On May 1 of 1992 we had come back home following our Exodus from Indonesia after being robbed and we thus quit instead of going back a few more times for 2 months. See links below post.
That meant that here on May 23 of 1992, we both started developing our Estate.
Me in my SWAMP UNIFORM... Haha!
Dumping load after load, that got dug up by husband Pieter. To fill in this really SWAMPY PART around the gazebo where you would sink into before.
There seem to be several underground springs that caused these excessive wet spots.
Also keep in mind that both of us were the very first human beings ever cultivating this lot. Nobody ever had lived there and we never found any native American artifacts either...
So we really did some land reclamation!!!
Pieter was digging up some dirt here, where the pipe from the pond overflow would end into the creek.
All I had to do is wheel the wheelbarrow uphill and dump it around the gazebo.
Lucky Pieter, for being able to work in the shade but I got exposed to the sun and hence my SWAMP UNIFORM
Ready to go uphill again.
Wearing the hand knitted socks done by my Mother–in-–aw!
Putting them to very good use.
Wearing my Campbell cap...
As you can see on the table in the gazebo, we did stop for a break in–between our hard labor!
On May 27, a pallet with square exposed aggregate concrete step stones lay already waiting to be worked in...
First on May 29, Pieter had to build a little patio at the end of the stairs from our veranda for starting the walk towards our gazebo...
Yes, he also was digging in all the piping for the lawn and garden for being able to use with hose and portable sprinklers. Since we live on a slope, fixed sprinklers would not work.
A short break after I did bring him some refreshments to enjoy...
Hard work and mostly back breaking!
Working in the square exposed aggregate concrete step stones...
And making sure they were all level!
Now on May 31, it was my turn for getting on my knees and washing them in with sand...
Step by step we accomplished all the heavy jobs!
July 17, 1992 Pieter started painting the ginger bread from Vintage Woodworks, high on a ladder on the driveway side...
Fighting the elements in a subtropical climate is not easy.
Here you see that our pond is too high, as the overflow into the creek is not working with the flooded creek, visible in the back.
Later, with the 60 tons of dirt dug up from under the house for creating the Rose Suite, we did fill in that low area behind the pond, for avoiding flooding.
😉Oh, those glamour jobs before you turn your land into an estate as shown on the video below in link...
Related links:
{Pieter’s Tanner Krolle Attaché - Royal Gift purchased at Harrods by English Friend} | previous post after we quit work in Indonesia because we got robbed three times...
Floriade 1992 on a Cold and Windy Day after Earthquake in Limburg | previous post about stop in The Netherlands after our Exodus from Indonesia, before flying back to Atlanta, GA on May 1st
Our Garden at the Time we had Access to Spent Mushroom Compost | previous post with video where we mention the Vedder Estate
The FIGHT of Growing Grass in Subtropical Georgia/USA | one year before; fighting to grow grass...
Hello Mariette, Since there were underground springs, didn't you have to provide channels or drainage for them in order not to undermine the ground above them?
ReplyDelete-
Sometimes you show us pictures of your lovely garden and flowers, and we are all jealous, but your recent posts remind us of the indeed backbreaking work that went into this. On the other hand, sometimes that kind of work can be rewarding, and I thing that especially Pieter enjoyed the engineering challenges involved.
--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYes, there were drainage pipes inserted in our property all over but it seems that nature over those 31 years has settled it all.
A lovely garden never comes about on its own and if people talk about low maintenance gardening, that does not exist.
Pieter dug several ditches for letting the water run off in a way he wanted.
Hugs,
Mariette
Good heavens, what an incredible amount of heavy, sweaty work! I'd have hired a company to do it, Mariette. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBTW, did you get burned to a crisp or did you have sunscreen on???
Dearest Kim,
DeleteYes, that sure was an amount of sweaty work but we tackled it all.
Hiring a company would have messed up the entire property as no heavy equipment could have been used without damaging the surface even more. At present we are still waiting for having several trees cut and due to the very wet spring and summer, they are not able to come without messing up our lawn.
No, I did not get burned to a crisp and I might have used a good sunscreen back then but usually I don't need to.
How blessed are we for having showers after such jobs!
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh my gosh that really was hard work Mariette but looking at the video it was all well worth it in the end. I confess to sometimes wearing swimwear also when gardening, then a quick cool off in the pool 😉
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteIt was very hard work but we managed it and got it all the way we wanted it.
We don't have a pool as all the trees around would make it very messy and near impossible to keep it clean. Guess the amount of labor involved and all the water needed for only a few hours of swimming annually is not worth it.
Hugs,
Mariette
I am amazed at all your stamina, determination and sheer courage to undertake such a big task. How brave of you two. And standing on that tall ladder made me very nervous. I hope Pieter was OK up there. You two are super human.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteWell, we always have acted as a real team and just DID whatever came our way.
The satisfaction afterwards is great and usually on Sundays after coming home from Mass we walked around and enjoyed the progress. Then celebrated with a cup of coffee in the gazebo...
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteAll your hard work paid off as it all looks lovely and so welcoming.
As I have alway said, "Ain't it fun, livin' on the farm?" Proge just spent a couple of afternoons repairing the pond pump for the second time. This time a large pebble got caught in it. We are trying to avoid buying a new one for as long as we can. He also repositioned the pipe and made a better filter for it.
Meanwhile I am holding off on changing the DE in the pool filter until the rain moves on. Rain is a nuisance but it's so lovely to have a green summer after too. many years of summer draught.
Enjoy your results.......💚......*s*
Dearest Suzi,
DeleteWell, you both also try to manage all those arising problems and repairs yourself. It is no fun but what is the alternative? Can't replace things all the time or hire out for having it done.
Both of us come from a Market Gardener family where hard work and sweating was part of life and yes, you became a repairman and all for handling things.
Guess a lot of the young(er) generations would never be able to handle all this.
Rain is tough for planning other things, like our tree cutting but it sure looks nice lush and green. Even though, August can still burn up the fields and its crops. We will see how it goes.
Hugs,
Mariette
I have to echo Victor's words here, Mariette. I'm just amazed at your determination and drive to improve your beautiful property.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteWell we started it and had to see it through. Often I joked about having been shown a short video with all those dirty jobs beforehand, it might have changed us but then again, we both liked challenges!
Hugs,
Mariette
I have been absent due to major automation issues! So glad to be back and to have read this post. You and Pieter are proof that there is a generation of people who knew well how to work their soil, create their havens. Live happily ever after in a paradise.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
DeleteWelcome back and yes, with hard work and perseverance and knowing what you are doing, you can accomplish a lot! Satisfaction is something you must EARN.
Hugs,
Mariette
It's been really hard work!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteIt sure has been but it was worth it!
Hugs,
Mariette
un trabajo bien duro,para el que se requiere tener muchas fuerzas....por lo que veo, lo han emprendido con mucho entusiasmo.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteSÃ, de hecho hicimos esas tareas con gran entusiasmo, ya que fue sólo por una vez! SabÃamos que mejorábamas las cosas de esta manera y simplemente lo hicimos.
Abrazos,
Mariette
Wow
ReplyDeleteDearest Regine,
DeleteYep, when push comes to shove; we just DO IT!
Hugs,
Mariette
That Ladder Photo, Holy Smokes - Marietta , You So Rock - I Hug You From A Far
ReplyDeleteOxoxoxoxO
Dearest Travis,
DeleteWell, such ladder climbing is forbidden now... But Pieter did it all and so did I.
Hugs,
Mariette