Last July, I reported on the second staircase, and how things were not as they seemed. The new staircase would not work as envisaged. And B, the Builder, rued the day he chose the craftsman he chose. His

It's been a while. Again. And I finished another circle round the sun. But that's not why I've been "out". It's because The Corner - as my new space will be called - is really emerging. Here

The sewing machine is still out. Part of the sorting associated with this project included table cloths: a number that have not been used. For years. But which fabric, I still like, which is good and could

It's been a while since I hauled out my trusty old sewing machine. Yes, she's old. Only 21 years younger than I. There was a time when I made nearly all my clothes... dresses, skirts, jackets - with shoulder

I cannot believe that it's nearly two months ago that I said, "This is the first of two updates... Well, that didn't happen. The festive season did. We have gone from this: To this. The passage, and

Christmas is not restful. For me, and seldom has been. At this age and stage in my life, it's a choice. I don't relish having too much time on my hands to ponder. That's not the only reason, and one is

The road to, I don't know where, is paved with good intentions, they say. I say that because I've intended to be here - almost every day in the last month. I haven't. Obviously. Why? Well, real life got

Yesterday was long, hot (39°C hot), hard and very productive. The void is now, what someone yesterday described, a "proper" room. This means that this is probably the penultimate, if not final

Among the things that happened last week, Thursday was the mattress swap. Even though my old mattress is, well, old, it's like the proverbial shoe: comfortable. During the week, as I continue sorting,

Today was about moving furniture to start preparing for phase 2. This is the first of two updates, starting downstairs where what was an office cupboard has been moved next to the new (and still not quite

A friend recently went to a conference in Tunisia. He and his partner were in the village over the weekend and asked me to swing by. "I have a little something for you from the medina". Of course,

A week ago, I set up camp in what was the void and which is turning into a new bedroom. Yes, it looks a bit spartan and it will remain so until all the painting (floor, walls and bathroom) and electricity

Another step: the handbasin is in - just with cold water for the time being. Why? Because I asked for a hurried favour as friends had said they needed a bed, and had been happy to "camp" in my

The summer harvest has begun. It always begins with apricots. I knew they were arriving because B had warned me, asking what I needed. Then, a week ago on Saturday, he presented me with 10kg. So last week

This is the face that tries to will me out of bed and downstairs, just as the summer sun is rising, believing that the food bowls are empty. Ninety percent of the time they are not. He just doesn't like

Just when I think she's left home forever, Princess Pearli swans up the driveway, takes a right along the garden path and into the kitchen demanding instant food. Needless to say, I obliged. Happily, she

Last night's supper comprised mostly garden loot. Yes, I'm beginning to pay more attention - to the garden - and generally. The loot included, in no particular order, a leek (self-sown - and more to come),

The last two weeks have all been about p's: pipes, painting and power. Work on the wiring started which allowed the hole in the ceiling to be closed. The wiring for the light switches for the bathroom,

I have been watching the jacaranda trees, closely, during my regular trips to Robertson over the last month. I've been waiting for them to burst into bloom. Unusually, I had two trips in, this week, and

Six years into my McGregor morning market "thang" after nagging from a couple of people, I started keeping count of marmalade sales. It's very hi-tech: a notebook, pencil and columns. The count