A blue greyish lamp post in our garden

DeOudeHuize

There were oil lamps in the streets and candles in the churches and it was reported that the ladies complained of the candle grease "falling on their wearing apparel". 
The Council embarked on a scheme for electric lighting, at an estimated cost of 19000 Pounds. The work was carried out by Messrs Morley and Dawbarn of London and Johannesburg. 
Mrs Caskie, wife of the Mayor of the day, turned on the lights at a banquet in November, 1904. 
Six beautiful street lamps were donated to the town. 
The according to word-of-mouth it was donated by the British Monarchy.
These  stunning street lamp took poll position in front of the Town Hall. 
When we moved to Harrismith there were still 2 lamps standing 

Some years ago we were driving though town and saw four guys rolling this base of a lamp.

The base of the street lamp 

After a couple of minutes Hennie was convinced he could save the old street lamp. 

In the same year the then museum had to be moved. This was a main . . . main job. There was an old ox-wagon that needs to be removed. Under the ox-wagon a lot of broken pieces of a street lamp, was hidden. 

The then committee entrusted the broken bits and pieces to us. We learnt that it was destroyed by a truck. Biebie de Vos - our town historian - helped with a picture of the original street lamp. 
 Hennie started the restoring the lamp.  

In the words of Mother Teresa

If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. 

To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

Bits and pieces put together 

A couple of years ago this pieces was entrusted to us when it was hit by a truck

"May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out"

JRR Tolkien

A picture of a street lamp in Madison Avenue dated 1924.
This was part of the inspiration 

Bits and pieces 

Hennie started to renovate it as time was available.
He had to make new pieces where pieces were missing.
Painfully he managed to restore it

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of
creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. 

More detail of the bottom tulip shape 

Wonderful to see it standing in our garden

Thanks for visiting and may you have a wonderful time
Love from South Africa
Sandra

Red Onion Marmalade

Often we utter the words - know what would be great with this? 

Onion Marmalade 

Then I asked myself how difficult it could be to make this sweet sticky onion marmalade. 

It turns out, it's the easiest recipes to fill your own jars with. 

Caramelized Onion Marmalade makes a delicious topping for bruschetta or pizza; it's also a nice complement to grilled steak, chicken, or pork. Try it with pâtés, terrines or a ploughman’s lunch 

Red Onion Marmalade 

2kg red onions 

4 garlic cloves – have used 3 elephant garlic cloves

Enough olive oil and butter

140g brown sugar 

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 

750ml red wine 

350ml vinegar 

200ml port

 Method 

Halve and thinly slice the onions and garlic. 

Melt the butter and oil in a large, heavy-based pan over a high heat. 

Tip in the onions and garlic and give them a good stir so they are glossed with butter. 

Sprinkle over the sugar, thyme leaves and some salt and pepper. 

Give everything another really good stir and reduce the heat slightly. 

Cook uncovered for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

The onions are ready when all their juices have evaporated, they’re really soft and sticky and smell of sugar caramelizing. 

They should be so soft that they break when pressed against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon. 

Slow cooking is the secret of really soft and sticky onions, so don't rush this part. 

Pour in the wine, vinegar and port and simmer everything, still uncovered, over a high heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring every so often until the onions are a deep mahogany colour and the liquid has reduced by about two-thirds. 

It’s done when drawing a spoon across the bottom of the pan clears a path that fills rapidly with syrupy juice. 

Leave the onions to cool in the pan, then scoop into sterilized jars and seal.  

Till next time 

Sandra 

The MOTHS & the Sheephead Long Table Banquet

Every year the MOTHS celebrate the their annual SKAAPKOP DAG. 

Lets call it the Sheephead Long Table Banquet. 

There were 120 ovenroasted sheepheads available

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY 

Sandstone, Stairs and the Attic

We had to rebuilt the stairs to our Attic Room

The sandstone blocks were so heavy and it took some time to built.

The waiting  . . . .  it was worth it.  

Add caption

We hope to see you all soon

The Old and the "old" new

We had a lot of sentimental feelings about an old couch.  

It had done it's bit and we had to decide to dispose of it or  . . . . 

give a makeover.  

Over the years we have hold hands, laugh at jokes and snuggle on the couch.

And then the arm sections were lifted and half rounds were added.  

The back section was re-inforced

Time for Mariaan and Mary to do their charm with the inners

And then the outer.  Leather for cover.

Details 

Details 

Think that we will have some more fun on the "old" new couch. 

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; 

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 Too Much Time;  We Call It Junkin

The end of summer

These little flowers grow wild in the fields in and around our town

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. So if you're feeling uncomfortable right now, know that the change taking place in your life is a beginning, not an ending.

May the new season be kind to you all 
De Oude Huize Yard 

Thanks to MarkVee for the wonderful photo 

Thanks to Ivy and Elephants ; Confession of a Plate Addict;

Hope in Everything;  Everything under the moon;
Leigh;  A delightsome Life;   

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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