Wrapping up 2020

We are looking forward to 2021 with new hopes and dreams. 2020 was a year like no other, not asking change, but demanding it. As with any uncertain time, fear tends to creep into one’s existence, often clouding decisions. We tend to forget that our ancestors lived through a lot of uncertain times, endured for longer periods. Wars, plagues and the great depression are but a few.

Yes, 2020 was not easy. But it also taught us what is important, namely, family and friendship, and how easy it is to lose those prized connections. The past year gave us more time at Towerwater. Time to reflect on how far we have come with our dreams and projects.

The Cape mountain fynbos garden

A view of the garden and parking terraces

The Vredehof project of restoring and renovating Keith’s family home against Devil’s Peak, in Cape Town, came to an abrupt midway stop during lockdown. This put strain on an already stretched budget for the project. Although it was not always easy, we remained positive and focused, and persevered until the work could continue again.

A view from the flat's parking terrace to the entrance patio

Paved yard, entrance patio and steps serving the flat

In a time of new routines, of disinfecting, distancing, and mask-wearing, we picked up where we had left off at the end of levels 5 and 4 of lockdown. We reduced the number of contractors that could be on the project at any one time. Our personal health was at stake, as much as anyone else’s. It would have been easier and more cost effective to have had the builders, painters, plumber, electrician, tarring contractor, fence contractor, carport contractor and paving contractor, among others, on the project at the same time. For our own safety, and that of the different contracting teams we drastically scaled down the number of people working on site at any given time.

Main house kitchen/dining room deck, yard and summer house

A summer house, sunny in winter and protected from summer gales

This extended the duration of the project, but it also relieved the extra stress that the pandemic introduced of being responsible for a person or people contracting Covid-19 on site. Fortunately, given our precautions, that eventuality did not materialise.

Entrance hall with Doric columned entrance to the living room

It did however, slow down the project with major financial implications. From the beginning of August, Keith physically tackled the snag list on his own. For the big issues he got a contractor in to help him. When I took my annual leave in December, I joined him on site. We managed to complete the interior work with the help of a painter by 24 December and headed to Towerwater for Christmas for a well-deserved three-day break, shortly after packing up.

Entrance to the flat

On Monday 28 December, we resumed the work at Vredehof. With the help of the painter, we resolved all the outdoor snags by 30 December. On the afternoon of 30 December, we could hand over the keys, manuals and guidelines to the agent that will manage the lease for us.

Vredehof renovation and restoration project done and dusted

When everybody was off site, the bakkie loaded with all the left-over material and dirt, the two of us tended to minor issues. I washed all the floors for one last time. Keith locked up and secured the property before we headed home to Elmwood. At home we enjoyed a well-deserved glass of MCC to celebrate the completion of this longstanding dream of Keith.

Early on 31 December, we headed home to Towerwater feeling light and free. With the year all but over, we relaxed in the knowledge that we had managed to overcome many obstacles and survive. Whatever 2021 brings, we are confident that we will manage it, fortified with the new insights and skills that we have acquired over this difficult time.

Day and.....

.... night beneath the oaks

With a glass of MCC under the Towerwater oaks, we bade farewell to 2020 and welcomed 2021. It is with an air of excited anticipation that we believe this year to be one in which new milestones and dreams are to be achieved.