Farewell Philadelphia [Part 3]

Site of the original, village Post Office, now used as a gathering place known by the quaint name of "StoepSit Kafee" literally translated from the Afrikaans meaning verandah-seating Cafe. It was not open on the day we visited Philadelphia, but it can't be missed with its quirky signpost and pink bicycle.

I had wondered whether or not to post a third part to my two previous posts. I am not sure the last few pictures I have will be of any general interest. However, since I said there would be a third part, I have decided to proceed as planned.

Please click the Read more button below, to continue this post...

 

I have spent the day confined to my desk. Why? So that I can keep an eye on Noodle, Linda's rescue pup...
 

"I am not feeling up to any boisterous play, today. My tummy is sore, my back feet are bandaged and my mouth is aching. I just want to stay here, napping."

She was spayed yesterday and also had both deformed dewclaws, plus five milkteeth removed at the same time. We did not want to risk any rough-and-tumble playing with the other dogs for a day or so. She has perked up remarkably well this evening, after having spent much of the day sleeping on the couch. This gave me the opportunity to catch up on reading blogs, but I suspect that she'll be back to normal (boisterous) from tomorrow onwards.

Why am I sharing all of this irrelevant detail? Well, to put it simply, I appear to have the time right now to prepare the final Philadelphia post. I am whispering, in case Noodle gets wind of it and decides to sabotage my attempt.

This is one of the oldest houses in the village. The huge blocks of wood on the "stoep" probably serve as seating along with the old school desk and an old trunk. My guess is that the thatched roofing with added skylights is new, but that the zinc verandah overhang hails from way-back-when! It looked as though this house was being restored at the time we spotted it. 

This is one of two self-catering cottages for rent in the old part of the village. It is just around the corner from the Pottery Shed, so would make a very convenient overnight spot should anyone wish to avail themselves of Ferdinand's Thursday evening pottery classes. I'm rather tempted by the notion myself!

These weathered old steps were spotted down one of the little side streets in the old part of the town.

This house was in the older part of the town, but has either been modernised or was a later construction. The reason we stopped to photograph it is because that tree in the front garden is decorated with tin mugs! I have never seen this done anywhere else before.

There were arty objects displayed in the most unlikely places. This crafty owl was dangling rather precariously from an old airvent on the gable of this building.

This attractive building with "broekie-lace" is the village "Supermarket" We unfortunately did not go in to "check it out"

I spotted a sign for locally farmed honey outside this cute little shop. I had to look twice to check if this sleeping kitty was real (it was!). When last did you visit a shop where you were able to sit on a little roadside verandah (stoep, in SA lingo) overlooking a pretty pavement garden and chat to the friendly owners? I was able to indulge my partiality for fudge here, too, since the owner makes her own to sell in her shop! Yum!

On our way home we drove through the new suburban development of the little town. This pavement garden was planted up very nicely with indigenous shrubs and buzzing with bees.

The newly developed suburban area is not very big, but there are some pretty homes and gardens...and this lovely Persian kitty was enjoying a stroll while we were driving past. The young Fever trees planted on this pavement were full of birds. I guess Kitty thought it would be a good spot to find some dinner.

Farewell, Philadelphia. We really did enjoy our visit!