December greetings...

As the tortoise mountain stands guard over Wyndford, the other two tortoises were seen scurrying (yes, really, tortoises can scurry) as they were caught out last week.  We have had so many ‘nearly’ thunderstorms which came to nothing, that Perry and Charlotte got so blasé that when the real rain arrived in force they were as startled as the rest of us!!

Our dining room chairs are all looking smart in their new clothes, although there is one lucky chair that has a sprinkling of gold fairy dust…. It would appear that my painting skills while doing the Christmas decorations were not up to scratch…oops!

The sandstone  mountains resounded with the sound of the bagpipes this last week as barefoot, John serenaded us with Scotland the brave, Amazing 9Grace and others… with vocal accompaniment by Molly and Sprocket!  The jumping castle is being checked out, the pool lounger cushions are also newly covered – all we need is you!  There is still place available until the 15^th December with the added bonus of two nights Stargazing from the 12  - 14^th with the Faltemeiers.

Well, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and to usher in the New Year with a ‘heave an a ho me matey’.. may we take this opportunity of saying to you all – Thank you for spending time with us this year, travel safe if you are on the move, enjoy family time… and if you are working through the season – a smile always makes it better!

Our Christmas treat winner is Chanel Brinkworth.  Congratulations, we look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season.

On a personal note… thank you to all who have written or phoned regarding the passing of my Dad and to all who took time and stopped for a chat in the garden to reminisce with him. 

Keep a lookout on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm for any last minute specials and up to date news or visit our website where you can enter our monthly draw at www.wyndford.co.za

On behalf of the Wyndford family we would wish you…Mary’s Joy, Joseph’s Wonder, Jesus’ Peace, The Wise Men’s Awe, The Shepherds Excitement and Gabriel’s Hope.

Our latest news...

This is a favourite time of year for us at Wyndford with the first flush of Roses in the gardens, as well as Foxgloves and Columbines adding their cheerful colour to the gardens.  The Icebergs are full albeit a little dusty since the ‘nearly’ rainstorm of yesterday didn’t deliver the much needed water we were hoping for! 

After the last weekend when the “Spiderman” joined us, one is never sure if guests are looking for bugs and bees or just smelling the roses.

The Piet-my-vrou has been singing, always wonderful to hear as he is supposed to herald rain…. I fear he is getting a sore throat, as it is still very dry in this part of the Eastern Free State. The wheat in the fields is looking good to my untrained eye… but we long for rain along with so many in our country. 

It seems, with just eight weeks to Christmas and New Year, that 2017 is rolling in fast.  We still have plans to recover all the chairs in the dining room and the black and white bunting for New Year’s eve is ready…. more about that later for those joining us!  There is still availability before the 9^th December if you can squeeze a four night stay in you will qualify for the 20% discount – what a way to celebrate the end of exams!!

We have some new residents in the bunny cage, who really enjoy the day the carrot and ginger soup is on the menu as there are lots of peelings… the nine chicks are flourishing and their mom is having a busy time trying to keep them all in place.

Thanks to our guest with a fancy drone, we have some wonderful aerial photographs of the farm. Here is one beautiful one which shows the origins of the Wyndford name – Scottish for wynding road to the ford… the crossing of the Caledon river.!

   Keep a lookout on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm for any last minute specials and up to date news or visit our website where you can enter our monthly draw at www.wyndford.co.za

This month our winner is Annie Davey.  Congratulations, we look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season.

Happy Greetings from the Wyndford Team.

Spring news....

 Wow, October arrived!  Wyndford has been particularly beautiful this Spring… not sure if it was the tiny bit of rain that did it, but colour seemed to explode wherever you looked. May bushes, Japonica, peach and apricot trees, Wisteria, Irises – just wonderful. The bright green of early spring is in evidence and the bowling green has had it’s first game played this season.

Unfortunately there are a large number of fruit trees and plants that have felt the brush of Jack Frost this last week with temperatures dropping to minus one on a couple of days. Still beautiful days just with chilly starts.

Molly and Sprocket – our border collie pups - are now nine months old and doing well. They are learning to walk with Dozer and the guests on hikes and to interact with the other animals on the farm. Unfortunately the ‘do not chase’ lesson seems to be taking longer to master, much to the disgust of horses, sheep, geese, cats, gardeners….. you get the picture!

We are often asked about the history of the farm, which has been hosting people since the early 1920’s, and especially what we call the Summerhouse.  It was built by the Italian prisoners of war sometime between 1942 and 1948 and has seen many happy morning and afternoon teas served, along with scrumptious homemade cakes and biscuits.

There is still time to book for Stargazing and Spider/ Butterfly weekends as well as the Steam Train and Cherry Festival in November – give the girls in the office a call now on 058-2230274 for more information.

Keep a lookout on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm for any last minute specials and up to date news or visit our website where you can enter our monthly draw at www.wyndford.co.za

This month our winner is Rene Claassen.  Congratulations, we look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season.

Enjoy your Spring, Greetings from the Wyndford Team.

August news...

It has been a busy time on the farm, hence the late news…

The guests have been buzzing  - unfortunately the bees are not… none in evidence at the hive yet - zip lining, walking, agate hunting, tractor riding – in fact I was sure I saw the horses wiping their brows when, at lunch time today, they were still doing rides up and down the driveway!

 Spring is definitely showing it’s face.  The bowling green has had its annual makeover and both tennis courts have been resurfaced and painted – waiting for all budding ‘Federer’s”!  The thatching on the new tree house is underway, nearly ready for a quiet read with a drink while watching the kids clamber or play tennis.

There are signs of blossoms and green shoots popping out, along with cameo appearances from all three tortoises – always good to see them come out of hibernation well.  The puppies (Molly and Sprocket) were not particularly impressed with these hissing and moving ‘rocks’, having forgotten that they met them in the summer when they were little. The tortoises seem unfazed by all the racket as did mommy pig today, who delivered three little piglets with a grand audience cheering on!

If you haven’t yet heard… (where have you been!) we have a Spring Special running from the 12 to 21 September 2016 only - 35% discount  for a minimum two night stay – and we will still feed you!  …Walking through the kitchen with the very delicious smell of fresh baked bread yesterday, I watched them prepare the broccoli and apple salad with its vibrant colours. Yum!  Don’t delay… round up the family and join us.

Looking ahead to October – two special weekends to remember are the Stargazing weekend from the 7 – 9^th and the Spider /Butterfly (and anything that wiggles) from the 21 – 23 October 2016.  These have proved great fun for young and old, and if you don’t particularly like spiders wonderful to be able to understand and enjoy them (Celvin doesn’t yell for Angelique nearly as often anymore!!)

 Keep a lookout on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm for any last minute specials and up to date news or visit our website.

Mary Van Wijk, you are our monthly draw winner!  Congratulations, we look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season.  Head off to the website to enter on www.wyndford.co.za

Enjoy your Spring, Greetings from the Wyndford Team.

July news... the Sepia Edition

Why the sepia edition? I hear you say….. well it seems that the Eastern Free State is painted  in shades of brown and gold at this time of the year. A sandstone palette, the mielies are being harvested leaving cream cornrows, bunches of golden grasses are being collected for thatching, the trees stand bare and the leaves crunch under foot … even the puppies blend in!

  Keeping in the brown theme of things we have three new calves… Mandy and a first for us, twin boys! Also recently arrived, little lambs the 6^th and 7^th!  (Our flock is growing)  Zazu did herself an injury, again, what is it with horses, but is looking well now and we were wondering if it was just an excuse to spend time being coddled in the paddock. Our first beehive is now in location and hopefully we will be able to offer you homegrown honey along with all our other organic produce in the future.

Well, our limited satellite internet is a thing of the past. After successfully installing fibre we can now offer our guests uncapped access, although it often takes just a few days on the farm for the gadgets to get sidelined!  Fresh air and free space beckons….

 

We have been brushing up on our chocolate mousse… white chocolate, coffee infused, chunky, smooth…Yum!  Although our crème bruleé still seems to take top awards!

 Remember that during the July / August school holidays the 20% discount for 4 nights applies as does the Senior Discount so round up the whole family!  Also, keep a lookout on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm for any last minute specials and up to date news.

Whoop whoop… Michelle Fuchs you are our monthly draw winner!  We look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season.  Head off to the website to enter on www.wyndford.co.za

Until next time stay well and warm, Greetings from the Wyndford Team.

Latest news...

Winter hit this morning with a minus five recorded…. Frozen water bowls for the animals and the geese pretending to be swans as they glide (or rather slip slide!) over the ponds icy surface… with very little grace!

   The hellebores with their delicate shades and flowers make the garden a little less bleak at this time of the year. Our winter seedlings are all planted and as long as the buck do not eat them for dinner, we can now look forward to springtime.  Our big tree was successfully taken down without any damage to the Ark, Summerhouse or dining room, unfortunately a few roses and pride of India bush were not so lucky. Guests have been enjoying the supply of wood in the form of hearty log fires in the dining room and lounge.

 On a quiet morning last week, our staff had a first experience…. they all went horse riding!  With much hilarity and not a single quiet moment, young, old, cooks, waitresses and housekeeping staff tentatively mounted up and clipped off down the drive. I can attest to the fact that the view from on top is wonderfully different!

 Many of you have asked how Dozer is, especially with the advent of the puppies in his life. They all walked with Celvin this morning and are getting along well.  Molly and Sprocket are quite used to a grumpy older brother in the form of Dodge, although having said that, the three of them had great fun chasing imaginary sheep around the garden before breakfast, with a constant commentary from our very vocal Husky!

After the recent snowy weekend and cold temperatures, we checked on the tortoises and they seem to be happy in hibernation.  Although we’re a little concerned as Charlotte is warmly tucked up, feet inside whereas Perry is spread eagle, legs outside ….. maybe it’s a boy thing?!  Button is doing well and snug in her warmed accommodation.

 As the schools break for winter holidays remember that during the July / August school holidays the 20% discount for 4 nights applies as does the Senior Discount so round up the whole family!  Looking  ahead, September and October are beautiful here in the Eastern free state and at Wyndford in particular and there are tours planned in November for those not wanting to drive.

Thanks to all those who entered the monthly draw… this month’s winner is Fransa Vorster.  We look forward to welcoming you to Wyndford for your two night stay out of season. 

Head off to the website to enter on www.wyndford.co.za and we will keep you up to date on www.facebook.com/WyndfordHolidayFarm with all the news.

Warm Greetings from the Wyndford Team

Last minute getaway special...

Specials ... Weekend 24-26 June 16

10% discount minimum 2 nights!

Remember during the July school holidays

the 20% for 4 nights applies

as does the Senior Discount!