Conservancy – septic tank install.
The restoration of a property like Rusticana is often a mix of the profoundly technical and the deeply emotional. Our most recent trip to Brandvlei was no exception, as my father and I set out to tackle …
A DIY Smart lighting installation.
In the remote quiet of the Northern Cape, security is not just a luxury—it is a cornerstone of responsible property ownership. This past weekend, my son and I returned to Brandvlei to execute a strategic upgrade to …
Navigating the sombre holidays: A Brandvlei trip unlike any other festive season with Dad.
The festive season often brings thoughts of joy and togetherness, but for many, it can also be a poignant reminder of those we've lost. For my family, the Christmas of 2022 was exactly that – our first …
Festive season fix-up and family reflections.
As another year winds down, we found ourselves back in Brandvlei for a working holiday, trading festive cheer for some serious DIY. Our mission? To tackle a pesky crack on the exterior sun room wall and give …
The joys of “Load Shedding”: Our Brandvlei electricity saga.
In South Africa, load shedding has become the uninvited guest that refuses to leave, a persistent shadow over our daily routines. While I generally prefer to steer clear of the political fray and the exhausting debates surrounding …
A flash trip and a fridge!
Who knew a kitchen appliance could be the catalyst for a spontaneous 1,200-kilometre round trip? In the world of remote property renovation, sometimes the most pressing "emergencies" aren't structural—they’re logistical. We recently embarked on a high-speed "flash …
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 …
Easter with my cousin’s daughter.
Maintaining a restoration project like "Rusticana" often feels like living in a state of permanent "work-in-progress." Because the house is frequently a chaotic landscape of exposed wiring, half-painted walls, and the ever-present Karoo dust, we generally keep …
A quick recharge and a house check-up.
There are times when the journey to the Northern Cape isn't about the heavy lifting of construction, but about the essential rhythm of maintenance and the celebration of family milestones. Our most recent escape to Brandvlei provided …
Operation “Give Me Power”: A father-son electrical adventure.
Well, we did it! After months of meticulous planning and countless meetings with incredibly qualified electrical engineers (and, of course, my dad!), we finally packed up the trailer and hit the road for Brandvlei. This wasn't just …