In the quiet hum of a late afternoon, the air thick with the promise of a story, a few photographs emerge from the past. They are not grand portraits of triumph or polished stills of corporate victories. …
Significant progress is being made on the installation of a new septic system, a critical upgrade for the property's infrastructure. This week, we are focused on two key preparatory tasks: constructing the form-work for a reinforced concrete …
A collection of additional photographs from our Operation Septic Tank project surfaced a few days ago. This bitter-sweet discovery, captured on one of our mobile phones, documents the July 2023 installation. https://rusticana.online/2023/07/07/conservancy-septic-tank-install/
I recently stumbled upon an old entry from the archives, dated March 26, 2016, that brought back vivid memories of a particularly challenging, yet ultimately rewarding, day. The task at hand? The installation of our satellite television …
Rediscovering old photographs can be a profound experience, and today, on a rather cool and damp April 13, 2017, I found myself sifting through digital archives, unearthing images from our Easter trip in 2017. What a vivid …
The current challenge before us presents a significant logistical puzzle: the secure transportation of a valuable, antique coal and wood-burning stove from Brandvlei to Elgato Artworks in Cape Town. This journey is not merely a relocation but …
The three generations of eldest son to eldest son form the brains trust behind the success and ongoing renovation of Rusticana. The images depict Father (eldest son), his son (eldest son), and his son (eldest son), a …
The legacy of a loved one often takes unexpected forms. For my son, the enduring wisdom of his grandfather was imparted not through grand pronouncements, but through the precise angles of a bevel square and the sturdy …
Life throws us curve balls when we least expect them, and sometimes, those curve balls hit harder than a fast pitch. On December 8, 2024, a day that was already poignant as my late Mom's birthday, my …
Another trip, another adventure to Brandvlei! My son and I were back on a mission: to install the shiny new smart alarm system we designed ourselves. We also had a special delivery in tow – all the …
Another weekend, another adventure with Dad out in Brandvlei! This time, we tackled a pretty big project: installing a brand-spanking-new conservancy, or septic, tank.
You see, Brandvlei's a bit different. They don't have those fancy municipal sewage …
This past weekend, my son and I embarked on a project to bolster our home's external security by installing day/night sensor security lighting. This initiative is a strategic step in our broader plan to integrate remote WiFi …
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 …
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 …
If you've been in South Africa for a minute, you know the drill with load shedding. It's that uninvited guest that always seems to crash the party, leaving us all in the dark – literally! And while …
Who knew a fridge could spark a spontaneous adventure? Well, it did for us! We recently embarked on a quick "flash trip" to Brandvlei, and let me tell you, it was more than just a delivery run …
Another trip, another project, and this time we had a special helper: my cousin's son joined our crew! Our mission for the week was to tackle some serious electrical upgrades. We needed to run additional electrical cable …
Normally, we keep our trips to Brandvlei pretty exclusive since the house is still undergoing renovations and isn't quite ready for guests. It's a bit of a construction zone, to be honest!
Another escape from the daily grind was exactly what we needed to recharge our batteries and tackle a full house inspection. While my dad couldn't make it again this time, we had some crucial things to check …
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 …
I wanted to share something deeply personal and impactful that happened over the Easter weekend back in 2017. What was supposed to be a short getaway to Brandvlei with my mom turned into a pivotal moment, really …
We asked our son what he wanted for his birthday, and his immediate answer? "Let's go to Brandvlei!" So, that's exactly what we did. We packed up and headed to our wonderful Karoo home in the Northern …
We took another trip up to Brandvlei for the Easter weekend, and while there weren't any major renovation breakthroughs, we definitely made some progress on keeping the place looking sharp. We spent a good chunk of time …
It was supposed to be a relaxing winter escape from the city grind. My wife, son and I packed up the car and hit the road for Brandvlei at 4:30 AM, hoping to beat the traffic and …
Talk about a gut punch! We rolled up to the house, doing our usual check, and immediately knew something was off. Some absolute numbskull (or a few of them) had ripped out all the copper piping and …
Another Christmas, another adventure! This time around, we swapped our usual festive traditions for something a little different: a trip to Brandvlei with my awesome in-laws. And let me tell you, it was an absolute blast!
What a whirlwind trip that was! We just got back from another dash to the house, and this time, our mission was all about getting a GSM alarm system up and running. This isn't just any alarm; …
It's wild to think how a single letter really kicked off a whole new chapter for us. Our tenant, who had been with us for a good seven years in the main house, let us know she …
Oh man, let me tell you about our Easter weekend – it was definitely a working holiday! The main house had some serious water supply issues that just couldn't wait. We're talking about needing to install all …
You know, sometimes you just need to hit the road and get away, even if it's just for a fleeting moment. That's exactly what happened recently when we decided, pretty spontaneously, to pack up a few essentials …
Okay, its mid winter so let's do this... My dad and I were up bright and early, practically buzzing with excitement for our 600km, six-hour journey to Brandvlei. He's always been eager for these road trips, and …
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 …
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 …
After months of dedicated effort, weekend trips, and tackling essential tasks, we're excited to share a major milestone in our Brandvlei project: Phase One – the transformation of the granny flat – is now fully complete!
Our …
Our end-of-year trip to Brandvlei in December 2007 focused on addressing some persistent water issues in the granny flat. This was all part of our ongoing efforts to make the Karoo base camp more functional and comfortable, …
Our ongoing efforts to improve the Brandvlei property continued in August 2007, with a dedicated trip focused on establishing some key foundational elements for our "Base-camp," the self-contained outbuilding. From August 9th to 11th, we concentrated on …
Our base in Brandvlei kicked off an action-packed Easter weekend in 2007. Here’s a quick recap of how the week unfolded, day by day:
Thursday, April 5th:
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 …
From the very moment we first set foot on the land in Brandvlei, selecting a name for our new endeavor became an essential step in our journey. After careful consideration, we chose "Aidan House," a heartfelt homage …
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 …
For those embarking on the journey to this tranquil corner of the Karoo in Brandvlei, the route itself emerges as a vital component of the experience. Spanning approximately 600 kilometres from Cape Town, the drive transcends mere …
In the remote expanses of Bushmanland, within the arid reaches of the Northern Cape, lies the town of Brandvlei—a settlement defined as much by its subtle beauty as by its enduring resilience amidst the harsh Karoo environment. …
It is often the simplest moments that leave the most enduring impressions. I vividly remember the pre-dawn chill of a particular Friday morning—July 28th, 2006. Waking my wife and our young son in the quiet darkness was …