Steel framework from the OFFICE assembled

Late this afternoon we assemble the steel framework for the OFFICE unit. First we had to 'trim' the overhanging Acacia tree, the long branches with sharp thorns now neatly adjusted!

Wooden double doors to the stoep fitted

With the help of Daniel , a very friendly local chappie, i started to fit the wooden doors , that open from the kitchen to the stoep. A slow and very tedious job, after 5 hours in 35C plus...the end product was very satisfying!

ET phone home

I manage today to get the local Telecom technician to come to our site on a SATURDAY MORNING... A miracle on itself! :)
I was a bit worried about the signal strength of the wireless broadband connection, as these electronics are sometimes a bit finicky.. After moving the antennae to several locations we manage to get a clean 'line of sight' the the Telecom tower 10km's away.
Luckily the signal was above 80%...we will use WIMAX , with a telephone line, fax line and FAST broadband [always ON..] internet connection.
I just love the technology! So neat ! :)

Painting started

We started today to apply the undercoat on the buildings. I have not yet decided on a color for the buildings, because i wanted to see the overall color of the stables [and their roof], to compliment the overall picture.

Accommodation and 'house' unit now joined

To create an en suite bathroom , from the house to the stables created some problems. In the end i decided to join the two buildings via the traditional method!

Waterhole ready for action

Every day there are more tracks at the waterhole. As we are in they last 3 months before the 1st rains in October, there are almost NO MOIST left in the leaves on the trees. Water now becomes a serious problem for the animal life.

Waterhole completed

Finally the waterhole was completed , late this afternoon. After some brainstorming with the local 'game farm fundies' - i decided to build the waterhole on two levels. The idea being to give 'clean' water for the kudu and other antelope, and to create an overflow from this trough into the second pool, which will be the 'messy' bath for the warthog and also birds.
The dogs were SUPER impressed with the new system! :))

Pouring the floor for the Office

We have started to pour the floor for the office. On the sideline also busy to dig the foundations for the waterhole. The END for the big building projects finally in sight.... :))))

Floor of Stoep almost finished

Foundation for office and cinema started

Richard and crew started this morning to compact the soil before we made the floor for the office.

progress on roof

we finished the preparation to cover the roof of the accommodation units.

Planning the perimeter

thanx Andy and Ers for your suggestions to optimize our small piece of land! I thought it wise to draw up the concept plan about this venture. Pls go 'bos' with your suggestions ..!!!!

Progress on the Accommodation act 2.

After we figured out how the Germans design their stables in 1st world Europe - the 'slap-ore' progress quite rapidly....and at sunset today 5 walls were in place, as well as some of the roof trusses.

Progress on the Accommodation act 1.

I 'hijacked' Richard and his crew - to help me for the last 2 days completing the stables. Work in the beginning was painstakingly slow , because we had to figure out how the bits and pieces fits together...

Water supply to waterhole now completed

We finished digging a shallow trench towards the waterhole. Late in the afternoon 2x Dik Dikkies were seen in the background ... That night some kudu also came to explore in the full moon.

Stoep progressing

the big Stoep almost ready for pouring the concrete floor.

water supply updated

During the process of building the waterhole , we start with replacing all the old leaking taps.