Perspective

I had a rant yesterday, lamenting the loss of this view.

I had a rant six months ago and when the build began. I lamented (I'm doing that a lot) that it's year three of incessant building. The noise is invasive and with the constant workmen has resulted in the loss of privacy and crime (this last resulted in The Husband losing money and a client, but that's water under the bridge).

The quiet and privacy, not to mention the relative absence of crime, had a lot to do with our decision to move to the country.

Someone commented on yesterday's post, saying that I should be grateful that the new build is not a five-story apartment block.

If I were still living in the suburbs of a Cape Town, yes, I'd be grateful.

I am not.

The open space behind, alongside and in front of us - not just the sense of space - had a lot with our decision to move to the country. That, and the fact (or so we thought), that there were regulations about the style - and height - of the new builds - influenced our choice of this village.

What has filled that open space suggests that all of this is disappearing.

Why am I being so pointed? Well, neither of those buildings conform with the historical architecture of the village.

A McGregor Georgian. Photo: Shaun King

The heritage guidelines "demand" that a double story should be in a Georgian style and that pitched roofs should be in a Victorian style.

A typical McGregor Victorian style cottage with the "tumbleweed" feature above the front door

We wonder how these new builds - and the two I've had a rant about are by no means the most "deviant" - have been permitted. We (and not just us) have our suspicions.

With these changes, have come a change in the village ethos. We've had an influx of people running from the cities. From two Cs: covid and crime. Many of the immigrants visit once, buy. Many make a snap decision - like in 24 hours. Then, when they arrive in the village, to live, they bring their paranoia with them. They don't support local. They don't integrate. They retreat, literally batten downing the hatches.

I hope -

That as they settle, they "open" to the village or, as things "open" up, generally, these semigrants return whence they came and take their paranoia with them.

A friend once told me that the village somehow manages to ride the waves and retain its soul. She's been here more than 25 years. She should know. I am beginning have to believe this. Although the two new builds that have ruined our view belie this. I am, in my grinchiness, choosing to hope. I want our village back, and with it, the real community.

Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa

Photo: Selma
Post script

If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:

• re-vamping old recipes. As I do this, I am adding them in a file format that you can download and print. If you download recipes, buy me a coffee. Or better yet, a glass of wine....?
• and "re-capturing" nearly two years' worth of posts.

I blog to the Hive blockchain using a number of decentralised appplications.

• From Wordpress, I use the Exxp Wordpress plugin. If this rocks your socks, click here or on on the image below to sign up.

• Join Hive using this link and then join us in the Silver Bloggers' community.

Original artwork: @artywink

• lastly, graphics are created using partly my own photographs, images available freely available on @hive.blog and Canva.