A Farm Renovation Serial

Part 1:

More than a quarter of a century ago it suddenly dawned on us: the time for retirement was staring us in the face and it was a daunting prospect, but also a very challenging one, a challenge we had to accept. It was a matter of sink or swim.

It transpired that we had to put up our house for sale, take what money we could muster and invest in a new venture. We, indeed, had a dream. To transform the latter into a piece of undisputable reality was the real and gigantic obstacle.

Two years later we moved to the farm we had obtained with an incongruous amount of tenacity and obstinate determination, but frighteningly little expertise or knowledge.

Our first and most important focus was on the farmhouse. A few roof leaks were located and fixed, a cracked windowsill was repaired as well as a glass pane or two. The existing kitchen consisted of a poky, rectangular room perpetually bathed in an eerie semi-darkness due to an inexplicable lack of windows to the outside world.

Two l-shaped walls had to go and were summarily knocked down. The result was astounding – life-giving light streamed in, and we had an open space that lifted our spirits to new heights. Old cupboards were also removed and new ones, which reached from the floor to the rain-stained ceiling, were laboriously fitted. And we did it all by ourselves.

When the new sink had to be installed, we discovered that the nook into which it had to fit was not square at all. The countertop had to be cut at an awkward angle, millimetre by millimetre, but eventually we got it right and the outcome made us smile.

Again, our focus shifted. The adjacent double garage, an extension of the old house, had to be converted into a reception area for visitors and overseas hunters.

First, an opening was cut into the dividing wall, large enough to accommodate a double sliding door providing access to the envisaged reception hall. To eliminate the difference in floor levels, an additional concrete slab was poured, while the northernmost side wall was also moved two metres outward to give an area of approximately 50 to 60 square metres.

Lastly came the new 10-seater dining table and chairs, a heavy, impressive wooden counter with its thick wild teak (dolfhout) top, the TV screen, and a bookshelf harbouring a modest collection of books covering themes such as conservation, farming and wildlife.

Several hunters’ trophies adorning the walls was the very last goal to be achieved.

This venture, although initially only wishful thinking, came to fruition and left us with a feeling of proud achievement.

When Christmas came the lawn was mowed; lights temporarily hung in the garden which had also experienced a metamorphosis under Martie’s hand.

Though she revelled in her grandchildren’s romp and play, she is no longer here, because time waits for no-one.

Nickey van Zyl