Kameel Stoepstorie: Project door handles

Door handles can some times be a bit on the boring side. 

We were looking for something different to use as door handles on the sliding doors of our walk-in cupboards. 

A pair of shoe forms came to mind. I called them the clown shoe forms.  

It was time to change the appearance a little bit. Sanding down to the wood but leaving a lot of patina in tack.

 

The beauties were ready for a change of life. 

The right-hand door handle

Left-hand door handle.

 I just love this little new addition to our cabin. 

Till next time 

Sandra

#Day29ofLockdown

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

7 ways to entertain yourself in Harrismith

The Chevy is showing you 7 ways to entertain yourself in Harrismith 

The Free State town Harrismith is quiet, and the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Gauteng or Kwa-Zulu Natal for a weekend away from it all.

The area offers a range of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts and insight into the early settlers and the Anglo-Boer war.

1. Do some fancy driving that is offered at  De Oude Huize Yard 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.

For info on this nostalgic trip you can read more on our blog post 
Thank you to Portfolio Collection for this wonderful write-up 

The Town Hall with the beautiful the stained glass windows and other details is a must see.  The official opening of the Town Hall, by Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams took place on 7 September 1908. This magnificent building was designed by Messrs. Price and Agutter of Durban. Bricks were made in Pietermaritzburg and brought to Harrismith by Ox wagon. Other materials came from 42nd Hill. 

The footprint of the town hall measures 33.6m x 58.2m and can seat 800 people with the balcony.

Ask at De Oude Huize to watch the short video on You Tube on the building process of the Town Hall. 

2. The Galaxy Roadhouse is a fresh new approach to roadside eateries. This retro inspired diner from the original age of the roadside era. 

3. The Platberg Eco Park is a must visit to all nature lovers

You can take drive with a 4 x 4 up Platberg using the Donkey Pass
There is wonderful and challenging Mountain Bike trails
The Block house was built during the Anglo Boer War
You will find wild live in the park
The cross on top of the mountain is known to many travelers.
It is also home to the Annual Berg Marathon 

4. The Chevy then drove back into town and stop at the M.O.T.H. The Memorable Order of Tin Hats. 

The Platberg Shelhole host an interesting museum in the building 

When open you can order a drink and chat to the locals.

Please read more on the activities at the Platberg Shellhole 

5. Golf is a very important part of live in Harrismith This 18 hole course was designed in 1887 and is the 3rd oldest golf course in South Africa. The Chevy could not resist 

Next to the Golf course you will find the Bowling greens The lawns has been established in 1914.

6. The next stop for the Chevy was at the Military Cemetery. A little bit of history is that between 15000 and 20000 British soldiers were stationed in Harrismith .

When you walk among the grave you notice that the men that were buried here were young and died mostly of sickness

7. Places to shop and the Chevy's favorite The Olde World Antiques

We hope to see you more often in our Countryside Town and we do believe that you have enjoyed the ride 

Till next time 

Hennie & Sandra

Our story in Sunny South Africa

DeOudeHuize
De Oude Huize Yard 

This is a repost of a previous post.  
Trading the fast pace and bright lights of bustling city life for life in the slow lane is not an easy decision to make. The road may be longer towards Harrismith, but after finding our nest, we instantly know that we prefer the scenic route. Harrismith is an old historical town in the Eastern Free State, South Africa 

It is the second oldest building in Harrismith that has survived modern life
It was built in 1860 

We named it  . . . . . 

After alterations and renovations using old building materials De Oude Huize Yard as it is standing proudly 

Summer is a blessing but we also love winter 

The Platberg (Flat top mountain) and it's presence 

In 2009 we opened the doors of De Oude Huize Yard Bed and Breakfast 

I think it is appropriate to introduce you to the men in my life.

On the left is Gerald-Cecil the baby of our family but he stands 2 meters in his stocks
In the middle is Hennie and we got married in 1981 and he still loves to open all doors for me
A gentle man in an old fashioned way
On the right is Pedri 1984 - 2008 and we can only say thanks for walking the last mile.

On 5 October 2013 Gerald-Cecil got married to Lesinda
A beautiful girl whom we love dearly 

Our two dogs Leonardo (Pyrenean Mountain Dog) and McLeod (Springer Spaniel)

And need we say more  . . . .  

 

Thanks for visiting. 

We make a life by what we get, but we make a living by what we give!  

Blessings to you all
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