The reasons for this are many. The need for a large labour declined when wheat production stopped due to the drastic drop in rainfall in the past 20 years; many farmers prefer not to have people staying on their properties, because legislation makes it almost impossible to evict tenants and many people have simply moved on to a "better life" in the cities.
We nearly drove past this one, but then stopped for a closer look.
I thought it would be a nice "fixer-upper" for weekend getaways, but Suzi-k was not too keen. I can't understand why.
Nice finish to the front door
So the back door may need replacing, but that is not the end of the world
The inside door panels possibly need a bit of work - and the floors need sanding - no problem
The windows need some glass, but that can be arranged
It even has a bed
And a fireplace
One distinct advantage though, Eskom can't cut the power - it has none.
I like that scalloped door frame. I don't know why Suzi-K wouldn't want to live there. It would look great after she got some curtains up.
ReplyDeleteYIKES! It's an interesting part of history, but....
ReplyDeleteI love looking at old things like this..Great choice for the D week!
ReplyDeleteOh my that is one fixer upper, it will take a long time to do anything with that, Best to blast it , LOL
ReplyDeletebut i do love the structure of it. Wonder what stories it could tell
Sharon, does that mean you would not want to do up a place like this either? Oh I did not metion you would have to bring your water in with buckets?
ReplyDeleteDot I agree, curtains will make the place
ReplyDeleteI love coming across stuff like this. I always have to stop and look.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday Max.
Nice to see your activities including drives in the country rather than dangling under a bridge from elastic. :)))
I like your choice of photos.....
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous shots not only of the derelict houses, but also of the surrounding countryside! :D
ReplyDeleteYou make the most interesting excursions! And you make art of the commonplace.
ReplyDeleteThat's some bed. Thanks but no thanks. Terrific pictures and perfect D post.
ReplyDeleteIt would make a perfect getaway retreat but lots of hard work and I don't think that bed would be very comfortable :o)
ReplyDeleteRx
A history in pictures. I learned a lot - also from what was between the lines.
ReplyDeleteLooks a bit sad.... Poor houses with gloomy eyes.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures, though.
Would be very suitable for a DIY enthusiast!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for the D. And i love too read the story you wrote about thees cottage .
ReplyDeleteIt could make a nice little house with just a little work :)
ReplyDeleteNice D post
ReplyDeleteDeserted domicles!
ReplyDeleteNice bunch of photos:D
ReplyDeleteToo bad they could not be used for something. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos for D!! I think that you are a freat photograf!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day:)
Great post.. I couldn't live in that anyway.. not without a 'Cat on that Hot Tin roof'
ReplyDeleteGreat post.. I couldn't live in that anyway.. not without a 'Cat on that Hot Tin roof'
ReplyDeleteMust say, I can't blame Sue for not wanting to stay there. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute place though. If it had been closer to joburg, it would be in ruins by now!
I was just thinking it would be done up as a weekend gataway cottage here in the UK, but then saw you'd had the same idea! Great D Max.
ReplyDeleteDerelict, maybe - but a lot of potential! Great D!
ReplyDelete"staring at the world around them through unseeing eyes" - perfect!
ReplyDeleteLovely detail round that door.... what a pity it is falling into history....
Love your photos, like stuff like this off on the beaten path, makes me wonder who used to live there, It would be cool to fix it up,just my luck I'd fix it up, and it would be haunted,lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great fixer upper!
ReplyDeleteBuckets of Water. No problem.
I can do that.
No electricity. No problem,
I can live without it.
Does it have a dirt floor?
A friend of mine grew up in
an old farm house with a dirt
floor.
I really like photos like these.
Not only a bed, but look's
like I see a pair of shoes
and a boot with possibilies
of using it as a planter.
What a fun post!
Thanks for Praying for my Son!
Have a Blessed Happy Fun
Healthy Creative Year!!!
Reminders of a different time
ReplyDeleteBit late to the party. What a nice set of photos. I especially like the sets of two side by side of the doors and windows.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic series of shots--so interesting! Well done! I have to wonder how people's lives unfolded there, and what they have moved on to. I hope they are having more comforts than this abode seems to offer.
ReplyDeleteA fixer-upper for sure, although it has much visual interest and character.
It's too bad so much of the world suffers from droughts...
sounds the ideal retreat
ReplyDeleteripe for development - full of potential - the estate agents would say!
It's really cool. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteHI EVERYONE THANKS FOR COMMENTING. SORRY I CAN'T REPLY TO YOU ALL HERE, BUT I WILL COMMENT WHERE NEEDED.
ReplyDeleteLilli & Nevada I agree with you. I never wanted to restore it any way.
ReplyDeleteKate as I told you before it will be a long time before I entrust myself to that piece of elastic. Country drives suit me nicely for now.
ReplyDeleteKatney, at one time I only photographed the big picture. I have learnt over the years that it is good to zoom in, because that way you get much more impact.
ReplyDeleteRuth you don't want to make this a getaway - believe me. The logistics of fixing it up would require a major project plan
ReplyDeleteTom, I could supply you with the cat. she is white and deaf and mean tempered..........
ReplyDeleteJenty, if it had been closer to Port Elizabetk the roof sheets would have gone walkies many moons ago. The only reason it has survived is because it is in a remote area.
ReplyDeleteVP, maybe someone will rescue it one day
ReplyDeleteHi Bob, there are a few haunted houses in Port Elizabeth. Heard some hair raising stories from friends
ReplyDeleteFlassie, this is an old labourers cottage. The livin conditions are not great. Cooling done in a hearth, no electricity, no water. And the previous tenant did leave some shoes behind - I am not sure that a dog would want to play with those
ReplyDeleteLinda, life in the city for many who leave the country is a tin shack in a squatter camp, where conditions are terrible and crime is rife.
ReplyDeleteThe change here has not been as a result of draught, but climate change.
Global warming has the potential to wreak havoc on all our coastline cities, with the water rising and flooding the infrastructure, and all the increased weather extremes will do the damage inland. There is so much poverty and suffering already, and this will just add to it.
ReplyDeleteWow...What a GREAT D Post! Too bad that it is so run down!
ReplyDelete