Huize Yard - each with its own story to tell. A wonderful little pamphlet with information of all the buildings is available.

Thank you for taking a ride in our vintage Chevy and enjoy the interesting history of Harrismith 

Till next time 

Sandra 

Thornton Bibliothèque suite

We have had a wild time to renovate our attic.  

Read our previous posts here 

and here 

The final countdown . . . . . . 

“Second hand books are wild books,
homeless books;
they have come together in vast flocks of variegated feather,
and have a charm which the domesticated volumes of the library lack.” 
Virginia Woolf

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!
How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!
When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an
excellent library.” Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice

If you have a garden and a library,
you have everything you need.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

I couldn't live a week without a private library - indeed,
I'd part with all my furniture and squat and sleep on the floor before i'd let go of the books I possess
H P Lovecraft 

Thank you for visiting till next time 

Sandra

Thanks for sharing our story  

Ivy and Elephants; Time Washed ; Homemakers on a dime ; Lavender Garden Cottage; 

From my front Porch; Tilly's Nest ; Boogieboard Cottage; Elizabeth and Co; 

Finding Fabulous;The Trendy Treehouse; Common Ground; 

The Busy Bee; Knick of Time; My Simple Country Living;The Style Sisters; Savvy Southernstyle; The Busy Bhive; French Country Cottage; Romantic Home; Redoux Interiors; 

No Minimalist Here; Fishtail Cottage; The Shabby Creek Cottage;Miss Mustardseed; 

Love it and List it; Cedar Hill Ranch; Coastal Charm; Your Creative Timeout; 

A delightsome life; The Tablescaper;  The Jenny Evolution 

The Vintage Loving Style

Recently we have the wonderful opportunity to meet Judit and  Mark.  

They stayed at our establishment was short but so inspiring.  
We enjoyed their company and their passion for life.  
This is the photo's they shared with us.

My personal favourite

Welcome 

Nostalgic 

Well travelled 

Lace and cherubs 

Reading from the library 

Burlap and love 

Light switch 

Leather and steel 

Something of everything 

Book titles to dream about

Dress in black 

Something for every occasion 

Pictures, books and bottles 

Angles and words 

Going nowhere

Lights 

Till next time 
Sandra 

Little things that make a difference

At De Oude Huize Yard, we offer accommodation with a difference. 
Our furniture is historica, each piece with its own story to tell.
Our rooms are unique and each tells its own story.  

It's the little details that are vital.  

Little things make big things happen.

-John Wooden

Taps with a difference

Special 

Bird cage and flowers 

Entrance hall with antique golf set, hat and cloves 

Santos Dolls and Roses 

Pillow, keys and a little lock 

Soap set given to my Gran on a special occasion in 1936

Part of a costume from the musical Carmen 

Old military boots during my hubbies air force days 

Just to say we're ok

My handmade quilt on a guest room bed 

Queen Ann for heating in a guest room 

Little scape books and old handles

Shoes made for walking - the good old days 

The front door is always open to everyone. 

We will be have a wonderful time at the following wonderful parties.

Le Chateau des Fleurs

Lavender Garden Cottage

Primpjunktion
Tilly's Nest 
Ivy and Elephants 
Time Washed 
Homemakers on a dime 
Boogieboard Cottage 

Savvy Southernstyle 

Shades of Amber 
From My Front Porch 

Common Ground 
The Shabby Creek Cottage

My Simple Country Living

Life in Balance 

Handy Crafty Woman 
Raising Homemakers
Creative Crafts

Maleviksrosentradgard
Blog Guidebook Friday

What-About.co

Chic on a Shoestring 
Sunny Simple Life 
Twiggstudios
My French Country Cottage
 The Busy Bhive 

My Romantic Home

DIYhshp
It's a Hedgepodge Life  
Finding Fabulous
Redoux Interiors 
 No Minimalist 
The Brambleberry Cottage
To Much time
The Tablescaper
The French Cupboard