Nothing lasts forever. Not even our most cherished memories. But sometimes we can try to capture a moment in time like a memory photograph. In this post, I will take you on a virtual memory trip of a time capsule of sorts of an old South African farmhouse just outside of Pretoria. I will also show you what you can do on the farm and how we enjoy a lovely day outside.

The Old House

We tend to forget the past. If we do not retell old stories and memories, they get lost and we forget. One such memory that has been lost (in the west) is the way older people lived and how their homes tell that story.

We take it for granted that there is a bath and shower and toilet. In those days, as we can see from this old house, and from times long gone, baths were a luxury. One could not simply just open a tap, you needed to warm the water yourself and you needed to fill the bath manually as well. Again, nowadays, we take it for granted that we simply open a tap and warm water comes out.

We tend to think that our own times are hurried and complicated, and in many respects it is, but saying those days were simpler can be a mistake. I think those days were full of stress and other problems we tend to forget.

Another awesome thing to think about is time. We are so aware of time nowadays, cell phones and smart watches constantly remind us of the time. In those days, clocks were probably very expensive and not everyone had one. Time still ticked by like today, but no one was truly aware of it then. Or so aware as us today. This beautiful table clock is surely an artifact to marvel at.

The floors are slippery. The rock "tiles" walked smoothly. So many stories they could tell if they spoke. I wonder what important people walked over these tiles throughout the years.

As if nothing changed. It probably looked like this 100 years ago. An eerie silence falls over the room, the walls are looking. So many faces have walked past them, and so many have witnessed life here. I can slowly imagine myself in those times.

A majestic tree probably grew where there is only a trunk now. The hot afternoon summer sun would have baked you alive, but what wonderful shade would this tree not have provided the house. There was no such thing as air conditioning, but the tree would have provided that much-needed cooling down. Again, one can imagine the eerie silence that would have been there 100 years ago. Only natural life around you would have shouted their songs.

A guy walks next to me and he whispers: the vehicle of my people. I am not sure if this is a joke or for real, but what a thought to have. Those days travel was not easy. Again, we take for granted the easiness of traveling today. Those days, traveling was a literal mission.

As time ticks by and we lose connection with our past, even the tools will become a mystery. What did they use this tool for, what did they use that tool for? How did they even build their tools? All these questions but only a handful of people will still harbor the memories needed to decypher the past.

Food, Drinks, and Snacks!

Walking so much early in the morning, you need some snacks and drinks. There are ample food stalls that sell the new normalized snacks! Chip stix, espresso, nuts coated in caramel, I think the people of yesteryear will turn around in their graves. Alas, the food of our modern era is so damn good!

For the caffeine addiction.

Sugar and fat for energy.

And who does not like chips freshly made sprinkled with ample flavoring!

The Other Attractions

The museum and grounds are littered with old tractors and pieces of history. Reminders of the past. When will it be time when our past is so far gone that these relics will remain mysteries to us? Probably very soon.

All of these engines are still running even though they are much older than I am. The smell of diesel fills the air. I am wondering if these people know that diesel and petrol are so expensive! Either way, what an interesting show they held for us. Different engines doing their things.

Majestic old tractors. Once upon a time, they were the best you can get, now not so long after that, they are mere artifacts. Eye candy. Reminders of the past. We can only marvel at our own excellence.

Linking a band around the engine and the bandsaw and you do not have the need for power! Genius.

Postscriptim, or So History Ends

Historical awareness is something new to our humankind I think. Or at least excessive awareness of our historicalness. This is an interesting space to be because of the potential for improvement it gives us. We can do better because we learn from others and the past, we stand on the shoulder of giants looking to the future someone once said. But we can also so easily fall trap by forgetting about the past and end history as such. Let us not go there.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour into the past with me. All of the photographs are my own and the musings as well. Happy traveling and stay safe!