My uncle Gus Damstra and his stone roses

My uncle Gus Damstra was a real eccentric character - He was a rock hound and used to spend many hours making stone eggs amongst other stone items in his studio in Houtbay.  He was really passionate about  geology and various types of stones and rock formations in South Africa and Namibia. 

Many years ago before Chapmanspeak was closed during rainy spells.  My uncle Gus would wake up very early after storms and go collect the Chapmanspeak stone that fell onto the road. He wanted to build a house from it. So with his glasses halfway on his nose and that funny geologists circular magnifying glass thingy strapped to his glasses - He was off to prospect some Chapmanspeak stone. In his van with a trailer. That prospectors mindset would be completely shut off today. But back in more individualistic times, harvesting stone on an individual level was not a problem. Now due to big corporate greed, the little guy suffers under scrutinys rath. 

Anyway my good ol uncle loved to go to Namibia, South West Africa it was called back then, to collect a stone rose or 2. He had a show cabinet in his lounge with all sorts of stone hewn geological things he had made or collected. The stone roses always fascinated me. So when i spotted one in a previously disadvantaged shop - (charity shop) It sparked me thinking about my uncle. 

I have a photo of me with him on his newly acquired plot in Rebiek Castiel - He was such a gem of a character, always with a twinkle in his eye and a wink. Gave the impression he was  in full control of things. Looking back like me, he was probably just hanging onto life by his fingernails. I really love people that in the depths of lifes huge storms can give you the confidence to try calmly focus. My uncle Gus was such a man. 

He passed away a good few years ago now - The stone rose i found reminded me of a passion not easily forgotten and such a huge joy to behold. Cut stone or wild copper harvested. It takes a gemstone specialist to teach you the simple beauty of this life. 

I drew up his house that was built. My aunt Mavis now lives there, i really need to go see her to close out an epic chapter of life.