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Monday 20th March 2017:

A NOGGIN WITH A DIFFERENCE!

It is a Monday night before a public holiday, so there is plenty of time to “kuier” in Daws Avenue, Bedfordview at the ultimate bachelor’s residence.  (NO, not for strippers but for serious petrol-heads.)

Gert Smith’s home is a living museum of an amazing range of some 40 operating “Concours Condition” stationary engines, some dating back 106 years… Listers, Petters, etc. The oldest Lister engine in SA at 107 years, a 1906 Australian diesel sheep-shearer, electric generators from villages now cities, and all immaculately restored.

His entrance-hall, is inhabited by 2 pristine condition, bright red McCormick tractors of 1949 vintage. This dramatic entrance then flows into an Alladin’s Cave of 2 bars, 2 museums and a serious “lapa”.

Then there are 2 bars crammed with motor memorabilia.... hand-operated petrol-pumps, lit-up advertising signs of Brands now long extinct, a pinball and one-arm bandit machines are also to hand. Everything is operational!

Outside there are 35 Porsche Club devotees milling around a “gemudkliche” bonfire and sizzling braai under a cosy Highveld starlit-sky. It doesn’t get better than this!

THANK YOU Gert for another tough day in Africa!

Note: Gert Smith, (obviously a bachelor), is my neighbour, and a single father who has “in-house” raised 2 sons and 2 daughters, all producing excellent progress with their tertiary education.

Martin Maine