This Is aimed at Oranjemunders that no longer live here and remember what address their house was at. Now I might be shooting myself in the foot, But you can request an address or building etc , and if I have the time , i will take a snapshot of your request and post it here for you!... If I HAVE THE TIME....
::)
ps... i will not be going inside the building, kinda like peeking over the fence and snapping!
RegArds
Mike
Go for it Mike.
E33-13th Avenue.
Please take front and back.
it will be in here by Monday!
Here we go.... nobody wants to live there anymore :-\
Oh! and one more!
Thanks Michael - from Heather and myself.
hey mike
here is 3 adresses
E18-12th
E 35- 9TH
4-4TH
FIRST 3 HOUSES WARREN TAMMY AND I LIVED IN THERE
please can you take a photo of E23-9thAve.and can youtake one of my dads grave.(Harold Smith)thank-you mavis(smith)
Ok... i'm off 2morrow.... i'll drive aroond the toon! (that's my scottish roots comin' thru,,,,)
on monday about 17h34( nam time) i'll upload!
Regards
\Mike
;D
Mavis. yes i will,,,,,
give me 24 hrs ,
going to gary gray and Leticia's 25th anniversary party at the bowling club 2nite... old Oranjemunders also...
gnite oranjemund!
;)
Mike
From the addresses given, houses seem to have been renumbered.
But could you have a go at any of the following:
2 Inner Crescent
68 5th Avenue
20 2nd Avenue
These were 1960's addresses.
Thanks
Ann
Ok... i think I'll drive around town in the week when everyone's at work, I'm getting some awful looks from the inhabitants......
Here are some Graveyard Snaps....: Bear in mind the place is not what it used to be people, CDM has long gone.....
And While I was there , I took A few more of other's that might be of interest!
And there was still space on the Camera.....
I was saddened to see the grave stones of people I knew, particular Father Cawthorne who played a very big part in my life. A family friend and he was always so kind to me. I still have a St Christopher he gave me and morning Sunday School was never to be missed!
YES 55 2ND AVENUE IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY HOUSE HAD ITS WALL DIRECTLY ONTO THE PAVEMENT .. DID YOUR DAD FIND THE PICTURE OF YOUR MOM WITH SQUASHBOX AT THE UNVEILING ??
No not yet! My dad's been on the piss again for the last few days, it's all Ikey's fault for coming back to town... ;D
But he is recovering now, and in the next few days we should have something. I wanted to pop out this week from work and take a few snaps, whilst the other inhabitants were at work and they would not be offended whilst I snapped their homes for you guys', but I have been stuck inside this building till dark for the last 3 nites, so just bear with me....
::)
Hi MIke....
could you please get a pic of 53/2nd....sure that was my address....and i was across the road from sandy ....ive got a photo of what it used to look like, and have spent hours on google earth over the last couple of years trying to work our which house was which.....
bev xx
Mike,
While you are in 2nd Ave can you get a snap of 60/2nd Ave too and then trot up to 21/1st Ave and take a photo of my final home at OM?
Also of the garage in front of where the trees were. This is where my dad built the 3 Andy class yachts with Aubrey Baker and his brother Phil Bruce.
Cheers bru.
I will more than likely catch up with these photo's on Sunday as we are having the traditional sunday power cut.... mmh! where's the power station when you need one! ;D
I see that the local ISP here in NAmibia is also down on Sunday for 12 hrs upgrading... don't worry this site is hosted on servers in Texas,
I also lived in 1st ave E 7-1st Ave, Tel 3260
for 28 years..... phew!
Now I live in the Long avenue street..hehehehe!
:D
so is there a diffeent link to go see the photos as i cant find the ones i requested
Dear Darryl, I had a few minutes spare and drove around this morning, I have managed to take a few pics, but not everyones yet... I'll get there, as I have to show my face at work now and then....
here is the back of 20-2nd avenue
and the front
Ann, outer Crescent must have been renumbered as I do not find any numbers between 1-14, but taken intom consideration and view of your original 60's pics, it seems that 20 outer crescent might be yours... was your house on the corner?
Rob, here's 21 ist avenue for you oppsite the Yacht Club boat shed!
Mike - thanks for the photos of 20 2nd Avenue - again, how very posh compared with when we were there. I can't get over all the trees and greenery everywhere although we did have quite a smart garden when we were there, but not such smart fences and gates.
Re 2 Outer Crescent - it was actually 2 Inner Crescent we lived at. I don't think 20 Outer Crescent had been built when we moved there. Would really appreciate if you could find 2 Inner Crescent and - yes it was on a corner.
Oh! That makes sense, I saw an inner crescent, silly me I've lived here to long all the houses are starting to look the same to me...
;D
I'll take a pic on tuesday!
Mike,
Many thanks. Many memories flood back. The house is different but not my bedroom that I see.The one taken from the back of the house with the gates which were not there when we lived in the house.
Yessir the garage looks as it did. As I recall only one saide of this double garage had doors.
Many thanks Mike
:)
please take a photo off e23-9th ave. Mavis
Not the best photo's , sorry Mavis , but I'll go back when the resident has gone to work and does'nt give me a skeef look!
Ok here we go Folks, a few requests... First up 53-2nd avenue
One of the front of 53-2nd
And also 55-2nd avenue!
And for Rob, 60-2nd Ave
More of 60-2nd ave
Have a look how your street has changed, these were taken on the dirt road side of 2nd and 3rd ave
55 2nd .. good god it has changed .. there was a mulberry tree to the left of the gate right next to Mom and Dads bedroom window .. on the other side a pride of India bush . our house was a pretty blue colour ... the Barrats stayed next door then there was the alleyway . then the Quirks were next .... We had in our garden a guava tree ... Lemon tree .. Naartjie , Plum , nectarine , Granadilla hedge , Pea and Bean runs in the back yard .. flower beds ,, and a Veg patch with walkways ... both Mom and dad were avid Gardeners .. and dad used to plant by the Moon .. ( regarded with suspicion in those conservative days ) suppose it is now a mere shadow of what it was ...
Even worse ! looking at my old first home ( we moved in 69 to E 35/11th ) ... Do I see Burglar bars on the windows ?? strangely enough living here in Woodstock I do have a good alarm system but have till this day resisted installing burglar bars . I would feel as though I am in a prison .. By the way I want to extend a thank you ... you are doing a lot of unpaid work ... I do hope this forum grows from strength to strength and does not peter out ...
my god mike,just had a look at some of the other fotos and could not believe that you still use gas bottles,some things never change hey
if you work for the company the gas is for free still, if you're private , you gotta pay 600 bucks,
the burglar bars were installed in the late 70's, more of a gimmick than anything else, they are held on by little piddly screws, one smack and all resistance crumbles. we spent many a night removing those burglar bars and sneaking down to the sportsmans......
;D
Quote from: Michael Alexander on July 24, 2007, 12:47:18 PM
Ok here we go Folks, a few requests... First up 53-2nd avenue
Hi Mike thank you so much for taking time to take these photos.......but sorry i think i told you the wrond number......in all this excitment i cant believe ive forgotten the number, it couldnt be 53 as sandy was at 55 and i was across the road, i know our back...or side...was next to the symes.....and also next door to the castles.....hopefully i will attatch a photo of how it was then.
Mike,
If you do manage to find the time, a photo of 12 - 13 th Ave, the house we first lived in would be great. There was a huge fir tree in the corner. We had loads of fun in this tree as kids. It used to be an inside Christmas tree some 20 years or so before we lived there apparently.
Our second house was 76 - 2nd Ave. Would you be able to take snaps of both front and back? I had an awesome brick pondok here, which were witness to some .... er.... Let's just say interesting moments ......... If those walls could only talk, He He.
Good on yah Mike !!
Nicky, with pleasure boet!, just give me a day or two!
;)
Cheers Mike, You Da Man!!!!!
Hello Mike, I worked in the Airways (travel office) in the early 1980's Does the actual building still exist - probably the operation has ceased?? and if so, please could I see a picture? Thank you.
Gabbi, I presume the travel office was the one next to the barber shop back then, towards the back of the single quarters? It's moved all over the town in the last decade! But if it's the building you are on about then, sure, I'll try catch up on the pics either sunday or monday...
Mike
Here is a few snaps that you guys asked for, in no particular order...
And these.....
And even these. Nicky are you sure about 12-13th ave, coz I don't see your tree....
And last but not least!
Hi Mike,
Looks like you've been " clicking " all over town. I have just been down memory lane big time !!
Thanks for all your efforts, really appreciate it. 76 - 2nd hasn't really changed that much, but it looks as if my old pondok at the back has been extended to the garage. The peppercorn tree is huge now, as well as some new ones. I don't recognize 12 - 13th too much. There used to be a huge fir tree in the corner to the left of the gate ...... Has this disappeared ? The fencing looks new around this area, so maybe it was removed? Thanks again bru.
Nicky, Sorry boet, but looks like somebody smoked your boom!
hehehehe! It's gone!
mike
;)
Hey Mike, I'm telling you, that was a lot of "boom to rook".
Hey Nicky, even though you're an Aussie now, it's good to see you have'nt lost your "ROOTS"
hehehehe
;)
Good to know people can still branch out over the long distances, didn't really metter when they leafed even if they were connifer ages already
Ok so I started doing some scanning using scanner at work .. took forever .. and found that only 1 out of 5 survived as readable ( something with save ?? ),, scanner obviously ready for trashcan . will try again on scanner at home tonight ... hold thumbs .....
Hey Mike and Paul,
I may have left the land of Nam, but you OAKS are BARKing up the wrong tree if you think I have become Ozzie. As they say, you can take the boy out of Nam, but you can't take the Nam out of the boy. FIR @#*&% sakes, I have PINEd for those distant dunes on many occasions.
Hey as you offered
E4/4 was the house i lived in but started life in 72/5
I am really asking for Flora.
E4/4th ave, next door to the Bekkers, I remember the alley way very well, lotsa green tree's hanging over the alley in the 70's......
give me a few days..... ;)
Sorry this was me, Mike that posted this , I forgot Michele Hijacked the PC again.....
;)
there were lots of trees, mulberry bush next door convenient for feeding silk worms, I remember the people before the Bekkers, two boys, who had really cool tonka toys and an alsatian that bit me.
I also remeber a shed in the back that I set fire to, and the house servant busting me to my dad, got the belt across my bum for that.
You have a really relaxed time surfing the net and driving around photographing thing, don't you work?
Oh yea, its the pace of life in desert, I forgot. Sorry?
Just spoke to LIz she'll pay a visit to site later.
Hey Nicky,
Nice to see you LOGing up a few posts now, I WOODn't wan't things to slow down now that the site has been running for a month, it's not just any old SAP that could have that kind of STEMina you know.
Geez, you WEEDS have got me STUMPed!
Here you go Barabara, the only thing is the front of E4-4th is overgrown , you can't see that house..
And then we have 72-5th...
This is kNOT going to go away, is it? The SEED has been sown! I hope our FELlow bLOGgers don't start hARBOURing resentments towards us.
Methinks ol' Nicky is PINEing away to come home one day!
;)
If so this could BLOSSOM out to be quite a thing, so long as nobody stays too long and takes ROOT here, a TREEt such as this should only be tempory one and not something you PLANT permanently... so pack your TRUNKS and be on your way I say
You lot are running RINGS around me ......... I feel absolutely BUSHed!!
I ROSE to the challenge, we seem to be covering a lot of GROUND here.
Who WOOD have thought this could be such BLOOMING fun. Will have to DIG around in the UNDERGROWTH for more FERTILE MUCK.
Paul, hope your wine has a good BOUQUET tomorrow!
Check you PANSIES later!
Are you lot quite FERNished now?
Hey Michele, you are indeed a ROSE amongst the THORNS. HEHE!!
So strange to see that office again! Many thanks for all the work and memories you restore Mike!!
Thank you Mile,
out and about again with your camera I see, been busy then.
I remember the gardens being so much bigger, but hey I was soo much smaller.
The roof is still red, I used to sit on it on guy fawkes night.
I swear the E4/4 on the gate is the same one we put on it and my folks left in the 80's.
72/5 - the tree is amazing, it was a ornamental apple if I remember correctly.
I remember the boys next door, Pengelly family. The dog's name hasn't come to me.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood,
as much wood as a woodchuck could if a woodchuck could chuck wood
Ha Ha, Michele, how about this then?
The Strange Tree
There's a strange tree which lives near me,
And this strange tree could not agree,
That if this tree could ever see,
A stranger tree it sure would be.
There's a strange tree which topples me,
For this strange tree was tall, you see,
And then this tree would use its knee,
To break in three, the clouds who flee.
There's a strange tree which lives near me,
The northern tree, its branches free,
The southern tree, no limb to see,
For this strange tree, was strange, you see?
There's a strange tree which I can see,
And this strange tree (against my plea)
Was sent to sea, its roots now free,
And now this tree... A ship is he.
Jeepers CREEPERS, I am going to have to BOUGH out now and spend some NURTURING time with my SAPLINGS.
Good idea, Michele, saplings these days need all the nurturing they can get. You wouldn't want them turning skELM!!
Yes, well, you know the YEWth of today, we don't want them suffering from STUNTED GROWTH
Sorry Nicky and Paul - Mike wants us to upROOT ourselves and REPLANT our WOODEN posts to the "Anything that Goes" section! Hopefully we will continue to SPROUT!
Yes please . . . 19 Outer Crescent. I lived there with my parents Percy and Doreen Margetts from 1968 to 1978. It would be great to see what it looks like over the grass towards the sweeping curve of the road coming into town.
Thank you,
Keith Margetts.
Hi Mike, Please could you try and get pics of 17/12th Avenue? Would love to see a bit of the back and front?
Thanks, Val
At the latest , I will only be taking pics on Monday again......Sorry....
But they will be up by then,... ;)
May I say a big thank you for sharing Patricia Lotte's pictures, they are outstanding and capture the school as i remeber it.
Patricia, as in Linekar I believe, hello and thank you. Dubai it says, a far way from home. All the best. B
I have to agree with you Barbara, they are just great aren't they? The school seems like it has hardly changed at all. Remember the art room with Miss Solomon? It still looks very neat and tidy which is good. Thanks from me too.
Morning Folks, I was also impressed with the quality of the Pictures taken by Patricia, however I must point out that she is actually Patricia Lotte, sister of Katia Lotte, or the Frenchies, who lived here, I think in the late 70's, and not Patricia Lineker, who I think lived somewhere down in the Cape...
Patricia Lotte was a active on the "old" guestbook over at "The Other Oranjemund Page", a good few years back, and spoke about coming back for a quick visit, which she did in Nov 2004... The only problem was , she sneaked into town ;D, and I only heard that she had been here after she had gone. I heard about this French woman wandering around the town taking photo's and if I'm not mistaken, she was mentioned in the Newsletter thereafter.....
Great Pics indeed Patricia.....
;)
thanks for clearing that up.
Barbara, it's gonna be an awesome reunion one day... I give it 18 moths before we have enough folks.... Diamomds reunite....... Heck! I'll even buy u a short, actually Patricia should buy us both a short....
hehehehhe ;)
Please take a photo of 11-12 th avenue .I lived in that house for 27 years and my folks +/- 32 years.Please check to see pondok.. gravel road side..and large what we called a christmas tree in the front garden.These were still present last year when i visited.
Mark
Hey , Mark, until about a year ago, I used to live at 10-12th ave..... and I think I know who lives there now.... I have early shift this week, so I should have time to take snaps...
:)
plse take photo of E15/11 lived there from 1968-1976 also 6/16 lived there after i married 1976 - 1981. You can peek over the fence. Could get Alfred to do this but would never get the photo's. Thanx for a great site brings back so many memoiries and things i'd forgotten about. Thanx Diana :D
Michael, what do you mean a short drink. By the sounds of things there is no such thing in your world.
But then again you are the one who forgot your whiskey (my reaction lol, What he didn't finish the bottle.) Maybe you just take recycling of glass bottles real serious.
Barbara, I'm a beer lover by nature, Warren duped me into coming to his house on Saturday night, for Irish coffee's , knowing full well I would bring a bottle of whisky, then he got Pete to distract me, and served Irish coffee to everyone save me, ( he did not use my whisky!), Once I saw that I would not be getting any coffee... I departed..... he even got his mom and gilbert up here just to entice me around.... sigh! I wonder if I will ever see that bottle again, one of a kind she was...! ;)
ja ja ja so you say, hahaha
Please could I have a photo of 19 Outer Crescant . . . that would be great.
Thanks, Keith Margetts (1968 to 1978)
Mike
Please take a photograph of the last house I lived in. The address was W5-7th Avenue, Oranjemund West. I do not know if the address has changed since I left in October 1987. The house was situated on the corner across the road from the "Chocolate Box".
Many thanks.
Charmain Meier (Heusdens)
mmmh! the chocolate Box is still there, so it ain't gonna be to hard to find, just give a day or 2 and it shall be snapped!
;D
Could I please have a photograph of my good friend's gravestone - Paul Lisser - he was killed in a blasting accident on the mine.
Thank you,
Keith Margetts.
Keith, Jaunita already asked me to photograph both Paul and Joans grave, I found Joans, but I walked the yard 3 times and could'nt find Paul's, maybe the stone has faded, quite a few have.... does anyone remember roughly where he was laid?
???
No, but Paul was killed around 1978 . . . I got the news when I was in a three-month army camp, and was absolutely devastated as he was a close friend!! Hard to believe his headstone may have faded so soon - he could be near his Mom, who I also knew very well and adored!! I have promised myself that I will visit their graves - perhaps in a big reunion of us old ballies sometime, eh?
Hope you can eventualy find it?
Regards,
Keith Margetts.
Sue Hodgeson tipped me off where it might be, so I shall return there in a day or two.....
;)
Yes please E 1/10 ave and E14/12ave those were the days .If casseys Bar is still there please the day i turned 18 i hit the pub till i left in 1994 .Was in the great old Mund from 1967 till 1994 I had the time of my life
Cheers to all
Peter du Toit
Klien haas pie
Mike,
Thinking about Dick Barkley, and looking through the "Lost Diamonds"
When you get a chance could you look for the Grave of - HELMUT SIEBERS - someone I went to school with, if my memory is right he fell off his bicycle knocked his head on the new kerbstones they were putting in around Town.
I doubt that many people will remember him, if any one is a lost diamond it's him. ( a photo of his grave may bring some memories from others)
Will do it sometime in the week..... Early shift week....... :)
CLIVE I REMBER THE INCIDENT WITH HELMUT,SHOCKING NEWS TO ALL THAT KNEW HIM,I REMEMBER ASSEMBLY WHEN DOCTOR FENTER ANOUNCED IT TO THE SCHOOL
Bobby, was great talking to you.
I'm glad that someone else remembered Helmut, it would be sad to be forgotten
Tragic accidental death - I can remember two such cases during my childhood.
Leslie (can't remember ? ) who got run over by a bus cos she didn't look just walked out from behing it after getting off.
Yolanda Fourie killed in a gun accident in her home. She and a friend were looking at her Dad's revolver, and bang.
I guess this was used a lot by my folks as real lessons in life.
Barbara her name was Leslie Mc Donald.
Thanks Diane.
Sad and shocking it was.
ditto clive,great conversation,slightly happy after the boks win,we only live once mate,make the most of it,what a wonderfull surprise i had,a n email from brenda shepherd,cant quite believe we have made contact after so many years of trying to find her.we all need to download skype,talking to you clive was as if you were next door,take good care bud,untill the next time,cheers
HELLO MIKE
COLIN BENTON HERE - AT ONE TIME I STAYED AT NO 15 FLAMINGO DRIVE AND THEREAFTER MOVED TO NO 9 FLAMINGO DRIVE. I SHOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD TAKE A PHOTO OF THESE ADDRESSES FOR ME AND POST THEM TO THE SITE.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
COLIN
Colin great to see you on the site, my dad sends his regards, I'll take a pic in a few days time, a bit busy at the moment......
Do you remember blowing up the contactor in one of those mobile DB Sheds just bast 3 plant one Saturday morning? ;D
cheers
Mike
Hi there
Please will you take a photo of E6-8th Ave. This was our home for many years.
Thanks Mike.
Ha, that will be a pleasure Penny, everytime I drive past I think about your Folks..... I will be catching up on all these pics next week....
:)
Quote from: Michael Alexander on September 19, 2007, 06:36:21 PM
Colin great to see you on the site, my dad sends his regards, I'll take a pic in a few days time, a bit busy at the moment......
Do you remember blowing up the contactor in one of those mobile DB Sheds just bast 3 plant one Saturday morning? ;D
cheers
Mike
JUST KNEW YOU WOULD REMEMBER MY WORST ELECTRICAL MOMENT - NOT MY BEST!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
COLIN
Any chance of a pic of E6-7.
Do you remember that house Mike?
Gary
Gary , that was my second home in the 70's, Van Der Westhuizens to the south, Hockneys to the east and the Prinsloo's over the road...
Playing soccer in the park, Stewart Railton, Paul Jewson, Eric Hay, Shaun Hepton....... :)
Gary here's your pics, no Christmas tree in the garden, and the place is trashed, due to the calibre of people that are living here these days........ :-\
And let us not forget the alley between the Hockney's and The MacManus's
Colin I have'nt forgotten your pics.... :)
Hi Mike
Debbie Wallace here Barbara and Johnnys eldest could you take pictures
E10 2nd
6 14th
back gate of first address was directly opposite your mom and dad in 1st ave if i remember correctly. Great site btw
Regards
Debbie
Hi Debbie
Welcome to the site, I knew i would get you hooked. Going to sleep now so just wanted to say goodnight :-*
We will have to get together a think of some of the good times we had.
Love
Barbara
Hi Debbie, At Last a Wallace has surfaced!, I was just on the phone to my dad, trying to debate the 4 wallace kids and in which in order, He reckons, Debbie, Scott, Paula and Deena!.....
Last time he saw your folks was about 10 years back in a pub in Tableview.... Anyhow he sends his regards to all.
Did you see some pics of your folks on the main site?
I remember both your houses very well, the one in 2nd was directly opposite my folks and the one up at 14th ave was right next door to a substation..... I will be taking snaps again in the week....
Go well and stay in touch
MIke
;D
Hi Mike could you please take a photo of 7 outer crescent I lived there with my folks it was opposite, David Eyre and next door to Delia.
I also lived in 5 th avenue I think next door to Billy Summers it was us on the corner (a 2 bedroom house) and then Billy.
Would love a photo. If possible.
Mike tell your Dad that Stan my dad sends his regards and is sorry they couldn't make it to Oranjemund when the boys went to Namibia last year.
Thanks
Barbara
My My My, Debbie Wallace has finally surfaced!! :D
Welcome to the site! Got your email...thanks. Will reply shortly...Lots to catch up on..like 25 odd years.
OOPS..I guess that's showing our age.
Thanks for the pics Mike.
Must show the folks.
I think we must have run down that alley (to get to park, 1st Avenue, etc) everyday we were in oranjemund.
Regards
Gary
Kinda like a Celtic Highway......Remember hurdling over the barriers at the start and end of each alley?
:)
May be a picture of 34 and 36 - 3 rd Avenue
i am not sure which one, could be that 34 was the Lotte family they would also enjoy a Pic.
Thanks for your efforts
Video with Oranjemund Players Pictures < Oh what a lovely war >
http://www.livevideo.com/video/9C8940EE233147BEBC4BC84DDD1AD6A3/oh-what-a-lovely-war-and-the-r.aspx?lastvcid=76884
Georg Ruf
Hi Mike
Your dad is absolutely right did see those photos of mom and dad also one of my ex hubby in a March Newsletter (spot the ball comp) he is the one at front. My 2 eldest thought it was hilarious to see their dad with so much hair.
Mom and dad both asking for Jock they in Tenerife this week on hols lucky pair will get them all signed up soon as.
Love
Debbie
Hey Mikey!!!
Please take a photo of Joel Stransky?
Thanx man...
Well Riaan, funny you should mention that, I just happen to have a photo of joel and you together, whats the chances.......
;)
No way!! Really? How did you get that right? ???
Well, while I was in Bloem this weekend, I bashed into a chap that laughs and looks just like you, Ol Joel happened to be walking past me, and I thought.."Gee! I wonder if....."
;D
Hi Mike
Looking through all the pics you have taken of the various houses, I can't help noticing how run down and sad the houses look today. I can't remember the street looking so shabby and the gardens so drab. Maybe its just because it was so long ago and when you are kids you see things differently?
I think you are doing a stirling job - much appreciated and enjoyed. When next you do your photographic rounds, could you take in a couple of shots of 65 and 70/2nd Avenue. I haven't seen them since I left 29 years ago! Thanks.
Cheryl yes I agree sad and run down .. Our house 55/2nd was a nice blue colour and our garden was grown with lots of trees flowers etc .. I dont think its just our childhood perception ...
@ Cheryl Firstly Thanks, I enjoy doing the site....
As for the houses and streets, you are indeed correct, It feels as if the company is trying to distance themselves from the town and only concentrate on the mining side of their business, After independence the calibre of people moving into the town dropped, different culture. In the old days, the expats enjoyed looking after their gardens, sailing yachts and organising social events. The new crowd prefer ripping up the old gardens and planting maize everywhere.
There is no longer a real Township dept, where you could phone up and get things repaired promptly, the roads are starting to break up, and the buildings are not being painted. Now I'm not saying this does not happen, but rather it is not happening as frequently as it should. The school is currently being painted and repaired.
The standards at the hospital are shoddy, who do you blame? The company for appointing the wrong people? The government for not allowing more effecient expats to work there? I am always hearing customers in the store bitching about the hospital, and this is not just white customers, but black customers also. I also heard that the company intends to outsource the hospital next year. Yet another institution they are sacrificing, with the school being the big one.
At the shop, we have let the standards drop intentionally(with regard to the infrastructure), due to the fact nobody can tell us what the future is going to bring. The talk says 2009 we will see mass retrenchments, This shop is the only store in the Spar group that does not show growth in terms of Customers, because Oranjemund has not been allowed to develop when it should have....You also get a lot of illegals in town, unemployment in Namibia is so high, that the masses think that there is work a plenty down here, they get in here on a permit and then just don't leave when the permit expires, you can see them sitting around the streets by the post office..... nobody does nothing...so the times are indeed changing, and I fear in a few years, the last of us Oranjemunders from that era will be leaving, which makes this site so important.. to preserve what we had!
:36_2_24:
Mike !ouch ! so sad ..... :36_2_24: my sentiments too ,,,,
I always used to think that we were just being racist and unfairly critical when we commented on how a place slowly sinks into the mire when "they" move in ,but you know , it's true. I have seen it happen all over here in the Cape as well as the hospitals, shopping centres etc. We have one living across the road from us - she regularly gets letters from the minicipality instructing her to cut her grass and clean up. This is followed by an invasion by garden services until the next letter. And she is an advocate!!
Cheryl, I don't think it's a racist thing, but more a case of cultures. This is Africa, and I have met some trailer trash white people. On the other side I have met some awesome genuine Black people. The problem is that there is a lot more of the uneducated exploited black masses. A huge percentage of the well educated black people that went through OPS have emigrated to Europe as there is not enough jobs out here, but the bulk of the masses have to steal to survive. Here in namibia, november is known as suicide month, with hangings going through the roof. There is no good future for them. But they still vote the rulling party into power, year after year, without seeing that only the members of the ruling party are benefiting, those more in the
know ,have ran off to join the Opposition party, the RDP, including two ex prominent SWAPO boys, who were in the top 10 of the leadership, once again they are the more intellectual members. Of course SWAPO has branded them traitors to the whole of Namibia. they spent 800 million on a presidential state house in WHK, yet the masses need schools , housing and job creation.... it's a disgrace...
Crime affects black people as well, more whites are involved in blue collar crimes, as they make up 80% of the white collar jobs..... I hate seeing the way Oranjemund is going, and believe I will get the absolute last drops of the good days here. People say that I should attend all the various meetings and initiatives here about the future of Oranjemund, I don't go, due to the fact that I believe that DEBEERS have already resigned this once proud town of theirs to the dogs. The people in the town serving on the committee's around the town, all have their own interest at heart, and not the town itself. At the end of the day only 2 things can save Oranjemund, 1) Large Private Retirement village and 2) Controlled limited tourism...... but they can't see it.....\
In my previous post I bitched about how the gardens are uprooted for mielies, thats their culture I'm afraid, but there are a few avid black gardeners that have created stunning gardens , better than their white counterparts...
I could go on forever, one must read overseas papers also, to get a broader perspective of crime world wide. I know Georg does. I read Canadian, Australian, British and New Zealand online papers, they have crime there also, the only thing is that their law system is more effecient, ours not.........
:emot26:
bravo
Quote from: Michael Alexander on November 29, 2007, 05:47:43 PM
they have crime there also, the only thing is that their law system is more effecient, ours not.........
:emot26:
And that is the main problem iknow
.... if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys!
notfair
Sticky subject ... but many true words sans the usual emotional outburst and labelling ... the outcome of the whole scenario is sad as we will all see a once proud jewell of a town die ....
Quote from: Michael Alexander on July 08, 2007, 11:40:12 AM
And While I was there , I took A few more of other's that might be of interest!
I remember this funeral well. Half of om was there.
I feel sad after I read what is happening to the town. What a great place it was. Used to dress up for going to the bioscope! Cannot believe how time flew. My eldest brother John Petersen was the Usher for many years in the early 60s and still has all the Posters from those movies!
Some names of people I use to know under "Lost Diamonds" was unexpected. Astrid and I use to go to the swimming pool and had great fun! Rudi Ackerman use to live accross us out the back gate when we lived in second avenue. His sister Rita? and I went to the same High School in Stellenbosch. We moved to a newer house after that, but I cannot remember where although I have some photos which I will post at a later stage.
Mike, can you possibly take a photo of my dads grave? Fracis G J Petersen? Also who his "neigbours" are now?? (Graves both sides) I remember going up for the funeral and that was the last time I had been there. So, I never saw the grave after that day. When I find out our addresses, I would love a photo of that too!!
You are great, getting all us old Oranjemunders in contact and the old photos are great too.
Cheers for now and thank you in advance.
Juliana Bester. (Petersen)
Hi Juliana, thanks for your kind words and memories, I plan to go around the town this week and "catch" up on a few pics I owe to a few people. It's also my early shift so I should have time on my hands.
:emot26:
Thanks Michael! What a lovely site and so much to read. I have some names and memories I would like to add once I finish reading. Will be looking forward to more pics. Cheers, Julie. thnx
Juliana, sorry, I sound like a real Ja Broer, but I ran outta time this week, and could'nt leave the shop like I would to , due to people being on leave, but I'll get there....
giverose
Hi Mike,
I've been dipping in and out of the site regularly for a couple of months now, reading loads and loving every minute of it.......A lot of happy memories coming flooding back, and then to-day, I saw the pics you took for Gary of E6-7 and I just had to say thank you.......Wow!!! it really doesn't seem like 26years since we were tearing through the alley back and forth a hundred times a day from ours to yours. Did the McManus's and Alexanders go anywhere alone during the 70's, sometimes I wonder were we actually the same family??? And so, Mike...........I'm sure you are tired of hearing this but I will say it one more time.............You are brilliant and thanks for the site.
R.
Rhona, I seem repetative, but thanks, and always remember the success of this site depends apon all the input and memories you ex Oranjemunders put into it...
As for the family connection, after you guys left, my dad, being the true celt he was made friends with another Irish family, the McCullughs, great people, in the same sense as your folks, great people, genuine folk, and through them , the braai fires and parties coninued right on into the late 80's, good people you Irish are........
Mike
BierSuip
Mike
Since you let me know how rustig you job at spar is, I used to live in E21-7th avenue, but here's the catch and I was actually thinking about it the other day. I stayed in the "pondok" (haven't used this word for a while) behind the garage (busroute side) and when I was staying there painted some pictures on the back of the door. Here's the challenge for you. See if it still there.
My father went to Alexanderbay for a NorthWest Cape rugby reunion a couple of years ago and went to his old single quaters room and found his name still burn't into the side of the bed bunk. After 50 years!
Cheers
Jacques
Jaques, I remember after all these years where your house was. I keep meaning to go out and catchup with the photo's, my camera has been lying on my desk here at work for the last 2 weeks, I'll try next week......
Hi Mike
Please don't interview the walls of that room. I'm sure they will have a lot to say about my stay there.
Have a great weekend and thanks.
I think most of the walls in the Pondoks in this town could tell a story or two....
Thanks Jacques... you also...
Dear Michael.
Is het mogenlijk om in het Nederlands met je te mailen,of heb je liever dat ik het het probeer in het Engels .
Groeten van Jan van Avezaath
I understood that.
ha ha well done diane..........wish i did. .lol yougogirl
Jan , Long time no Hear, Meiljin asb in Nederlands, ons sal onsen besten probjeer!
allgood
Mike if you get requests for pics in the mine I will see what I can do for you
Alfred
shooter
Regarding that - the pics you posted about the helicopter in the Ubvlei (I think it was) topic - Alfred, could you find out more about it? The story of what happened, how it came there, why a military chopper was there, is it a Russian chopper etc?
I think it is at Pomona or Bakers Bay where the wind and sand has blasted the bricks away, but the skeleton of the buildings remain in place with only the cement that was used - (the place I'm talking about has lots of 'agate' - those beautifull colourfull stones that uncle Gerald Hodgson used to tumble till they shone like a polished shoe) - that's the place I'm talking about. Fine, what I'm on about actually - I think you could take the most stunning sunset photo's there if you are patient (and that's if your wife will allow you to stay out till late - quite a drive back from there to town.)
Also, the hotel at Bogenfelds and the old ten pin bowling hall. There was a German sign posted on the wall (and was still there the last time I was there in 1980) that said "Who ever smokes in this hall will be "chucked" out into the fresh air....etc. etc." Should you ever go there - pls take some pics. The rock too, the cave that is just a little north of the rock. To the south - that secluded hidden beach where those hordes of seals and the sea elephant can be seen.
That's now a helluva request from me - for now - for should you ever go that way - not to say you must in order to take the pics. Just now you post back and tell me to get my ass of my chair, get to O/Mund in October, go to those places, take the pics myself and return in time for the reunion! :sorriso2:
Hi Dalene
If you look at my homepage, you find some of the things you requested
Nr1 Klick >>>>> http://www.dersofaladen.de/georg/html/bogenfels.html
Stones from Oranjemund klick >>>> http://www.dersofaladen.de/edelsteine/index.html
Dalene,...the beautiful agates....i had never seen them before and collevted hundreds during my short time in o/m....all of which i brought back to england with me.....every time i showed them any one....they always wanted some.....untill in the end i was left with 1...my very favorite.......i had that one last stone for years ...untill , one day next door neighbour came round to tell me her son had been in hospital over the weekend after swallowing something...........there in her hand she had MY AGATE.......she said looking at MY AGATE....look what came out of him.....have you ever seen anything like that....before i had time to answer she went on to say....everyone in the hospital was looking at it....and no one had any idea where he had got it from....she said she was going to keep it...........MY AGATE......but i didnt want to spoil it for her so i didnt say anything....and let her keep it.....she still talks about it to this day......and i lost my very last special madashellagate.............
That was kind of you Bev. Nice story...
dawoman
Some of my Agates
as seen in my stones homepage
I know how proud you are oldman. I've seen most of your stones. And I know there are even stone from the times as you were a child....
Very nice.
I would love a photo of E12-5th Avenue where we lived from 1969. This is next to the old X-ray building when the town was "closed" and one could only leave the town once a month. It subsequently was used by the police when security moved to between town and the mines.
The house was brand new and simply built on a piece of desert (as was the neighbouring house in which a good friend of mine's parents moved in - dont know if Dennis Proctor still lives in Oranjemund). My father was a keen gardener (if the tall trees are still next to the house, they were planted by my dad - everything trucked with Jowells and bought from Garlicks). The Gemsbok quickly learnt to jump the gates to get to his veggie garden.
Doc and Gladys Thurtell were my parents. He started as a fitter and turner after working on the "barge" (the Pomonna) .I attended the junior school to 1971 then off to boarding school (via unpressurised, windy and wet and cold and hot Dakotas).
My 7 year-old daughter drew a picture of a hut in the desert for schhol, because that what she thinks I lived in ( I am also drawn black because I lived in the desert and therefore am indigenous so therefore must be black ...). My sister Gillian and brother Andrew also attended the junior school and then boarding school.
During school holidays worked in the gents dept at the shopping centre and as an usher at the bioscope (that's what we called it then) in the evenings; and later as a student at the magazine (mine stores) at Uubvlei.
Many thanks for your initiative. I would love to show my family the town - is is still a "closed town" requiring security clearance and an invite from a resident, or can one pitch up with a password and gain entry like anywhere else?
Regards
Mike Thurtell
Junior school to 1971
SACS High: 1972 - 1976
I remember your house very well and remembered your Boet Andrew, I think from the gang days down at the 1st avenue bush's in fact whenever I drive past your house, I mentally refer to it as The Thurtell House, Same thing with a few other house's ..The Frys in 4th avenue, The macmanus's in 7th....to name a few...
I am sure that the Thurtells were involved in the incident that resulted in a fire in our pondok, for which I received a severe beating. Those were the days, !!!
Was it the house at the end of the road from our back gate (3rd avenue) The gate faced the driving range.
The Thurtells house is the one next door to the police station on 5th.....
Thurtel. It rings a bell. ??? Was there a turtle about my age? I've read Michaels post, but it didn't realy help....
@ Georg Jr .. Now thats a better picture ... nothing sinister about clowns ?? or??
Hahaha. That's me at carneval with my girls.
I'll be posting on a new topic this week.
Quote from: georg ruf jr. on January 26, 2008, 09:01:39 AM
Was there a turtle about my age? ....
Your best pic by far Boy Georg. Now about those TURTLE'S...............Richard had a tank of turtle's back then I suppose at least one of them could about your age by now.
Mike
I remember working with you at Uubvley Mine Store, Appels Coetzee was in charge and John Williams took over from him. The others who you might remember was Andries Coetzee, Johnny Hattingh, Sandy de Witt, Elaine Coetzee, Natasha le Roux, Nada Ulbrich (Rall).
I specifically recall the day when you were late, hearing the bus coming down the road. You ran for the front door, not realising that the screen door was in fact on latch. You ran it out of its frame!!!!
Keep well.
Charmain Meier (Heusdens was my married name at the time)
Quote from: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 28, 2008, 12:47:29 PM
Quote from: georg ruf jr. on January 26, 2008, 09:01:39 AM
Was there a turtle about my age? ....
Your best pic by far Boy Georg. Now about those TURTLE'S...............Richard had a tank of turtle's back then I suppose at least one of them could about your age by now.
:36_2_35:
Hi Charmain,
Nice to hear from you. Pity my lasting legacy is bashing a door down! I would have thought it would be more like counting 5000 nuts to balance the records on Kardex. I still tell suppliers like co-ops that they should have worked at mine stores to know what its all about and that because its on a computerised stock system doesnt actaully mean it exists.
Wonder if that photo of E12-5th is coming thru?
Cheers to all
Mike Thurtell
I have a backlog of photographs to take at the moment..... when I have time I'll catch up...sorry!
Quote from: Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee) on January 24, 2008, 08:37:24 PM
Regarding that - the pics you posted about the helicopter in the Ubvlei (I think it was) topic - Alfred, could you find out more about it? The story of what happened, how it came there, why a military chopper was there, is it a Russian chopper etc?
I think it is at Pomona or Bakers Bay where the wind and sand has blasted the bricks away, but the skeleton of the buildings remain in place with only the cement that was used - (the place I'm talking about has lots of 'agate' - those beautifull colourfull stones that uncle Gerald Hodgson used to tumble till they shone like a polished shoe) - that's the place I'm talking about. Fine, what I'm on about actually - I think you could take the most stunning sunset photo's there if you are patient (and that's if your wife will allow you to stay out till late - quite a drive back from there to town.)
Also, the hotel at Bogenfelds and the old ten pin bowling hall. There was a German sign posted on the wall (and was still there the last time I was there in 1980) that said "Who ever smokes in this hall will be "chucked" out into the fresh air....etc. etc." Should you ever go there - pls take some pics. The rock too, the cave that is just a little north of the rock. To the south - that secluded hidden beach where those hordes of seals and the sea elephant can be seen.
That's now a helluva request from me - for now - for should you ever go that way - not to say you must in order to take the pics. Just now you post back and tell me to get my ass of my chair, get to O/Mund in October, go to those places, take the pics myself and return in time for the reunion! :sorriso2:
numberone
Dalene about the chopper, it is at Affenrucken scrap yard and apparently was used for the barges at that time maybe the guys from Affenrucken can shed light on the subject?
How about 35-1st ave,lived there 7 years
For what it is worth, that helicopter was flown by Claude Berteau and based at Affenrucken. I had a few flights with Claude. He serviced the then barges/Pamona/Colin Sea with supplies and crew changes in the 1970's. He flew a demo at a Christmas tree party and I went to Pamona with him to do some radio work.
It was a huge hulking big thing and to land it on a rig bobbing up and down must have taken great skill. I recall once he bought the farm on a barge but dont remember which one. Tony Hockney and my brother Mike were around at the time.
I was one of a party that installed a radio station at Tschaikop near Luderitz and it brought in supplies for us. I have some video of Claude. Any of his descendents around?
I dont think CDM used it for security patrols since in those days nobody pinched the mines goodies. Well, not many got caught.
After that came the Jet Ranger.
John wishing he was flying with Claude again....
Was it a Sikorski ? sure it was used for one of the childrens christmas bashes as well ...
Michael can you please take a pic of my dads grave...Gert Cloete ( Godliep Gerhardus) he is still in the old section.
Hi Gerda, it's done... look under the Lost Diamonds board...
thanks you are a star.
bravo , great site Mike..i noticed my boet requested a pic of E12/5 th ave , if possible it would be appreciated.Well , if i have to believe all the scary stories about the town closing - is it ? like to get a pic before then sorriso2 hahahahha.....on a serious note , what is the latest on the future of Oranjemund ?
Hello Michael Alexander,
Sien jy neem soms fotos van huise. Ons het in 62-4e laan gewoon vanaf 1957. Jy voel nie lus om so n paar daar af te neem nie asb. Ek sal soooooo bly wees, sal vir jou n musiek DVD pos in ruil daarvoor. As jy kan kans kry...
Hi Mike.
Is there any chance of a pic or 2 of our old house?
We lived next door to the Brownlesses in Outer Cres.
I am not sure if we were 5 or 9.....Delia lived on the left of them and we lived to the right of them....on the corner.
Maybe this should be under 'quizzes' as it is all pretty cryptic hammer
thnx
@Zerkie and Erica, Ja, no problem, but it will have to be over the weekend sometime....
Hi Mike,
Could I tag along at the end of the queue with a request for a pic of 9/1st Avenue? It may present some problems as I believe another row of houses has been built along 1st Avenue so the numbering may have changed.
Our house was fifth from corner, a rectangular block shape with the name "Shangri La" on the rear gate and a huge Jacaranda tree next to it. Doubt if either of those aspects would still be in existence.
Thanks & regards,
Bob.
Have added it Bob..... You guy's don;t get a shock when you see the snaps, things have changed.....
:wow1:
Thanks Mike,
But couldn't find the pic. Can you point me in the right direction?
Regards,
Bob.
Sorry Bob, I will only be taking the snaps over the weekend....
grab(1)
WOW!!! does that mean you'll be photographing 14 Inner Cres
and E27/11th???????????heh heh
@ Pam, r U sure that you have the right house this time...... image19
I did not want to intrude in some private homes, so here is a drive by shooting of 9-1st ave..... the government houses have now replaced the 1st ave bushes ...
I wonder how old that pondok might be....
Here are a few from 62-4th
@Pam, 14 inner crescent was posted on here a few months back..... I will try and find the link
@Erica, I have not forgotten you.....
Hi Mike,
Thanks for those pics of 9/1st. They certainly showed massive changes but that's to be expected in almost four decades.
Grateful for the pics and will treasure them.
Regards,
Bob.
Mike.... No rush but if tyou pass E32/8th ave... be a darling and take one for me please.
...and me please....E38-9th.
Baaaie dankie vir 62-4e Laan...ai, nou ja, hmm...niks lyk meer dieselfde nie. Ons tuin was vol rose en allerande blomme, het ook almal "supply" met advokadopere, en lemoenbome, vye, kwepers...Die een kant van die tuin was so ruig, ek het altyd geglo daar het kabouters gewoon. Die ou boompie voor die huis by die voordeur het my pa nog geplant, seker in 1965, dit wou nooooit groei nie, en vandag 40 jaar later sien ek dit het nog steeds nie gegroei nie.
Laat weet my asb jou pos adres Mike, dan stuur ek vir jou n DvD vir jou moeite.
Not necessary Zerkie..... glad you got to see them....
Cheers
Hi Mike, where are the pics that Gerda and I asked for? idontknow Any chance of you taking some soon and posting them for us???!!! Pretty please!!! pls
My Apologies Jean, I just emailed John Haycox, as he emailed me also about a month back... will make a plan early in the new week... been funny times of late......
are-you-there
thnx
Hi everyone ,Hi Mike see your running around taking pics......how about i come over there and take all the pics i could be town photo taker.......wot a job..please can i do it.....lol....ill bring my camera .....
Hey Bev, great to see that you are still popping in here.....Surely you must have plenty of snaps from your Reunion trip ?
yougogirl
Quote from: Gerda Cloete on July 08, 2009, 04:39:20 AM
Mike.... No rush but if tyou pass E32/8th ave... be a darling and take one for me please.
I stay in E35/8th will strol out later and get you the pic
Hi Mike, yes ive got plenty of pics.......but i want to be back there taking more.... 23_11_61
Jean, E38-9th, was Adriaan Van Rooyen's House up until a few months ago..... as you can see the building is now vacant......
are-you-there
John, i confused myself taking these snaps..... I will return this week, took the wrong house, there is a wooden house on each side of 21-11th.... the colourful one being a church..... Interesting part of the towns history these house, I am surprised that the company does not earmark one for future tourism , kinda like what they did at Cullinan... ANyhow, here are a few snaps, I shall return./....
are-you-there
idontknow
Quote from: Michael Alexander on September 14, 2009, 11:00:59 AM
Jean, E38-9th, was Adriaan Van Rooyen's House up until a few months ago..... as you can see the building is now vacant......
Mike E40-8th was Adriaans house, E38-9th was Attie from security old house he moved to Mike Burgess old house
Yep! Yep! Alfie, you're right, those houses look the same to me, I was wondering where the braai went to around the back....
Looking at the photo's of the houses and streets realy takes me back and it feels like yesterday. I thought most of the houses are still looking pretty good. idontknow
Yes, indeed, it's mostly wine induced things that show age rapidly....
image19
Those old wooden house are indeed a piece of history .. generous proportions .. nice huge windows .. one can see the old windows replaced by mean little ones ... in CT there stil a few . old victorian corrugated houses around in tamboerskloof area .. they are protected ..
I was born in one of the wooden houses.... fond memeries...
Not at the hospital?
ha ha
Quote from: Michael Alexander on July 07, 2009, 04:35:10 PM
@Erica, I have not forgotten you.....
Hhmmmmm I wonder!! image19 laughpoint
ooops! I did forget..... At least now I have remembered.....
are-you-there
thnx daman
Thanks so much for the pictures of E38-9th, Michael. They brought back lots of memories, and it is great to see that the house is still in good condition (unlike some other pics I've seen!). The big trees that we planted outside the front of our house are gone, and my sand-pit and the bougenvilla trellis, but the house and garden are as I remember it! daman
Mike I was looking at Oranjemund on Google Earth and it looks like my old house at 35-1st may have been leveled can you check that for me ,better still post a photo when you have time. Thanks. John.
Will do John, I have to go and take a few photographs along 1st avenue for a journalist friend of mine......
woo_hoo
While you there you can point your camera over the fence and take a pic of 37/1st for me. Lived there 1977.
Ok! But don't get a shock, all those empty wine bottles will noi longer be in the garden!
arse
John your house is still there, so is Diana's, strange enough, they are in first avenue and are both inhabited ...... I did'nt take closer snaps, some people were eying me out way to strangely ...
Thanx Mike.....I'm sure it looked nicer when I stayed there. That was my very first house as a married women or rather girl I was all of 19 at the time. Beer was my drink of choice at that time. catmusic
@john... Your old house is very much still standing. I've been living in it for the past 12 years. Will downsize a couple of the pics we have taken and post them for you.
Tell me, was there a big white Iceberg rose bush outside the lounge window in your day? It looks like it's been there for decades.
Quote from: Andrew Darné on October 15, 2009, 09:37:06 PM
@john... Your old house is very much still standing. I've been living in it for the past 12 years. Will downsize a couple of the pics we have taken and post them for you.
Tell me, was there a big white Iceberg rose bush outside the lounge window in your day? It looks like it's been there for decades.
No when we left there was no rose bush. Left in 1993. Looking forward to seeing pictures. Thanks. Lived there for 13yrs. Thanks Sophi
OK now I'm totally confused. Sophie are you connected to "John321wil" or did you also live at 35/1st at a different time. Thought you were looking for a photo of 13/3rd. Oh yes Micheal Sophie has asked on 3 occasions for the 13/3rd photo.(In the shout box) So get your butt down there and do it for her or else I'll have to come and......................you. are-you-there
Up-out er... that will only be on monday.....
Hello Andrew, Sorry no rose bush when I lived there,but there was a large tree in the middle of the yard and the company wanted to take it down but never did while I was there.I also have a few photos taken in the yard will send to Mike some day. I am trying to get all the photos of my stay in Omund to post. Lived at 35-1st from early 1967-Dec 1973.
Michael - we lived at 1/12th Ave from 1969 to 1981. If passing, could you grab some photos please. Thanks
Hi Michael,
I would appreciate it if you could take a couple of pictures of the two homes I grew up in. I think it was 12/13th avenue and 7/14th avenue in those days. I include a satellite pick with the homes identified. It would be nice if you could get some distance shots of the house from across the road also. The house across the flats it the one that I would especially like to see.
I appreciate the time and effort you put into this site. Every time I find myself I am back on the site looking at pictures and reading the forum.
@John Wilson; here are a few pics for you of what 35-1 looks like now.
First 3 pics... the front of the house. The last 2 are looking west then east along 1st Avenue (ie the back street) to show what replaced the 1st Avenue tree belt. Sad, as it was lovely out back in the summer evenings; owls would perch in the treetops and you could watch them with bino's just before it got dark. Now... only crows and more crows... kaaw kaaw!
Enjoy; shout if you want any others taken.
:) Andrew
Hi Michael - Johanvz lived at 1/13th - right behind us at 1/12th.
Hello Andrew,Thanks for the pictures of 35-1st,I appreciate it a lot,my what a change on the other side of the house was a lot better with the trees as I remember it all. Thanks again, John
Sophie, here you go......sorry for the delay..... when I saw this place, i felt a sense of Dejavu.... I had been here before, in fact I think I might have been here twice before, once as a kid, not sure why and then in the late 80's early 90's when Riaan and Rebecca Blignaut lived here.... I remember the alleyway, the Shusters lived on the other side......
The McKays lived across the road, as with a number of the homes in Omund, the house has now been abandoned..... the lawn and tree;s left to the elements....... years of gardening and watering going to pot......
and... whilst taking the snaps, it was depressing to see how many other houses around this were also empty.........
Water , water everywhere, but not a drop to.......
image031
I wonder if I can have a wee word with Mr Oppenheimer when he comes to town next month.....
7-14th Avenue, as i stated, unlike Andrew, I do not usually like taking snaps of houses with folk in them, unless I know them, the guys doing funny things in town, get paranoid, when a big bloke like me pulls up at there house and starts to take snaps......
Here are a few of 1-12th ave, yet another empty house with a dying lawn, imagine a pensioner couple living in this empty house paying OTMCO 2000 a month, the house and garden would be looked after and OTMCO get income...... multiply this by 200 for the rest of the empty homes..... just me a I guess...
and
.
12-13th
Johan, there was a lady giving me a skeef look at this house, thus no close snaps... sorry...
Michael - thanks so much for those photos of 1-12th. So sad to see the pondok (my old bedroom) in such a state, along with the garden the old man used to treasure so much. At least the jacaranda is still alive. Even the indoor shots bring back some memories. The Leube family vacated that place in 1981.
Was just looking at Harry Smiths grave stone, that was the last Moth funeral I attended as their official bugeler,played the Last Post at the grave side.
Itis quite an experience playing out there as the sound reverberates ,makes your knees buckle. Then back to the Moth Hall for refreshments and toast Harry.
Hello Mike me again,if you look at (Photographs )on main site then click on (The People,)there is a photo marked (Friends 1975 jpg.) There are five kids and Im sure you recognise them ,Gary,Paul,Michael,Stephanie the other boy not named is John Wilson my son. The photo is dated 1975 but it cant be as we left Oranjemund in 1973 so it is either 1972 or 1973. Just more useless info.
(http://www.oranjemundonline.com/the%20people/pages/Friends1975_jpg.htm)
Ok, John, got the pic, 1st thing is..... the photo was taken in my dad's front garden at E7-1st avenue, thats our dog , Sandy in the background.....
I was born in 70 and only moved to Omund in 72, Paul was born in 71/72 and also moved to Omund in June 72......
Rhona should be able to back me up, but the kid in the green stripes is beyond a doubt her brother Gary....... If we do go according to your dating, Paul would only be about 12 months old and unable to stand and I would be 3 at the most......
However, this is a riddle, so when Jock comes around again, I will ask him if he remembers, as he took the snap.....
Interesting though....
Mike A, having just looked at your photo above, I can see a strong resemblance between your brother Paul as he looked then and his son Ethan
you rock love2 daman bighug msn emoticon (17) giverose present(1) image24 love(1) kiss Hi3 are-you-there pls sorriso2 ........ oh and did i mention daman msn emoticon (17) you rock 3d smiles(281) are-you-there
Any chance of that photo of 9 outer cres Mike pls
thnx (I hope) image071
Hi Mike, I know this is a very old topic but could you show me photos' of 4-9th Ave and E16-12th Ave please. Thanks.
Quote from: Michael Alexander on September 14, 2009, 11:14:10 AM
John, i confused myself taking these snaps..... I will return this week, took the wrong house, there is a wooden house on each side of 21-11th.... the colourful one being a church..... Interesting part of the towns history these house, I am surprised that the company does not earmark one for future tourism , kinda like what they did at Cullinan... ANyhow, here are a few snaps, I shall return./....
are-you-there
Mike, thanks for these pictures of 21/11th avenue. I seem to remember that our wooden house, east of 21, was much larger.
When we moved into the new house, 21/11, my father planted two poles on the northern side of the house, from which he suspended his radio antennas. I am amaged that after sixty (60) years those two poles are still standing there with nothinghttp://www.oranjemundonline.com/Forum/Smileys/Morty%27s%20Set/Youre_the_man.gif attached to them. PROGRESS I SUPPOSE. Who needs wooden poles?
A photo of E12-5th Avenue will be appreciated.
Mike Thurtell
That the house next to the Police Station?
Pulleeeze Michel.....Mine was E8/11
rgds Carl
Mike, please a photo of 4/9th avenue and E16/12th Avenue.
72 / 3RD AVENUE
AND E30 / 9TH AVENUE.
Quote from: Michael Alexander on January 18, 2010, 06:06:34 PM
(http://www.oranjemundonline.com/the%20people/pages/Friends1975_jpg.htm)
Ok, John, got the pic, 1st thing is..... the photo was taken in my dad's front garden at E7-1st avenue, thats our dog , Sandy in the background.....
I was born in 70 and only moved to Omund in 72, Paul was born in 71/72 and also moved to Omund in June 72......
Rhona should be able to back me up, but the kid in the green stripes is beyond a doubt her brother Gary....... If we do go according to your dating, Paul would only be about 12 months old and unable to stand and I would be 3 at the most......
However, this is a riddle, so when Jock comes around again, I will ask him if he remembers, as he took the snap.....
Interesting though....
Just spotted this one now...........the stripey shirt is definitely Gary...........we moved to O'mund in July '72 when I was only a few weeks old and Gary would of been 3 then..........I think '74 or '75 is the right year......Paul what's your two-pence worth?
How zit Mike
when ever please E1/10and 14/12 Thats were life started
Cheers
peter du toit
Hi!
Is it possible to ask for a few pictures of our old house, E30-14th Avenue, please?
Whenever you are able to, would really appreciate it!
To be honest, I'm actually a bit "scared" to see what the place looks like now, we had a lovely garden which our domestic engineer, good old Elifas (who remained 60 years old for as long as we can remember), maintained so well.
thnx
Hiya Mike, Sweet, Can you take a photo of my place in 5th Ave, can,t remember the number, but I had an alley way next to my room.
I wonder - lived in no 16 , 15 th . next to a park . And planted a bluegum tree right in front of the house - should be huge by now . if at all possible - what does it look like now ?may I ask for a picture / photo .
pls
A photo for E 12/ 5th avenue please ?
how about a picture of our wooden house 13 - 9 th ave and then 7 - 9th ave. Our neighbours were the van Niekerk's (Ina, Lina, Bokkie and Stephanie). Next to the 13 - 9 th ave were also van Niekerk's i think vaguely remember the name Jack, also the Heilman's and Roodselaars. Not sure about the spelling. I loved our growing up years in Oranjemund, wouldn't change it for the world.