Building a Cabin - In the middle of nowhere

Working for my Dad, while he was in the logging business, I stayed out in the 'bush' to manage the operations, keep the equipments maintained and working and generally dealing with any urgent problems that may have cropped up.

(excuse the damaged fender-I got mad with the pickup.Think I was an angry lad?)

Because I was out there for long periods of time, It was worth building a 'temporary house' to be comfortable in. This is one of those houses I made for myself whilst in the area behind the Matusadona Mountains. The wood I used was all cutoffs from the trees we were cutting and planking.

Perimeter fence done and the 'rain-boards' up, to stop rain-rivers running thru the cabin...
My assistant trying to move a little tree out the way! I asked him to move it the other side of the boards but he didn't seem to be paying much attention...? lol

Coming along well now, Got running shower, toilet (you can just see it to the left of the water drum-with proper house flush system and all - my throne!!! lol) and another water take off to my sink area on the left of the cabin (follow the hose along the roof of the building)

Using nails, screws, hammers and axes (this one belonged to an axe) it was a matter of when rather than what-if.... no stitches needed - thank goodness (Rambo was miles away with his sewing kit!)

Mostly done now - I made up a pulley system so I could close the 'wind-gap' above the blue tarpaulin by pulling a rope down and securing it - useful if it rained (I was there thru the rainy season). Here you can see my kitchen area on the left.

Inside my little cabin - not much to say except: I wish all houses could be wood...
Need an extra hanging point - nail, hammer, job done... :~)
Yep, calender says 1997...

Trying to take a pic of my little guy, found him on the side of one of the bush roads, lying in a little stream caused by the rain (it was still raining) - he was soaked and I doubt if he woulda lived thru the night. I had a good look round the area for 'mommy cat' spoor but nothing. Think he was abandoned so I took him in - thats for another story tho... (I musta had him for about a month or two at least when I took this pic)


Once the main shelter up - onto the recreational buildings...
Click on the photo to enlarge it (if you didn't know?) and you can see me building my night club to the rear left of my 'bullet stop' (just joking - no, really...lol)

Once we finished in an area we left it as we found it (as much as we could) Soooo, away goes my cabin, and start over in the new area...
I did need a hair cut, but it also kept the sun off my neck so was convenient ... hmmm.
Plus the fact I was out here most of my time - who cared right... lol

It burned for a long time!! I stayed til it burnt out - think I just ended up spending the night it took so long. (Gotta be sure not to start any bush fires)


When just moving into a new area and before building, I'd first make a temporary shelter. Such as the one below... Get an idea of the prevailing winds, arch of the sun, the smells of the area, any game movements then get stuck in and build.
Notice my assistant - almost grown up and still a slacker! Sitting on the job... lol
Black drum contained water - I ALWAYS took too much, not very nice when you run out, let me tell you that...


My 'bedroom'. Man, to think I thot nothing of living like this for a week or two...
Gundwani used to catch rats and mice and come eat them in the middle of the night RIGHT by my ear! Seriously!! I could feel his body against mine as he ate them, crunch, crunch, crunch!!! Why do they do that... lol