It has taken a little while of living in the Eastern Free State to not struggle with the brownness and dust but rather to come to appreciate the many shades of gold and orange that adorn the fields at the moment. Farmers are busy harvesting, and we see combine harvesters (‘gander ganders’ according to my kids from the time they were tiny….) loping up and down the fields and then spitting out tons of pale yellow pips. Well, we had our first ride on a ‘gander gander’ this week with Minei as she harvested mielies on her father’s farm, what a great experience! The buck along with their partners in crime, Albert and Victoria, the peacocks are eating all the spring seedlings and bulbs. Already some of the fruit trees are budding - far too early as we haven’t begun pruning yet! Even Charlotte, the tortoise has been popping in and out of hibernation…

We already have three new calves, all Quella’s babies, very beautiful and chocolate brown in colour, duly named Cadbury, Mousse and Brownie! Shane carried Mousse up to the top paddock on her second day and discovered that she is quite a weight and although very small still packs a kick! He also graduated to a slightly larger new camera case after he was unceremoniously relocated by little Moo (who should I suppose now be called medium Moo)! (The camera survived – not sure about Shane’s ego)

We have at last managed to find the leak in the duck pond, which means they now no longer have to stand in line for a chance at ‘the’ puddle… but can actually swim once more albeit with floating ice bergs the last few mornings. The weather has been beautiful, very cold in the mornings and warm in the middle of the day, still no sign of snow, but the ski slopes have a good run going with their snow machines. (Remember to bring your passports if you are thinking of going through to Lesotho - temporary passports are not allowed)

I would not claim in any way to be a gardener but we are very excited about our discovery in the veggie garden…We have managed to keep our coriander, parsley, lettuce and a few other things going amid the severe frosts by nesting them in the hay we feed the horses. This has obviously kept them warm and protected and wonderful to still be picking fresh things from the garden. It does however come with other problems, like last week when the horses escaped and we found them munching away in the veggie patch……nothing like a midnight roundup to warm one up and ensure you sleep well at night!

We also said a warm Wyndford welcome to baby Cassidy who arrived on World Cup Final day, having slid under the radar a full two weeks earlier than expected. A tiny little dot at just under 3kg with a light dusting of brown hair who already upsets all Angelique’s precise planning and is the apple of Dad’s eye! Life has forever changed in the Woolmore residence….

Football is still a hot topic here although the World Cup has come and gone we now boast a Wyndford Team…I spent an hour and a half waiting for kick off yesterday (definitely on African time….) or maybe things were just delayed due to the opposition being the team from Home Affairs!!

It is nearly time to close the bowling green for its annual makeover - (Ponty gets pedicures and the bowling green gets a makeover…I’m definitely missing a trick here) and before we know it, it will be Spring.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Until then, stay well and warm,
Best regards
the Wyndford Team

Someone left the fridge door open this morning...Temperatures have taken a dive but as yet still no snow to be seen on the Maluti Mountains. In one household at Wyndford, temperatures were of no consequence as other more important events were occuring. Celvin and Angeliques baby girl arrived on Sunday at lunch time. Mother, Baby (and Dad) are all doing well.

Remember this coming weekend 16 - 18 July 2010 special....all adults receive a 30% discount (yes that means everyone from 13 to 130!) so as is said, Just do it!!

We look forward to hearing from you soon
Stay well and warm
from the Wyndford Team

Still no snow that we can see ... but beautiful days. Just one more week of the World Cup and holidays, we trust all our guests have had a great time at Wyndford. Fun was had down at Ibis Gorge as the tractor took everyone down to go agate hunting in the river and a group are just back from abseiling. Remember our post world cup special running for the weekend of the 16th - 18th July 2010 where all adults get a 30% discount. Come and join us for some great walks, or just a little peace and r&r!

Until then, stay well and Warm!

Crispy, is a good way to describe Wyndford at the moment…The grass is brown and crunchy, the leaves brittle and falling - great fun actually once they have been raked into a pile! Trees are standing bare and quiet and the fence poles are topped with frost each morning. (Dodge has been seen lying early morning covered in a layer of frost making ‘snow angels’ – heaven on earth for a Husky!) It is also fun to see how a few flurries of snow around the farm can bring people out from warm firesides twirling with glee (whatever their age)! These pictures show how different and special each season at Wyndford is.…


Fire is always a worry at this time of year, especially when due to the good rains in summer the grass is standing near as tall as me. Last week we were alerted to a crackling red rim all round us as the top of the mountain burned brightly. Fortunately there was not a breath of wind and although the blackened ground is not great, the threat to Wyndford has now considerably lessened.

I am pleased to say that I am not the only one surprised by Pork Chop… I don’t feel quite so much like a city girl anymore. So here we introduce him, (the Big one) next to a horse which gives you some idea of his size, having said that, he still needs to be seen to be believed!


We had a very festive braai with everybody in the Shed for the Bafana match, unfortunately all our shouting didn’t seem to make a difference! On a quiet day recently, we decided to show our staff that there are other games besides football, and we played foozeball, table tennis and snooker and then took them all outside and taught them how to play bowls. With much hilarity and competition, but with very little expertise, we decided this sport only takes one roll to make people lean either to the left or to the right!

Our winner of a two night mid week stay for two is Val Chilcott. We look forward to being able to welcome you to Wyndford.

♫ Music to your ears (and wallets)…….
We are offering a special discount of 30% for all adults (you don’t have to be a golden oldie to qualify for this one) for the weekend of 16 – 18 July. This would require a two night stay. So, round up friends and family and take a much needed ‘post match’ break – but be sure to call soon to avoid disappointment. ♫

Waiting to hear from you
Until then, stay well and warm,
Best regards from the Wyndford Team

Reminder for those visiting Wyndford in the winter holidays...

Remember to bring your passports with if you are planning to go into Lesotho, especially if it snows any time soon.....

The Eastern Free State is showing its colours and temperatures! Definitely going down…..having said a fond farewell to all sandals for the year we are definitely into boots weather.

Pork chop arrived this week to inspect his new abode. A little daunting to see a 350kg pig start to eat his way into the bark of the nearest tree in the paddock. It took three men behind him to ‘persuade’ him in the right direction, but he has since taken to more pigly pastimes and is now just wallowing in his pen. He is more wirey and hairy than expected – ok, so there is still some city girl in me – I thought all pigs were pink and soft.

Our Peacocks are well settled in and amble around the farm together. Seeing they come with built in crowns we decided that they required equally regal names so Victoria and Albert they are!

The horses had a moment of madness yesterday and all decided to make a break for it. Gallop-a-trot down the drive towards the church, even the timid ones were sneaking a quick nibble on the church lawn. I promise you that horses can look guilty!

Driving down to Durban last weekend for the AA Accommodation Awards dinner there was an excitement about the possibility of winning but alas, Wyndford is a bridesmaid once again. They do have lists of winners on the website http://www.accommodationawards.co.za/ for anyone interested. I drove home singing along with Queen and Elton John ….The show must go on! (Glad there was no-one else in the car with me…) Be assured that we always try our best to ensure that your holiday, however long or short, will always be of the highest standard and hopefully a memory making occasion!

Our festive football games room is complete with new fooseball (soccer with sticks…?!) machine and all 32 flags of the world cup. I think we might offer a prize to the person who can stand in the middle of the room and tell us all 32 flags and countries……none of us are there yet! There is something about waving a flag that lifts the spirits…on the way up to the games room with our SA flag there were shouts of Bafana Bafana from all around the farm and putting up the flags was one of the most enjoyable (and noisy….everybody has an opinion on who will win!) tasks undertaken.

Seen above is a very special picture Shane took in the trees outside reception. We have repeatedly heard the African Wood Owls talking to each other at night but have not seen one. This chap spent an hour or so with us allowing his photo to be taken from each and every angle! A very exciting sighting indeed!!

To all oldies, who missed their discounts in June/ July holidays watch for a special in the near future…having said that, oldies still qualify for the 20% four nights or longer discount so round up the kids and grandkids and join us. Remember, if you are visiting us in the winter months, remember to bring your passports just in case it decides to snow up in the mountains.

I was told last time that I was getting my games muddled, red carded, sidelined…maybe I should stick to something I know and say …Book soon for June July holidays if you do not want to be caught in the deep…

Waiting for your call or email
Until then, stay well and warm,
Best regards from the Wyndford Team

Having had so much rain in the last little while, the Eastern Free State is looking particularly pretty as everything is green and lush and the leaves are painting a palette of gold as autumn arrives. The morning and evening temperatures have dropped and a jersey is definitely required (even Shane arrived so attired one morning this week!) Crisp fresh mornings but still getting up to the mid 20’s during the day with clear bright blue skies – all adds up to being great for walking and photography!

This season has been a delicious veggie garden year. We have had our own broccoli, cauliflowers, rocket, gems, and yellow tomatoes, to name a few as well as pumpkins by the score! (14 of which grew ‘by mistake’ in the church garden!) Tonight’s pudding is raspberry cheesecake with our home grown raspberries!

It would appear that the adoption of the peacock and his lady will go ahead as they have so far behaved with aplomb. After the first day of freedom to roam the garden, Lucas and Shane spent an eventful half hour directing them into the pen with the ducks and geese for the night and now if we can’t find them in the garden late afternoon they have taken themselves off home! They have inspected the reception and the games room - not their favorite place – tiled floors and claws are not very elegant to negotiate!! Any suggestion for names will be duly considered…

We have another prospective member to the family coming soon in the form of ….. Pork Chop. He is a 350kg pig belonging to a local farmer’s wife and we agreed to take him over in exchange for a bunny.. (or two) We are now busy building a pig pen at the bottom of the paddock as his new accommodation.

Talking of accommodation, we have recently renovated Outlook’s bathroom – into a shower room. With the rich additions of kelims on the floor and a few other tweaks, this room is still an old favourite. We also have a new look office with golden poplar which we are really enjoying.. although after the first week we had skid marks on the counter from where Wyndford (the cat) lands after jumping off the cupboard. Pictured above negotiating the top of the tennis court fence – heights are not an issue!

Our winner of a two night mid week stay for two is Suzanne Maritz. We look forward to being able to welcome you to Wyndford.

Soccer fever passes us by a little here in the country, but with so few days left to the World Cup kick off and the wonderful school holidays, we still have some availability over June and July. Eskom and DSTV withstanding we should be able to enjoy all the excitement from afar! Don’t leave it too late if you do not want to be side lined (or is that rugby?!)!

Waiting for your call or email
Until then, stay well,
Best regards from the Wyndford Team