I’ve just come home after the first sunny site meeting we’ve had in months. In fact, it’s such a beautiful day that I arrived on site to find a makeshift coffee table set up and questionable coffee on offer. How could I refuse?
Mark is visibly relieved to have the slab throwing over and done with and is sure that progress will be quicker and smoother from now on. Since Monday night the walls of the cottage have started growing. Below are some photos showing what things look like today:
Looking South towards the cottage. Photo taken from what will be the 3rd upstairs bedroom in the house.
The cottage, taken from the street.
Looking back towards the street from where the second bedroom will be.
The chair marks the morning coffee spot. And these clear African-blue skies are what we’ve been missing for the past three months.
View over the park from upstairs.
View from upstairs looking slightly towards the east.
Looking almost due north.
We feel very lucky to have an outlook like this from what is going to be essentially a ‘townhouse’ is a very central suburb of Johannesburg. It was this sense of space that made buying a stand of just over 800 square metres possible for us. Although our own garden will be very small and my biggest concern about downsizing is the loss of the lovely garden and beautiful trees we’ve had for the past 20 years, I’m hoping that having all these ‘borrowed’ trees will make it easier to adjust.
home-in-the-making 
A glorious view. So green. I’m guessing that in about 6 months time you’ll be looking forward to some rain again. How big is the park? Is it safe for walking?
You’re quite right, Johanne. By October we’ll be longing for rain.
I’m not quite sure how big the park is. It is actually part of a green belt called The Braamfontein Spruit (Afrikaans for river or stream) that runs for miles through Johannesburg. In front of our street, however, the ‘belt’ is closed off on two sides by roads and buildings so it can only be crossed in one direction – over the river itself – and is not a thoroughfare.
It is a very popular dog-walking spot, especially over weekends. It is safe for walking but preferably, as with most open areas around Johannesburg, with a companion or with big, protective dogs and I’m afraid neither of my two fit that description… Most of the time you’d be fine but we always take extra care here.
A lovely aspect.
Hi Jacqui
So pleased it is coming together for you and Kevin
Cheers
Fred