It is the simple things in life that sometimes make the hard working days just a little bit easier to bare...
This is certainly the case in one of our most recent sites that we have been working at. We were asked to do some work at a venue, the work included building a retaining wall and leveling out a platform in the bank with a gradual slope.
Because the entire setting of our clients venue at Macnut farm is completely rustic and natural, we certainly did not want to jump into a gabion retaining wall, and we opted for some natural rock placed in a dry stack method.
These retaining wall are made only from the rocks and if stacked and compacted correctly they will last longer than your average concrete wall. Another great thing is that they would match some of the wonderful rock gardens that we had done for her in the past.
The reason the client wanted the retaining wall was so that the could expand the space of their venue, and wanted to finish off a ready cut bank that had been left exposed and stop water erosion from taking place.
And while some of the team was working on that, we had the bobcat to play with on the other side of the yard.
The bobcat was brought in to cut and level a platform at the rivers edge of the property and then slant it down very gradually.
It is here that the owner and artist wants to build her new creation; what she calls a "Chapel of light"
The 'Chapel of light' will be a tiny chapel built from stained glass, and serve as a wedding chapel during the day, filling up with all the different colors as the sun shines in, and a lantern of sorts at night shining outward onto the surrounds so that the area lights up with a spectrum of colored lights for evening functions. I for one can not wait to see the end result on this.
But then while we were on site, I decided to take a little walk through the gardens, just to discover what an amazing gem this venue truly is.
Throughout, the garden is filled with tiny hidden gems that makes the heart and imagination wonder. This includes anything from antiques like old fashioned butter churners right through to something as simple as this metal replica of a penny farthing fashioned as a planter that is still in the process of being dollied up and planted.
Or these lovely antique wood and metal carts that were stationed at the fire place and used for storing wood to fuel the konkas with that really gives it that lost in time kind of feeling. Especially given the absolutely fantastic backdrop of tropical forest in the background.
And of course one of my personal favorites is the ancient but still fully functional and working tractor that is perched out on the lawn, ready to start up and do its rounds on the grounds whenever the moment calls for it. That really added a special touch to the entire feel of the walk so far.
However non of these were really the true drawing point, as this garden held quite a few not so very well kept secrets by the looks of it.
The real attraction during my walk through the garden, was coming across a tiny little hand crafted chapel.
All made with wood in Bali style design on the outside, Intricately decorated with brass and metal finishing.
Every inch of this amazing little feature was designed by the owner, and hand crafted from foundation to finishing by her loving husband. and to date they have done hundreds of intimate small weddings at the venue.
The Chapel inside is quite quaint and sits only four guests (that includes the bridesmaids, groomsmen and or family to witness the wedding) and accommodates the bride, groom and wedding officiator but there is really not much more room inside there, and it is said to be the smallest chapel in the southern hemisphere.
I just loved everything about this wonderful little building, from the high but narrow doorway right through to the simplistic elegant decor on the inside of the chapel, such as the mounted wall lights antique seating and marital tables, roof cornice and corner finishing and especially the hand crafted stained glass windows.
Everything perfectly in place, and designed and matched for their purpose.
But its never over till you look up right?
On the ceiling, across the five panels of ceiling board, is an amazing scene. A hand painted delight of overhead cherubs blissfully dancing in the partly clouded heavens, with white doves flying among them. And what a wonderful sight it was indeed. It chapel in its entirety leave you with a serene feeling of ambient bliss.
Every detail of this building was so meticulously planned and crafted to exceptional standards, that it is almost hard to believe that this is a fully functional wedding chapel, you almost just want to put it somewhere on a pedestal for everyone to behold its awe inspiring beauty.
But this certainly does not mean that this venue only hosts small weddings, in fact they can easily accommodate quite larger functions and weddings, with their numerous indoor and outdoor function facilities on site.
Other facilitate also includes the gorgeous gardens, ideal for photo shoots; two large indoor function halls, a fully licensed bar as well as open air and roofed seating
Pretty much anything you can dream of in order to host the most desirable events of your dreams, with a complete and utter tropical feel right in the heart of Africa.
You can read more about this wonderful venue by clicking on this link
Looks like you are working hard and enjoying the gardens around you while you work. That chapel is gorgeous thanks for sharing it what a gem in the midst of all that natural beauty.