The Pool Story

Ok, the pool story starts with us moving into this house about 6 years ago.  We enjoyed the pool (the kids did) and developed the garden around it.

The decorative vine was one of the first big projects that we attempted.  It covered the veranda quickly and gave shade on the North facing windows within 2 years!

Next phase in the Pool Story was the project to remove the patch of grass between the stoep and the pool.                          

Planning the project ....

And then we decided to take the pool out completely!  We have had a lot of frowns on this decision, but with hubby working from dark till dark and not here to do the maintenance it requires, the Western Cape weather not very swimming friendly as well as escalating water and electricity costs, we made the decision and started the job in September 2010.

It was actually a matter of one hand washing the other .... I advertised the pool, pump and all the equipment for free on Gumtree - the only requirement was that the person who received the pool had to come and take it out themselves, and fill the hole again.  So it was a No Cost Project for us!  Yea, I like those!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1twfC7hE0g    <---Click on the link to view the removal of the Pool.

Then the work really started to level the area and to start a new garden.  I decided on a low maintenance garden with indigenous plants as far as possible.  Planting water-hungry plants will defeat the objective hey!  The progress so far:  I  have laid out the beds and tried to level the area as far as possible.

There is still a lot of sand out there - waiting for the paving to be done in 2 days time - I will continue with this post then.
And here is the last part of the story .... the paving has been done!  Now it is just filling in all the blank spaces with lots more sun loving, low maintenance plants!

 Oh, watch this space, that door still needs to be repainted ..... gray / blue I think....  Below a picture of the water feature.  The wheel is from my father's birth soil in Bonnievale (thanks Koos!)  The water is trickling through the "naaf" and back into a bucket under the soil.  Hopefully the Peace in the Home will soon cover the wheel (as well as those trusty Star Jasmines!)

 I wanted to add interest in the paving .... will have to see if these little blobs of Mondo grass is going to do their thing ?

Cradock Treasures

Oh I have been BAD, very bad, to start a blog and then not blog ... anyway, here are the pictures of my Cradock finds - of last month!

I found one at a second hand shop, bought it, took it home, and found the rest in my Mother in Law's buitekamer!  They now rest on top of the microwave.

The next big surprice was this plaque which I found at the same "More for Less" 2nd hand shop.  Check the rules - No flee bitten Tramps!

And then there was this beautiful mirror with sign pointing to ... The Wee Room of cause!

All in all, Cradock allways surprise me with countless treasures. 

Furniture Auction in Cradock

We are currently visiting family in Cradock and heehaa - Thursday they have a furniture auction in town.  Please check this space for pics and possible finds.  Keeping my fingers crossed ....

Plant that tree - today.

I would like to encourage any readers of this post to plant that tree.  It is never too late!  We tend to put of planting trees because we feel that it would just take too long for them to grow.  But in just a few years you can actually sit under their shade - if it is a fast growing tree!  My Hubby and Oldest Son planted this Kinna Tree (or Quinine Tree) as it is also know, in 2005.  It is a fast growing tree which keeps its leaves only throwing a few yellow leaves in spring.  Today we can actually sit under its shade.

Hubby and Oldest Son doing some hard labour.

The Kinna Tree today

Bye Bye Mr Pool

We have been comtemplating digging out the pool for some time.  When the electricity rates escalated by 24% in June this year Hubby and I decided that the time has come.  We decided to recycle the pool.  After an advertisement on gumtree.co.za we found a Poolman who was prepared to take the pool, the pump and the Creepy Crawly (for free!) dig it out and replace the sand (for free!)  We started this project early in September.  It is now 98% finished with just one load of sand still to be worked into the hole.  New garden - here I come!

Watch the movie here ->  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1twfC7hE0g 

 Now to start preparing the soil.

Why Gloria?

So you might ask Why Gloria?  Our house is named Goria - which means Honor to God - or in Afrikaans: Ere aan God.  That sums up my view over my life - Honor to God.  Without Him I would not have been.  Period.  Below a few pics of the naming of our house.  I made the mosaic end of 2009 already, but you know, now is not too late to post about it.