Yes, I live on a remote farm in the middle of nowhere - but it wasn't always like that. This area was one of the richest, most fertile farming areas in East Africa and almost every single farm was occupied and farmed to it's full potential. The local village had a post office & basic shops and almost everything you could need, the farmers had a vibrant social life with 2 country clubs (that I know of) in the area. Regular social events and sporting events were held and provided an escape from day-to-day farming life. People also held house parties on their farms, and would have guests 'from town' to spend the weekend (I've heard of some notorious parties which are still spoken about over 40 years later !)
One of the old country clubs still stands, on a neighbouring farm to ours. The top photo shows the main entrance to the country club - well, where it once was. The first time I ever saw it, I was struck by what a coastal air the old club house had about it, because the architecture and finishes are straight from something on the Tanzanian coast. (I'd love to know who originally designed & built it). This photo directly above, shows the old bedroom areas, where people could stay the night if they came from far (or were unable to drive themselves home !) In the typical style of that time, hotels/clubs were built with one main area housing the dining room/lounge/bar/kitchen and then a separate outside building containing all the guest bedrooms - just a short walk across the courtyard.
These are the doors which still hang at the main (front) entrance to the clubhouse. They are traditional hand carved Zanzibari doors with brass studs - aren't they gorgeous ? The main entrance is reached by a dramatic flight of old stone steps (not pictured).
This room runs the full length of the front of the clubhouse, with a veranda opening off it and it has views out over what must have once been the gardens/playing fields and Mt Meru beyond. I reckon that this room must have been the main dining room. The wooden window frames are all still intact (notice a few glass panes have survived !) and I simply love the old stone floors.
You can see the old trees which still stand, similar to some we have in our own garden (maybe the people who lived on our farm at the time had something to do with that ?) - they were obviously once purposefully planted. These were the clubhouse gardens and playing fields - cricket was always a popular game. (Some of the old buildings behind the clubhouse also look like they could have been stables at one time.)Of course I wanted more than anything to go inside the clubhouse, to climb the stairs to the top floor (imagine the views from there !) and explore. But the entire building is so rickety and looks like the walls may crumble at any time, I did not want to take that chance and upset something and cause parts of the building to collapse on top of me !
The current owner mentioned to my husband that one day he would like to turn it into a small hotel. Wouldn't that be wonderful ? I bet the old buildings would love to house guests again. If I strain my ears I can almost hear the sound of a piano playing, it's notes spilling out through the crisp Kilimanjaro air as people talk and laugh and the distant tinkle of crystal glasses and fine silverware call them in for a sumptious dinner ......
