The plans evolve

1st night camping on the plot

We just had a real fun whirlwind camping trip in Greyton for the Easter weekend.

We rammed all our camping gear into the car and headed out, first spending a day with the cousins Luyckx from Oz and then a lovelly evening with the folks in Somerset West.

In all the times we've been to Greyton I've never been to the market - which is a pretty cool market. Our first stop was to buy some organic eggs and some veggie seeds. Here's Erin at the market :)

After that we set up camp on our freshly mowed wonderful plot. We cleared a small place to dig a hole for the fire. The earth looks really dark and fertile :) Can't wait to grow things in it. Kath noticed that we've actually got 2 big lemon trees, and they're both bursting with fruit. 

Being Easter, it seemed the whole town was full to the brim. All the guesthouses at lots of cars outside and all our neighbours seemed to be around. But our plot is in a very quiet spot and is very private - love it.

I was a bit nervous making a fire with all the dry cuttings everywhere - but we filled a bucket from the leiwater - and all was well.

I took the kids up the mountain while Kath had a nap. There are so many routes and we're going to have a blast exploring these mountains. We went up a path that gave us amazing views over Greyton. We found a kloof to explore, but the path looked a little overgrown and we turned back. Ben and I will go up there sometime soon. We saw a huge waterfall up there.

First draft earthbag house plans

Our architect introduced through dealings with the Greyton aesthetics comittee (he's the chairman I think) - is Andrew Swain, and he's put together these impressive 1st looks at the house.

We're going to do a few changes.. But looking good so far. Going up there next week-end - can't wait.

Practising farming

Kath and I've been thinking about food.

We want to make the plot as self sustaining as possible, but neither have us have grown more than a carrot in our lives.

Now we have 2 beds of veggies in big planters in Imhoff's. It's a practise run.

Today we went to volunteer for a couple of hours at a permaculture garden in Constantia at the Alphen vet. It's being run by our neighbour's tenant Karen. Going to learn a lot there. Can't wait.

Trees got to go

Got quote from tree felling company.

I'm loathe to cut down any tree, be it blue gum or pine.

Both have to go in this case. The Gum - it's raining on my neighbor. The Pine - apparently it's a very invasive species.

The hole left from the Pine is going to be the start of a small leiwater dam.

We'll try and harvest as much timber as possible - or else firewood.

Goodbye big trees

1st House Planning

Saturday 1st March

Kommetjie school sport's day. Erin won her race :) Ben had to sit out with his sore ankle :(

Then packed the car and off to Greyton to meet the potential prefab wood builder.

Erwin's designs are amazing - www.amazingplaces.co.za  . He walked us through some potential designs and then we we up there on the plot trying to measure them out to see if they would work.

This is a pic of his Greyton home which would be similar to ours if we go for the prefab pod house approach:

And these are the drawings he did sitting with Erwin in his house:

Ok so tried to measure out the deisngs from Erwin, but not enough rope actually so decided to buy more, and a longer measuring tape and try again tomorrow.
Off to the Blue Hippo for the night - what a special place.

The Tee-Pee village is inspirational. 

And Jay has been hard at work here

Back to the plot and trying to measure out the potential structure for the house. The plot is extremely narrow -18m - and flipping long -130m.. But that narrowness means we are close to the neighbours and need to be clever about the structure and future plant growth for privacy.

Big old and very friendly tortoise keeping the grass short.

Then after burning in the sun all day on the plot, we went to remind ourselves of what lay on our doorstep :)

Transfer through

Transfer has been registered at the deeds office!!
The beautiful plot is ours :)

Lots of things happening all of a sudden.

Had the plot mowed again. This time it was only R600 instead of R2000 which Sakkie charged for clearing the plot a while ago. Going to have to spend that every month I fear.

The surveyor Hannes Burger eventually got there and re-surveyed the plot.. Apparently the survey done in 1989 was slightly off and so he's put down new markers. Will go check it out on Sunday.

Here's a copy of the original diagram off which he worked.. It's the 2nd from the top at the left.

And his email

Dear Stuart

The beacons of Erf 586 Greyton has now been relocated/replaced. The two beacons at the back(12mm Round Iron peg) were found and each marked with an additional piece of conduit pipe, painted red at the top.

The two front beacons(looking from the street) have been replaced - the left one(12mm drillhole on top of the wall) has been replaced on diagram data(1989). The one on the right(12mm Round iron peg), marked additional with a white conduit pipe(red at the top), has been replaced on the original diagram data as reconstructed. Records will be submitted shortly to the Surveyor General.  This beacon has been taken Title on as per the original diagrams, whereas the one marked in blue has not been taken Title on. This beacon was incorrectly reconstructed and placed in 1989 - as it does not adhere to the original data on which Title was taken. The 1989 reconstruction(for this part of the street boundaries) was based on a waggon axle fence post, of which there are many in Greyton because of a waggon manufacturing & repair shop. The waggon axle is not the original beacon and(in this case) does not comply with the original data - hence the discrepancy. I have left it there as your neighbour wants you to see it first, but it should be removed to avoid future confusion. Its position is documented in the 1989 survey. 

I have included the original diagram for Erf 586 Greyton which is still the official diagram for this erf - consult the back for past deductions. Beacon certificates are normally provided on request at R400.00/certificate. These have to be framed separately and show dimensions, beacon descriptions and encroachments(where applicable). In practise a substitution diagram could also be framed to be incorporated into the Title Deed, to replace the old diagram, for which the cost will be R1200.00. Once the diagram is approved by the Surveyor General it has to be incorporated into the Title Deed by a conveyancer.

Attached please find the relevant invoice for your further attention.

Kind Regards

Hannes Burger

Pr. Landmeter/Land Surveyor

Tel/Faks/Fax:  028-2141202

Sel/Cel:          083-2935306

hburger@iafrica.com

Next week we meet Erwin from perfect places to start getting the house designed :) !!!

Here's the plan for the next year:

1. Chop pine and gum

2. Obtain survey plans

3. Apply for Lei water

4. Connect electricity

5. Connect water

6. Plan for dam

7. Plan for house

8. Plan approval council

9. Plan approval Greyton Aesthetics Committee

10. Build dam

11. Build house

12. Disconnect electricity

And in amongst all that get the garden in shape