our house
The donkey court (=ezelhof) is located in Flandres, Belgium in between the two historic cities of Bruges (10km) and Ghent (30km). It is in the community of Oedelem (hamlet Zeldonk). To give international visitors an idea of where we are situated: Belgium is in between the Netherlands, France and Germany. The donkey court is about 35 kilometers from the Belgian coastline (North Sea).
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Having
all the necessary documents and licenses, we could start the renovation process
of the house. We like to keep busy and try to undertake as much as possible
ourselves (however, we can't do everything of course!). Although sometimes tiring,
it is also a very satisfying process.
We bought the donkey court in 1998 and were able to move there in the spring
of 2001. We still had (and have) a lot of work to do though.
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Trui
& Jim: proud owners! Immediately after buying the house in 1998. |
Jim's
tearing down the chimney (1999). This is now the hall (stairs). |
In
the beginning of 2000... |
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Jim
and Trui taking a break on the rain drains! (inner court yard) Summer 2000. |
We
had a lot af debris... (2000) |
Trui
painting the wooden beams in the living room (end 2000). |
We moved from Ostend to the donkey court in the spring of 2001, with still a lot of work to do....
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Jim
replacing the tiles and ridge on the roof of the stable. (2003) |
The
roof of the stable is finished. |
Trui
cementening the walls of the stable. (summer 2004) |
The
Inner court yard now looks like this: |
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The deck at the kitchen (on the inner court yard). (beginning 2004) |
The
pathway along the stable is nearly finished, all the new doors are installed,
the walls are cemented and painted (Fall 2005). |
 Snow at the donkey court in Zeldonk. (January 2005) |
 The kitchen - with tiles and painted (November 2007) |
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