Family, fun, and (more) electrical runs!
The beauty of a project like Rusticana is how it evolves into a multi-generational classroom, where the skills of the past are handed down to the hands of the future. Our latest week-long expedition to Brandvlei was a testament to this, as our usual crew grew by one. We were joined by my cousin’s son, whose youthful energy was a welcome addition to a week designated for some of the most technical work we’ve tackled to date.
Our primary objective was an extensive electrical overhaul. As the "Base-camp" matures, our needs for power and light have expanded beyond the basic infrastructure we installed years ago. We spent the week running additional electrical cable reticulation to both the sunroom and the second bathroom’s toilet area. In an old house with thick walls and hidden nooks, "running cable" is never as simple as it sounds; it is a game of patience, precision, and—as we quickly discovered—an overwhelming volume of copper wiring.
We didn't just stop at the wiring. We installed new light fittings in these areas, finally banishing the shadows from the sunroom and bringing modern functionality to the second bathroom. The culmination of the week’s labour was the delicate task of integrating these new circuits into the main distribution board (DB). There is a specific, heart-stopping moment of tension when you flip the main breaker after a week of wiring, followed by a profound sense of relief when the house hums back to life, fully energised and safe.
While the technical team was buried in conduit and wire strippers, my son took on a task that was slightly less glamorous but visually transformative. High on the back kitchen wall sat an ancient, rusted satellite dish—a redundant relic from a previous era that had served as an eyesore for years. Having not been used in a decade, it had become little more than a perch for local birds and a blemish on the house’s silhouette. With a bit of muscle and the right tools, he dismantled the eyesore, finally clearing the lines of the back exterior and giving the kitchen wall a much cleaner profile.
Despite the intensity of the "to-do" list, this week-long stay was defined by an incredible sense of peace. Because we were there for a full seven days, we weren't rushed by the usual weekend deadline. We were able to blend the productivity of the morning with long, slow afternoons of family bonding. We shared meals, told stories, and made memories that will stand long after the paint has dried and the wires are hidden behind the plaster.
It was a perfect example of the balance we strive for at Brandvlei: working hard to honour the house, but taking the time to honour the family that makes the house a home.
