To me, it felt as if the cold took hold right under my toenails and behind my eyeballs.
The fireplace was lit at dawn, even before the first pot ofcoffee was simmering on the stove. Because if that fire wasn'ton the go all day, by late afternoon I could hardly type, myfingers were so stiff.
A few years ago, I visited my new in-laws in Bloemfontein inthe dead of winter. I fear I may not have made the bestimpression because I was either in a heap in front of thefireplace in the braai room, or in the bedroom under the downduvet - and in the morning I lay in bed, crossing my legs untilmy eyes watered because it was just too cold to go to the loo!What was it that Aunty Stienie from Agter Elke Man alwayssaid? "That one should suffer like this!" And just for therecord: the in-laws are lovely hospitable people and I lovevisiting them. It's my own fault that I get so cold!
I've always wondered how South Africans manage to cope so good-naturedly with our seasonal fluctuations. In summer we boil, in winterwe freeze. That's just how it is. We make do without central heating.
People do have air-conditioning for our sweltering February days, but justthink how nice it would be if we, like the Europeans, could have lovelywarm homes right through winter. Years ago, when a friend from theNetherlands came to visit during the June holidays, she was downrightgrumpy about the cold - I had to borrow heaters and buy extra blankets.
I think she thought freezing to death was just a breath away. She'd sit onthe couch at night like a burrito, wrapped from top to toe in a blanket.Fortunately, spring is here and the days are getting longer. And as itturns out, it's not just my bones that are thawing; along with thewildflowers, a new plan has emerged: I'm going to fix my sad guestbathroom, once and for all. And the more we looked at bathrooms forthis issue (and also started photographing makeover projects for ourannual renovation guide in-between), the longer my list of ideas became.
The klompie bricks under the bath in Chris and Dan 's home remind me of a long-termplan to create an earthy bathroom floor, along with crisp white tiles. But atthe very top of my list is a heated towel rail. Because isn't that just thebiggest spoil? Cold is one thing, but cold and damp? No ways, not for me.
A friend said earlier this week that the world's focus has turnedinwards; the Covid-19 pandemic has turned all of us into "nesters".We're reorganising, decluttering, decorating and revamping because ourhomes are now so much more than just a place to live. I won't deny it,nesting is my favourite indoor activity…
Enjoy reading this issue and remember that Home will be on shelf forsix weeks from now on, with the gorgeous stoeps issue in store from earlyNovember. And who doesn't like relaxing on the stoep - it's my favouriteoutdoor activity.
It's your last chance to buy our popular Quick Foodrecipe book -a lovely hardcover edition that comeswith a free veggie peeler. Look out for it at asupermarket near you; it's usually on or near themagazine rack. If you can't find a copy, email me oneditor@homemag.co.za.
