Chasing Windows

This one's about chasing windows. We are building a small cottage in Tesselaarsdal. The builder had obtained bargain basement windows. But the size didn't appeal, and they are (says I) flimsy. However, if I wanted to change them, I had to act fast, as the cottage's walls were going up. I located some suitable aluminium windows. These appealed to E., as they are durable and easy to clean. But the builder said one would need a specialist to mount them, and they wouldn't go together well with wooden doors. Therefore this morning early, I spent an hour at Wood Strippers (pictured) selecting windows: heavy teak, meranti, and Oregon pine. The company recovers windows -- and doors and other items -- from old buildings. Then I undertook the long journey out to Tesselaarsdal (long in my three-wheeler anyway), winding my way first through (the somewhat notorious) Hanover Park and Nyanga. The builder seemed very pleased with the windows, although he will need to return the bargain basement ones, probably for a handling fee. I said he can claim that he had an impossible client. The cost of the old windows: about twice that of the bargain basement ones, which is really not much, considering.