Dysseldorp – 9 February 2024

We worked very hard today on the outbuildings here. It has been painted, the electricity is being connected and tiles are placed. I drove 4 times back and forth to Oudtshoorn for all kinds of missing things and I’m quite fed up now. Doing some work tomorrow and Saturday it’s just finished I decided and then I don’t do anything anymore.

Everything is different here than in the Netherlands, so I was surprised by the electricity that has been connected. An 80 ampere (yes) cable is installed for a few sockets and lamps and it takes at least three times as much time. By the way, it only costs a quarter both in materials and certainly in labor. This is Africa…..

The outbuildings are quite reasonably built but the roof is really a mess and I hope it is waterproof. It is clear that my mother-in-law is deceived and I think that contractor can expect problems  because she is very vengeful and never forgets.

Today, February 8, another pile of work was waiting. For example, for the first time in years, I have put tiles in a bathroom. Extra handicap was that it was really crooked but the result was acceptable and otherwise Annie must do it herself. The power has now been connected and the outside has been painted. Today a nephew does the inside and tomorrow only the gutter at the back remains for me. Saturday then another run-out day and then prepare Sunday for departure Monday to Cape Town.

Farrah and Niels are all set, we understand because they are already flying on February 14th.

The 17th Tom and Tamara fly to Cape Town. I’m curious if Tom still takes my camera with him…

Every day Lisa and I have lunch together in Oudtshoorn and today that was just bad, at least for me. The chicken in the salad had at least 1000 flying hours and I left it standing and didn’t even tip it. Lisa is still mad at me but this was really crazy. In South Africa you can eat excellently for a very reasonable price so this was really an exception.

It was a busy day Friday. The gutter behind the house has now been removed and the beams have been cut to length. When removing the beam, a 4 meter piece fell on my shoulder and I almost fell down the stairs in the barbed wire. It went just well but it took a while before someone could free me from my position.

Tomorrow we will place the gutter and I think I have fulfilled all in-law obligations. It promises to be the coldest day tomorrow with something like 26 degrees.