Thursday, May 31, 2012

WOW..Top 10 Child Friendly holiday Venues...

In this month’s issue of Good Housekeeping SA and Goeie Huishouding, we have been listed as one of SA’s Top 10 Child-friendly Holidays. Thanks to Deborah Herd and Daniel Tukker for their afirmations! Usually begining with a 'W" we feature last in most lists, so great to be the first one for a change!
Keep smiling (we are) and have a great day.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

May we share our news....

Our trees all stand nude in the minus temperatures of the last few weeks – it does equal a very happy husky! Thanks to all those concerned about him, he has been on some different medication and is back to his normal bouncy self. It would appear to have been the same sort of bug as biliary but all seems sorted now.


For all interested birders, we once again (remember the bearded sparrow…) have a new bird species spotted at Wyndford. We have bald Ibis in residence and breeding, and now we also have the new (and not so improved) bald Emu. Oooops. He/she, we are still not sure which, was isolated and attacked by the other two Emu’s who seem to be mating and became separated outside the fence and (4 stiches in Celvin’s ear later) started ambling up the ‘S’ bends towards Fouriesburg. The following morning our men picked him/her up on their way to work and we have been nurturing ever since. Still bald (and possibly chilly) he/she seems content and recovering in the paddock next to the others.

Jaco has been busy pioneering a new and different horse trail up into Ibis Gorge, but alas, my sneaky planned first trial of the route was snookered by George – broken ankles and old age can be a handicap!! Cotton wool here we come….

We are very grateful for wonderful log fires (and underfloor heating) – so don’t be afraid of visiting in winter. Walking is a treat and the clear views of the marvelous Maluti Mountains in the distance as they are bathed in the pink and blue hues of the late evening are amazing. (There are still a few rooms available for the winter Amateur Astronomy weekend in June).

As noted in our blog (see our website) the Olympic qualifier – the Tour de Free State came through this morning with our Wyndford banners flying we cheered the cyclists on for the all of four seconds as they flitted though the town! Cycling at Wyndford and the local surrounds is a wonderful (and distant memory for some of us…) experience. The off road routes are amazing and the roads are calm and beautiful. Also, note, that the river road to Agate bank has been done by over sixty’s as well as three year old twins on push bikes. However, the continuance round the mountain is a challenge not for the faint hearted!

A recent incident with a guest being accosted as they ventured onto the end of the farm, saw George sitting under a tree on the Lesotho side of the Caledon with the local Chief (and the Whole village) as the three, three foot high perpetrators were given a hiding that had George cringing. No problems since!

We understand the difficulties of the financial situations that plague SA, and the world, but in all the stresses we would like to believe that time away at Wyndford is still worth the money and effort to recharge those batteries to keep on keeping on!

Thanks to all who entered our monthly draw on the website. The May winner is Gareth Van Hooschooten

Our warm wishes to you all, and hoping to hear from you soon, greetings from the Wyndford Team

PS I did eventually master the click song (of our last newsletter) and our team photos are now on our Wyndford Gallery Page!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

For all those who are happy on two wheels...


The second annual Tour de Free State starts in Bloemfontein tomorrow. As an Olympic qualifier, the event has teams from 15 different countries participating. Stage 3, 120km, starts in Clarens then to Bethlehem and comes through Fouriesburg on Saturday 26 May. An opportunity to see top cyclists in action!
Let's hope that they wait for the sun shine before starting each day as -5° temperatures might make it necessary for more clothes than usually worn.  Wishing you a warm hearted day ahead.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Winter has arrived!

Cold, dry sunfilled days with beautiful blue skies, just getting out of bed in the morning is a little difficult - that extra cuddle under the blanket with the cat... rather than facing the walk to the office across the white lawn. Having said that, Dodge (out Husky) has a grin from brown eye to blue eye! George and Jaco are walking up Bungy Buttress at the moment and Celvin and Angelique are hoping for sun on the beach, as they are on leave.  The fires are roaring in the lounge and the diningroom but thankfully nothing out on the farm.  The only good thing about having no rain is that the veld fires have less to burn on!
Don't forget the Wyndford Astronomy weekend at the end of June and also the fact that the 20% discount applies during the July school holidays for a 4 night or longer stay.  Give us a call on 058-2230274 or on reception@wyndford.co.za we look forward to hearing from you.  Stay well and warm! regards from the Wyndford Team.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Wyndford Astronomy Weekend - 22 June to 24 June 2012

Please join as at Wyndford Holiday farm on the 22nd to 24 June 2012, for a fun and informative weekend of Astronomy for the whole family. Presented by Robert and Joyce Faltermeier, budding amateur astronomers. The weekend’s activities are suitable for all types young, old, active and not so active.

Activities include the following:
Friday:
• Basic introduction to Astronomy part 1
- Slide-show and talk on wonders of the universe and the moons.
- Documentary on stars
• Making your own planespheres.
Ever wondered what star you are looking at? What time of the year is the best time to view Jupiter? Make your own planesphere and never wonder again, use this simple devise to navigate your way around the stars
• Star gazing with a telescope.
Join us for an evening of viewing the current celestial bodies on show, and view the universe as you may not have viewed it before.
Saturday:
• Walk the scale of the Solar System.
What If the Sun was the size of a basketball? How far would we walk to reach each of the planets? This walk is for the more adventurous, where we go for a 3.5 hour hike and plot the distance of each of the Solar System’s major bodies, and explore them in detail.
• Space “craft” for kids.
For the not so big kids- learn how to make your own star constellations and your own space ships. Learn about the major stars in our universe, become a “space expernaut” and teach your parents about the stars.
• Basic introduction to Astronomy part 2
- Slide-show and talk on asteroids and black holes.
- Documentary on asteroids and black holes
• Learn the Constellations.
Ever wonder what stars make up the constellations and the story behind the names, join us for an informative tour of the night sky.
• Star gazing with a telescope.
• Join us for an evening of viewing the current celestial bodies on show.