Category Archives: Building a house on a mountainside

Dam Levels

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Helga

This time last year, the water shortage in Cape Town was dire. The dam levels were only 24.5% full. We were carrying buckets to the toilet and using tank water for as much as possible. We had no idea of … Continue reading →

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Tax is Done!

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Helga

That’s always a load off my mind. Today Stacey put the finishing touches to the calculations and it spat out what I need to pay SARS. That hopefully will be done in the next week or so. I’ve learned a … Continue reading →

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Discombobulated

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Helga

Discombobulated Discombobulated is a good description of me this morning. It means “confused and disconcerted.” That’s exactly how I felt when the power went off at 8am and only came back at 10-20am. It went off again at 4pm and … Continue reading →

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First Building Delay

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Helga

If we thought we would break ground in February, we were delusional. The builder hoped the scrutiny fees may be end of January but that too is absolutely wishful thinking.  We got the news that because the house we are … Continue reading →

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Two SMS’s

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Helga

Our house plans are chugging through Council. This morning I got an update SMS… Couple of hours later… Leanne warned me of this. She wrote a number of days ago to say we will get a message saying there was … Continue reading →

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Engineer’s Quote Arrived

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Helga

In a week or two we should receive a quote for the house we hope to have built this year. Last night the engineer’s quote arrived. We weren’t sure how much to expect. He gave us a deal where if … Continue reading →

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Back to Work

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Helga

I got up really early this morning. I watched Julian land in Johannesburg after his overnight 8 hour flight from Dubai. So happy he is home safe and sound. Then, leaving Mike tucked up in bed, with the wind howling, … Continue reading →

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Out With The Old – In With The New

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Helga

After standing on our balcony at midnight watching a few colourful fireworks light up the distant sky, I pondered the year ahead. I know it’s going to be a busy one. Trying to slow down the clock and enjoy each … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Eve

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Helga

Soooo, this blog is a bit on the late side. From time to time, it throws out a privacy error and I need to ask Adrian to fix it. It happened a bit too late last night and Adrian was … Continue reading →

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Back at the Cottage

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Helga

We woke up this morning and enjoyed a relaxing hour or two before going home to feed the cat. Truffles met us, looking, I must say, rather unhappy that we had spent the night away.   My routine was completely out … Continue reading →

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Away for the Night

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Helga

Unexpectedly, tonight we spend in another bed.  We made plans to have dinner with friends (Sue and Chris). They had a movie they thought we would enjoy and asked us over their home to watch it. We did that previously, … Continue reading →

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Cryptic SMS That Made My Day

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Helga

It wasn’t very long nor descriptive. It may even have been identified as spam, but when I saw it, I knew it was THE ONE! The SMS I have been waiting for. Leanne the plans lady said she added my … Continue reading →

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House Plans Are Done!

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Helga

Today we are in a celebratory mood! The house plans are complete! Our plans lady sent us the final copy. Mike looked over it and is happy for them to be submitted. Submitted only mind you. There will be greater … Continue reading →

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The Main Event of the Day

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Helga

Building plans can be tricky. It’s best to get them as right as possible before submitting them to Council. After yesterday’s meeting with our draftslady, Mike scrutinized them and decided the windows weren’t the right size and there were a … Continue reading →

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Oops! House Plans Gone Wrong

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Helga

Today was supposed to me another huge leap in our building plans plans! We had a meeting with our fine and experienced draughts-woman who is finalising them and will get then through Council. The builder arrived as well and the plans … Continue reading →

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