Showing posts with label Renovation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Renovation. Show all posts

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

A blue greyish lamp post in our garden


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

Friday, 15 August 2014

Wing backs reconstruction

We are now more or less finished with the renovations and have started to upgrade our Guest rooms. Some time ago we featured these chairs and their make over. 

We came across very drab old wing back chairs.


They now make their own statement 

I love their shape and size!!!
Charming!
Look at that sexy legs. This oldie needs a remake. 
This oldie shouted please please take me home! 
It was now also time to find the material that will do the trick for these lovely oldies. It was necessary to give them a new lease on their durability but also change them into two very special and comfortable chairs. They had a special duty . . . to be comfortable and to be able to sit and look out the little dormer windows and . . . read . . . and look . . . . sip on an old brandy cognac.
This piece of material could tell a story and we know that great stories happen to those who can tell them!!!  

All the old drab has been removed and the new beginning is taking shape.

Measure and measure

Mary you are a star!
With Mary's help these are now sexy ladies.
They will charm you and keep you comfortable.


Thanks for visiting 
Till next time 
Sandra

Friday, 13 June 2014

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 

Saturday, 15 September 2012

Renovation continues

We have now complete this project and we and our guests shouts Hooray  . . .  hooray.  
We have posted the previous post as well as the last impression.  

Our "Nest", at De Oude Huize Yard, really needs a new "stoep"
In South Africa a "stoep" is very important.  

  • It is from here where you can watch the garden grows
  • The birds feeding 
  • The sun rising over our mountain 
  • Drinking early morning coffee with rusks 
  • Love being alive

Sharing pictures with you 


This section shouts for improvement 

The original sandstone foundation was deteriorating very fast. 

The wall was buckled and busy falling over

Cracks everywhere

New foundations and sandstone wall

The new retaining wall completed

Time to remove the old wall and pillars

The original wall with a lot of history in it

Hennie is changing a lot of bits and pieces into a window 

The window is ready to be fitted

Window is fitted and the wall almost completed

The side where the cracks was visible

Cup of coffee as the sun sets?. 

What a surprise even some lead glass in the window!!!

The old red cement slab has been removed

The new "stoep" only needs some tiles to complete!
We can now enjoy the wonderful view of the garden and mountain 

 Love 
Till next time