Chilly weather...

Snow sparkling on the Maluti mountains this morning! If you are joining us for the half term weekend, bring your passports...you may get to build a snowman!

October News...

Temperatures are expected to head into the thirties today and the 5mm rain we had on Tuesday is already a distant memory.  (It didn’t actually last long enough for us all to go dance in the rain!) It was welcome nevertheless, as we have not had any rain since the 12^th April and conditions are very dry and fires in the area have been a problem.  All the trees and roses are proudly showing off their bright new green leaves but at the end of the day look as wilted as we feel. The Banksia’s are flowering but none of the other roses are near blooming yet. The fruit trees seem to have escaped last week’s two frosty mornings and some trees are showing small kernels of fruit already.  The Macadamia tree (ok, stick…) we planted last year has made it through the winter and is now 1m high with three leaves – we live in hope!
We have put some of our old equipment to good use and the retired fertilizer spreader along with the food separator have been reworked as a plant containers which now boast rose creepers. The vegetable garden is already producing spinach and rocket to keep up with the kitchens requirements and the carrots, beetroots and the rest of the “good-for-you’s” are standing proudly in bright rows. The bowling green has been played for the first time this season and was running reasonably well for so early in the season (according to the experts).  We already have 30 folk joining us for the fun bowls tournament at the end of November, so don’t delay in giving the girls in the office a call on 058-223 0274 to book your place.
Dusty is still having training for his misbehaviours and is making good progress (now all we have to do is train the humans…) Ponty and the rest of the gang are all having pedicures today and the dentist has been booked….oh to be a horse! The pigs have popped 6 little piglets and they remain joy inducing as one leans on the paddock gate to watch their antics.  E,M and U did not get the hatching correct and abandoned their eggs.  They weighed in at an impressive 522gm per egg and Jaco got the dubious pleasure of blowing out the eggs so we could keep the shells!  Three bantam babies hatched, one new calf (a delicious toffee colour but a boy – we were hoping for a girl…) and Charlotte has ventured forth, drank two bowls of water straight down and proceeded to shorten the spring flowers – fortunately they have resprung!
We are into Asparagus season in the Eastern Free State and today we are serving a new Asparagus and Pistachio soup and have even convinced non Asparagus and Avo eaters to try our delicious Beer Battered Asparagus with Avo Mayonnaise - who responded with a resounding YUM!  Yum was also the word of choice at the braai where spare ribs were enjoyed with evidence, after which a swim – the first of the season, and only for the brave was enjoy.  Alternatively, a (very brief) nap on the blanket under the willow tree was an option for some or waterspraying the geese much to their enjoyment.

We have enjoyed having many old timers and very frequent guests with us over the last few weeks, and we have celebrated all numbers of birthdays recently from 90 all the way down to Angelique and Celvin’s young Sebastian who turned one this week.  It is one way to work out how old Maluti really is, when guests who rode him as children come back with their children and discover he is still plodding his way to the gate with little people on his back!

Thanks to all those who enter our monthly draw. August’s winner is Rachelle Inocco.
Looking forward to being able to welcome you to Wyndford’s beauty in the Springtime!
Warm regards from us all, your Wyndford Team.
Remember to like us on our facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm or alternatively on or website at www.wyndford.co.za to get more news and pictures!

September Spring Special...

Happy September everyone!
We celebrate with a Spring Special FREE NIGHT!...book to stay between the 13th & 20th September 2013 ...stay for 4 nights and only pay for 3 nights!
If you can't take advantage of this special, share with someone who maybe could join us....

August News

Well, it would seem that we are definitely moving closer to Spring.. Charlotte (the tortoise) has moved – about 4m from her previous location – which she has been in for the last three months. The Buntings arrived in their flocks and rose pruning started (ten down, eighty to go!).  Also, the bowling green is now officially closed after waiting completion of the Wyndford / St Martins Maths camp challenge. (Which we won, this year Yay! but,…… they will be back!)

For those of you who have not met the new kid on the block – here is a picture of our baby goat who is now more nimble, less wobbly, enjoying head butting lessons with dad, Yodel and climbing lessons with his mom.  We are eagerly awaiting to see if E, M and U actually managed to hatch their babies.  Nine beautiful blue eggs still under dad, one rolled out this last week and diligently covered with leaves.  We presume that it did not make it?!  
Unfortunately, country life comes with the down sides as it does anywhere.  We had to put Zoey down after her leg was badly broken by a deft kick from Dusty.   Hard to look into her liquid chocolate eyes and say goodbye.   Apparently, a freak occurrence, but sad none the less. Dusty has now been seen by our local horse therapist, with another session next week…

Our July specials were enjoyed by guests who decided to brave the Eastern Free State winter, although there were days when it was so warm the fire in the lounge was not necessary and only lit for cosy ambiance. No snow for the farm this year it would appear, but let’s not speak too soon!

The weekend for the star gazing is full and hopefully will inspire all budding astronomers!   Our fun and relaxed Bowls week which takes place after the Cherry Festival in November is still on the roll and there is still time to join one of the tours from the retirement villages in Johannesburg. Give Angelique or Jenny a call now on 058-2230274 for more information.

As you can see from the picture, Celvin is doing well 4 months on from his accident which saw him with a broken back, and enjoyed playing bowls (under Angelique’s beady eye!). When he ventures to play action cricket we will break into the Hallelujah chorus! (which I enjoyed hearing young Thomas  - 6 years -  singing down the passage when he didn’t know anyone was listening…..!!)

Facebook for those who use it, is a way to keep up with any specials or news from Wyndford.  Here is the link that you can Like to be connected to us https://www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm.  We’re also able to load photographs  which we cannot send out with our newsletter, such as the aerial pictures taken from a helicopter. Let us know if you are receiving our newsletter more than once, we do respect your inbox and try to keep it as simple as possible!

Thanks to all those who enter our monthly draw. August’s winner is Antonella Dixon.

Looking forward to being able to welcome you to Wyndford’s  beauty in the Springtime!
Warm regards from us all, your Wyndford Team.

June Newsletter

We thought we would make this newsletter the sepia edition! 

We are bathed in the winter palette of oranges, browns and golds… and dust.

These pictures were taken on a recent trip to the end of the farm for tea, (no, Maluti does not drink tea, at least not as far as we know…) which incidentally tastes better in the veld, boiled in a billy can and drunk from a tin cup (especially if it’s moms!) The little chap in the back pack had an easy ride with Dad – one day he will want to ride the bike and Dad will wish he was back in the backpack!

I never thought that waking up with temperatures in the minus for the last month, would see me wishing for a cold front?!...but with the possibility of snow that accompanies this, there is always such excitement at the thought of building snowmen and generally behaving like kids – even if you have grey hair.  Charlotte, our tortoise, is still well dug in to the bank and surviving the winter well.  She hisses grudgingly at me every morning when I check on her (possibly muttering under her breath about stupid humans disturbing her hibernation…)

We have a special running from the 22^nd July to the 2^nd August – stay for 4 and pay for 3 nights or stay for 7 and pay for 5 nights (yes really!) Just imagine putting your feet up, or walking, reading, connecting with family, building a snowman (well – maybe!), being fed and cared for…. If it sounds good give us a call now to book your place – 058-2230274.

At this time of year one can hardly call our bowling green green but bowling brown doesn’t sound right. However, by the time November comes the running will be smooth and green and we have a fun tournament planned.  Arrive on the 24^th depart on the 29^th November, no whites necessary, no formality, no special abilities required…just a few days of relaxing in the country with likeminded bowlers and perhaps your name on the trophy!

If you are facebookers, like us on   https://www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm or alternatively directly from our website on www.wyndford.co.za to be able to share any news and specials with your friends and families.

The Wyndford family have had many comings and goings with the Smith’s meeting up with their kids in Italy, Jenny and Jaco taking leave and Hannes will be relieved to get out of the office (cutting fabric lids and tying bows were not in his male sphere until Wyndford reception).  Celvin is back (!) at work and is already driving so making great progress! (he can even survive the Wyndford church pews for an hour each week….)

Our monthly draw winner for this month is the lucky Kevin Engler!

Don’t forget, get on the phone to take advantage of our wonderful winter woppa!

From all of us on the Wyndford Team, stay well, warm and we hope to see you soon!

Free Night Special!

Pay for 3 and stay for 4! any days between the 17 - 23 June 2013. Call us now on 058 223 0274 to take up this wonderful offer.

May news

The warmest member of the Wyndford family at this moment is definitely Barbara.  After all, who wouldn’t enjoy a sheepskin coat when the temperatures in the mornings fall to minus 3°  – so thick at present that just her nose sticks out!  Charlotte, the tortoise has been interesting to watch…after providing her with a very African hut complete with tin roof and stones and infra red light to keep her warm, she decided to dig herself into the side of a bank. Next time we need to renovate the driveway we will use her as a backacter…

Celvin is another member of the Wyndford team in hibernation.  Due to an unfortunate fall, where he broke his back he is now recovering at home after surgery.  We are happy to report that he is up, and good to see him walking with the kids and Angelique down the drive to the church and back.  Definitely no motorbike rides in the near future for him!
Our bowling green is once again heading to be a bowling brown.  Love the different colours we have seen as the seasons change and the yellows melded into oranges, then reds and watching the leaves finally drift off and float down. There is a stark beauty in an unadorned tree, although secretly do confess to being a green person!

We are still planning to have our fun bowls week from the 24^th – 29^th November 2013. If you can roll, come along and join us!  Jaco has been secretly practising….    Also at the end of the year (hard to believe we are nearly into the sixth month of 2013 already!) from the 29^th November to 1^st December, we have our Walking with Wild Flowers weekend.  Anyone who was with us last year will remember how fascinating this was, and do not be put off by the ‘walking’ bit – there was so much to see and explore that we didn’t actually have to go that far!

The wild dagga plants in front of the church are in full bloom at present and attract the most beautiful sunbirds -  one needs to multitask in church, looking and listening! Any recommendations (other than biltong!!) to keeping the duiker out of the flower beds will be greatly appreciated.  One suggestion – lion poo – was a little hard to find!  It is frustrating (much as I love him) when he mows all the spring flowers to an even 15 cms….

Angelique is off to Joburg to visit Retirement Villages to promote our trips later in the year – check your notice boards if you are a golden oldie and join us. Alternatively contact us in the office on 058-2230274. If you are facebookers, like us on www.facebook.com/wyndfordholidayfarm or alternatively directly from our website on www.wyndford.co.za to be able to share any news and specials with your friends and families. (thanks to Helen for taking the lead in this and getting us off to a good start!)

Along with winter comes the thought of June/July school holidays.  Round up friends and families, spend four nights or longer with us and qualify for a 20% discount. Hiking our mountain trails in the cooler climate is both invigorating and spectacular! The next Stargazing weekend planned for the 22^nd – 23rd June with the Faltermeiers falls within this period so you can take advantage of the special and gaze heavenwards.

With the change of season the Lesotho Maluti mountains are bathed in pink and purple hues each evening at sundown – great for photography! (They do tell me that sunrises are equally as spectacular but I’m with Garfield on this…)

Our monthly draw winner for this month is Veronica Brink

Looking forward to having you with us shortly!

Warm regards from us all, your Wyndford Team.