Rusticana ’25/26: The manhole slab and stove extraction project.
We're getting all the preparations ready for our big work trip to Rusticana over the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 holiday season! Right now, the focus is on buying all the essential materials and supplies we need to tackle the job list.
Since the septic conservancy tank is already installed (a huge plus!), the main piece of infrastructure work we'll be tackling is pouring a reinforced concrete manhole slab. This is a crucial structural element designed to provide a durable, stable, and protective cover for the existing tank's access point, ensuring the sanitation system works properly for years to come.
On the structural side, we'll be busy protecting the house itself. That means taking care of some small but important leak repairs and then moving on to comprehensive crack remediation across the structure. Once those fixes are done, we can finally get started on the painting—both inside and out—which will refresh the look of the place and give it better protection against that famously harsh Brandvlei climate.
We've also got some other big items on the to-do list. We need to decommission the old coal stove, carefully remove it, and get it ready for transport back to Cape Town with us. We’ll finalise detailed measurements for the future kitchen renovation and, depending on material arrival and time, install a new corrugated garage door.
Below are images of the dolly manufactured to move a 300kg coal stove. The dolly was built by Elgato Artworks to take a 600kg load.
We know summertime in Brandvlei is incredibly hot and dry, so we definitely have to be smart about how we work. The schedule is designed to include plenty of rest breaks and put the team’s well-being first. We’re working hard to avoid heatstroke and keep productivity high, but honestly, we're just thrilled to be getting away and pouring some effort into a house that means so much to the family. This isn't just maintenance; it’s a dedicated effort to preserve a property of real personal value.
