Finding The Vintage Barn among sugarcane fields, at Compensation, Ballito, on the Dolphin Coast of Kwazulu Natal, was like stepping into an Alladin's Cave for vintage hunters.
My bestie from school days took me to an early-morning health talk in the gorgeous coastal village of Salt Rock.
We had the whole day ahead of us afterward, so we took a scenic drive a little inland from another popular coastal holiday town, Ballito, to see why locals and tourists turn off the R102 and flock to this off-the-beaten-track venue over weekends.
It was well worth it.
Our trip started with fleeting glimpses of the ocean beyond exclusive beachfront homes from Salt Rock to Ballito, with luxury cars chasing money us, making it impossible to take a decent photo.
Once on the peaceful road inland, we were greeted by beautiful landscapes with rolling green hills of sugarcane, and avenues of trees.
We drove past Collisheen, a beautiful function/conference/team-building venue. Adventure Valley Zipline and off-road adventures are a little further along that road.
I took well over one hundred photos of everything vintage at the Barn; old sewing implements, kids' playground rides, an old milkshake machine, comic books, gramophones, old vinyl records, shotguns, homeware, an old candy cart, and the list goes on, and on!
The owners clearly have a good sense of humour.
Many car body parts were displayed - RIP, The End, and even a 'Short Road.'
Old gasoline pumps took me back many years.
Someone lost a leg, obviously while roller skating!
...and...we thankfully did not get a traffic fine for not feeding the parking metre.
Is anyone looking for body parts? You may just find a suitable car door, a trunk lid, or even a Front Bumper Grill for your Mercedes!
How did we manage without cell phones? Well, there were telephone booths all over towns and cities, but what about when you get stuck on the road outside town? You had to start walking and try to hitch a ride if you saw a car coming along.
I'm not sure if this sporty model is vintage or built by a crafter.
It sure wasn't Halloween, but a witch-on-a-broom was chasing a flying bicycle!
Remember the days of writing letters? I don't think many of you have done this, but it used to be how we communicated or sent documents to other destinations, many moons ago.
Does anyone remember these old speakers that used to hook onto your car window at the drive-in theatre? Some cars had rain shields in case it rained while at the drive-in, otherwise, the wipers would have to be turned on from time to time. Other times the rain would come down so hard that one had to leave halfway through the movie!
This old wheelbarrow was creatively turned into a funny old scarecrow.
I managed to find dessert bowls, and was tickled pink with the sign on the cash register; I must have had a good attitude as I was given a discount for my goods ;)
They do serve light meals at the Barn, but nothing appealed to us and my friend wanted to take me to her favourite coffee shop, Fábrica Coffee & Bistro Café in Sunningdale, Umhlanga.
We were starving as it was past lunchtime. We could not wait to dive into a scrumptious juicy bunless burger with all the trimmings, and a smoothie.
The perfect end to a fascinating day.
The End, Thank you for Reading!
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Artwork by @artywink
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