Leisurely beach lifestyle
The Engelbrechts bought the cottage without seeing it. “We used Google Street View to figure out where the backyard is,” recalls Corné. The sofas in the living area were painted in Annie Sloan Paris Grey and the wooden cupboard in Annie Sloan Burgundy. The Christmas stockings are usually strung up above the built-in bench in the living room before Carlo lights the first fire. Hartenbos is synonymous with sleeping late, playing board games, braaiing and family fun. Carlo can always be found at his braai, which is almost on the sidewalk! “The fire is my TV. We cook everything on the coals, even hamburger patties and bacon.”
“And jaffles for breakfast!” adds Corné. “The fire is usually lit early in the morning and then it’s difficult to drag Carlo away.” Carlo simply shakes his head: “My wife doesn’t need to cook. My mantra is: ‘Happy wife, happy life’.”
Togetherness is what makes Christmas special for the Engelbrechts. “And gifts!” chime in the twins Wiljé and Rainier (13). “It’s an entire month of giving and sharing that builds up to time spent with family,” adds Carlo.
Corné recalls the kids’ childhood years: “The day school closed, we always gathered around the tree to make decorations. Then we slept under the tree that night. But the children have grown up, the tree is smaller, and we’re a bit too old for that now.”
Even though they no longer sleep under the tree, the kids still eat the chocolates in the advent calendar with as much enthusiasm as ever.
On Christmas Eve, they all braai together and at midnight, young and old open gifts. “We hand out presents on Christmas Eve so that Christmas Day is kept special,” says Corné. “We start our day together at the Hartenbos outdoor church service in the amphitheatre.”
At lunchtime, Carlo takes charge of the braai area and Corné and the youngsters set a beautiful outdoor table with homemade crackers and decorations; heirlooms from Granny Carina (Carlo’s mom) add to the nostalgia. “Every Christmas meal is special. Our extended family, including the in-laws and their families, all get together. Out of necessity, we eat outdoors because the house is simply too small,” says Corné.
“And, of course, dessert is spectacular every year,” adds Carlo. >>