Delivery of supplies and garage lock-up.
The biting chill of a South African mid-winter has a way of sharpening the senses, making the steam from a pre-dawn coffee feel like a luxury and the hum of a diesel engine sound like a promise. …
First Christmas
This Christmas was extra special for us! My wife and I had our annual leave all sorted, so we packed up the trusty 1996 Toyota Camry 2.0 – seriously, that car's a legend – and headed out …
A Tranquil Retreat: Escaping the city for a family getaway.
I seized a precious opportunity to escape the relentless hustle and bustle of city life with my parents—a brief but profoundly restorative retreat. The purpose was simple: to disconnect from the daily grind, reconnect with family, and …
Granny flat water supply and finishings fully upgraded.
The transition from a dusty storage shell to a fully realised "Base-camp" reached its emotional crescendo in March 2008. After months of long hauls, blistering Karoo heat, and the meticulous troubleshooting of ageing infrastructure, we are thrilled …
Taming the water gremlins in Brandvlei.
The shimmering heat of the Karoo in mid-December is not for the faint of heart, but as 2007 drew to a close, we knew one final push was needed to tame the persistent quirks of our Brandvlei …
Tackling the essentials at Brandvlei.
The road to Brandvlei is rarely just a physical journey; it is a transition into a different pace of life, where progress is measured in the turn of a wrench and the hum of a newly energised …
Karoo Base-Camp: Easter blitz in Brandvlei – A time-lapse overview.
The dusty horizon of the Northern Cape has a way of testing one’s resolve, and our Easter weekend in 2007 was the ultimate litmus test. What began as a logistical marathon in Cape Town transformed into an …
Establishing the Karoo base camp – Renovation of the outbuilding.
Upon acquiring the Brandvlei property, the main residence was already occupied by a rental tenant. While eager to commence the renovation process, a practical solution was needed to facilitate work on the land while providing a comfortable …
The Origin of the Name: From Aidan House to Our Karoo Sanctuary (and a Twist in Time).
From the very moment we first set foot on the land in Brandvlei, selecting a name for our new endeavour became an essential step in our journey. After careful consideration, we chose "Aidan House," a heartfelt homage …
Our Brandvlei Adventure: Breathing new life into a Karoo homestead.
This marks the beginning of a truly special chapter. We have undertaken a project that resonates deeply with us—restoring a charming, albeit weathered, old homestead recently acquired in Brandvlei, Northern Cape. Our vision is twofold: to transform …