Originally built in the 1960’s as a 2-bedroom farm worker’s cottage, Orange Cottage’s classic square shaped foot print, can be found in multitude
on farms from here to Montagu. Back in 1988 it served as our base when visiting granddad here on Simonskloof. Then in 2004, our 5th year, we turned it into our third guest cottage, after Eric’s Place and our famous Faraway Cottage.
Over the years it saw many minor additions: a wood fired Dover stove, Solar heated water, a reed and hessian ceiling, apricot pips around the braai area, an under-counter fridge – mind you, the latter back fired, literally and before we knew it, it simply over heated, I’m working on the ventilation as I type.
Solar lights replaced the sooty paraffin lamps and yet so romantic candles. But they simply darkened all the walls and together with the falling off of plaster and peeling paint, it started to look more like a shack than a cosy cottage. So, in January 2018 straight after the silly season holidays we tackled a serious make over! Fortunately, we had some much needed helping 
hands in form of four young WWOOFers (Volunteers) and by the end of January we were done, including a neat reed screen to add privacy when enjoying a bush bath outside. The hot water for the bath is still on the cards and might just arrive in form of a Fire-Bath workshop – watch this space!
The Kitchen top, as well as the entrance door, received a good sanding down and trimming of the scraping bottom, all sealed with three layers of Woodoc. The double bed (Queen size…) finally “lost” its foot-board, making it more comfortable for taller people. The Geckos, however, proved themselves worthy of new speed records and escaped many attempts at being caught – natural insect solutions can’t be tempered with! Hence, please accept the occasional droppings on the wall.
The cottage looks amazing, we are pretty chuffed! The window frames still need some TLC and so does most of the floor, all in good time.
