In 7th Heaven At Sondagskloof

Although most only dream of a lifestyle that brings them closer to nature, some are lucky enough to achieve it...

- Petro Mostert

The world is full of remarkable women and Cathy Marriott of Stanford in the Overberg is undoubtedly one of them. Having nurtured a dream of one day building a straw-bale house, she is now living her best life. Situated at the end of a dirt road lined with lavender and guarded by a flock of geese and ducks, Cathy’s home is a testament to her drive and creativity.

Cathy and her life partner Basil have been living on their smallholding, Sondagskloof, about 20km outside Stanford in the Overberg for just over eight years. Before, she was a clothes designer but these days she calls herself a “Google small farmer”. Her clothing creations sold like hot cakes but Cathy’s heart was elsewhere – she wasn’t quite sure where exactly, but she knew she wanted to live on a small farm where she could grow her own food and raise her twin daughters (then 10 years old) far away from the city.

In 2010, Cathy and Basil acquired a piece of land; their first dwelling was a small cottage in the poplar forest close to where the main house stands today. The cottage had just one bedroom and a special loft bed for the twins above the kitchen; hessian bags served as carpets and as cupboard ‘doors’. In summer, the family would occasionally sleep in hammocks on the stoep or among the trees.

But Cathy had a vision: an eco home made of straw bales, clay bricks, timber and IBR sheeting. Her architect friend Alwyn van Wyk drew up the plans and today the main house at Sondagskloof is a characterful and spacious abode that’s full of surprises.

From the earth